Page 118 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Shit, the road’s closed.’
Jess gripped the underside of the seat. If they turned back now, they’d run straight into the paparazzi. But they had no choice. ‘Turn around, Zoe.’
Zoe pursed her lips, executed the fastest three-point turn Jess had ever seen, and accelerated back up the way they’d come. As they approached the top of the road, one of the cars that had been behind them skidded to a halt, almost blocking their exit.
‘Put your head down,’ Zoe yelled.
This was it: she was going to die on her wedding day. Jess ducked, bracing herself for the worst. Instead of slowing, Zoe floored the accelerator and swerved out onto the road. There was a squeal of brakes and Jess’s whole body tensed, but as Zoe kept driving, she struggled back up and looked around. ‘Where’s the other car?’
Zoe looked grim. ‘In the ditch. He had to swerve at the last second, or I’d have run straight into him. With a bit of luck, he’ll be ages getting out. Like, have you seen the ditches around here?’
Jess stared at her.
‘Just forget about it,’ Zoe said. ‘Forget about the press, forget about Chelsea and Leo. They’ll be fine. Crazy, rich people usually are. Anyway, if you want my opinion, Leo got what he deserved.’ She snorted. ‘Even Brandi. That girl is poison. I mean, imagine doing that to your sister?’
‘Imagine doing it to your fiancée.’ Jess spoke quietly, and if Zoe heard, she said nothing. The car started to shudder, and Zoe swore loudly. Jess tried to formulate her thoughts, which was proving difficult during a car chase. In fact, the whole day was turning out radically different than she’d imagined.
‘I think Chelsea leaked that story to take control of the situation,’ Jess said.
Zoe shook her head. ‘I guess we’re still talking about this. Okay, let’s pretend Chelsea leaked the story. How is that taking control?’
‘She told me she’d found out about Leo and Brandi.’ Jess spoke slowly. ‘Angel knew, and he’d been keeping it from her.’
‘The wedding planner? That’s so fucked up.’
Jess glanced in her side mirror. The three motor cyclists they’d seen earlier, were behind them again. ‘Yeah, but this way, Chelsea gets the public on her side.’
The car gave another shudder. Jess flashed Zoe a panicked look. ‘Have we dropped speed?’
‘Maybe, it’s been doing this recently.’ Zoe peered at the dashboard.
‘What? Why didn’t you bring it to a mechanic?’
‘I meant to say it to Dad.’
Before Jess could reply, the car jerked to a stop, throwing the two of them forward in their seats. Jess struggled out, stepping straight into a ditch. ‘Crap, my Manola Blahniks. C’mon, Zoe, I think we’re pretty close to the church.’ She slipped out of her shoes, holding them in one hand while holding the train of her dress, and started to run.
‘I can see the sign for the church,’ she yelled back over her shoulder.
‘I’m coming.’ Zoe kicked off her own shoes. Jess reached the junction. ‘There it is.’
At that moment, the paparazzi rounded the corner, sending up dust as they skidded to a halt beside Jess. She turned, gasping. ‘Please, leave me alone. I’m late for my wedding.’
‘Fuck it, you’re not Chelsea.’
‘Who the hell are you?’
‘We’ve been taken for a ride. Did Chelsea and Leo pay you to be a decoy?’ Camera flashes blinded her momentarily as they snapped photo after photo.
‘Stop!’ Jess put her hands up to the cameras. ‘I’m not trying to mess with you. My name is Jess Bradley and I really am getting married today.’
‘Why were you at Linford earlier?’
‘Is it true that Leo and Brandi have been having an affair?’
‘Are you a friend of the couple?’
‘Who are you marrying?’
