Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hayley
T he morning sun peeked through the large, energy-efficient windows of the Harrington’s eco mansion, lighting up the wedding chaos that had taken over in Genevieve’s bedroom. Hayley took a deep breath, very glad she’d enlisted Amber to help with this. She was happy to do Genevieve’s hair for the big day. That seemed fitting, but it was too much to do everyone else’s and her own.
Amber had Genevieve’s sister sitting in front of the foldout mirror she’d brought with her and was gently pulling the straighteners through her long hair.
Genevieve, in her fluffy white robe with bride on the back, looked amazingly calm. Her mum, Hilary, was dotting about like she wasn’t sure what to do next. ‘Deep breaths, Genevieve. Inhale peace, exhale bridezilla.’
‘What?’ Genevieve laughed and Hayley joined in. ‘I haven’t been a bridezilla, have I?’
‘No,’ Hayley said. ‘You’ve actually been really calm about the whole thing.’
‘She’s been wonderful.’ Lisa brought her hands together in front of her chest, looking on almost as fondly as if Genevieve were her own daughter. Well, her mum had known her since they were kids.
‘That’s the Finlay factor wearing off,’ Hilary said. ‘He’s so laid back.’
‘He is indeed,’ Lisa agreed. ‘Always has been.’
‘He’s probably the nicest guy you could marry,’ Cressida said. ‘He’s always very pleasant, not to mention handsome and fit. Plus, I hear his bank balance is pretty good too.’
‘Yeah, I did well, didn’t I?’ Genevieve said.
‘You did,’ Hilary agreed.
‘But please stop talking about my brother as fit and handsome.’ Hayley pulled a face. ‘There are some images I could really do without.’
‘That’s tame compared to what I could be telling you.’ Genevieve grinned.
‘Oh stop.’ Hayley held up her hand. ‘Mum’s listening.’
Lisa laughed. ‘Doesn’t bother me.’
Her mum had always enjoyed joining in the girl chat, and Hayley loved that.
Amber sprayed Cressida’s hair, and the hairspray scent hung in the air. Hayley pinned a neat curl at the back of Genevieve’s head.
‘Stay still. This is a tricky bit.’ Hayley bent down, pressing the pin into the curl to keep it in place.
Genevieve held steady until Hayley straightened up. ‘I really hope I don’t freeze during the ceremony or say something stupid.’
‘Like what?’ Hayley lifted the curling wand.
‘I don’t know. I’m just nervous.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ Lisa said. ‘You’re so fantastic on camera.’
‘Exactly,’ Hilary agreed. ‘Now that I’ve finally got with the programme and watched too, I can’t imagine you messing up. You speak so beautifully on film.’
‘Just make sure you say the right name during the vows,’ another voice said, and the door opened. Genevieve’s grandma came in with her sticks. ‘This one is desperate to see what’s going on.’ Mitzi, the French bulldog, came toddling in, sniffing around.
‘Aw my baby,’ Genevieve said, and Mitzi ran to her.
‘Just don’t move suddenly,’ Hayley said.
Hilary dashed over and caught Mitzi. ‘Come on, you little rascal, let’s keep you out of trouble.’
‘Did anyone check the forecast with Willow?’ Lisa asked.
‘It’s meant to be good,’ Hayley replied.
‘Looks like a lovely day.’ Genevieve’s grandma checked out the window.
‘Ooh, guess what?’ Genevieve said. ‘Finlay messaged last night to say Oliver will sell his house to us when he gets a place in London.’
‘What?’ Hayley almost dropped the curling wand.
Why did that sound so final? Those dreams she’d had of pushing a buggy around that estate wouldn’t come true. They would play out for her brother and Genevieve. Genevieve and Finlay would be the ones with the ideal home in the country. Sometimes life was unfair. But Hayley wasn’t about to spoil their day because of a dream that was never likely to come true.
‘That’s great.’
‘I know. It’s exactly where we want to be. Houses hardly ever come up there, so we’re definitely going for it.’
The door swung open and Rafe Harrington strolled in, holding a tray.
‘Get out, brother dear,’ Cressida said. ‘What if we’d been in a state of undress?’
‘Do people normally get their hair done naked?’
She rolled her eyes.
‘I bring snacks. The caterers have provided kale chips, avocado toast bites, and these other things…’ He picked up a bite-sized cracker and ate it, chewing like it was the most delicious and sexy thing he’d ever had. ‘Can’t remember what they said these were, but they’re seriously good. All low in calories too.’
‘Oh, Rafe.’ Hilary took the tray from him. ‘Off you go. No need to remind us of how lucky men are when it comes to metabolism.’
He raised an eyebrow and caught Hayley’s gaze in the mirror. His smile was disarming and ever-so charming. He had that kind of face that was impossible to find fault with. All his features worked well together, and his eyes had a twinkle that was inviting, but a little naughty too. She imagined he had no trouble attracting women, but if he was thinking she was one of them, he’d got it all wrong. She just didn’t fancy him – liked him, yes. Maybe if she dated him, she might grow to like him, but she didn’t get anywhere near Oliver-level heat vibes from him.
Hilary sighed, gazing at Genevieve. ‘I can’t believe my baby is getting married.’
‘Don’t make me emotional, Mum,’ she said. ‘I need my make-up to last.’
‘It is emotional though.’ Lisa dabbed her eyes.
Cressida sipped her tea. ‘Are you getting your hair done too, grandma?’
‘Indeed, I am. Just say when.’
‘I’ll do you next,’ Amber said.
