‘All right. It’s OK now,’ I said, handing her a tissue to dry her eyes. ‘Is there anything you need to tell me, though? It’s not like you to make a mistake like that. That’s why I was sceptical. Is everything OK, you know, between you and Sam and stuff?’
‘Oh, yes, yes. That’s all fine. We just had a bit of a panic on Friday. Our photographer suddenly said he didn’t think he was going to be able to make it!’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Apparently he’s double-booked himself and only just realised. He contacted Sam on Friday, so he was trying to deal with it because he knew I’d flip out, but in the end he had to tell me. I guess I was more distracted than I thought. I really am so, so sorry about the photo. I never meant for Charlie to see it like that.’
I slid my glance to her.
‘I mean at all!’ she clarified, pausing slightly before she spoke again. ‘But I do think you should keep it. I mean, seriously, Libs, you look bloody amazing in it. I wish I had one like that.’
‘Well, if you like, we can go down to the beach once we finish our tea. I’ll throw you in the sea and we can get you one of your own.’
She smiled for the first time since we’d started talking.
‘So, is everything sorted now, I mean, with the photographer?’
‘Apparently. After I’d gone off on one about it, he seemed to reconsider. Honestly, I was a total Bridezilla. I didn’t know I had it in me.’
I shrugged. ‘Needs must. So long as he’s got his act together now. And next time, just tell me what’s going on, OK? Don’t just sit and stress there on your own. I might not be able to help but I’d like to try.’
‘OK, I promise. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to think I was being unprofessional, bringing all this wedding stuff to work.’
‘Tilly, you’re getting married and there’s a lot to arrange. Of course there’s going to be stuff you have to do in the day. It’s fine. I know you well enough by now to know you won’t take advantage. And I did hope you knew me well enough to know you could come to me – about anything. I must be a worse boss than I thought I was!’
‘No!’ Tilly cried. ‘Not at all! I was just desperate to prove how efficient and professional I was. And ended up proving the opposite.’
‘Rubbish. The only thing you proved is that you’re human. And I already know you’re efficient and professional. So just relax, OK? The blog wouldn’t be where it is without you.’
She gave me a hug and we headed on into the living room and settled down at our desks ready to tackle our individual to-do lists for the day.
13
‘So, what else did you do at the weekend?’ Tilly asked when we broke for lunch. We were sitting out on my Charlie-declared-hazard of a balcony, under a parasol, eating a pasta salad I’d made first thing this morning.
‘I drank too much champagne in response to Charlie seeing that photograph and passed out on his garden bench.’
‘You did?’ Tilly laughed.
‘I did.’
‘And then what?’
‘Then I woke up.’
‘Where?’
‘Where what?’
‘Where did you wake up?’
‘In Charlie’sguestbedroom,’ I emphasised. Although I was now sure Tilly hadn’t put the X-rated photograph in Charlie’s folder on purpose, it was clear she wasn’t entirely unconvinced by Amy’s prompts about him and me either.
‘Oh.’
I laughed. ‘Sorry. No juicy gossip for you.’
‘Oh, well.’
