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Amy clocked Emma walking back towards them. ‘Any time would be great,’ she said. ‘Any time at all. In fact, how about tomorrow night?’ She could have kicked herself for blurting that out and sounding so desperate. ‘I mean, I was just thinking aloud . . .’ She groaned inwardly. She sounded like a twit.
Amusement danced in his eyes, and he smiled lazily at her. ‘Tomorrow night is fine. How about 8 p.m. at the Ship Inn?’
‘Sound good,’ she said, trying desperately to sound nonchalant. ‘See you there.’
He nodded. ‘Great.’ Turning his attention to Emma, he said, ‘Remember what I said, don’t worry about a thing and call me if you need anything. The food is all under control and you’re happy with the final menu?’
‘Absolutely,’ said Emma. ‘Thank you again for making this all so stress-free, James.’
He smiled. ‘I aim to please. Now you will have to excuse me, but call me anytime.’ Rather formally, Amy thought, he shook both their hands and headed back to work.
Amy’s hand tingled from his touch, and she snorted when she saw Emma staring at her. ‘What?’
‘As if you didn’t know,’ she said. ‘Hehasgot a lovely handshake. Firm and commanding but gentle too. He’s certainly aged well. And just how charismatic? What an absolute catch.’
‘Sssssh,’ said Amy brusquely. ‘He might hear you.’
Emma smiled knowingly at her.
‘Anyway, I think it’s time we got back.’ Glancing at her watch, she saw that the ferry would be due in soon. ‘Come on, let’s go. Max will be here soon.’
Emma sighed. ‘Oh God, so he will.’
As they walked back up the hill towards Meadowbank, Amy noticed Emma had gone quiet. ‘Are you okay, sis?’
‘Mmm. I love the spot. What a beautiful place to get married . . . I just hope, well I just hope that it’s all going to be okay.’
Amy stopped in her tracks and looked at her. ‘Emma, can I ask you a frank question?’
‘Of course you can.’
‘Do you want to get married?’
Emma stared at her in horror. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean when you went dress shopping did you feel excited? Or did you have a nagging feeling in your gut that you were doing the wrong thing?’
‘No, not at all. I smiled that whole day and when I picked it up the other week and tried it on again, I was happy. Until I remembered . . . But I love him. I love Max with all my heart.’
‘And he loves you, too,’ said Amy.
‘But . . .’ Emma began to protest.
‘Look, what is the worst thing that can happen? You tell him and . . . ?’
‘I tell him, and he decides he doesn’t want to marry me.’
‘Exactly. You tell him and he walks away and there is no wedding.’
Emma shook her head at her sister. ‘Don’t mince your words, Amy. Just tell me how it really is.’
‘Don’t sound so surprised. You know I don’t like sugar-coating things. I’m trying to help you and there is no point in tiptoeing around this. I’d rather be honest with you, and it would seem that this is going to go one of two ways. If he walks away from you then he is wrong for you, and you’re not meant to be together.’
Emma winced at her words.
‘But — if you don’t tell him — then you are living a lie and that’s not fair either. Especially as Kirsty and I know what is going on. When he gets here, take him for a walk and talk to him. I can almost guarantee that he will be more supportive than you think. He’s marrying you for you, Emma, and not because of your womb and your ability to provide him with offspring. This isn’t the eighteenth century.’
Amy crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping that she was right.
