Nothing New for Sophie Drew: a heart-warming romantic comedy
Page 23
My heart burst. “I miss her too. Thank you, Nadia. And I’m sorry for believing Darius’s lies.”
“He knows how to pull strings to get what he wants,” she said with a scowl. “I found that out the hard way.”
“I can’t wait to have it out with him.” I was aware of my blood pumping around my body, my racing heart working overtime. “He must have thought he was so clever playing me like that.”
“You’ll have to wait. The rehearsal is about to start.” Her teeth gleamed as she smiled, her pearly-whites shimmering as much as her coffee-tint lip gloss. “See you later, Sophie, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I smiled, walking to where Eve and Tawna were waiting for me. I threw imaginary daggers at Darius, who looked decidedly uncomfortable after seeing me talking with Nadia. If looks could kill…
“So-So!” Summer bundled into me at such a pace that I feared I might be bowled over like a bowling pin. A human strike. “I’ve got something to tell you.” She cupped her mouth and, in the loudest whisper ever, said, “I’ve got a boyfriend at school.”
I laughed. “Aren’t you a bit young for that?”
“Lots of my class have boyfriends or girlfriends. Melody Jones kissed her boyfriend at the end of term disco. On the lips!”
“You’re definitely too young to be kissing,” I said seriously. “There’s plenty of time for that when you’re older.”
“Are you going to get back together with Daddy?” The question came out of the blue and her face was so hopeful, so earnest, that part of me wished I could give her the answer she wanted to hear.
“No,” I replied gently, reaching out and touching her arm. “I’ve got a new boyfriend now. He’s called Max and he’s really lovely.”
“Can I meet him?”
“Of course you can. He’ll be at the wedding tomorrow and I know he’d like to meet you too. He’s heard all about you.”
“What have you told him? Did you tell him I’m really clever? Because I got ten out of ten in every maths test last term,” she said, proudly puffing out her chest. “I was the only person in the class to get them all right.”
“Well done. And yes, I have told him you’re clever. And that you’re funny and kind and generous…”
“And really good at hula-hooping?”
“I don’t know if I did tell him that, but I can. I’ll make sure to mention it when I speak to him, in case there are any hula hoops at the wedding. Wouldn’t want you to show him up.”
“There won’t be any hula hoops at the wedding!” Summer laughed, a loud belly laugh of complete joy and amusement.
“You never know. There might be.”
“You’re so silly, So-So,” she said through her giggles, “but I love you.”
“I love you too.” I planted a kiss on top of her fine dark hair. “I love you too.”
The rehearsal had all gone smoothly, with the “I will”s coming in the right places. Everyone left feeling clearer about the parts they had to play in proceedings, which was the whole purpose of it, after all.
I’d been determined not to cause a scene despite having to walk down the aisle alongside Darius. The fire in my belly following my conversation with Nadia hadn’t subsided though, and it took a lot of effort not to erupt when I found myself directly opposite him when we sat down to eat. I was biding my time, waiting for the right moment.
As I studied him, his features seemed to have shifted, as though he was a different person to the one he was when we were together. Whatever spark had once been between us was gone, stamped out for good, only the smouldering embers of our relationship left behind.
“You’re looking good, Sophie.” He slurped at his tomato and basil soup. It was annoying. “Have you lost weight?”
“No.”
“Maybe it’s your hair. It suits you longer.”
“Thanks.” My voice came out curt and clipped, especially annoyed that one of the reasons I’d not grown it before was because he had always said long hair was for slappers. When we were together I’d changed my image to fit with his ideals because I was petrified he’d leave me for a more glamorous model. It hadn’t just been hair dyes and a wardrobe full of designer clothes I’d splashed the cash on either: I’d gone as far as having Botox because he’d suggested it might help me “look my best”. Eve had been horrified when I’d told her I’d let someone pump my face full of poison to keep a man.
“Is everything all right between us, Sophie?”