Hayley carried on, setting Genevieve’s hair in a half updo with loose curls. She had a pretty clip with roses and diamonds to fit into it too. Roses were the wedding theme and were special to Finlay and Genevieve. Finlay had proposed in a rose garden and it had become something of an emblem for them. Hayley looped another curl around the wand and her mind strolled off down speculation street. Will I have an emblem or a theme for my wedding? Assuming she ever had one, and right now it was looking as unlikely as ever.
‘Sorry about Rafe, by the way,’ Genevieve said.
‘Why?’ Hayley frowned at her in the mirror.
‘For being flirty.’
‘Hmm,’ Hilary muttered. ‘Not sure what he’s up to. He told me he was bringing a partner but whoever she is, she’s not here.’
‘I don’t know how he finds time to date,’ Cressida said. ‘He’s a workaholic.’
‘Yeah,’ Genevieve agreed. ‘I’d steer clear of him,’ she added to Hayley. ‘If you date him, you’ll never see him.’
‘Thanks for the heads up.’
But she wanted someone who lived here. Not a workaholic who lived in a big city. Like Oliver. Why had she let herself fall so hard? Couldn’t she just have fallen for someone nice and available? Someone who was happy living and working locally? Ugh .
‘Ouch.’ Genevieve flinched.
‘Sorry.’ Hayley hadn’t meant to stick in the pin quite so hard, but thoughts about Oliver came with a stab of annoyance. Taking it out on her friend wasn’t her intent though. ‘Are you ok?’
‘Fine. Are you? You looked far away for a moment.’
‘I’m just delighted you’re getting married to my brother.’
Genevieve raised her hand and patted Hayley’s. ‘Your time will come. Just wait and see.’
‘Ah, don’t worry about that just now.’
Oliver had made his choice, career over love, and Hayley had to either suck it up or give up her life here. Could she do that? The idea of living in an apartment in London did not appeal. She’d love to do it for a week or so but not forever. If she did that and Oliver agreed to marry her and have kids, the reality would be so different from the one she’d always wanted. Raising children in London wasn’t like doing it here. Here everything was familiar, friends and family weren’t far away.
Was she just sweating the small stuff? Was love really all that mattered? Maybe she should take control. Her heart hammered as her mind worked. People adjusted to change all the time. Could she do that? Maybe if she had Oliver, life in London would be ok.
The sleek, ivory-coloured wedding cars sat ready to whisk the bridal party to the church. Hayley bit back her own tears as Genevieve shared a teary-eyed moment with her father. Her long satin dress with a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt was just beautiful. Genevieve was simply the most stunning bride Hayley could imagine. The red roses in her bouquet matched the one in her hair and contrasted with the perfect white of the gown. Finlay was marrying his princess. Hayley welled up, imagining how he would feel when he turned around and saw her gliding down the aisle.
As Genevieve and her dad approached the car, a gust of wind caught the veil. It billowed around her father’s head like a lacy blindfold.
‘Oh god.’ Hayley rushed forward and put it back in place.
‘Disaster averted,’ Cressida said. ‘Let’s hope that’s the only one.’
Genevieve and her dad got into the bridal car and the chauffeur closed the door.
Hayley and Cressida gave them a wave before getting into the other car. The seats were plush cream leather, but the classic car wasn’t as spacious as modern vehicles and there wasn’t a lot of leg room.
Cressida gave her a look. ‘I’m surprised Dad didn’t insist on electric vehicles.’
The car crunched over the gravel, following the bridal car up the main driveway towards the road. Hayley smoothed her cerise chiffon dress, nerves growing in her stomach. Why was she feeling nervous? It wasn’t her wedding, but she wanted everything to be perfect.
The vintage car glided smoothly along the back road towards Glenbriar. Cressida turned to her and smiled. ‘This is surreal, isn’t it? You have all the rehearsals and then—’
With a deafening bang, the car jolted violently, sending Hayley careening into the seat in front. Her eyes widened as she grabbed onto the armrest. ‘What the hell?’
The driver swore under his breath and opened the door.
‘What’s happened?’ Cressida said.
‘Hit a pothole,’ the driver muttered.
Hayley exchanged a glance with Cressida as the driver walked around the car, rubbing his forehead and frowning.
‘Is the car ok?’ Cressida leaned forward and called out the open door.
‘It’s buggered the tyre.’ The driver bent over. ‘And it might have knackered the axle. You better get out, ladies. It’s not safe to sit in a car when we’re stopped like this, even on a quiet road. I’ll call for backup. The other car can come back for you.’
‘That’ll mess everything up,’ Hayley muttered. ‘That car is supposed to circle around until the last minute.’
‘Maybe we should call someone to come get us. I’ll see if Tina can come back, or Rafe.’ Cressida pulled out her phone. ‘I’ve only got one bar of reception here. We’re in a bit of a dead spot. Let’s see if it’s enough to call.’
The driver didn’t appear to be having much luck, judging from his frown and the way he was mussing up his hair. Hayley got her phone out too. She tried calling her mum, then her dad, but neither call connected. They’d be too busy to be looking at phones even if she did get enough reception. Maybe she should walk back towards the house. They hadn’t gone that far and she could send a message once she was in range of the Wi-Fi, but would anyone look at them either?
‘I’ll walk along a bit and see if I can get reception,’ the driver said. ‘You ladies wait there and stand off the road. We don’t want any accidents.’
Hayley looked at Cressida and pulled a face. This was definitely not in the plans. What on earth were they going to do?