Page 60 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘We’re just going,’ says Hudson, sounding remarkably calm.‘We need some information, that’s all. Stephanie was about to tell us, weren’tyou?’
Stephanie, who looks as if she’d like to hurl herself overthe balcony without further ado, opens her mouth to reply. But Mr Angry shoutsover her. ‘I hired your company in good faith and paid you a small fortune, andwhat did I get in return? We’re now a laughing stock and pictures of that...farce...todaywill no doubt be in circulation bloody everywhere.’ His face turns from red toa shade of dark magenta. ‘I expect a full refund plus compensation. And I wantitnow!’ He advances on her, and she casts a wary glance at thetwenty-foot drop over the balcony.
At last she finds her tongue. ‘Of course, Raymond, ofcourse. Look, why don’t you come to my office and we can sort that out for you.I’m mortified about what happened and of course I’m going to do everything Ican to make things right.’
Raymond gives an infuriated grunt, rakes his hands throughhis hair and disappears through the door.
‘Just go, will you?’ hisses Stephanie at us. ‘I need to sortthis out.’
‘And get those people out of herenow!’ ordersRaymond, poking his head back round the door.
‘Yes, of course.’ Stephanie beckons urgently for us toleave, so we have no choice but to do what she’s asking, walking ahead of herdown the stairs and out into the soggy arena.
Literally paddling across the waterlogged grass, we watch asStephanie hurries after Mr Angry.
‘Stephanie? The third girl’s name?’ Hudson calls after her,but she just ignores him and disappears into the office with her client.
‘Great.’ I look at Hudson. ‘So now we might never know.’
‘There is an alternative.’
‘What?’
‘We can try and catch up with Rory. Come on!’
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
We dive for the car, and when Hudson sets off, I’m inthe back seat, performing all kinds of contortions getting out of my wetclothes and into some dry ones. Thank goodness I brought a weekend bag of spareclothes!
Dressed at last, I look ahead, over the passenger seat and myheart gives an enormous thump. ‘Look! There’s Rory’s red van. Parked outsidethe café. He must be glamping another night.’
Hudson reacts swiftly. He glances behind him and pulls in afew yards behind the van. ‘I don’t understand why he’d be sticking around, though,now that he’s achieved what he came here to do,’ he murmurs, his eyes glued tothe café door.
‘That’s true. And now I think about it, he’d have parked inthe car park if he was staying at Sara’s glamping site for another night,wouldn’t he? So maybe he’s just called to collect his things or grab a coffeebefore he goes?’
‘Have I got time to get changed?’ murmurs Hudson.
‘Yes! But you’d better be quick!’
He dives into the back while I get into the passenger seat.Then something occurs to me. I unclip my safety belt and open the car door.‘Back in a minute.’
‘Where are you going?’ Hudson, half out of his shirt, looks atme in alarm.
‘I just need to tell Sara something.’
‘What?’
But I’m gone, slamming the door behind me and racing over tothe café. I peer in the window. Sara is behind the counter but Rory is nowhereto be seen and I heave a sigh of relief. He must be in the men’s toilets.
‘Oh, hi, Ruby! Good day?’ Sara frowns as I walk in. ‘Gosh,has it been raining? Your hair’s soaked.’
‘Long story,’ I smile, panting slightly. ‘Listen, do you knowGaynor, who works at the gardens? Or rather, shedidwork there.’
Sara frowns. ‘Yes, I know her. She comes in here with herlittle boy sometimes. Lovely girl.’
I nod. ‘I saw you’re looking to hire a waitress, so Ithought I’d let you know that she...well, she no longer worksat Amberley Gardens and I think she might be looking for another job.’
‘Oh. Right. Okay.’ She smiles. ‘Thanks. I’ll speak to her.’