“Don’t push me,” I spat, fighting to keep my voice low. “I know what you did. You asked me for money to fund your lifestyle and made out it was for Summer. What kind of sicko does that?”
He didn’t try to deny it. He didn’t even look ashamed. “You’d never have even considered it if I hadn’t mentioned Summer,” he said, glancing across the table to where his daughter was sitting next to Johnny.
“And making out that Nadia was bribing you, what the hell was all that about? She’s not moving to Devon at all, she told me earlier that she would never move Summer away from her friends and her routine.”
His jaw twitched. “My credit cards are constantly up to their limit. I’ve got a bank loan that I’m struggling to pay back and I owe money left, right and centre. I had to get Johnny the final payment for the stag do before we flew out to Vegas, I was desperate.”
“My heart bleeds for you.”
“I’m in a real mess, robbing Peter to pay Paul each month.”
“If things are that bad, you need to get some professional help… counselling or financial advice.”
“I can’t do it,” he said, resting his spoon on the cream tablecloth. The orange of the soup spread through the fibres like ink on blotting paper. “It’s an addiction. As soon as there’s money in my bank I see it as a licence to spend.”
“Even more reason for you to get help.” My voice was hard; still quiet, but firm. I’d pulled myself up by my bootstraps, he should be big enough to do the same. “Especially if it’s making you callous enough to take advantage of people who cared for you. I bailed you out so many times, Darius. So many times. I got myself into debt, and I’m only just getting back on my feet. But I made a decision, I made changes, and finally my life’s on track. You could sort yours too, if you wanted to.”
“You’re strong, Sophie. I’m not as strong as you. I don’t think I’m brave enough to ask for help.”
I almost laughed at that. Strong? Brave? They’re not words I’d ever use to describe myself, and for Darius, who only ever cared about how I looked on his arm, to praise these personality traits was surreal to say the least. Image and other people’s opinions had been his primary concerns in the past.
“It’s your choice. Your life. You have to live it how you see fit, but I’m telling you, if I hear of you using Summer as a bargaining tool again, I’ll kick you in the bollocks so hard your balls will fly out of your mouth.” I glowered, determined to show I meant it. “Nadia’s said I can see Summer whenever I want, and I will. She’s a special little girl.”
“She is, isn’t she.”
“She deserves better than a dad who won’t face up to his problems, that’s for sure,” I replied harshly, removing my napkin from my lap and neatly placing it alongside my empty bowl. “You’re a parent. You need to act like one.”
The blood pumped through my veins as I strode to the bathroom. I wasn’t strong, I wasn’t brave. I was just a thirty-year-old woman trying to get her shit together.
I shut myself in a cubicle, grateful for the privacy.
The inane pan pipe music that was playing out seeped into my brain, soothing me until I was numb to Darius. I felt nothing for him, good or bad. The embers were no longer smoking. It was as though a bucket of water had drowned them out, then washed them away for good.
Chapter 31
Emotion swelled in my core as it hit me that Tawna really was getting married. With four hours to go until the ceremony we’d already got through half a box of tissues with all our blubbing.
We were at the hairdressers, sat in a row as we each had our hair curled and set, the sides loosely pinned up off our faces with delicate wisps framing our faces. Whenever I wore my hair that way at home I used one grip for each side, then complained when it worked its way free after ten minutes. The hairdresser used about ninety, ramming the pins so sharply that I began to wonder if they were piercing through my skull.
“Do you want a glass of champagne?” the young girl who washed our hair asked us. “Complimentary, seeing as it’s such a special occasion.”
Tawna adamantly shook her head. “No, thank you. I want to be able to remember every minute of this day, and if I’ve been drinking I won’t. I’d love an orange juice though, if you have it?”
“I think this is the first time I’ve known you refuse champagne,” Eve teased affectionately. “You’ve changed already and you’re not even married yet.”
“I’ll have a drink or two later,” Tawna said, “but I’m not going to go mad. I don’t want to spend my wedding day with my head down the toilet.”
