It had taken her ages to remember the code for the apartment gates and another eternity to figure out how to work the elevator. Her last memory was of Sarah. She insisted that she drink a pint of ice-water and take two aspirin, before waving her off in a taxi.
"What's your problem?" Nicole forced her eyes open and winced as the bright light almost blinded her. Evette glared at her.
"When were you planning on telling me about you and Paul?"
Nicole sat bolt upright and immediately regretted getting up too quickly as the room started to spin and she felt an overwhelming bout of nausea.
"Would you get me some water please?" she asked, without answering her sister's question.
How the hell has Evette found out about Paul?
She'd known that there'd be fireworks when she eventually decided to tell her sister, but did they have to have the fireworks now, when her head was pounding like a jack-hammer?
Nicole groaned and tried to gather her wits about her for the inevitable argument that was ahead of her. Evette stormed into the kitchen, poured a glass of water from the tap and slammed it down on the table in front of Nicole.
"Well?" Evette demanded, with her hand on her hip.
She looked absolutely livid.
"Well, what?" Nicole tried to stall for time.
Her brain was finding it difficult to function under the hazy hangover headache that was brewing behind her eyes. She sipped her water slowly, careful to avoid her sister's gaze.
"When were you planning on telling me about you and Paul?" Evette repeated, enunciating each syllable as if she was talking to an idiot.
"How did you find out?" Nicole asked.
"Please don't answer a question with a question," Evette said in her most condescending tone.
"Does it matter how I found out?"
"Now who's answering a question with a question?" Nicole muttered under her breath.
"You left your mobile phone at home and it kept bleeping, so I decided to check your messages in case it was something urgent and then I saw the texts from Paul."
"Oh," was all Nicole could manage.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on between you two?" Evette persisted.
Nicole groaned and took a deep breath. She decided to tell her sister the whole truth as she didn't have the will or the brain power at that moment to bother lying to her.
"Paul and I are going to try to work through our problems."
Evette's mouth fell open in shock. She turned very pale and then bright beetroot red.
"You're going to work through your problems?" Evette repeated incredulously.
"How can you work throught your problems when the only problem is him?"
"We're going to see a relationship counsellor."
"I don't believe you," was all Evette could manage to say through gritted teeth.
"It's true." Nicole was starting to get worried as her sister looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel with temper.
"How could you?" Evette hissed in disgust.
"This is my business, not yours."
Nicole didn't appreciate her sister's tone and could feel her own temper beginning to rise, in spite of her hangover. She really wasn't in the mood for a blazing row.
"It's not my business!" Evette spat.
"How dare you?! I've sat around here for weeks listening to you crying and moaning about all the problems you had with that twat. I helped you pull yourself to together again. I introduced you to my friends and welcomed you into my life.
I gave you a place to stay, a home, when you had nowhere else to go and you have the audacity to say that it is none of my business!
You don't even have the decency to tell me that you're getting back together with him. What were you going to do, sneak around behind my back? I knew there was something going on.
I noticed a change in you and I guessed that you didn't have a business meeting last week. You must think I'm stupid and you clearly don't have any respect for me whatsoever."
"Of course I have respect for you," Nicole interrupted.
"I'll never be able to thank you enough for everything you've done for me since the wedding. I honestly don't know how I would have survived without you but I want to give Paul another chance, Evette. I still love him. Please try to understand."
"How can you do this to yourself, Nicole?" Evette asked in a slightly calmer tone.
"He doesn't deserve you. How will you ever forgive him or trust him again after what he's done?"
"I don't know Ev, but I do know that I want to try to work it out with him. Our relationship will be different this time, I've already promised myself that much. I'm done running around after him and trying to please him. He'll have to earn my trust and forgiveness all over again."
"What made you change your mind so suddenly? It was only a few short weeks ago that you were saying you didn't understand what you ever saw in him and that there was no you way you could even consider giving him another chance."
"I was very angry and emotionally raw then, Ev. I've calmed down a lot over the past few weeks and Dad told me that Paul is genuinely very sorry."
"What the hell does Dad have to do with any of this?"
"I had a long conversation with him at my birthday party and he encouraged me to give Paul another chance."
Evette rolled her eyes. "I cannot believe that Dad, of all people, thinks this is a good idea."
"Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?"
"No!" Evette said vehemently.
"Paul doesn't deserve a second chance and he certainly doesn't deserve you. Don't do it, Nicole. Your life with him will be soul-destroying if you take him back. You'll always have these doubts and fears niggling away at you."
"I'm stronger than you think, Ev. If he doesn't treat me properly this time then I'll end it between us for good."
"You're not remotely strong, Nicole, in fact you're extremely weak. Paul will soon have you wrapped around his little finger which is exactly where he always wanted you and you'll be so busy playing the perfect girlfriend that you probably won't even realise."
