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Doris looked up from her knitting. ‘Who’s Freddie?’
‘No one, Mother. Carry on with your knitting.’ It wasn’t like her mother had the capacity to understand what was going on, and Connie didn’t have the energy to explain.
‘I guess I was embarrassed,’ Megan said, looking glum. ‘It was a foolish thing to do.’
‘Who’s Freddie?’ repeated Doris.
Connie reapplied Megan’s mascara. ‘We all do silly things when we’re younger. Your only real crime was letting it go on for so long and not telling Zac.’
Megan sniffed. ‘I know.’
‘Who’s Freddie?’ Doris demanded again.
Connie glanced over, deciding honesty was the best policy. It’s not like her mother would remember. ‘The man Megan married eight years ago in Las Vegas.’
Doris looked incredulous. ‘Don’t be daft. Megan’s not married – she’s marrying Zac.’ She resumed knitting, tutting and shaking her head. ‘And people sayI’mlosing my marbles.’
The bedroom door opened and Beth appeared, carrying a tray of drinks. Behind her was Lily Taylor, Megan’s best friend and wedding dress designer, carrying a huge garment bag.
‘I found Lily waiting in the hallway. I figured you’d be needing your dress soon, so I invited her in.’ Beth placed the tray on the side table.
‘I can wait outside, if you’re not ready?’ Lily hovered by the doorway, looking uncomfortable, as though she was intruding.
Megan waved her in. ‘Come in, I need all the support I can get… How’s Zac?’
‘He’s fine.’ Lily laid the dress bag on the four-poster bed. ‘He’s playing pool in the barn with Matt and Will.’
Megan swivelled on the stool to face her friend. ‘Is he really okay about getting married today?’
‘They were all laughing and messing about, so I didn’t get the impression he was having second thoughts.’ Lily came over to Megan. ‘He asked me to give you this. He meant to give it to you earlier, but things got a little sidetracked.’
Megan took the jewellery box from Lily and opened it to reveal a small silver ring embossed with blue sapphires. ‘My something blue,’ she said, welling up again.
Connie handed her a tissue. ‘Don’t cry, you’ll smudge your make-up again. It looks a little small for your finger.’
‘Oh, it’s not for my finger.’ Megan averted her eyes.
Connie looked at Beth and then Lily, who both surreptitiously looked away. ‘Then where’s it for?’
‘Probably her nipple,’ Doris said, without looking up from her knitting.
Connie’s mouth dropped open.
‘Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.’ Megan disappeared, taking her jewellery box with her.
Connie was left wondering how her eighty-four-year-old mother knew more about body piercings than she did.
A knock on the bedroom door shook Connie from her thoughts. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, glad of the distraction – something she quickly regretted when she discovered Kenneth standing on the other side. What did he want now?
‘Where’s Megan?’ he snapped, aiming for a look of superiority.
‘Using the bathroom.’ She took in his attire of formal morning suit. ‘Why are you wearing tails when the dress code is tux?’
‘I already informed Megan I’d be wearing tails. It’s the appropriate attire for a wedding. Alex is wearing tails, too.’
‘No, he’s not. We changed his order to a tuxedo when Beth asked us to, and I believe she asked you to do the same.’ His suit wasn’t even black, it was pale grey.
‘She did, but I opted for tails.’
