Page 99 of Love or Your Money Back

There’s an awkward silence. Then Gabriela adds, ‘We just think you should give Freddy a chance. He’s been calling and messaging every day –’

I snort. ‘No, thank you. Freddy has already shown me his true colours.’

‘He made a mistake,’ says Gabriela. ‘How many extravagant gifts does he have to send? If you could just forgive him –’

‘Freddy is way too high risk,’ I say. ‘The chances of him settling down are a million to one. Anyway, he’s all about transactional relationships. Selfish, through and through. Why are we even having this conversation? I’m gettingmarriedtoday.’

‘If Freddy is so selfish, why has he offered to sell us his share of Big Voice for fifty pounds?’ Duncan pipes up.

I frown. ‘Duncan, have you been sniffing the Tippex again?’

Gabriela gives me sincere eyes. ‘It’s true, Kat. We think it’s another apology of sorts. Freddy is offering you total ownership of Big Voice, complete with our Penguin Random House distribution deal, for fifty pounds.’

I stare for a moment, struggling to digest this information. Then I push past.

‘This doesn’t mean Freddy is decent. It’s guilt money, that’s all. Freddy slept with me and did a runner, and now he’s trying to get himself off the hook. But what the hell? Let’s take advantage of that and get our company back. Good riddance to Freddy Stark and everything he represents. Now I have a wedding to go to. Wish me luck.’

Nobody does.

On the walk to St Pancras station, it starts snowing. I tip-toe over trenches of snow outside the British Library, hopping onto gritted sections of pavement. Ironically, there is a wedding going on at my favourite British landmark.

I slow my step, watching uniformed people hurry back and forth with flowers, magnum champagne bottles and silver catering trays. It’s a little painful, seeing a proper wedding. Like the world is rubbing it in.

But Gretna Green will be fun. Right? So why do I feel so empty?

I glance at my wheelie bag, feeling a little sorry for the beautiful wedding dress squashed inside. Chris and I will take the train to wintery Scotland, where I will be married with no friends or relatives in attendance. The dress deserves better. Perhaps I should wear jeans and woollens instead.

It will be okay. Sure, it feels a little … notdepressing. Underwhelming, I suppose. But when does life ever turn out exactly the way you imagined it?

I carry on walking.

St Pancras station is bright with festive lights, and a giant, illuminated Christmas tree made entirely of classic books. On the upper level, I see the Meeting Place Statue and feel inexplicably tired. The giant, bronze man and woman embrace each other, oblivious to the chaos and noise of the station, carving out their moment in time.

Are the couple greeting each other or saying goodbye? Mum never said. I always thought they were saying goodbye, of course, because Mum took her train to the infinite not long after she helped on the project. But maybe theyarereuniting after a long journey …

I touch the bronze woman’s giant shoe. Truthfully, it is a little out of proportion.

‘I did it, Mum,’ I whisper. ‘I’m getting married. It’s the right decision, isn’t it? You’d tell me if not? You’d give me a sign?’

My phone bleeps and a message from Chris flashes up: ‘Running five minutes late.’

Ugh. I’d forgotten this about Chris. He’s always late, and five minutes usually means ten –

‘Happy birthday, Kat.’ A familiar voice rumbles at my shoulder.

My stomach does a flip.

Slowly, I turn around.

Freddy stands behind me wearing a sharp, black suit with a red tie. He holds a large, white envelope.

‘What are you doing here?’ I demand, voice low. ‘And what’s with the envelope? Are you delivering spy papers or something?’

‘I hear you’re marrying Chris,’ says Freddy. ‘I’ve been sent to talk you out of it. I am an excellent salesperson after all.’

‘There’s nothing you can say to me,’ I insist.

‘Good salespeople don’t justsaythings.’ Freddy pulls documents from his white envelope and hands them to me. ‘They offer great deals. Here. Try this one on for size.’

---