Page 32 of The Wedding Cake Wish
Hudson nods. ‘Sounds good. But why not stay a little longer?Have another drink? We won’t be staying late, and you can hardly get the bushome all dressed up in your glad rags.’
She looks at him, a hint of a smile breaking through. ‘Okay.Thank you. I guess it’s probably not a good idea to go home alone while I’mfeeling so rubbish. A drink and a dance sounds like a good idea. And I’ll do mybest to sit through the awards. Can you...?’ Her voicewobbles a little. ‘Can you just give me a moment to deal with my panda eyes?’
We watch her stumble away, almost colliding with a waitercarrying a large tray of empty glasses. She apologises to him then practicallyruns the rest of the way, as if she can’t wait to escape to the safety of theLadies.
I look worriedly at Hudson. ‘I’d better go and see if she’sall right.’
He nods and I hurry after her.
When I push open the door to the Ladies, I’m expecting tosee her washing her face at a basin, but she’s nowhere in sight. She must havelocked herself in a cubicle to sit and gather herself together...
I open my mouth to call her name softly, just to let herknow I’m there if she wants to talk, when a gurgle of laughter stops me.
There must be someone else in here, talking on theirphone.
But when my eyes sweep along the row of cubicles, it’s clearthere’s only one that’s occupied. It must be Amelia. Next second, I hear hervoice. ‘Oh, you know me. Once I put my mind to something, I always get there inthe end.’
The person on the other end of the phone obviously comesback with a quip because Amelia gives a bark of laughter. ‘Absolutely.’
I stand there, wondering whether to leave as it’s obviouslya private conversation. But it’s too late, anyway, as the door opens and Ameliawalks out.
She sees me and her eyes open wide and she freezes for amoment.
I smile and she gathers herself together, clutching herheart. ‘Oh, dear. You gave me a shock, creeping up on me like that.’ She nodsback at the cubicle. ‘I was trying to reassure my friend Kat that I’m all rightand that she doesn’t need to charge down here and rescue me. She thought it wasway too soon for me to go out – especially with the award for Myles beingpresented.’
‘I can understand that,’ I murmur. ‘She’d be worried itwould all be too much for you.’
Amelia nods. ‘Trying to sound cheerful and convince her I’mfine took a real effort, but I think I managed it.’ She sighs, washing herhands and attending to her eye make-up with a tissue. ‘At least I can be honestwith you, Ruby. And that’s such a relief, I can tell you.’
‘Of course.’
‘I keep his photo in my purse, to look at when I need somecourage to face the day.’ She brings it out and shows me. ‘When I look into hiseyes, I can hear him telling me to be brave and reassuring me that everything’sgoing to be fine.’
I get a lump in my throat as she gazes sadly at his picture.
‘He and Hudson are so alike, aren’t they?’ she murmurs.
I nod, looking over at the photo before she puts itcarefully away again. ‘Wow, they really are. Identical twins.’
‘I loved Myles so much. But the thing is, there’s only somuch moping at home alone on the sofa you can do. There comes a point where youjust have to face up to what’s happened, realise there’s nothing you can do aboutit, and then start focusing on the future instead of staying lost in the past.’
I nod. ‘That’s so true. Easier said than done, of course.’
‘You’re right there.’ She forces a smile. ‘But onwards andupwards, don’t you think, Ruby? This is the start of my new life. Adifferentlife.’ She shrugs. ‘And I guess it starts with that dance.’
‘Dance?’ I’m confused for a moment, then I recall Hudson’ssuggestion. ‘Oh, yes. Of course. Come on. Hudson will be waiting.’ I hold thedoor open, and after a slight hesitation she gives a determined nod and sweepspast me.
‘Let’s do this!’ she says, sounding more positive, and Ifollow her back to our table.
‘Shall we?’ she asks Hudson, holding out her hand, archingher brows in the direction of the dance floor.
‘Yes.’ He stands up. ‘Yes, of course. Let’s show them howit’s done.’
‘Or in your case, how it’snotdone.’ I grin at himand he narrows his eyes at me, pretending to be annoyed. And I try not to mindas he whisks Amelia off and takes her in his arms in the middle of the floorfor a slow waltz.
They look good together, moving around the dance floor, andI smile to myself as Hudson trips over Amelia’s feet at one stage. Heapologises and Amelia throws back her head and laughs, flicking back her longcaramel hair. He’s obviously managing to cheer her up and that’s good.Reallygood...
I tap my fingers on the table, waiting for the music tofinish. But when it does, it immediately segues into another slow tune. I watchHudson hesitate and I will them to head back to the table. But then Amelialeans towards him and murmurs something in his ear, her hands on his arms, andI feel my heart sink down into my lovely new shoes as they continue dancingtogether.
