Wedding Girl (30 page)

She put down the phone and looked at the others.

`You know, I really don't trust that woman,' she said. Ì'm going round there.'

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AS SHE REACED the bottom of the stairs, Milly stopped and put her case down on the floor.

Ì'm not sure,' she said.

`What do you mean, you're not sure?' said Esme briskly, coming into the hall. She was wearing her fur hat and holding a pair of black leather gloves and a road map. `Come on! It's getting late.'

Ì'm not sure about going away,' said Milly. She sat down on the stairs. Ì feel as if I'm running away from everything. Maybe it would be better to stay and be brave and face it out.' Esme shook her head.

`Darling, you're not running away you're being sensible. If we stay here, you'll spend all of tomorrow with your face pressed against the window, brooding. If we go away, at least you'll have a different view to distract you.'

`But I should talk to my parents, at least.'

`They'll still be here on Monday. And they'll be too busy to talk at the moment.'

`Well then, maybe I should help them.'

`Milly,' said Esme impatiently, `you're being ridiculous. The best place for you at the moment is somewhere far away, tranquil and discreet, where you can think about life properly for once. Take some time out, rebalance yourself, work out your priorities.'

Milly stared at the floor for a while.

Ìt's true,' she said at last. Ì do need a chance to think.'

Òf course you do!' said Esme. `You need some unhurried peace and solitude. If you go home, you'll be surrounded by mayhem and distraction and emotional pressure. From your mother especially.'

`She was very upset,' said Milly. `Mummy. She really wanted the wedding to happen.'

Òf course she did,' said Esme. `We all did. But now that it's not going to happen, you're going to have to think about life in a different way. Aren't you?'

Milly sighed and stood up.

`Yes,' she said. `You're right. A weekend in the countryside is exactly what I need.'

`You won't regret it,' said Esme, and smiled at her. `Come on. Let's get on the road.'

Esme's Daimler was parked on the street outside, underneath a street light. As they got in, Milly turned round in her seat and peered curiously through the back window.

`That looks like Isobel's car,' she said.

`There are lots of these little Peugeots around the place,' murmured Esme. She turned on the ignition and a blast of Mozart filled the car.

Ìt is Isobel's car!' said Milly, peering harder. `What's Isobel doing here?'

`Well, I'm afraid we can't hang around,' said Esme, swiftly putting the car into gear. `You can give her a ring when we get there.'

`No, wait!' protested Milly. `She's getting out. She's coming towards us. Esme, stop!' Esme put the car into gear and began to drive off, and Milly stared at her in astonishment. Èsme, stop!' she said. `Stop the car!'

Hurrying along the street, Isobel saw Esme's car pulling away from the kerb and felt a thrust of panic.

She began to run after the car, panting in the winter air, desperate not to let Milly out of her sight. She could just see Milly's blond head incarcerated behind Esme's expensive Daimler windows; as she ran, she saw Milly turn and see her, then say something to Esme. But the car didn't stop. A surge of fury went through Isobel as she saw it disappearing away from her towards the end of the road. Who did this bitch think she was? Where the hell was she taking Milly? A furious adrenalin began to pump round her body and, with an almighty effort, she upped her pace to a sprint. She careered along the pavement, keeping the rear lights of the Daimler in sight, unsure what she would do when Esme turned the corner and zipped off down the main road.

But the traffic lights at the end of the road were red, and as Esme's car approached them it was forced to slow down. Feeling like a triumphant Olympic athlete, Isobel caught up with the car and began to bang on Milly's window. Inside, she could see Milly shouting animatedly at Esme, then struggling with the handbrake. Suddenly Milly's door opened and she spilled out, half falling, onto the pavement.

`What do you want?' she gasped to Isobel. Ì thought it must be important.'

`Too right it's important!' managed Isobel, red in the face and panting hard, almost unable to speak for anger. `Too right it's important! My God!' She pushed her hair out of her eyes and forced herself to take a couple of deep breaths. `For a start, you might like to know, it was this bitch who shopped you to the vicar.' She gestured scornfully at Esme, who stared back at her from the driver's seat with furious, glinting eyes.

`What do you mean?' said Milly. Ìt was Alexander.'

Ìt wasn't Alexander, it was Esme! Wasn't it?' snapped Isobel at Esme.

`Really?' said Milly, looking at Esme with wide eyes. `Really?'

Òf course not!' said Esme tartly. `Why would I do such a thing?'

