Chapter Twenty
It’s so hot, I’m surprised the soles of my shoes aren’t sticking to the pavement with each step. But it’s not just the weather that has me sweating.
Not ten minutes ago, I received a call from Zoe, insisting she couldn’t possibly make it to the boutique to approve the new design.
‘I don’t have time to flit about the village right now.’ She sounded incredibly irritated, as if viewing her wedding dress design was some big imposition. ‘Why don’t you come to Kit’s house, I’m down here for the weekend. It’s number eighteen, Sweet Pepper Close.’
She hung up before I could respond.
I was right in the middle of stringing up banners and balloons for my prom display, but lucky for her, today is a rare quiet day in regards to appointments, so I gathered up my design folder and pencils, punched the address into my phone’s navigation system and set off.
Now I’m legging it through the village, apprehensive of what awaits me. Sweet Pepper Close … can’t say I’ve ever heard of that street, but I guess I’m still a newbie to these parts. I’m thankful that the sun is high in the sky and that I opted for trainers this morning.
Locals nod and say ‘hello’ with a smile as they pass, and I respond in kind. It’s so refreshing, completely different to what I’m used to. No one in the city - neither London nor Paris - says hi to a passing stranger, it just isn’t done. But the friendly gesture, tiny and inconsequential as it is, has the power to brighten an otherwise gloomy morning. Well, gloomy in mood , not weather.
I was already beginning to feel at home in Lily Vale, but right now I realise with some surprise that I love it here. I thought my destiny required bright lights and busy streets to take flight, but in the last few weeks, my little boutique and the friendships I’ve cultivated suddenly seem enough. I won’t lie, my disgraced departure from Paris still stings terribly, but that sickening lump of failure in the pit of my stomach is shrinking. Little by little, I’m slowly letting go of the past and learning to count my blessings, one by one.
The clouds above seem to melt away in the ever-growing presence of the sun, and I cover my eyes with a hand, wishing I’d thought to wear sunglasses. I haven’t seen nor spoken to Zoe since our last awkward appointment. Who knows what sort of mood she’ll be in today, and whether she’ll approve of the design or not. I’d like to say I’m optimistic about the changes, but I felt that way last time, and Zoe shot my ideas down like a lead balloon.
Finally, I turn down a cul-de-sac lined with lush trees and impressively large country homes, each more unique and characterful than the last. My mobile chirps to indicate I’ve reached my destination, and yet, when I stop in front of number eighteen, I can’t quite believe my eyes.
Whoa … is this actually Kit’s house?
‘House’ might not be the most accurate description, it’s more like a manor, with it’s sprawling front garden dotted with fruit trees of all kinds and groomed flower beds that almost rival Victor’s. Vibrant wisteria climbs the pale brickwork and drapes prettily over the royal blue round door, which boasts a shiny brass knocker at its centre. It’s a beautiful home, the sort that has likely been passed down and nurtured through generations.
Slightly intimidated, I lift the heavy knocker and bring it down three times, it’s boom echoing through the quiet street.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
For close to five minutes, I stand impatiently on the doorstep, tapping my foot tunelessly against the limestone. I begin to wonder whether I’ve somehow got the wrong address, when the huge door swings open to present an unimpressed-looking Zoe.
‘You’re late.’
My lips press together. ‘I didn’t realise I’d have to book it across the village until ten minutes before our allotted appointment.’
With a huff and a flounce, Zoe pivots and beckons me with a manicured finger. I follow her perfumed path down the hallway, admiring the artwork that lines the walls. A well-polished, silver framed photograph catches my eye and I pause. It’s Kit and Tanya, embraced by who I can only assume are their parents. My heart warms at the sight of their genuine smiles, the love between them radiating through the glass.
‘Come on, I haven’t got all day!’ Zoe’s shrill call shatters the moment and I obey her demands, hurrying along the wide corridor.
It opens to a spacious but cosy living room, appointed with two large settees, a driftwood coffee table that probably cost more than my rent and a grand piano in the corner, near the ornate fireplace. Though they are down to earth and seem as ordinary as anyone else in Lily Vale, it’s blatantly obvious the Brooks come from money, and plenty of it.
‘Is it just you in, then?’ I ask, making conversation more than everything else.
‘Mh-hm. Kit is working and Tanya is at school, so we’ve got the place to ourselves.’ She sits down on one of the burnished orange sofas, crossing her shiny tanned legs demurely. ‘So, the design?’
With a curt nod, I reach into my folder and slide out the page before passing it to her.
Zoe stares at the design, taking it all in. She tries to act uninterested, but she can’t hide how her eyes light up.
‘It’s fine.’ She feigns a yawn and tosses it back to me. ‘I guess you can start making it. Don’t bother with the calico mock-up, there isn’t time. Just start with the final fabric straight away.’
‘Great!’ I stifle the large sigh of relief I’m desperate to release. ‘You know, if you’re free next weekend, you could pop in on Tanya’s appointment to see the progress on your dress and ensure that Tanya’s is to your liking.’
‘Hm, I should be free.’
You’d think I’d just asked her if she was available to watch paint dry for three hours.
There’s a strained silence as she taps away at her phone screen while I twiddle my thumbs, not sure quite what to do next.
‘Well, it’s not too long until the big day now,’ I comment, hoping I sound cheery. ‘You must be getting excited.’
