Chapter Twenty-Four
WEEK SEVEN
T he next week was my most enjoyable working for Mandy.
I’d go so far as to say I loved my job. There were busy days when we welcomed media and influencers to the house to view Mandy’s latest product launches, to days when I styled her for a premiere or party in London, and quieter times when I could get on top of paperwork, send back returns and call-in items by new designers or rental agencies.
Mandy had also become involved with a charity set up to support women facing unexplained fertility issues, and seemed to be really invested in raising awareness about this aspect of her life, and the challenges other women were facing.
She spent a couple of hours each day replying to the direct messages she received on the subject.
She seemed to be flourishing in her new-found confidence in herself.
I spent the evenings on the phone to Rob or Vicky, or hanging out with Coco and Blair.
Jimi had returned to Miami for a bit, continuing to facilitate Mandy’s social media requirements remotely, whilst launching his new DJ residency at a fashionable South Beach nightclub.
I kept an eye on his movements through Instagram and he never seemed short of female company.
I felt glad that I had managed to protect my heart from getting hurt by him, yet felt a fondness for the brief time we had shared.
Anticipation in the house was growing for the arrival of Natalia, the surrogate carrying Mandy and Jose’s unborn child, and I was glad for a day off on the date she was due to arrive.
It felt like such a personal moment for Mandy, and we were all granted leave to give them some space.
Plans were in full swing for the Wonderland magazine cover shoot which would take place the following week, when Jimi would be back to shoot the video content.
The magazine had commissioned a top photographer who was flying in from New York especially.
I intended to make full use of my holiday and had been granted special permission to meet up with my sister and Mum for Lucy’s small hen do.
Philippa had connected me with her contact at the Surrey Hills Spa, and within minutes of arriving, Mum, Lucy, and I were sipping mimosas and happily padding around in fluffy white dressing gowns and matching slippers.
There was a strict no-plastic-willies, or masks with Rory’s head on them, directive from Lucy, and I heeded my sister’s wishes.
We were treading water in the outdoor pool, which was warmed to a pleasant twenty-nine degrees, looking out on a vista of the Surrey Hills, when Lucy dropped the bombshell. ‘There’s something I want to tell you both,’ she said seriously.
Mum looked immediately petrified. ‘Oh, Jesus. Do I need to be in my depth for this?’
‘It’s okay, no one is dying, but this isn’t really a hen do,’ Lucy announced.
There was a commotion as Mum started splashing, so we all swam over to cling on to the side to hear this.
‘I just wanted to see you both, and somewhere lovely – thank you, Amber – to share a bit of news.’ Lucy stared at us pensively.
‘Rory and I—’ Mum and I turned to each other with wide eyes, holding our breath as she continued slowly, ‘Rory and I have decided to postpone the wedding until after the baby arrives.’
For once, we were quiet as we took the news in.
‘Is everything okay between you both?’ Mum asked, concerned.
Lucy’s face relaxed. ‘Oh yeah, of course we are! I mean he pisses me off on a daily basis, especially when he leaves his plates beside the dishwasher, instead of in it, and sleeps like a starfish, but after fifteen years, I have learnt to accept his shortcomings.’
‘Oh, thank God for that.’ For someone who claimed to be an atheist, Mum was doing a great job of blaspheming today.
Lucy took a deep breath. ‘We just feel it’s all got too big, too overwhelming, and too damn expensive.
Plus, I don’t have a dress.’ This was like a stab in the heart for me.
‘Sis, I know you’re working really hard on the Pronovias option, but I just don’t know that it’s me,’ she continued.
Her eyes lowered. ‘Plus, I don’t want to be a pregnant bride.
There, I’ve said it. I feel like I’m meant to want to be one, but the truth is, I want to enjoy the champagne which we’re practically having to remortgage our house to afford.
I want to be back to my pre-baby body shape as I walk down the aisle.
And I want to be the last woman standing on the dancefloor!
Not the first one off to bed because my ankles have swollen so much, and my waters might break if I don’t. ’ She sighed.
‘Oh sis, I hear you,’ I said. ‘I mean, who else will I perform “Single Ladies” with if you’re in bed early? No one knows the full routine like you do.’
This made her laugh. Making someone laugh after they’ve been close to crying is one of the greatest joys in the world.
‘Thank you for understanding. I was so worried about telling you both. Sometimes it feels as though you’re not allowed to admit these things. But it’s how I feel. It’s okay, isn’t it?’
I put a slippery arm around her shoulders. ‘Of course it is. I get it,’ I soothed. ‘What matters, more than anything, is that you and Rory are doing what feels right for you.’
Mum had remained silent until now. Being a lawyer, she regularly took a moment to process her opinion on something, whereas I couldn’t help but dive in.
‘How has Nora taken it?’ she asked.