“Especially not when your hair’s looking as fabulous as this,” the lady doing Tawna’s hair said, carefully patting her hand against Tawna’s newly-curled locks. “You’re every inch the blushing bride, and now your hair’s sorted you just need the dress and you’ll be ready to walk down that aisle.”
“Oh, now my tummy’s doing loop-the-loops.”
“It’s normal to have nerves on your wedding day,” the hairdresser assured her, as the young assistant returned, placing our drinks on the counter. “So long as you’re not having second thoughts, nerves are a good thing.”
“No second thoughts.” Tawna twisted her head to examine her new style. “I couldn’t hope to find a better man than Johnny.”
“He is Mr Perfect,” I confirmed. “Imagine a male model, with his own business, who loves his mum and you’re on the right track.”
“Sounds like quite the catch,” the woman doing my hair said with a chuckle, before jabbing one final hairpin into my scalp with such force that I bit my tongue to suppress my yelp. “My Mike was like a model when we got married. He had a beautiful head of hair and a fantastic body. Now he’s bald as a coot with a beer belly. Such a shame.”
“That’s what your future holds, Tawna.” Eve twisted one of her curls around her index finger. “Receding hairlines and expanding waistbands.”
“I don’t care,” Tawna replied happily. “It’s not just about looks, I’d love Johnny no matter what. I’m lucky to have him.”
“You’re a good match, and he’s lucky to have you too,” I said, then took a sip of my champagne. The bubbles tickled against the underside of my nose. “Does it feel weird to think you’ll be Mrs Hamilton in a few hours?”
“It feels great.” Tawna’s face was radiant, as though sunbeams were shining out of her pores. “I can’t wait to be married. Bring it on!”
“Bring it on,” Eve echoed, holding up her champagne. The three of us chinked our glasses.
“To Tawna and Johnny,” I added, before taking a swig. “May their day be unforgettable.”
“Are you sure it’s on straight?” Tawna asked, scrutinising the position of her tiara in the mirror.
“It’s straight,” I confirmed.
“You look beautiful, stop panicking,” Eve added. “You’re the most gorgeous bride I’ve ever seen.”
Tawna blushed. The delicate pink flush against her peachy skin reminded me of how she looked back at school.
“It’s time to leave, girls,” Mrs Maguire said. “There’s late and then there’s late,” she added pointedly.
Eve and I picked up our bouquets, hand-tied arrangements of lemon and peach and pink gerberas. It was like holding springtime in my hands.
“See you at the church,” I said to Tawna, the emotion of the moment causing tears to prickle against the backs of my eyes.
“Don’t cry,” she instructed. “If you cry, I’ll cry, and if I cry then I’ll look like Alice Cooper, and no one wants that on their wedding day. At least, no sane person.”
I took a deep breath to compose myself and Eve rubbed her palm in calming clockwork circles against my back.
“You’re supposed to be looking after me, not making me emotional,” Tawna scolded, but there was a tenderness in her face.
“I’m going, I’m going.” I turned away before she caught sight of the teardrops welling in my eyes.
A suited and booted man who could have doubled as the fat controller in the Thomas the Tank Engine books ushered Eve and me into the vintage car that was taking us to the church, and only when we were safely in the back of the vehicle and out of Tawna’s view did the pair of us allow the tears to freely flow, tears of happiness for the friend we’d known almost our whole lives who was about to start her most exciting chapter yet.
“You look stunning.” Max eyed me appreciatively. “Honestly, I think you might outshine the bride.”
“Don’t let Tawna hear you say that when she arrives,” I said, my voice hushed. “She’s the main attraction today, and rightly so. She’s been dreaming of her wedding day her whole life. When we were younger she used to say she wanted an enormous wedding with a princess dress, a horse and carriage, the works. I think she’d seen Cinderella one too many times.”
“This is nice though,” Max said, gazing up at the church spire. “Nothing beats a traditional wedding. Except a good party, maybe.”