`To get back at Harry, perhaps,' said Isobel, a new, scathing note entering her voice.

`You're talking nonsense!'

Ì'm not,' said Isobel. `He's told me all about you. Everything.'

`Has he now?' said Esme mockingly.

`Yes,' said Isobel coldly. `He has.'

There was silence. Esme's glinting eyes ranged sharply over Isobel's face, then suddenly flickered in comprehension.

Ì see,' she said slowly. `So that's how it is.' She gave Isobel a tiny, contemptuous smile. Ì might have guessed as much. You Havill girls do have a penchant for money, don't you?'

`You're a bitch, Esme,' said Isobel.

Ì don't understand,' said Milly, looking from Isobel to Esme. `What are you talking about? Esme, did you really tell Canon Lytton about me being married?'

`Yes I did,' said Esme. Ànd it was for your own good. You didn't want to marry that immature, sanctimonious little prig!'

`You betrayed me!' cried Milly. `You're supposed to be my godmother! You're supposed to be on my side!'

Ì am on your side,' retorted Esme.

Behind them, a line of cars was beginning to mount up. One of them sounded its horn and Isobel gestured impatiently back.

`Milly, listen,' said Esme. `You're far too good for marriage to Simon Pinnacle! Your life hasn't begun yet. Don't you understand? I saved you from a life of tedium and mediocrity.'

Ìs that what you think?' said Milly, her voice rising in disbelief. `That you saved me?'

Several more cars began to sound their horns. Towards the back of the queue, a driver got out of his car and began to walk along the pavement.

`Darling, I know you very well,' began Esme. Ànd I know that '

`You don't!' interrupted Milly. `You don't know me very well. You don't bloody know me at all! All of you think you know me and none of you do! You haven't got any idea what I'm really like, underneath ...'

Ùnderneath what?' challenged Esme.

Milly gazed silently at Esme, panting slightly, her face bathed green in the glow of the traffic light above, then looked away.

Èxcuse me.' A truculent male voice interrupted them. `Have you seen the light?'

`Yes,' said Milly dazedly. Ì think I probably have.'

`The lady was just leaving,' said Isobel, and slammed the passenger door of Esme's car viciously.

`Come on, Milly,' she said, taking her sister's arm. `Let's go.'

As they sped away in Isobel's car, Milly sank back into her seat and massaged her brow with her fingertips. Isobel drove quickly and efficiently, glancing at Milly every so often but saying nothing.

After a while, Milly sat up and smoothed back her hair.

`Thanks, Isobel,' she said.

Àny time.'

`How did you guess it was Esme?'

Ìt had to be,' said Isobel. `No one else knew. If Alexander hadn't told anyone, it had to be her. And ...'

She paused. `There were other things.'

`What things?' Milly swivelled her head towards Isobel. `What was all that about getting back at Harry?'

`They had a liaison,' said Isobel shortly. `Let's just say it didn't work.'

`How do you know?'

`He told Simon. And me. I was over there just now.' A tinge of pink came to Isobel's cheeks and she put her foot down rather hard on the accelerator. Milly stared at her sister.

Ìs something wrong?'

`No,' said Isobel. But the pink in her cheeks was deepening to a red and she wouldn't look round.

Milly's heart began to thump.

Ìsobel, what's going on? What did Esme mean, you've got a penchant for money?'

Isobel said nothing, but changed gear with a crunch. She signalled to turn left and turned the windscreen wipers on by mistake.

`Damn,' she said. `This bloody car.'

`There's something you're not telling me, Isobel,' said Milly. `You're hiding something.'

Ì'm not,' said Isobel.

`What were you doing at Pinnacle Hall?' Milly's voice suddenly sharpened. `Who were you seeing?'

`No one.'

`Don't play games with me! Have you and Simon been seeing each other behind my back?'

`No!' said Isobel, laughing. `Don't be ridiculous.'

`How do I know? If my godmother can betray me, then why can't my own sister?'

Isobel glanced at Milly. Her face was white and tense and her hands were tightly gripping the seat.

`For God's sake, Milly,' she said quickly. `We're not all Esme Ormerod! Of course I haven't been seeing Simon.'

`Well, what is it, then?' Milly's voice rose higher. Ìsobel, tell me what's going on!'

'OK!' Isobel said. 'OK. I'll tell you. I was going to break it to you gently but since you're so bloody suspicious ...' She glanced at Milly and took a deep breath. Ìt's Harry.'

