Page 67 of The Notecard
‘I FaceTimed you. What am I going to do? I’m thinking about calling the whole wedding off, Megs. Literally.’
This is dramatic. Even Laura wouldn’t call off the wedding because of one argument. At the end of the day, she loves Simon and he loves her. There will always be drama in Laura’s life because that’s how she is. Whether she admits it, Laura is a classic drama queen. She thrives when there’s something to complain about. She’s happiest when life gives her lemons, so she can squeeze all the juice out of the lemons and then complain that all she has is lemon juice.
‘You can’t call off the wedding, Laura. Despite Emma and the hen weekend…’
‘The hen weekend from hell!’
‘Despite that, you love Simon and he loves you. You’re getting married in a month. This is the rest of your life, Laura. Just think about it,’ I say, calm and steady. She seems to be calming down too. Then she cries again, but before I can say anything else, Simon walks into the room in a fluster. I can see him behind her. He looks frantic.
‘There you are, babes,’ says Simon
I’m watching like some sort of online voyeur.
‘I can’t talk to you right now, Simon,’ says Laura angrily.
‘But, babe, I love you. I’m sorry I called you a drama queen. You’re not okay. I was just annoyed about Emma and the whole hen weekend thing. I’m sorry. Okay? I’m sorry,’ says Simon, who is kneeling down next to her like he’s going to propose again. God, I hope he doesn’t. That would be on the monthly family newsletter. OMG! Simon proposed again! It comes via email on the last day of the month.
I’m watching. I should probably hang up, but it’s like one of those awful American reality shows you can’t stop watching no matter how terrible it gets.
‘I’m literally still so angry with you, Simon,’ says Laura.
‘I know, babe, and you should be. I was a dickhead.’
‘You were a dickhead. A massive dickhead.’
‘A massive dickhead. But please, babe, let’s just forget about this and move on. We’re getting married in a month. I want it to be the best day of our lives. Laura, please forgive me. I love you. So much. Babe. So much.’
I’ve never seen Simon so pathetic. Laura looks down at him. I can’t stop watching. Laura is crying and then Simon starts crying. It’s getting weird.
‘You’ll keep Emma away from me the whole wedding?’ says Laura between tears.
‘Whatever you want, babe.’
‘I’m not a drama queen. Say I’m not a drama queen, Simon.’
‘You’re not a drama queen, babe. Of course you’re not.’
This is so weird, but Laura's face finally cracks, and she smiles.
‘Oh, Simon,’ says Laura.
‘Babe,’ says Simon.
Simon gets up from his knees and they kiss passionately. This is the moment I decide to quit FaceTime. I push exit and they’re gone. I sit for a moment. I want to get back to Nick and our date. One night. Limbo lie and all. I’m having fun. It’s nice with Nick. It’s easy. There were some nerves at the start, but it’s getting better. We’re loosening up. The pizza is excellent. I’m excited to get back and see what happens in part two.
Nick
The phone rings a few times and then Rob answers.
‘I thought tonight was the big date with Meg,’ says Rob, and then he says to someone else (probably Fee). ‘It’s Nick. Just give me a moment.’
He’s eating. I hear him get up and walk into another room.
‘Tonight is the night with Meg. She had to pop back to her flat and talk to her sister.’
‘During the date she had to talk to her sister?’
‘It’s a whole hen weekend from hell situation, but that isn’t the point. I need your advice.’
