Page 5 of The Wedding Cake Wish
I nod. ‘It’s always been just the two of them, hasn’t it?Rory and his mum. He’s quite protective of her, isn’t he?’
‘Veryprotective. They didn’t have it easy when Rorywas growing up, what with his dad being absent. I reckon he’ll have askedShirley, her friend next door, to keep an eye on Rachel while he’s away.’
‘Makes sense.’
Rob sits back, looking more relaxed. ‘Thank you.’
‘For what?’
‘For being so wise.’ He smiles. ‘And for agreeing to marryme and being perfect.’
‘Perfect, eh? I’ve never been accused of that before.’ Ilaugh and snuggle into his chest, and he kisses the top of my head.
‘I’m really glad you’re here,’ he murmurs. ‘Marjery’s beendrilling me on what exactly the men are wearing for the wedding. She’s stilltrying to persuade me that kilts would be a fine idea. I keep telling her youshould really be a Scot to wear one and that Noel’s hairy legs would ruin thephotos, but she won’t be convinced.’
‘Just stick to your plan.’ I raise my head and smile up athim. ‘Grey morning suits and lavender buttonholes to match the bridesmaids’dresses and you’ll look completely and utterly edible.’
He raises one lascivious brow. ‘I like the sound of that.’
I giggle as he pulls me against him and kisses me firmly onthe lips, and my insides flip over. It’s still there, that incredible pull ofattraction, even after more than two years with Rob – and suddenly I rememberwhy I’m getting married...why I’m putting myself through allof Mum’s fancy shenanigans. I love Rob so much and I want to spend the rest ofmy life with him. And that’s really all that matters.
‘You know what I’m most looking forward to about ourwedding?’ I murmur, snuggling against him.
‘A good shag once it’s all over?’
‘Rob!’ I sit up and glare at him, pretending to be shocked.He only says these things to make me blush, and I never disappoint him. ‘I wasgoing to say something rather more romantic than that.’
He grins. ‘Sorry. Go on.’
I snuggle back down. ‘I was going to say that I keepthinking about that moment when we’re all alone, finally...afterwe’ve had our amazing day with all our family and friends, and we’re headingoff on our honeymoon to St Lucia, with all those great memories to talk aboutat our leisure.’ I sigh happily. ‘After all the chaos of the build-up, it’ll beso good to just relax in the sun, on a beach...with you.’
‘It will.’ He takes my hand, lacing his fingers throughmine, and a warm feeling suffuses me that has nothing to do with the Woo Woococktails. ‘I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.’
‘I just wish Rory would get in touch,’ I murmur. ‘Kilt or nokilt, you need your best man by your side. I’ve asked Ruby and Hudson to do abit of investigating.’
‘Yes, you said. But it’s really not necessary.’
‘Has his mum reported him missing?’ I ask.
‘Why would she do that?’ Rob leans away and frowns at me.‘He’s not “missing”, Fen. He’s just gone away for a break, as we said.’
‘No, of course. I mean, yes.’Damn, why did I ask that?It just slipped out.
‘He just hasn’t thought to tell anyone where he’s gone,that’s all.’ Rob’s tone is defensive and a worried crease has appeared abovehis nose.
I nod, breaching the sudden gap between us and taking hishand. ‘It’s good that he texted Rachel. That obviously means he’s okay.’
‘Absolutely,’ says Rob, although I can tell he’s trying hardto convince himself.
Rob phoned Rachel on Sunday, thinking Rory might be at herflat, and Rachel told him her son had texted her to say he had some business toattend to but that he’d be back soon. Rob said she’d sounded anxious, which Iguess only added to his own disquiet over Rory’s sudden disappearance.
‘Starters are out,’ calls Mum. With a knowing glance at eachother, we rise from our comfy position on the sofa. Arms around each other, wehead into the lion’s den for scallops and an enthusiastic lecture on thedesirability of an ice sculpture of the happy couple at a wedding...
*****
Later, I say a lingering goodbye to Rob at the door. He’sdelivering some of his handcrafted furniture tomorrow and needs to leave fromhis flat early in the morning.
‘Is she really serious about the ice sculpture?’ he murmurs,looking bemused.