`What's Harry?' said Milly.

`Who I was seeing. He's . . .' Isobel swallowed. `The father.' She glanced at Milly's face, still blank and uncomprehending. Òf my child, Milly! He's . . . he's the one I've been seeing.)

`What?' Milly's voice ripped through the car like the cry of a bird. `You've been seeing Harry Pinnacle?'

'Yes.'

`He's the father of your child?'

`Yes.'

`You've been having an affair with Simon's dad?' Milly's voice was becoming higher and higher.

`Yes!' said Isobel defensively. 'But--' She stopped at the sound of Milly bursting into sobs. `Milly, what's wrong?' She shot a quick look at Milly, who was doubled over in her seat, clasping her face in her hands. Tears suddenly sprang to her own eyes, blurring her view of the road. `Milly, I'm really sorry,' she said. Ì know this is a terrible time to tell you. Oh Milly, don't cry!'

Ì'm not crying,' managed Milly. Ì'm not crying!'

`What do you-'

Ì'm laughing!' Milly gasped for breath, looked at Isobel, then erupted into hysterical giggles again.

`You and Harry! But he's so old!'

`He's not old!' said Isobel.

`He is! He's ancient! He's got grey hair!'

`Well I don't care. I love him. And I'm going to have his baby!'

Milly raised her head and looked at Isobel. She was staring ahead defiantly but her lips were trembling and tears had spilled onto her cheeks.

Òh Isobel, I'm sorry!' Milly said in distress. Ì didn't mean it! He's not old really.' She paused. Ì'm sure you'll make a lovely couple.'

Òf fogies,' said Isobel, signalling to turn right.

`Don't!' said Milly. A tiny giggle erupted from her and she clamped her mouth shut. Ì can't believe it.

My sister, having a secret affair with Harry Pinnacle. I knew you were up to something. But I never would have guessed in a million years.' She looked up. `Does anyone else know?'

`Simon.'

`You told Simon before me?' said Milly, hurt. Isobel rolled her eyes exasperatedly.

`Milly, you sound just like Mummy!' she said. Ànd no, I didn't. He came across us.'

`What, in bed?'

`No, not in bed!'

Milly giggled.

`Well, I don't know, do I? You might have been.' She glanced at Isobel's profile. `You're very good at keeping secrets, you know.'

`Speak for yourself!' said Isobel.

`Yes, I suppose so,' said Milly, after a pause. Ì suppose so. But you know ...' She stretched out her legs and put her feet up on the dashboard. Ì never thought of my marriage to Allan as a secret, exactly.'

`What was it, then?'

Ì don't know,' said Milly vaguely. She thought for a moment. À secret is something which you have to keep hidden. But that was more like ... something in a different world. Something which never really existed in this world.' She gazed out of the window, watching as the inky black hedgerow sped by. Ì

still think of it a bit like that. If no one had found out about it, it wouldn't have existed.'

`You're mad,' said Isobel, signalling left.

Ì'm not!' Milly pointed her feet, encased in pink suede, against the glass. `Do you like my new shoes, by the way?'

`Very nice.'

`Twenty quid. Simon would hate them.' A tiny satisfaction entered her voice. Ì thought I might cut my hair, too.'

`Good idea,' said Isobel absently.

`Bleach it. And get a nose-ring.' She met Isobel's horrified eye and grinned. Òr something.'

As they approached Pinnacle Hall, Milly's eyes suddenly focused on her surroundings, and she stiffened.

Ìsobel, what's going on?' she said.

`We're going to Pinnacle Hall,' said Isobel.

Ì can see that,' said Milly. `But why?'

Isobel didn't reply for a while.

Ì think we should wait until we get there,' she said at last.

Ì don't want to see Simon,' said Milly, ìf that's your idea. If you've set up some meeting, you can forget it. I'm not going to see him.'

`You know, he came to apologize to you this afternoon,' said Isobel. `He brought you flowers. But Esme wouldn't let him in.' She turned towards Milly. `Now do you want to see him?'

`No,' said Milly after a pause. Ìt's too late. He can't undo the things he said.'

Ì think he's genuinely sorry,' said Isobel, as they approached the gates of Pinnacle Hall, `for what that's worth.'

Ì don't care,' said Milly. As the car crackled on the drive, she shrank down in her seat. Ì don't mind seeing Harry,' she said. `But not Simon. I'm just not going to see him.'