Page 120 of Just Do It
‘Are you sure?’ My hands were balled into tight fists now, the nails digging deep into my palms.
Finn reached for them, one hand in each of his own and brought them to his lips.
‘I’m sure.’
‘You know what? People need to stop frightening the shit out of me. First my parents, and now you.’
‘Does that reaction mean you still kind of like me?’
‘No,’ I said, tears still tracing down my cheeks and ruining my once-perfect make-up. ‘I can’t stand the sight of you!’
The smile that made my insides turn to liquid flashed at me. ‘That’s good. Because I can’t stand the sight of you either.’
‘Good. Now that’s clear, there are two things I need you to do.’
‘Pay a hitman?’
‘No, but thank you. Friedrich is certainly not worth all the fuss of going to prison for. Besides, from what I hear, karma has got its eye on him.’
‘That sounds interesting.’
‘Not interesting enough to talk about now.’
‘OK. So what is it you want me to do?’
So many ideas crammed themselves into my mind at that moment – not one of them appropriate for the setting.
‘Go and get Colette and tell her to bring her make-up. Hopefully she’ll be able to affect some sort of repair to this.’ I made a circle shape around my face with the palm of my hand towards me. ‘Is it that bad?’
Finn paused a moment too long before answering. ‘No… not really.’
‘Wow. That bad. OK. Tell her it’s code red.’
Finn made to move then halted. ‘What’s the second thing?’
I grabbed the front of his shirt. ‘Bloody well kiss me.’
His hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me hard against him as his voice, rough with emotion, breathed close to my ear. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
EPILOGUE
LATE SUMMER, THE FOLLOWING YEAR
Friedrich’s refusal to listen to anyone else on the dig, and his tyrannical leadership had not gone down well with his fellow archaeologists, or the sponsors.
Word of his behaviour had also got back to the museum he worked for and, perhaps sensing a long-awaited opportunity, they had ‘suggested’ that his position there be amended to be less public-facing. Friedrich, who had always enjoyed the sound of his own voice had vehemently disagreed and instead flounced off back to Germany, but his reputation preceded him and, surprised that institutions were not falling over themselves to employ him there either, he had apparently begun writing his memoirs. I could hardly wait.
The dig I led earlier this year went better than I had ever imagined. An educated hunch I’d talked over with Bella had paid off, the proof of which was now with the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. I’d even been involved first-hand at unearthing it – thanks to Finn’s leaflet for the hypnotherapist all those months ago, claustrophobia was no longer a problem. It would, of course, take time to discover who this unknown tomb belongedto as the cartouches had been damaged long ago but patience in this job really was a virtue.
Home life was also vastly improved now that Finn had moved in. He helped me keep things more organised and tidy and I’d also taken Colette up on her offer to help me tackle the garden. Thanks to the free muscle I had on tap, it was back to looking just as beautiful as it had when my grandmother had owned the house. Actually, dare I say, even more beautiful. Spurred on by Colette’s idea of a pond, we’d now installed one in our garden too and had giggled at night in the spring when the croak of frogs drifted in through the open window. Every day with Finn made new and precious memories, the shelf in my brain I’d reserved for them was overflowing and I loved it.
And today more wonderful memories were about to be made. Despite the media whipping themselves into a fury over the possibilities of a dramatic summer storm, a graceful dawn developed into the most perfect weather for the wedding. An azure blue sky played host to the odd puffy white splodge of cloud, and the gentlest of breezes rippled the leaves, taking just enough edge off the heat at Colette’s parents’ summer retreat.
The picturesque cottage is surrounded by a vast, rambling garden in a small village a little way outside Paris. Today the garden is host to a large marquee, shining brilliant white in the sunshine. The poles holding it up are garlanded with fresh flowers from the garden and the inside is lit with as many fairy lights as we could get our hands on. I’m standing behind Colette, waiting for her musical cue, her arm tucked within her dad’s. He’s already had a blub, bless him, but both of us told him hehad to stop because he’d set us off and there wasn’t time to fix our make-up.
I took a peek a few minutes ago, just to check that Greg was there. Not that I had any doubt. He’s been head over heels for Colette since he laid eyes on her. Finn is, of course, his best man. And my God, he looks gorgeous. The deep grey of the suits Colette (obviously) chose do amazing things for his eyes.
Colette has been the most amazing bride. Not a hint of Bridezilla to be seen although I knew she was, quite naturally, nervous because yesterday she announced we were going shopping. Colette always shops when she’s nervous. So yesterday we went shopping. For my wedding dress. In Paris. I know. I couldn’t believe it either. Finn is dying to see it but he has to wait. As befits him, he’s chief Project Manager of Operation Wedding so I know it will be perfect. He is, of course, aware that if he walks out on this particular project I will end him, and Colette has promised to help me move the body. He’s sworn that that will not happen. Ever.
As the music begins, we walk slowly down the aisle, Colette giving little waves here and there as she passes people. And then we’re at the front. Her dad gives her a hug and two kisses and then she turns to me, large brown eyes shining with happy tears, and passes me her bouquet, pauses and gives me a hug and a kiss on each cheek too. That night we’d gone out to get plastered I’d felt like everything was over. That all I’d done, worked for, spent my life on, was wasted. And I’d been completely wrong. That night turned out to be just the start, not only for me and Finn but also for Greg and Colette. From me losing what I had thought was the most important thing in my life, we both ended up finding what really mattered.
I step back and Finn catches my eye and smiles that smile – the one he reserves only for me. This was just the beginning.
