Page 31 of The Wedding Cake Wish
She holds one spent roll in each hand, little fingers kinkedup as if she’s taking tea with the vicar. ‘What onearthhave you beendoing with that mirror in there, Rosie? It’s so gunky, I had to wipe it with atissue to actually see my reflection.’ She glances meaningfully at Hudson,sharing her amusement with him.
Hudson, to give him his due, doesn’t react. He just looks onimpassively, a pleasant smile on his handsome face.
I take the toilet roll innards from Amelia with a mumbledthank-you. Glancing around, wondering what to do with them, I almost stuff themin my handbag, but at the last second I aim them at the sofa.
‘Right. Let’s go.’ I head for the door, just wanting toescape the claustrophobic atmosphere in the flat. So much for my ‘almost-date’with Hudson. After looking forward to tonight with stomach-leapinganticipation, I now appear to be part of a threesome – and that’s only if I’mlucky and Amelia doesn’t claim Hudson all for herself. And judging by the wayshe keeps touching his arm and batting her mile-long lashes at him, that’sclearly her intention.
But as I lock the door, listening to their sober chat asthey walk down the stairs together, I tell myself it’s hardly surprising Ameliais clinging onto Hudson as if he’s a precious life raft in a stormy sea.
They share something that’s impossible to understand unlessyou’ve actually experienced it...a deep, devastating sadness.And really, I should be ashamed of myself for being so down on her. Amelia’sgrief, like Hudson’s, will still be so raw and painful. So instead of resentingher presence, I need to do my best to help lift her spirits. It’s going to beso emotional for both of them, with Hudson receiving the posthumous award onbehalf of his brother.
This night is not about me at all.
It’s an evening for Hudson and Amelia to feel the greatestof pride in Myles, the man they both loved so much...
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
The venue for the evening is at a hotel in Guildford,and when we arrive, the ‘do’ is already in full swing.
After the fabulous meal, Amelia goes off to touch up her lipgloss, while Hudson and I stay at the table. I can’t help thinking he’s lookingreally sad.
I nudge him. ‘What would Myles be doing if he was here now?’
‘He’d be brushing off all the congratulations with a modestsmile and making shapes on the dance floor.’ He smiles wistfully. ‘My brotherhad a much better sense of rhythm than me. I do dad dancing but Myles dancedlike no one was watching. I always envied him that.’
I squeeze his hand and he gives me one of his lopsidedsmiles. ‘Let’s dance, Ruby Watkiss.’
‘Like no one’s watching?’
He grins. ‘I’m not sure this place is ready for my attemptat busting moves.’
At that moment the music changes tempo, segueing into a slowdance.
Hudson looks into my eyes and my heart skips an extra beat.He grins lazily. ‘I can dance to this, though. We can shuffle around the floorand as long as you hold on to me, I’ll blend in nicely.’
‘Okay.’ I smile at him. ‘I’m game if you are.’
He stands up and holds out his hand. ‘Ruby, may I have thepleasure of this dance?’
I laugh and take his hand, he slips his arm around my waistand then we’re walking over to the dance floor together. I feel as if I’m movingin a dream.
Maybe it’s time to be brave and let Hudson know how Ifeel about him. And where better than on the dance floor, held in his arms...
A crashing noise brings me right back to earth.
We turn and there’s Amelia, staring down in horror at achair that’s lying on its side. She starts apologising to the table of people.‘I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.’ She bends to right thechair but the woman nearest springs up from her seat and does it for her,laying a hand on her arm and telling her it’s absolutely fine.
My heart goes out to Amelia. She looks so utterly lost. Iglance at Hudson and together, we move towards her.
She sees us and shakes her head, a tear trickling down hercheek. ‘I don’t know what happened there. I was thinking about Myles and how hewould have justlovedtonight, and then I collided with that chair andsomehow knocked it over.’ She sighs. ‘I’m an absolute mess these days. I thinkI’ll go home. I’m not sure I can face the awards ceremony.’
‘Really? Why not sit down and have a glass of wine with usfirst?’ I urge her, as Hudson puts a comforting arm around her shoulders. ‘Wecan talk about Myles. Or not. Whatever you want.’
She smiles sadly. ‘Thank you. That’s so kind of you. But Ithink...I think what I need is something to take my mindoffhim. To block out the despair.’
‘How about a dance?’ suggests Hudson.
She shakes her head. ‘No, I think I’ll just go home. Watch afilm or something.’ She attempts a smile. ‘A comedy, maybe.’
