Page 54 of The Alpha Escort Agency
“You think I’m going to stand back and let them put Nan in a home when I can help?”
His grandad’s face is wet with tears, and he reaches out to pat Rory’s arm, nodding his head and turning away, shuffling back into the ward, reclaiming the seat next to the hospital bed and clasping his wife’s hand.
Rory watches him go, a lump in his throat, his own eyes smarting.
How did they get so old? When did the change happen like this? One moment it was the two of them caring for him, tying his shoelaces, cooking his tea, reading him bedtime stories. Now it’s him fetching their shopping, organising their cleaner, paying their bills.
It’s fine. He earns enough money at the agency. He’s got money saved and money burning a hole in his pocket each month. It doesn’t matter that that money is meant to be his security for the future, for a time when he can’t work as an escort any longer. It doesn't matter that paying for a carer will mean he’s locked into the escort job permanently.
It doesn’t matter that mere hours ago, he’d decided he was going to give it up. That he was finally going to give photography a try. That he knew if he was serious about a relationship, a relationship with Alice, he needed a new career, a new way to earn his money. He’d been willing to jack the escorting in and give it a shot for her.
But now things have changed. His heart hangs heavy in his chest and he rubs at it with his knuckles.
It’s his nan, his grandad. He has no choice. Nothing is more important than family.
Chapter 15
“You’ll try one on too, right,” Maria whispers into her ear as she pushes back the door and they step inside the dress shop.
It’s huge and sparkling and reminds Alice of a ballroom, a chandelier twinkling above them, plush carpet under foot and soft music playing out over speakers. Along the walls are rows and rows of hanging white dresses, some silky and sleek, some meters of ruffled satin. In the centre of the room is a raised platform with mirrors positioned around it and a sofa right below, and at the back of the shop are some velvet-curtained changing rooms.
“I can’t. I’m not the one getting married," Alice says.
“Pleeeaaassseee,” Maria whines, pinching her arm. “I won’t feel so silly if you do it too.”
“Why will you feel silly?”
“I don’t know, but I already have the giggles,” she says, smothering a snort with her hand.
Alice rolls her eyes and drags Maria towards the tall, slender attendant who is waiting for them with hands clasped together.
“Who’s the bride?” she says, a lipsticked smile stretched across her face.
“She is,” Alice tells her, thrusting her friend forward. Maria squirms like a schoolgirl about to be inspected for uniform transgressions by the headmistress.
“I’m guessing a size twelve, am I right?”
Maria nods, her face flushing redder and redder with what Alice knows is the effort not to laugh.
“And is there any dress in particular you’d like to try or would you like me to fetch you a selection of different styles, help you narrow down what you’re looking for?” The shop assistant gestures to the dresses
Maria’s face darts to Alice with terror in her eyes.
“A selection, I think, please,” Alice says.
“Fabulous. Take a seat. There are glasses of champagne waiting for you, please help yourselves." She wafts an elegantly manicured hand towards the sofa and Alice drags Maria away.
“Why are you being such a baby,” she hisses, “you were really excited about this five minutes ago.”
“I know, I know. I just got nervous all of a sudden. This makes it seem real. Like, shit, I’m actually getting married.”
Alice bounces on the seat and claps her hands together. “Yes, yes you are, and you are going to look so amazing, Maria. And it is going to be the best wedding ever. And I am going to arrange the most awesome hen do this planet has ever seen.”
Maria tips back her head and puffs out a stream of air. Then she rolls her shoulders. “Okay, okay, I’m fine. But please try on a dress.”
“No way, I can’t!” It doesn't seem right.
“At least a bridesmaid dress.”
