Page 46 of The Last Saturday In July
Jess flicked to the back of her notebook, where she’d written a list for her own wedding. Most of it had been ticked off, and she comforted herself with the fact that there was plenty of time to figure out everything else. The important thing was not to get panicked by the thought of two weddings on the same day. Once she stuck to her lists, everything would be fine. It was just common sense. She studied the most recent additions.
31. Sort out seating at wedding so Úna’s friends can go.
32. Remind everyone about night out for David.
33. Ask Zoe to do an engagement shoot.
The last one was a fabulous idea. A couple of framed pictures of her and Simon in a relaxed setting would make a great thank-you for the two sets of parents. Their mothers would love it, they might even bond a bit over it.
She phoned Zoe, who picked up on the last ring. ‘Make it fast, I’m in the middle of a kids’ shoot.’
‘Will you do an engagement shoot for Simon and me?’ Jess grabbed a pen and absently doodled two little figures beside her list.
There was a brief silence. ‘I thought you didn’t want one of those.’
‘I never said that.’
‘You did. I offered to do one when Simon proposed, and you said you didn’t want one.’
Shit, maybe she had said that. ‘I’ve changed my mind. Please? Could you make it this weekend?’ She looked at her drawing. The little figures had their arms wrapped around each other; their heads tilted towards a kiss. A photo of her and Simon kissing would be cute.
‘What?’ Zoe gave a disbelieving laugh. ‘I need more notice than that.’
‘I’ll pay you the going rate.’
‘As opposed to what?’
‘As opposed to the sister rate.’
Zoe sighed. ‘Fine. I’d better get back to the Third Circle of Hell.’
After Jess hung up, she put a small tick beside the third item on her list and waited to feel a small rush of satisfaction. Simon lived by lists, swore by them. So did Kate. She drew a tiny heart over her doodle, and then hurriedly scribbled the whole thing out, as an image of her and Adam came to mind.
Her eyes slid to number 31. It was definitely the most difficult. In fact, it was downright impossible. She’d leave it for the moment. Meanwhile, she’d see if David was around tonight to meet them after work. The sooner she got Kate and David together, the better.
Simon pushed his fringe away from his forehead, where it flopped back immediately. ‘I still don’t understand why we all need to meet David tonight. Why are Zoe and Finn coming?’
Jess slipped her hand into his. ‘We’re busy next weekend, and I know David is dying to meet everyone.’
She followed Simon down the spiral stairs into Majors, a trendy basement bar off Dublin’s main shopping area. Dimly lit, it was already packed with the after-work crowd.
‘There they are.’ Jess squeezed Simon’s hand as she spotted Kate and David at a table, his distinctive sandy curls and darker reddish beard a foil for Kate’s dark colouring. Jess felt a quiet thrill as she heard Kate laughing at something David had just said. ‘They are totally into each other.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Jess!’ Simon looked bemused. ‘Kate’s just making David feel welcome.’
As if she’d heard her name, Kate glanced up and waved to them both.
David got to his feet as Jess came over and pulled her in for a hug. She smiled up into his broad, freckled face.
‘Great to see you, David, you haven’t changed a bit.’
He grinned. ‘I’ve a few more grey hairs, but they’re kind of blending in. How’s the bride to be? Not long now.’
Jess’s stomach squeezed. ‘Yeah, it’s mad.’
Beside her, Simon leaned in to give Kate a hug and kiss. ‘Ignore everything this man tells you.’
Kate seemed to glow as Simon pulled up a stool to sit on the other side of her, and Jess couldn’t help feeling a bit smug about her matchmaking skills.