"Don't speak to me like that, Ev! This is my decision, not yours or anyone else's. I'm sorry if I've disappointed you but this is my life and I'll live it whatever way I choose."
"Good for you," Evette sneered.
"Do me a favour, Nicole, don't come crying to me to help you pick up the pieces when it all blows up in your face."
She stormed out of the room.
Nicole stared blankly after her sister. She was speechless at Evette's anger towards her. Her head was throbbing and her mouth was dry. She struggled off the couch and padded towards the kitchen where she downed some more painkillers with orange juice.
She contemplated making some toast but it felt like too much effort so she took her orange juice and curled up on the couch again.
She replayed Evette's angry diatribe over and over in her addled brain. There was a lot of truth in everything that her sister had said. She realised she was taking a big risk with her heart by letting Paul back into her life, but she didn't want to wake up in twenty years’ time and wonder what might have happened between them if only she'd given him another chance.
She'd debated back and forth with herself as to what she should do. She'd made a detailed list of pros and cons about taking him back and technically the cons outweighed the pros. The old Nicole always followed her head but this time she knew she had to follow her heart.
Evette suddenly reappeared in front of her, startling her out of her thoughts.
"I'm going out," she snapped.
"Going anywhere nice?" Nicole asked, hoping to change the subject.
"It’s none of your business!" Evette retorted.
"Oh and just so it's clear I don't want to hear another word about you and Paul. If it works out or it doesn't work out is entirely your business now. I'm sick and tired of being your shoulder to cry on.
You were too busy with your own life to ever be
bothered much with me, well, I've got a life too and I'm bored of babysitting you. Good luck with Paul, you'll need it!"
She slammed the front door loudly behind her. The noise reverberated around Nicole's aching head and she groaned in pain. She didn't have the energy to fight back or give her sister a piece of her mind.
A big part of her realised that Evette was justified in her reaction. She should have told her about Paul sooner but she'd wanted to make her decision on her own without anyone else's influences.
"Oh well," she sighed. "She'll just have to get over it."
Nicole spent the rest of the day watching television and drifting in and out of a restless sleep. She kept herself dosed up on painkillers which helped to alleviate her headache and she switched off her phone as she really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone else.
A strong smell of chicken curry woke her from the pleasant doze to which she'd finally succumbed. She sat up on the couch and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Evette was pottering about in the kitchen so Nicole thought it best to remain in the relative safety of the living room. She considered sneaking off and hiding in the bathroom; a long soak in a bubble bath would be a welcome break from another of her sister's outbursts.
Maybe she should go to bed after her bath; she could do with an early night and hopefully Evette would have calmed down by the morning.
"Peace offering," Evette held out a cup of tea to her sister. Nicole was pleasantly surprised by the sudden change in her sister's demeanour.
"Thanks."
She wrapped her fingers gratefully around the warm cup.
"I'm sorry about earlier, Nic. I was out of line to speak to you the way I did but I was shocked to discover that you'd been in contact with Paul and that you hadn't told me. I know it sounds daft but I felt betrayed by you."
"Oh, Ev, I'm sorry too," Nicole said earnestly.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Paul sooner. I feel awful that you found out about us the way that you did. I wanted to tell you, honestly, but I needed to get everything clear in my own head first. Then I just couldn't find the right words or time to tell you. I've desperately wanted to tell you for days, but the words wouldn't come out."
"I understand, Nic. I'm sorry I shouted and ranted at you. No wonder you didn't want to tell me. You didn't deserve me attacking you and of course it's your prerogative to try again with Paul. It's just that I don't want you to get hurt. I'd hate to see you in the same state as you were in only a few short months ago. I think you've been through more than enough heartache for one lifetime."
She shook herself.
"Anyway, you know how I feel about the situation, but if that's what you really want to do then I'll do my best to support you in any way that I can."
Nicole reached out to hug her sister.
"Thanks, Ev. I'm relieved that you know the truth at last."
"How's your head?" Evette asked, changing the subject.
Nicole tentatively touched her head.
"It's sore but still here," she joked.
"I'm never drinking like that again. I'm such a lightweight; two glasses of wine and I'm done."
"I'm glad you had a good night," Evette smiled as she dished out the chicken curry onto two large dinner plates.
"I hope you're hungry because I got us chocolate profiteroles for dessert."
"Yum, yum, my favourite." Nicole grabbed a fork and tucked into her dinner.
"I didn't realise I was so hungry."
They ate in companionable silence while they devoured their dinner. The only noise was the sound of their knives and forks against their plates.
Nicole sat back on the couch and patted her round stomach.
"I needed that, thanks sis."
"Me, too. What time is it?" Evette looked theatrically at her watch.
"Oh, it's the best time of the day; wine o' clock. Would you like a glass?"
"No thanks. I'm off the drink for a while, but you should help yourself."
"I don't mind if I do."
"How's everything going with Amanda's wedding?" Nicole asked as Evette snuggled into the opposite end of the couch, a large glass of red wine in her hand.
