Page 12 of The Forever Match

To Victoria’s left, Honey started barking, scenting drama and wanting in. From somewhere behind them came a strangled “Victoria!” as the Queen rose from her seat.

Ash scrambled across the red carpet on her hands and knees, panic flooding every crevice of her body. Why the hell had she dropped the ring? What if she did it on the actual day? Fuck, that was a scenario she hadn't once stopped to consider.

“Are we sure she ate it? Definitely? It couldn’t have rolled somewhere?” She patted the carpet, arse in the air, and sent a brief prayer of thanks that no cameras were present.

She raised her head. Victoria’s face was inches from hers.

“She ate it, Ash. She eats everything you drop. She once ate a battery.”

“Fuck.” Ash glanced up at the Queen, still on her knees. “Excuse my language, Your Majesty.”

The Queen gave her a serene smile. “In the circumstances, I think your language is entirely appropriate.” She seized Truffle by the collar with the practised grip of a woman who had handled corgis and prime ministers in equal measure.

“Right. Let’s get you home, you greedy little beast, and play a waiting game until you produce Victoria’s ring, shall we? I’ll put your father on poo watch. Penance for not turning up.”

Truffle wagged her tail, entirely unbothered that she had £200K of diamond and sapphire resting somewhere near her spleen.

“What the fuck went on at your rehearsal?”

Michael walked into the summerhouse, kissing Victoria on the cheek and giving Ash a salute as she took her shot. Coming into Victoria’s special space for a game of pool seemed like the obvious thing to do after the rehearsal debacle. But neither of them could pot a ball. They were too thrown by what had happened.

Victoria recounted the story to her brother, who stood, stroking his ginger beard, and then laughed like a drain once she was done.

“I’m so sad I wasn’t there. Good old Truffle, you can always count on her for a spot of entertainment.”

“You’re not helping, Michael,” Victoria replied.

But her brother just waved away her protests. “Oh, come on! Your wedding is a joyous occasion. And now, when you put that ring on her finger, you’ll know it got there via Truffle’s anus. It makes the day even more special.”

Victoria put her cue down, then walked to the fridge.

“Just for that, I’m going to open a beer and waft it under your nose.”

She uncapped two beers, then handed one to Ash.

But Michael simply smiled as he put the kettle on. “Do your worst. I am immune to the temptation of alcohol.”

Ash took a sip of her beer and leaned against the pool table. She had a lot of time for Michael, especially since he’d gone sober and become an altogether more acceptable human who didn’t leak stories about them to the press. Plus, she knew how important he was to Victoria, despite everything that had happened. They looked out for each other.

At least 99% of the time.

“I’m glad I caught you, actually.”

Victoria swigged her beer and narrowed her gaze. “Uh-oh. This normally doesn’t end well.”

But Michael shook his head. “I’ve been kind of seeing someone. A woman.”

That made his sister almost spit out her beer. “Thank goodness. I don’t think Mother could take two queers in the family.”

Her brother tilted his head with impatience. “When you’re quite finished.” He paused. “Anyway, this woman. I really like her, and I wondered, could I invite her to the wedding?” He raised his palm. “Not to the day, that would be strange. But I’d love her to be there in the evening. For the fun bit, where everyone relaxes and has a dance.”

Julien and his dance torture flashed to the front of Ash’s mind. She’d never used the words ‘relaxed’ and ‘dancing’ in the same sentence, and she doubted she ever would.

“Who is she? Anyone we know?” Victoria walked over to Ash and casually draped an arm around her neck. The closeness caused goosebumps to break out all over Ash’s skin, and she breathed in her bride-to-be. She was her all-time favourite smell.

Michael shook his head. “Someone I met via a friend. She’s a bit unsure about going out with me because of who I am, and my past. I get that. I don’t want to scare her, but I’d like to have her by my side. To show her that my family can be normalish, as can I.”

Ash glanced at Victoria, and they shared a look. A tacit agreement that Michael could invite whoever he liked.