“Tawna and Johnny have that covered. Parties are their forte. I can’t wait to take off these uncomfortable heels and dance the night away.”
“Save one of the smoochy slow dances for me.” He winked.
“I will.”
Johnny’s brother, Paul, interrupted, ushering everyone through the ornate doorway to take their seats ready for the service. It was reassuring to see he was taking his duties seriously.
Just me, Eve and Summer remained in the churchyard as the vintage Bentley carrying Tawna and her mum pulled up. A chauffeur dressed in the same formalwear as the driver who’d brought Eve and me to the church opened the car door for Mrs Maguire before moving to the other side of the car to unlock the door so Tawna could take her last steps as a single woman.
Eve and I hurried to her side to ensure the large skirt of her dress didn’t get dirty. The ground was dry after a rain-free week, but the stone paving slabs leading to the church were dusty.
The photographer clicked away; the sound of the camera shutter loud against the peaceful surroundings.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
“I’m ready,” Tawna replied but, as I looped my arm through hers, her arm trembled against mine.
“Do you want to take a moment?” Eve asked. “Compose yourself before you go in?”
Tawna shook her head defiantly. “No. What I want is to get in there and marry Johnny.” She smiled. “I’ve waited so long for this moment, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”
The heels of my shoes sank into the carpet in the church vestibule, and I patted my friend’s arm before standing aside.
“Enjoy every second,” I whispered, the words melting into the flecks of dust which speckled the air as the organist played the opening bars of “Air on the G String”.
Summer led the way down the aisle, leaving a trail of fresh rose petals in shades of pink in her wake.
When she reached the altar, Tawna and her mum made their way down the aisle, Eve and I checking the train of Tawna’s dress was neatly splayed out behind her before following on. The walk seemed excruciatingly slow, but I savoured the moment. It wasn’t every day someone I loved got married.
Familiar faces made up the congregation and I smiled as I walked past the pews, the bunches of flowers tied to the end of each row pe
rfectly matching those Eve and I were carrying. Everyone admired the bride and I noticed Eve’s mum, sat alongside my parents, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. I wondered how much of this she understood. Either way, it was lovely that she’d been able to make it, and I was touched when my mum put a comforting arm around her quivering shoulders.
Johnny and Darius waited next to the vicar, resplendent in slate-grey suits and ties the same pale pink shade as the dresses Eve and I were wearing.
The sun streamed in through the stained-glass window, the colours turning and twisting like a kaleidoscope, as the vicar welcomed the guests.
I drank in the moment as the first hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, sounded out. Johnny’s loving expression was so touching, so tender, as he took in his bride. Eve’s hands were wrapped around both her bouquet and Tawna’s, as if to let them go would be a bad omen. Darius stared intently at the order of service, mumbling the words to the famous hymn, and Tawna’s mum was on the verge of tears. It must have brought back memories of her own wedding day too, and of Tawna’s dad. For all her tough exterior, she had to be particularly aware of her husband’s absence on a day centred around love. Tawna had always been a daddy’s girl, and he must have been in her thoughts as she’d exited the car – I wondered if that was what had made her wobbly. It was only natural that she’d wish he were here to share her happy day.
Despite my determination to take it all in, the service slipped away from me. The walk down the aisle may have been slow, but the ceremony flew by. The vicar spoke about the sanctity of marriage and Paul read that reading from Corinthians about love that’s read out at every wedding. Another hymn followed, one I didn’t know and that, judging by how everyone mumbled along Darius-style, other people seemed less familiar with too.
And then it was time for the vows, Johnny and Tawna looking deep into each other’s eyes as though the rest of us had evaporated and they were the only two people in the place. As Johnny slid the wedding band onto the third finger of Tawna’s left hand, her eyes glistened as brightly as the whopper of a diamond in her engagement ring. They looked so full of hope and as they signed their names on the register I sent the pair of them telepathic messages of support. I will be there for you both, I thought. If you ever need a friend, come to me.