"Don't ask," Evette rolled her eyes.
"The woman is a control freak. We're making slow progrss, I suppose, all things considered, but she's such high maintenance. She's constantly texting and emailing me about the wedding. Her attitude was starting to do my head in so I had to have a little chat with her. She calmed down after our conversation."
Evette smirked at the memory.
"Good," Nicole agreed. "There's nothing wrong with being assertive. We're here to provide a service, not to be walked all over."
"Exactly. Amanda's ok really. I guess it's understandable that she's such a control freak with six children to mother and a wedding to organise. I don't know how she does it."
"I hope you're keeping lists like I showed you."
Evette glanced at her sister disparagingly.
"Of course I have every single detail typed up on a spreadsheet. I'd forget everything otherwise."
"What stage are you at in the planning?" Nicole asked.
Evette scrunched up her face in concentration.
"We've obtained the wedding licence and the invitations have been posted."
"Did you include a map and accommodation suggestions for the guests?" Nicole interrupted.
"Yes. I also remembered to to send the gift wish-list with the invitations. We've arranged the seating plan and given the details to the hotel."
"She finally decided on a venue?"
"Yeah, finally. We shortlisted the venue down to three castles and after a million visits Amanda made her decision. The reception's being held at the Blarney Castle Hotel and Towers."
"Wow, I'm impressed. I'd say that'll cost a small fortune."
"Slightly, but then again, Kian has won the lottery as Amanda keeps telling everyone, so no money's no object for them."
"The venue will be plenty big enough. How many guests are invited?"
Evetted groaned.
"I think Amanda's invited everyone in Ireland. The guest list at last count was three hundred people."
"It's a good thing she's getting married in a cathedral," Nicole chuckled.
"No wonder you're stressed out. It must have been a nightmare to organise the venue."
"It's been stressful, but Diana Breslin, the hotel's wedding co-ordinator has been an angel. She's very professional but friendly at the same time. She's been absolutely worth her weight in gold. She talked me through all the hotel's wedding packages in detail and even provided me with a list of suppliers that are specially recommended by the hotel.
Apparently some of the suppliers even offer a discounted hotel rate. Diana will be an amazing asset for me on the wedding day when I'm sure I'll be demented with stress."
"Have you organised the entertainment?"
"All sorted. They're having a string quartet for the main service. Amanda's chosen Mozart's Wedding March for her processional music and Beethoven's Ode to Joy will be the recessional music."
"She has good taste."
"Yes. I was quite surprised by her choices."
"Luckily, her eldest son is in a band and he'll be performing at their wedding reception, so that's one less thing to worry about."
"What did they choose for their first dance song?" Nicole asked.
"They’ve chosen The First, the Last, my Everything" by Barry White."
"Oh, very sexy, I adore Barry White's music. His voice gives me tingles."
"Too much information, sis!" Evette covered her ears in mock horror.
"Have you confirmed the order of service with the stationers?" Nicole asked.
"Done, the cake and floral designs have also been sorted and I've given an itinerary to the limousine company and photographers."
"You're doing a brilliant job, sis," Nicole beamed proudly at Evette.
"I know. I might have to start my own wedding pla
nning agency and compete against you, sis," Evette teased.
"We're better as a team."
"True. It's not long until William's wedding is it?"
"I know. I can't believe it will be November first next week, so I only have about eight weeks to organise everything," Nicole sighed.
"How's it going with the plans?"
"It's been very easy, actually. William's organised most of it himself, to be honest. He's got the venue sorted, the entertainment booked and he's even taken care of the invitations."
"What have you actually done?"
"I've chosen the honeymoon and he's asked me to do him a huge favour but it makes me feel a little uncomfortable."
"What is it?" Evette was all ears.
"He's asked me to choose the wedding dress."
"What?!" Evette exclaimed. "That's very peculiar. What bride would let someone else choose her wedding dress?"
"It's a surprise wedding, remember?" Nicole replied.
"William and his girlfriend are returning to Ireland from New York for Christmas and he's going to ask her to marry him then. He wants to have everything organised for her. Apparently, she's been through a very stressful time this year and he doesn't want her to have to worry about organising a wedding."
"What if she says no to his proposal?" Evette asked.
Nicole gasped and clutched her face in horror."I never imagined her saying no!"
Evette shrugged. "It's not our problem. We're the wedding planners. Our responsibility is to arrange everything. I hope she agrees to marry him, for his sake, but we can't worry about it. We've got enough to do."
"Our suppliers won't be very impressed if we have to cancel the wedding arrangements at the last minute." "Yet another headache," Evette flung herself back on the couch in exasperation.
"Let's just forget about it for now," Nicole sighed, "and cross our fingers that William's girlfriend says yes."
Chapter 19
"How do I look?" Nicole emerged from the changing room and twirled in front of Sarah.
The Wedding Day Page 13
