‘Umm, I don’t know. I guess. He said use whatever.’
‘There are a few of you. They’re all fabulous! He’s better than a lot of the wedding photographers we looked at! I think he’s even better than the one we booked!’
I smiled. ‘I’m sure yours will be perfect when it comes to it.’
‘Yeah. I know. It’s just, you know, it’s that one day, isn’t it?’
‘And it’s going to be amazing. Now come on, find the little crab picture he took. He showed me that on the camera and it was really cute.’
‘OK. Will do.’
I picked up my phone. The thread I’d started with Charlie earlier on the chat app was still open.
?? Tilly wants to book you as her wedding photographer…
A reply came back within moments.
?? What?!!!
I smiled. Poor Charlie. I could just imagine panic coursing through him at the thought of dealing with all those people, not to mention the responsibility of getting the Perfect Picture for someone’s Perfect Day. I thought I’d better reply and put him out of his misery.
?? She’s just seen the photos you took on Sunday. There are a couple of me and she loves the look of them.
?? Oh! Yes, hope you didn’t mind. I had planned on showing you – just had to shoot off on this trip before I got the chance. I’ve not really done people before, and you were just there. I really liked the look of them too. Came out better than I expected.
A happy but surprised smiley face followed this declaration.
?? I’m not entirely sure how to take that but OK! Ha ha! And don’t worry, she has a photographer booked. Lucky for you, otherwise I think you’d be first choice!
Winky face.
?? I meant the photos being better than expected, not the subject, you daft woman. As I’m sure you know!
Pokey tongue face. And then another message.
?? But I’m glad she has someone booked. Couldn’t deal with the stress of herding a wedding party and photographing a bride – talk about pressure! Give me a high-risk assessment involving billions of dollars any day – that I can deal with!
?? I’ll remember that. Note to self – do not ask Charlie to photograph my wedding.
Thanks. I’d appreciate that.
I sent him a smiley face as a reward.
?? Right, breakfast meeting tomorrow so better get some kip. Have a good rest of the day. Say hi to the others for me.
?? Night, Libs xx
?? Night, Charlie. Sleep well xx
‘OK, these are the ones I thought about using.’ Tilly peeped over her monitor at me. ‘Do you want to come and have a quick look?’
* * *
Cleaning was most definitely not my favourite job. On the other hand, I did like things to be clean and tidy and, as I didn’t have a magical housekeeper lady as Charlie did, the task unfortunately fell to me. I’d been at it for the last three hours and I was just peeling off the Marigolds when the doorbell rang.
‘Hi!’ I broke into a smile when I opened the door to see Charlie standing there.
‘Hi,’ he replied. ‘I’m not interrupting you, am I?’ His gaze flicked to the bright yellow rubber gloves dangling from one hand.
