Chapter 13 #4
Much to Eliza’s delight, Dan offered to walk Marjorie home.
She might be way too invested in this potential love tryst, but there was something so uplifting about knowing that people really could find love at any point in their lives.
After all, there was no age limit on it, and who doesn’t want a partner to enjoy the finer things in life with – especially one who bakes like a dream.
‘Typical man,’ Vivi sighed, following Eliza to the door.
‘Jean Pierre has sent a message asking where I am; he can’t cope if I’m not there to look after him.
He’ll be eating a block of cheese by now.
He’s incapable of using a microwave. So, I better get back – though he’ll be so upset he wasn’t here!
He hates to miss gossip. Keep me updated! ’
Eliza was now left with Bella and Fenella. She really didn’t want to be stuck with Bella for too long, and certainly not on her own – her mind was whirling after her comment about knowing Luke was in London.
Maybe all this country air was getting to her.
‘I better get going, too,’ Bella said. ‘Phil wasn’t home when I left, and the teens will probably have set the house on fire by now! I’ll get those flower concepts over to you soon. I think it’ll be great.’
And with that Bella bid them both goodbye.
Fenella and Eliza looked at each other in astonishment. You never knew what kind of Bella you were going to get.
‘Well, at least she’s efficient!’ Fenella said with a laugh. ‘She’ll have it all in order before either of us can even express an opinion!’
Fenella was glowing, so much joy and excitement in one person could be overwhelming, but it made Eliza sigh.
This was what she loved doing. ‘It seems like we have everything pretty well buttoned down, don’t you think?
’ Fenella continued. ‘You are amazing. I would never have got this far without you. How will I ever repay you?’
‘All that matters is that you and Ross are happy,’ Eliza said, pushing aside the thought of her massive credit card bills, and how she really could do with the cash injection right about now and not in six weeks.
‘Hopefully the wedding will be a massive success, and it’ll launch my solo career as a wedding planner! ’
‘Done,’ said Fenella, beaming.
‘I can’t believe before I arrived you were planning on a tiny wedding of just twenty guests, though . . . Doesn’t seem your style at all!’
Fenella smiled cautiously. ‘Oh that, it’s just a little family thing.
We’re not . . . big on weddings. But I wanted to marry Ross, so .
. .’ Fenella looked awkwardly up at the ceiling.
‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter, long story. I guess it’s just nice we’re all on board now and Ross and I get to have the wedding we always wanted, where we can have everyone we love in one place. ’
‘In that case, I’m thrilled I could help.’ Eliza smiled at her, wondering what exactly it was that had happened in the Stanleys’ past to put them off a wedding.
‘Honestly, we couldn’t pull this off without you,’ Fenella said. ‘Though we still need Luke’s permission for the barn and lakeside. Any chance you might . . . ?’
‘Me? I don’t think I’d be his first choice for—’
‘Trust me,’ Fenella interrupted, her eyebrows dancing, ‘you’ve got more sway with my brother than anyone else right now.’
Fenella shot her a devious grin and Eliza flushed. Damn, she was pretty transparent – so much for keeping things discreet.
After Fenella had left, Eliza slumped into the chair nearest the fire and poured herself the last glass of wine. Not that she needed it, but it seemed pointless just to leave it in the bottle.
Last night she’d been on cloud nine with Luke, seeing that side of him. But she felt like she was missing something. Bella’s quip, not having heard from Luke all day . . .
She took a deep breath – what were the rules? Don’t fall in love with your chosen rebound. That was it.
It wasn’t like they were exclusive; she wasn’t staying for much longer and after that who knew? Off to trek Everest or live on a boat in Hawaii. At least her yellow swimsuit would look good there.
Urgh! She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something going on.
She’d been screwed over enough in her life, maybe no man was trustworthy.
But if what had happened with Henry had taught her anything, it was that she had to trust her gut.
And her gut was telling her that Luke was worth enjoying and she wasn’t ready to give that up just yet.
She deserved great sex on her healing journey, and she definitely deserved some sexy eye candy after flat-bottomed Henry.
Just then a text came through on her phone. It was from Dan.
‘Are you free tomorrow night?’
Oh, what was this, an invite out on the town with the village OAP stud? Giggling to herself, she shot back a text to affirm she was planless.
‘Great, had a drop-out for the Safari Supper Club – you’re now on the list.’
What the fuck was a ‘Safari Supper Club’?
Was she supposed to dress up for a safari? Maybe she still had that leopard-print mini she’d considered throwing out.
Tossing back the last of her wine, she stared into the fire, feeling bizarrely at peace. She wasn’t sure about anything right now, least of all if she could pay back the debt that seemed to multiply with every automated text but, damn, country living really was one for the books.