CHAPTER42
2032
‘You’re not wearing those shoes for driving, are you?’ Pete stared at Alex’s feet with both curiosity and concern. ‘It’s very hard to gauge pedal pressure with a heel, especially one of that size. What are they, six inches? Also—’
‘Will you stop going on, Peter, she’s a grown woman and one with fantastic taste in shoes, might I add.’
When Pete moved out of the granny flat eight years ago, Florence had virtually changed overnight. No more suspicious looks, no more snide remarks and although they bought a house ten miles away, Pete still looked after Winston and took him for weekends and holidays. The couple even adopted a Labrador, Walter, who although much younger than Winston quickly became his best friend. Darren the postman, however, was still enemy number one.
‘No, actually,’ Alex replied, mouthing “thank you”to Florence. ‘My trainers are in the car. I just wanted to show my new sandals off and you almost ruined the moment. Thankfully, your wife has excellent taste and I feel sufficiently admired.’
Her new shoes didn’t click-clack quite as impressively as her now deceased Louboutins, but they had a much springier step to them. She felt bouncy as she walked, like one of those cheerleader types she’d seen at sporting events, with perky boobs, a high swinging ponytail and a genuine zest for life. Sadly for Alex, at forty-two, in reality things had begun to swing a lot lower than she’d have liked.
Her case was already packed, this time without the help of Winston who, although still intent on sniffing everything on earth at least twice, had decided to fall asleep on her bed. With Walter. Belly up.
She pulled her case to the front door before returning to the living room. ‘Those two are out for the count. They’re so cute.’
‘We might just hang out here for a bit until they wake up,’ Pete said, ‘If that’s alright?’
She smiled. ‘Mi casa es su casa,’ she replied, noticing that Florence already had her shoes off and her feet up on the couch. ‘Make yourselves at home. But if Winston has a farting attack in his sleep, can you open my window a crack before you go?’
Once outside, she loaded up her new Toyota, which according to Pete was one of the safest models to drive. This time she listened.
She connected her phone and clicked on the driving playlist she’d made specifically for the three-and-a-half-hour trip to Kerry. It consisted mostly of theHamiltonsoundtrack, but she’d also thrown in some Lana Del Rey, some Fleetwood Mac, some Interpol and even some Lewis Capaldi which she knew she’d skip past when his voice made her eyes mist over and she couldn’t see the road ahead properly.
Bzz. Bzz.
We’re going to get food then head off in a couple of hours. Might give the best man time to sober the fuck up.
And this is why we didn’t have the hen-do the night before the wedding. I’ll be there around twelve x
* * *
When she arrived at Loughview House, she was immediately greeted by a team of people, carrying what looked like unlit tiki torches and rolls of white ribbon down the path towards the beach. She waved over at Paul, who was talking with two men she didn’t recognise before heading through the open front door.
Once inside, she left her case in the first bedroom, which already contained two open suitcases, a half-eaten packet of Jaffa Cakes and a folded-up wheelchair.
‘Thank God you’re here,’ she heard a voice say behind her. ‘The whole place is a riot. I just heard Erin shriek a moment ago, but I’m pretending I didn’t in case she tries to make me an accomplice to whatever’s going on.’
Alex flung her arms around Beth, nearly knocking her over. ‘Good to see you! Is it already that bad? Why is it so busy outside? I thought we all agreed this would be low key?’
‘Erin caved and got someone in to organise everything,’ she replied. ‘I think she’s regretting it. Honestly, even my wedding wasn’t this hectic and we did the whole dress, bridesmaids, the church, and several thousand family members who all hated each other thing. This should’ve been a breeze.’
‘Well, you look well,’ Alex told Beth, which was true. She looked healthy. Glowing.
‘I’ll look a lot better when I finish my makeup,’ she replied. ‘I’ve piled on the weight with these new meds, so I’ve had to bring a backup dress. My first choice was red and slinky and I could not get it over my backside. If this one cuts off the circulation, I’m sticking on some sweatpants, I don’t even care.’
‘Are you managing?’ Alex asked. ‘I saw the wheelchair…’
Beth nodded. ‘I’m still upright most of the time; I just came prepared. I plan to walk along the beach with everyone else, even if I have to wheel myself along some of the way. Now, please go and see Erin and calm her down before she murders someone.’
‘That bad?’
‘The worst. You’d think she was the one getting married.’
Alex braced herself as she cautiously entered the living room.
‘Hey, Lily!’