She barely looks up from her phone. ‘Yeah.’
My mouth fidgets in a mixture of concern and confusion - this is her wedding, arguably one of the biggest days in a person’s life, surely a little enthusiasm is expected? And yet, Zoe continues to stare at her phone, not deigning to give a second glance at the design I’ve had to revise twice for her.
‘Kit’s a really great guy.’
That has Zoe looking up from her screen, head tilted to one side, her eyes slitted. I quickly change tact.
‘A - and Tanya is just lovely, so funny and bright. You’re lucky to be getting such a wonderful sister-in-law.’
Zoe snorts and once again, her phone has her attention. ‘Ugh, that brat? I can’t stand her, and she can’t stand me. I just need to get the wedding over and done with and she’ll be out of my hair.’
Okay, now I’m really starting to question her post-wedding plans. Get Tanya out of her hair? What could she possibly mean by that?
I ask as much, though who knows if I’ll get a straight answer.
‘What do you me-’
Brrrrrrrrrring - brrrrrrrrrring!
My query is cut short by the sudden and incessant ringing of Zoe’s mobile.
‘Ah, that’s my friend, I’ve got to take this.’
She saunters off to the garden to take the call, leaving the patio door wide open behind her. Loud and clear, her strident voice carries inside, enough to make out small snippets of the conversation.
I know I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t, but I can’t resist the temptation. Gingerly, I edge myself from the sofa and pad along to the patio door, careful not to wander into Zoe’s eyeline and listen in.
‘Yeah, the dress is sorted - well, kind of. The girl I’m paying still has to make it, can you believe it! The wedding is less than three months away, and she hasn’t even started yet.’
I grind my teeth and ball my hands into fists.
Keep it together, Lottie, I warn myself, don’t give away your position!
‘But at least it will look good, I’ve seen the design and I’m going to look amazing, just wait until you see the pictures.’
Well, at least that’s confirmation that she does actually like it.
‘I told you, didn’t I? His parents are dead, so the house is all his. I know! It’s going to fetch a small fortune.’ Zoe cackles. ‘Just imagine the kind of flat I’ll be able to get in the city once its sold! And yes, baby, you can come and visit, provided Kit’s at work, of course.’
I purse my lips tight, not daring to breathe out lest she hear me.
‘The sister? Oh, I’m not worried about her. She’ll probably just stay in Lily Vale with their aunt and uncle. It’s not like Kit is going to want to pull her out of her school, and I really don’t need some kid cramping my style. Nope, it will just be me living large in a fabulous London flat. I guess we’ll see his sister on holidays, maybe.’
Clasping a hand to my mouth, I shake my head in utter disbelief. So this was Zoe’s end game all along, securing herself a sizeable family fortune and a cushy life back in the city. No wonder she’s not buzzing about the wedding, she’s more interested in the legal rights the marriage will afford her. Namely, Kit’s inheritance and family home.
And who is this friend she’s talking to?
‘No, baby, I haven’t forgotten about you . We’ve got to get together soon, how about we hit up that bar in Soho? What, tomorrow? Well, I’m supposed to stay for the weekend … oh, go on then, you’ve twisted my arm!’ she giggles girlishly. ‘I’ll meet you at the station later, okay? About seven? I’ll call when I’m on the train. Bye-e-e!’
Suddenly, it goes quiet, and my stomach falls to the floor.
Crap, she’s coming back in!
I sprint across the room and drop down on the sofa so quickly, I’m amazed I don’t bust the springs. Seconds after I’ve got myself seated, Zoe returns, phone still in hand. She glares at me suspiciously.
‘What’s up with you?’ She demands to know. ‘You look as though you’ve just run a marathon, you’re all sweaty and pink.’
‘It’s a hot day.’ It’s a reasonable enough excuse, and I’m fairly pleased with my ability to think on my feet.
‘Hm. Well, I won’t keep you, I’m sure you’ll want to get started on my gown right away.’
It’s a not-so-subtle sign that she wants me to leave, and I can’t get out of the house fast enough. I beetle along the garden path and out of the little white gate, attempting to process what I just witnessed. Bile burns along my throat, threatening to paint the pavement with my vomit. Swallowing hard, I manage to calm myself long enough to get the hell out of Sweet Pepper Close.
Am I supposed to just keep my mouth shut and pretend I didn’t hear a thing? It’s not really anything to do with me, after all. And yet, Tanya is my friend, and Kit is … well, whatever he is, I don’t want to see him hurt. I chew at the skin around my thumb, tearing the delicate flesh until it bleeds. This is all really weird.
Maybe I misunderstood the situation, maybe Zoe was simply showing off when she bragged about Kit’s wealth and she really does love him for more than his money.
Maybe she was joking about splitting the Brooks up and leaving Tanya in Lily Vale.
Maybe Kit and Zoe have already discussed this and I’m making crazy assumptions.
Still, I can’t help but wonder who was really on the other end of the line, Zoe claimed it was her friend, but I’m not so sure. I’ve grown close to Lucy over the last month, but I’ve never once been tempted to call her ‘baby.’
Perhaps I ought to just keep my nose clean and carry on with the job I’ve been hired for. Work is work, isn’t it?
As I march past the town hall, I’ve made my decision. I’m staying out of this, I was told to make a wedding dress, and that’s all I’ll do. It won’t do any good to get involved.