Page 78 of For Love or Money
Being a bridesmaid could provide all sorts of excuses to nose around in Stella’s life, and Lesley knew she should grab the opportunity with both hands. But she couldn’t help feeling sorry for Stella. She was starting to really like her and to see her as a friend. It made her feel like such a fraud. Still, it was what she was being paid for. This was a good development, and she owed it to Al to ignore her reservations and make the most of it.
‘Well, I’d be very happy to be your bridesmaid if you’re sure that’s what you want.’
‘Thank you.’ Stella beamed.
‘And as your bridesmaid, my first job will be organising your hen do,’ she said.
‘Oh, don’t worry about that.’ Stella shook her head. ‘I don’t need a hen party. I hadn’t even thought of bridesmaids until just now when Madame asked me what they’d be wearing. Besides, who would you invite? I don’t really know anyone in Ireland anymore.’
‘What about before you moved?’
‘Oh God, that was so long ago. Another lifetime.’
‘Well, maybe I could organise a reunion. If you give me the info, I could dig up people you used to work with, maybe some old school friends ...’
Stella’s eyes widened. ‘I’m not a reunion sort of person. I don’t like looking back.’
‘Okay.’ Lesley decided it was best to back off. Stella looked quite panicked, and it was a long shot anyway. Then she had another idea. ‘It wouldn’t have to be only women,’ she said tentatively. ‘I mean it’s the twenty-first century. If you have any male friends you’d like me to invite …’
Something flickered in Stella’s face, but it was gone before Lesley could make out what it was. ‘No,’ she said. ‘There’s no one.’
She looked sad, and Lesley was struck by how lonely she must be. For whatever reason, she didn’t seem to have anyone in her life – at least, no one she would admit to.
‘Well, I don’t intend to fall down on the most sacred of bridesmaid duties. I’m throwing you a hen party, even if it’s just you and me.’
‘Just you and me, then.’ Stella raised her glass to Lesley.
‘We’ll have the fun of twenty women.’ Lesley knocked back the last of her champagne. ‘Now, let’s go back and buy that dress. By the way, whatisyour bridesmaid wearing?’
‘So,one day down and I’m Stella’s bestie,’ Lesley told Al later. They were lying side by side in bed, facing each other across the pillow barrier while she updated him on her progress.
‘Well done! That was quick work.’
‘Thanks.’ She was pleased that she had something to report. ‘I’m not getting a gold-digger vibe from her so far. Do you know she didn’t even ask Rafe how much he’d pay her to disappear?’
‘Impressive. But it could be just an act, to show him she’s not interested in the money. I mean, what if he was tricking her? She couldn’t risk showing her hand. There’d be no going back if she took him up on it.’
‘Or maybe she genuinely doesn’t care how much he’s offering because she’s holding out for the jackpot.’
‘Well, now that you’re BFFs, maybe she’ll show you her true colours,’ Al said on a yawn as he lay back.
‘Do you want the light out?’ Lesley asked. ‘I’m going to read for a while.’ She picked up her paperback from the nightstand.
‘No, that’s fine. How are you enjoying that book?’
‘It’s great! Things are really hotting up in the first form.’
‘Told you.’
‘I’m almost starting to want to go to boarding school myself.’
‘We could have a pillow fight if you like?’ Al said, grinning at her. ‘I wouldn’t mind.’
‘No thanks,’ Lesley said. ‘Though I wouldn’t mind tying the sheets together and abseiling out the window. That sounds like a laugh.’
‘Please don’t. I don’t want to spend tomorrow in A&E with you.’
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