‘We haven’t told her yet. I’m planning to wait until we have a new date confirmed,’ Lucy replied.
‘As long as you’re not splitting up. I love Rory, like a son,’ Mum said to Lucy. ‘And seeing as I still haven’t found the right outfit’ – she turned to me – ‘it gives us longer to have another shopping trip, doesn’t it?’ This was a statement rather than a question.
‘Unless Amber is first up the aisle,’ Lucy added, with a wink.
‘Unlikely,’ I stated. ‘I’ve barely seen Rob this year. I need to check if everything still works between us.’ Then I stopped myself.
‘She’s not against the idea then!’ Mum teased, straightening the strap on my swimming costume.
I diverted the attention from me by kicking off from the poolside. ‘Come on, let’s do a few lengths.’
‘I’m so grateful to you both for not making a huge deal out of this.’ Lucy smiled, looking relieved.
‘It’s not like our family to make a big deal out of a wedding, is it?’ I added, ironically. Thankfully they both laughed.
As I launched myself into a gentle breaststroke I thought about the photo and how I had accused Rob of flirting with Emily behind my back.
I felt ashamed about how hasty I’d been to accuse him of being unfaithful.
It was as though I had been intent on causing an issue between us.
Yet I was the one flirting with someone else.
I didn’t feel particularly good about this, but seeing as that particular episode was over, I decided not to bring it up for discussion.
‘Did you always imagine you’d get married, Mum?’ I asked.
‘Lord, no,’ she replied without hesitation. ‘I actually said no the first time your father asked me to marry him. I thought it was too soon.’
I had heard this story many times before, but always loved listening to it again because it ended so well – with the fact that she was certain neither Lucy nor I would be here if she hadn’t said yes – and how we were the greatest gift.
When she finished, I thought back to the conversation I’d had with Vicky about whether marriage gave you security.
‘When you said yes, were you certain it would last forever?’ I asked.
‘Till death do us part,’ Mum said. ‘In taking my vows, I committed to a lifelong marriage. However, the legal system recognises that marriages may not always last forever and divorce rates are increasing in the UK. So, I guess that means you can’t be certain, but I definitely wanted it to.
I wouldn’t have married him otherwise, would I?
Anyway, isn’t this a bit dreary for a hen do? ’
‘A non –hen do,’ Lucy corrected her.
‘Just don’t tell the ma?tre d’, as they’ve thrown in a celebratory cake for you in honour of it being your hen,’ I added.
Mum flipped over onto her back and lifted her lithe arms into a graceful backstroke.
I admired how enviably toned she looked.
Then I noticed her eyes narrow and follow something at the far end of the pool.
I turned around and saw she was squinting at an attendant who was heading towards us at speed.
He was waving his hands trying to get our attention.
Then he shouted, ‘Ladies, I’m so sorry, but we need to close the pool – could you make your way to the side please?’
We looked at each other confused.
‘This isn’t a drill!’ he called again. ‘Please vacate the pool as soon as possible.’
This couldn’t be a fire alarm, surely. And even if it was, presumably everyone should be jumping into the pool.
‘What’s going on?’ Mum muttered, as we began swimming towards the steps near the attendant.
‘Thank you so much for your understanding,’ he said, sounding flustered. ‘I’m afraid we’re going to have to close the pool in a few minutes.’
‘Understanding? I’m not sure I do understand,’ Mum replied in a tone that made me glad I wasn’t on the receiving end. If there was one thing Mum couldn’t tolerate, it was bad service.
‘I’m afraid we have to close the area for an hour. If you could please make your way out, as soon as possible.’
‘But why?’ Lucy raised her voice. ‘You might not be able to tell from up there, but I am six months pregnant.’
‘We booked this especially for my sister’s hen do,’ I added.
‘ Non –hen do,’ Lucy whispered.
I pinched her thigh underwater. ‘We’ve only been in here for ten minutes,’ I continued, ‘and there was no notification about the pool closing when I booked. Why do we need to get out?’
I briefly considered whether staging an occupation of a spa pool was an arrestable offence.
‘I appreciate this, and I am so sorry,’ the man said urgently. ‘We really hate to do this, but I’m afraid the directive has come from the top.’ Lucy and Mum looked unamused. He sensed this and knelt down, closer to our eye level.
In a hushed voice he said, ‘You see, a big celebrity has arrived, and she needs the space. It’s for a ceremony. I really hope you’ll understand. Maybe we can treat you all to afternoon tea in the main house by way of apologising for the inconvenience? The pool will be open again in an hour.’
‘Ooh a ceremony? Maybe someone’s getting married out here,’ I said excitedly, looking around.
I had started to climb out, but Lucy felt affronted. ‘Who could warrant—’
Then she stopped speaking.
I almost stopped breathing.
At the exact same time our collective jaws dropped, as we all noticed who had come into view through the spa door.