Page 1 of The Wedding Cake Wish
Ruby
PROLOGUE
We’re grinning as we exit the barn.
But as the phony dogs do their barking in unison again, weglance towards the mansion, and to our alarm we see the back door opening and afigure emerging.
‘There’s someone coming,’ I hiss. ‘Oh, my God, it’s a manand he’s seen us!’
‘Come on.’ Hudson starts running and I follow as best I can,not daring to look back.
‘Where are you going?’ I pant, as he hares across to thepool area.
‘It’s the fastest route to the boundary wall.’ He points.‘We’re aiming for over there.’
‘Right.’ Running past the pool-side cabana, I dare to lookback. And my heart lurches with relief when I see the man has disappeared, backinside the mansion. Maybe it’s going to be okay, after all?
Without warning, the ground seems to give way beneath me. Myfeet have left solid earth and for a split-second, I’m flying through the air. Nextmoment, I land with an almighty splash.
My feet hit the bottom of the swimming pool. Luckily, I seemto have crash-landed in the shallow end. Not that this prevents the tidal waveof chlorinated water that surges forcefully up my nostrils, as if the HooverDam itself has burst its banks.
Coughing and spluttering, I hear the distant barking of dogsand Hudson’s voice, urging me to grab his hand.
I do as he says and he hauls me out most unceremoniously, sothat I land panting and stunned on the pool-side like a small whale rescuedfrom inevitable expiry by worried villagers, and feeling wetter than I’ve everbeen in my entire life.
For a second, I can’t move. Then the dogs start barkingagain, which rouses me from my temporary stupor. I know it’s just a machine.They’re not real dogs. But theysoundbloody real! And when I glanceover at the house, my heart actually stops for a second because a man isrunning out, shouting profanities in our direction. Followed by a pair of largeblack dogs.Actual dogs.And they don’t look pleased, either.
Hudson does some more hauling – and I’m on my feet andrunning with him towards the perimeter wall in squelching strides.
‘I thought you said it was a barking machine!’ I pant.
‘Well, I was wrong, wasn’t I! I’m not bloody HerculePoirot.’
At the wall, Hudson lowers his locked fingers to make afoothold and I step up, abject terror turning me into an Olympic pole vaulter.From my position on top of the wall, I shout encouragement to Hudson as he runsat the wall and tries to scramble up.
My heart is in my mouth as the dogs reach us and startleaping up at Hudson’s legs, snarling with intent.
That thug eats enemies for breakfast! And his dogs arejust one vicious snap away from taking off Hudson’s leg.
How the hell did I get myself into this?
One week earlier...
Fen
CHAPTERONE
‘Jaz, whatareyou doing with that willy-shapedballoon?’
She’s squashed beside me in the fun photo booth, along withEllie, who’s wearing a bright orange wig plus moustache and glasses.
Jaz grins. ‘I’m reliving fond memories. New parents don’thavesex anymore, apparently.’
I laugh, adjusting my pink feather boa and pursing my lipsin the mirror. ‘I quite like this cowboy hat. Does it suit me?’ (The weddingfair at the Swan Hotel has a whole host of interesting ideas, designed toensure your nuptials go with a swing.)
Jaz snatches the cowboy hat off my head. ‘I’ll swap you. Theballoon’s a bit small for my liking.’ She admires the hat in the mirror. ‘Hmm.Nice. What do you think?’
Ellie chuckles. ‘I have a feelingsomeone’smakingthe most of an afternoon away from child-rearing. Are you sure Harry can cope?’
