Page 71 of Bad Influence
‘Lucky thing. I’m praying this is the month I stop puking every day.’
‘So, wedding plans – what’s the latest?’
‘We’ve made the drink selections and I’m royally pissed that I won’t be able to glug all the free champagne at myown wedding, obviously.Andwe’ve had to ditch the baked camembert starters. But Rory and I are of the feeling that we’ve waited so long to get hitched, and we’ll never do it unless we do it this year. And can you imagine telling Nora she won’t be a bridesmaid?’
‘I hear you.’ I shuddered. ‘There are benefits to being a sober bride, sis – you’ll remember everything about the day and will be the only person not hungover at breakfast. You’ll be so smug.’
‘Eurgh, yes, drinking anything acidic like champagne gives me chronic heartburn, and the Gaviscon chaser I need straight after kills the enjoyment. Bubbles and babies are a terrible combo in my opinion.’
I giggled. ‘You’re really selling pregnancy to me. Anyway, no one wants to eat camembert at a wedding anyway, because it makes your breath stink. Rob’s especially.’
‘How is he doing without you?’
‘I’ve got no idea.’
‘How come? I thought you’d be talking every day?’
‘Far from it. He barely calls. And tomorrow I go to LA for work, so with the time difference it will be even harder.’
‘Want me to send Rory over to check on him?’
‘Oh, would you? That would be so kind, sis, thank you. I’m sure he’s fine, he’s probably busy with work, which is good if things have picked up. Also, we need to finalise numbers for your hen do.’
Lucy sighed. ‘I wanted to talk to you about this. With how I’m feeling right now, I can’t imagine trying to have a night out, let alone one where all my friends are drunk andI’m high on lemonade. I’ve been thinking, let’s cancel Paris. I’ll enjoy it so much more when I can eat all the cheese and drink red wine.’
‘But it’s your hen do,’ I replied carefully, unsure whether some gentle persuasion might help. My sister could be hard to read sometimes.
‘I know, but given this pregnancy, what I’d love the most is a spa day with you and Mum.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m absolutely positive. I think it would be really special to spend some girlie time together, and I can make up for the hen with a blowout with my friends on the other side of the baby and wedding. It makes so much more sense.’
‘Sounds good to me, if you’re sure. I’ll get it organised.’
‘Thank you, sister.’
‘Love you.’
‘I love you too and safe travels.’
Fuelled by nervous energy at spending more time with Jimi, I set about emailing and calling PRs to source outfits for Mandy’s LA trip. As it was so last minute, I tried to use global brands and LA-based rental agencies, so most of the items could be sent directly to her and Jose’s home in the Hollywood Hills. It made the rest of the day pass quickly and I almost forgot I was hungover.
I was about to start packing my own things for the trip when there was a knock at my bedroom door.
‘Come in!’ I yelled, expecting it to be Blair to run through the plan for West Wittering with me before I left, but Jimi’s face appeared around the corner.
‘Ciao, bella. Are you decent?’ he asked.
‘Hi, Jimi. Come in – I’m clothed!’ My cheeks reddened as I immediately imagined what might happen if I wasn’t fully dressed in front of him. And having glimpsed parts of Jimi’s body in our gym sessions, the thought of seeing more of him was an enticing prospect.
‘How’s it going?’ he asked, smiling at the clothes strewn around my room.
‘Slowly,’ I replied, thinking I wanted to say something which would acknowledge last night, whilst making it clear that we were just friends. Something natural. But all I could think of at that moment was, ‘I can’t move my arms properly.’
‘What do you mean? Are you okay?’ He looked at me concerned.
I took a breath, I hadn’t meant to panic him. ‘I mean, they just ache a bit. From the torture table.’
