Page 56 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘Right.’
So Amelia knew we were in the Cotswolds, but she decided tophone Hudson anyway, knowing she’d be intruding on our time together? That’squite a selfish thing to do, however down she was feeling. She must surely haveother friends she could call late at night?
Not that this is a holiday. Far from it. But I’m assumingHudson wouldn’t have told her the real reason for our trip, so as far asAmelia’s concerned, we were going on a holiday break away together...
‘You okay?’ asks Hudson.
‘Yes, fine. I just thought...it was a bitinconsiderate of Amelia to phone knowing you’re away and might be doing stuff?’
‘Well, she can’t help when she gets down, can she?’ He looksat me in bemusement, and I instantly feel terrible for criticising the womanwhen she’s obviously still hurting badly over Myles.
A rebellious thought tickles my mind:Maybe she phoneddeliberately to disturb us?
But I push the idea away. I might not warm to her terribly,but there’s no way Amelia would be that scheming...
‘Good morning!’ calls a cheery voice, and when we go to thedoor, there’s Sara with a tray, laden with pastries, cups and saucers and a largethermos.
‘Wow. That looks and smells amazing!’ I say, as Hudson takesthe tray from her.
‘Enjoy! Anything else you need, just let me know!’ she callsas she departs with a smile.
‘Did you know there’s aLittleDuck Pond Café? InSurrey?’ I call, and she turns round. ‘I actually work there, so it’s funny howHudson and I ended up...well, staying here.’
‘You work withEllie?’ She looks astonished.
‘Yes! Do you know her?’
‘Oh, IloveEllie!’ Sara walks back, beaming. ‘Weswap notes all the time. She was online and found us by accident, so shefollowed us on Twitter and posted a photo of herLittleDuck Pond Café,saying something about us being almost twinnies, and obviously I followed herback.’
‘Oh, that’s amazing.’
She nods. ‘When my boyfriend, Eddie, and I went down toBournemouth on holiday last year we took a detour and met Ellie and Zak fordinner in Guildford, and we had a brilliant evening.’
‘I can’t believe that. What a coincidence.’
‘I know.’ She laughs. ‘Well, I hope you both have a lovelyday and if I don’t see you before you leave,bon voyage,and make sureto give Ellie my love when you get back.’
‘We will.’ Watching her leave, I shake my head in wonder.‘Talk about a small world.’
‘Weird indeed,’ agrees Hudson. ‘But let’s consider anothercoincidence: Rory travelling a hundred miles to work for a woman who escapedjail while his mother served time for the crime and suffered all her life forit.’
Frowning, I fold my arms. ‘That’s not a coincidence.’
‘Exactly my point.’ He smiles. ‘So...readyto attend the Amberley Gardens opening ceremony? So we can find out exactlywhat best man Rory is up to?’
I touch my temple in a salute. ‘Absolutely, boss.’
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
‘So what’s the plan?’ I ask Hudson.
It’s just after one and we’re at the main gates of AmberleyGardens, waiting in a queue to get in.
‘The plan?’
‘Yeah, you know...are we pretending to beordinary tourists, just casually checking out the new gardens?’ I wince as theman in front of us turns around and gives me a funny look.
Hudson grins. ‘Yup. That’s the plan. And I hope you’ve gotyour cunning disguise at the ready.’
