Page 15 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘No, no. Please don’t worry,’ I say hurriedly. ‘We just...well,we were hoping to find Rory and we just wondered if you had any idea where heis?’
‘Why do you want to know?’ asks Rachel, with a suspiciousfrown.
Shirley smiles. ‘I’m sure they’re just worried because theyhaven’t heard from Rory. Like we are.’ She turns to us and murmurs, ‘Have aseat.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s fine,’ says Hudson. ‘We don’t want tokeep you.’ He looks apologetically at Rachel. ‘It’s just...well,I think Rob wants to get the outfits sorted for the wedding, and he needsRory’s inside leg measurement.’ He shrugs with a smile, and Rachel visiblyrelaxes.
‘Ah, the wedding. Yes.’ She reaches for a framed photo onthe table by her chair and smiles fondly down at it. ‘Rory’s never been a bestman before. He’s really looking forward to it.’
‘So you’ve no idea where we could find him, Mrs Harrington?’I ask.
‘Call me Rachel. No, he’s gone away on business but hedidn’t say where.’ She keeps the frame in her lap, absently stroking the facein the photo. ‘I’m sure he’ll be back soon, though.’ She glances over at herfriend for confirmation. ‘Don’t you think so, Shirley?’
Shirley, who had been perched on the edge of a nearby chair,watching Rachel a little anxiously, opens her eyes wider. ‘Oh, yes. Yes, I’msure he’ll be back soon.’ She looks at Hudson. ‘Yes, we’re not worried aboutRory. He’s been very good, looking after you after your accident, hasn’t he,Rachel? He’ll be back to check on you at the weekend, I’m certain.’
Rachel smiles. ‘You’re right. Rory’s been a marvel, gettingmy shopping, making my meals and ferrying me to appointments after my...mysilly accident. He’ll be back soon. He’s just away on business. He texted me tolet me know.’ She reaches for her phone on the table and Hudson quickly handsit to her.
‘Thank you.’ She finds the message and shows it to us.
I’ll be away for a while. A week or so. Got something totake care of. Don’t worry. Shirley will pop in every day. See you when I getback xxx
‘You see? Nothing suspicious about that, is there?’ Shelooks at Hudson intently.
‘No, not at all,’ he says quickly.
I smile at Rachel. ‘I’ve never met Rory, but he soundslovely. Just the kind of person you want to look after you if you’ve been in anaccident. Are you...feeling better?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘You still have your bad days, but you’re getting there,aren’t you?’ adds Shirley cheerfully.
‘That’s good,’ murmurs Hudson. ‘What sort of accident wasit? If you don’t mind me asking.’
There’s a beat of silence. Then Shirley says, ‘Racheltripped and fell in the road, and then a car...’ Sheshudders. ‘I have nightmares thinking about it, but thankfully, you’re okay.’She leans over and presses Rachel’s arm. ‘We went to school together, you know,but we didn’t become really good friends until I moved in next door nearly tenyears ago. I can’t tell you how devastated I was, thinking I might lose her. Itwas touch and go in the hospital for a while. But you’re on the mend now, thankgoodness.’
The two women exchange a smile. And Hudson says, ‘That’s sogood to hear.’ He glances at me. ‘All right, Rubes, shall we head?’
‘Okay.’ I smile from Rachel to Shirley. ‘Lovely to meet youboth. Rory will be back and getting measured up for his suit soon, I’m sure ofit.’
‘No, please stay where you are,’ urges Hudson as Shirleymakes to get up. ‘We’ll see ourselves out.’
We walk back to the car in silence. But as soon as we’reinside, we both start speaking at once.
‘Well, that was weird.’
‘They both seemed really nervous, especially Rachel.’
‘Rachel was quite defensive. Do you think they were hidingsomething?’
‘They definitely weren’t telling us the whole truth.’
Hudson points the car towards home and we drive off, each wrappedin our own thoughts. After a while, Hudson breaks the silence.
‘If I wasn’t worried about Rory before, I definitely amnow.’
I nod slowly. ‘I’ve got this horrible feeling of dread inthe pit of my stomach. Where the hell has he got to?’
CHAPTERSEVEN
