She turned back to him and he backed towards the kitchen. She opened her mouth as though she wanted to say something but in the lounge her friends were talking to someone on the phone, a muted male voice they could hear beneath their exuberant tones. She went to join them and he busied himself in the kitchen, putting together a platter of toast and cheese and other little bits. He made them tea and brought in big glasses of water for them too.
They squeezed together on the big sofa, devouring the food, and asking for music. Something chilled to wind them down. He picked his George Harrison mix and Noelle and Beth turned to each other with raised eyebrows and then looked at Ashleigh, who blushed.
‘Is this okay?’
‘It’s great.’ Beth grinned and scooched forward to grab her tea. ‘They really should have let him write more songs.’
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed and as they got into a conversation about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, a car pulled up outside and two doors slammed, followed by footsteps on the path.
Ashleigh was nearest to the door and got up. ‘I’ll grab it before they ring the bell.’
‘Jeez, that was quick.’ Noelle picked up another slice of bread.
After some mumbling in the hallway, two tall men appeared in the doorway of the room with Ashleigh hanging back just behind them.
‘Hey, hubby-to-be.’ Beth jumped up and virtually launched herself across the room at the one with messy blond hair and glasses. ‘How did you get here so fast? Did youfly?’
‘Ha ha. We were a bit concerned.’ He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground to squeeze her. ‘You were saying something about going into some man’s house that smelled of willies?’
The women all burst out laughing.
‘I didnotsay that.’ Beth swatted at him as he put her down on her feet again. ‘I said it smells like Willy Wonka’s factory.’ She breathed in deep and circled her hand like she was wafting the air towards her nose. ‘Smell it. Oh…it smells of toast and cheese now. Maybe try the kitchen.’ She pushed her fiancé through the doorway and the other, dark-haired man raised his eyebrows as he was near flattened against the wall.
When he’d unpeeled himself he caught Olivier’s eye and extended his hand. ‘Hi. I’m Stephen. You must be Olivier. Thank you for letting Beth and Noelle wait here until we could pick them up. Bloody trains are a nightmare.’
Olivier got to his feet and shook Stephen’s hand. ‘No problem. They’re just finishing their tea. Would you like some? I also promised them they could try my marshmallows.’
‘I hope that’s not a euphemism.’ Stephen laughed.
‘Not everyone is as dirty-minded as you.’ Noelle reached out from her seat on the sofa and grabbed Stephen’s shirt to drag him down towards her.
Stephen bent down, bracing himself on the arm. ‘It never usually bothers you. Hi,’ he murmured as he pressed a kiss gently to her lips and then leaned back regarding her with a smile. ‘You’re so drunk, Noelle Kingston… I’m glad you’ve had a good time.’
Somehow “finishing their tea”, turned into a whole other round and while they were still waiting for the marshmallows to set, and Olivier made up another plate of nibbles, they all sat around in the lounge, chatting. It was warm and relaxing, the women still full of high spirits but growing tired and curling into their partners, Beth and Nick beside each other on the sofa with Ashleigh at the end, Stephen on the armchair with Noelle on his lap and Olivier settled on a cushion on the floor by the fireplace. His eyes kept catching Ashleigh’s from across the room and he wished they were side by side too, with her on his lap or resting her head on his shoulder.
Talk moved to the wedding and the dress, with some excitement about the fact it was just next door, and then reminiscing about this time last year, when a blizzard had hit most of England and Beth and Nick had met when he was staying at her maman’s hotel.
‘And to think, none of this would be happening if Beth didn’t find me repellent,’ Stephen joked.
‘I do not find you repellent,’ Beth exclaimed, while Noelle burst out laughing and Nick just rolled his eyes.
‘What am I missing?’ Olivier asked.
‘Stephen and I went out on a date first. One date. That’s it.’ Beth nuzzled further into Nick’s side. ‘You’re totally going to reference it in the best man speech aren’t you?’
‘No, he’s not. Not if he wants to remain my brother.’ Nick eyed Stephen firmly.
Olivier blinked. They were brothers. He supposed he’d missed that fact in all the noise and excitement when they arrived. They were brothers and they’d both dated the same woman, who one of them was now marrying. And yet they seemed fine with it. All families had their complications it seemed.
‘It’s going to be the elephant in the room if I don’t,’ Stephen commented lightly.
‘That’s true.’ Noelle bounced her feet where they dangled, her legs draped over Stephen’s. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll help him to add a little line about it. Something funny.’
‘No.’ Beth, Nick and Stephen all said simultaneously.
‘What? I’m a writer. You think I can’t help him with his speech?’
‘Noelle. I love you,’ Beth said. ‘But tact is not your strong suit.’
