Page 13 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘No.’ She then proceeds to heap two large spoons into hercup, and after a second’s hesitation, adds a third, smiling up at me ruefully.‘I need the energy these days. Mum’s driving me up the wall. But anyway.’ Shetakes a reviving sip of her drink and sits back with a sigh. ‘Let’s not talkabout the mother-of-the-bridezilla.’
I laugh. ‘She’s not that bad, is she?’
‘Well, sheis, but I can hardly say I had no warning.Mum’s always like this when she’s got an event to organise.’ She sighs. ‘All Iwant is a lovely, relaxed day with Rob, surrounded by all our nearest anddearest. I honestly couldn’t care less if the favours match the flowers or thebuttonholes match the bridesmaids’ dresses. Well, I could, to a certain extent.Obviously. But not enough to fall out with Mum and Rob before the Big Day evenarrives.’
‘Oh, that won’t happen, will it?’
She looks at me, her face flushed and her eyes suddenlybrimming with tears. ‘I wouldn’t be too sure, Ruby. Rob’s being quite pricklywith me at the moment. I guess he’s really worried about Rory and he thinks I’mallowing Mum to take over the wedding.’
I glance at her with a smile. ‘She’s a hard woman to arguewith, by all accounts.’
Fen nods gloomily. ‘Oh, Ruby, what if we can’t find Rory?It’s all so upsetting. We’re just clinging to the fact that he texted his mumand told her he had some business to sort out but would be back soon.’ Sheshrugs. ‘But even that sounds suspicious. “Some business”? What on earth couldit be?’
I nod in sympathy. ‘It’s all a bit strange. Hudson and I aregoing round to talk to Rachel tomorrow night, so hopefully we’ll be able tofind out more.’
‘Great.’ She forces a smile. ‘Anyway, wedding cake!’
‘Yes! Simple and classic, I think you said? I’ve done somesketches for you to look at.’
We talk wedding cake designs and flavours at the kitchentable for a while. Then Fen sits back in her chair and murmurs, ‘You know howyou can make a wish when you mix the Christmas cake batter, on stir-up Sunday?’
I nod. ‘I always do that.’
‘Do you think...is it worth making a wishwhen you stir a wedding cake?’
She looks so washed-out and fragile, her arms folded tightlyover her stomach, my heart goes out to her. I nod firmly. ‘Definitely. How aboutI let you know when I’m making the cake and you can come over and give it astir.’
To be truthful, I’ve never heard anything about a weddingcake wish before, but it seems like a lovely idea. And I think Fen really needsit right now...
She smiles ruefully. ‘Thanks, Ruby. I have a feeling yourcake is going to bring me luck. It’s pretty much the only thing I’ve decided onmyself without Mum’s input, so that makes it special.’
Wow, no pressure there, then!
But I smile back. ‘I promise I’ll do a really good job.’
She gets up. ‘I know you will. And by the way, I’m sopleased you’re back working at the bakery. So is Anita. And how’s Hudson?’
My heart lurches at the mention of his name. A bad sign!‘Losing his twin brother was such a tragedy but he’s...well,I think he’s getting there, although I suppose you can never tell what’s goingon beneath the surface.’
She nods. ‘He’s such a lovely guy.’
‘Yes. Yes, he is.’ Feeling the beginnings of a rosy blush, Irush on, ‘His therapist suggested he get himself an interest, so that’s whatthe investigating thing is all about. A bit of a distraction. A way to keephimself busy and not dwell on Myles.’
She nods. ‘And are you two...?’ Shewaggles her eyebrows speculatively.
‘No!’
She shrugs. ‘It’s just I heard you’re going to the awardsceremony with him?’
‘Crikey, news gets around fast.’
‘I bumped into him at the post office just now and hementioned he’d asked you.’ She smiles. ‘He had a big grin on his face when hetold me, so I think he’s looking forward to it.’
‘Gosh, right.’ Heat flares in my cheeks. ‘Well, yes, I saidI’d go with him. But we’re just friends. That’s all.’
She nods knowingly. ‘So what are you wearing? Are you buyingsomething new?’
‘Oh, no, no. I haven’t even thought about it, but I’m sureI’ll find something suitable in my wardrobe.’
