‘Do you? Is this your big dream? Have you worked in marketing since uni to end up cleaning floors here?’
‘I guess not,’ Anna said, biting her lip. ‘And I certainly couldn’t do it on my own. But what are our options? Sell it to a complete stranger and ignore what Granny V really wanted?’
‘It doesn’t have to be a complete stranger,’ Imogen said, with a shrug.
Anna’s forehead furrowed. ‘You don’t seriously mean … ’
‘Aunt Françoise, yes,’ Imogen said, matter-of-factly. ‘I’m just trying to be realistic, Anna. Isn’t it worth thinking about?’
It wasn’t like Imogen didn’t feel anything. Of course she did, but she just pushed those feelings to one side. She was too young to be tied down.
‘Guess what?’ Imogen said to Luca later that afternoon, bending close in to the laptop so he could hear her from the busy seafront café.
‘What?’ he asked, smiling and taking a long drag of his hand-rolled cigarette. He let the smoke out slowly. Imogen took in the image and tried to keep it in her mind: Luca, with his top off, tanned skin, two-day stubble, dark hair. She missed him, but with nearly half her trip behind her now, the longing was almost sweet. With the goal of returning to the island in sight, she felt excited and energised – like herself again.
‘Just over a week now until I’m back,’ Imogen said, enthusiasm bubbling up in her voice.
‘Really?’ he said, grinning widely. ‘That’s fantastic. It’s gone really slowly. I can’t wait to see you again, baby.’
‘Well, you’re not going to have to. Or not for long, at least. I’m flying back the Tuesday after next.’
‘That’s great,’ Luca said, with a winning, lazy grin. Imogen bit her lip – he was so damn sexy. She could handle the wind and rain-lashed seafront, knowing that soon she’d be basking in the warmth of a Thai beach, with Luca rubbing suntan lotion onto her back.
‘I fly into Bangkok and then I’ll be coming down by bus and boat, so I’ll be with you on Thursday. Tell everyone to get ready.’
‘I will,’ Luca promised, a warm smile still on his lips. ‘Just leave the welcoming committee to me.’
‘Brilliant,’ Imogen said, feeling a piece of her regular life fall back into place. Staying on in Brighton out of guilt, or some sense of obligation to her grandmother, would have been wrong. She could see that clearly now. ‘So, what are you up to tonight?’ she asked.
‘There’s a beach party on, a few of us are going to that,’ he said. Imogen tried to ignore her envy: she’d be back there soon enough. ‘You?’ he asked.
‘Our for a drink with Anna and her friend Jess,’ she said. ‘Her wedding’s next weekend and they’re sorting out some last-minute details. I know Jess from school days too, so I’m just going along for the fun of it, some wine.’
‘Well, enjoy. And I’ll get your homecoming sorted,’ he said.
‘Thanks. I can’t wait. Bye, Luca.’ She blew a kiss at the screen.
Reluctantly, she logged off Skype, wishing she could keep his face in her mind all of the time.
She opened Facebook and posted an update:
One more week in the rainy UK and then I’m back on the beach! Save me a place under those palm trees …
‘Can we have another of these?’ Imogen said, a couple of hours later, holding up the empty bottle of white wine with a smile and waving it towards the barman. Jess, Imogen and Anna were tucked into a quiet candlelit corner at Smokey Joe’s, a bar in the Lanes with friendly staff, an extra-long happy hour and a legendary jukebox. Even on Sunday night, it was packed inside.
‘You look amazing, Imogen,’ Jess said. ‘The only woman in Brighton with a tan right now, that’s for sure. You still enjoying Thailand?’
Imogen still found it difficult to reconcile Jess, the gothy teenager glued at the hip with Anna, and the Jess she saw now, a successful human rights lawyer, elegant in a red shift dress. Of course the biggest difference of all was that now Jess and Anna were older, Imogen was actually allowed to hang out with them.
‘Oh yes,’ she said. ‘I mean it’s been nice to see Anna and all that, but … ’
‘Not sure we’ll ever get her back,’ Anna said, with a playful sigh.
‘Listen, sorry,’ Jess said awkwardly, as the barman filled their glasses from a chilled bottle. ‘If I’d known you were going to be here, I’d have sent you an invite to the wedding … ’
‘Oh God, don’t worry,’ Imogen said, batting away Jess’s concern. ‘Even I didn’t know I was coming back until last week.’
‘Come to the evening do, though?’ Jess said. ‘Anna’s got all the details. Ed and I would love to have you there.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Imogen said, grateful for something to look forward to. Her plans for the coming week consisted mainly of helping her dad and Uncle Martin sort through Vivien’s belongings and get some of the furniture ready to go to auction. It was a big task, and she could tell that her dad needed some moral support.
‘So … ’ Jess said, running a pencil over her list, most of the entries now crossed through with a single line. ‘You’re still OK to do the cupcakes, aren’t you, Anna?’
‘Now about those … ’ Anna said.
A flush of panic passed over Jess’s face. She had one of those English rose complexions that the slightest hint of stress washed a rosy colour over.
‘But you promised … ’ Jess said, desperation in her voice. ‘Don’t mess with me, Anna.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Anna said, placing her hand reassuringly on her friend’s arm. ‘I just wanted to make one hundred per cent sure that you were set on cupcakes. Because I was thinking … Cupcakes are a little been there, done that, don’t you think? I once made these tiny ice cream cones.’ She held two fingers up, close together to indicate the miniature size. ‘They were delicious. Inside, it’s not really ice cream, more like a chocolate mousse, but absolutely mouth-watering, I promise you. And it will fit right in with the summery theme.’
‘I like it,’ Jess said, her relief visible. ‘Love it, in fact. Phew. Sorry for freaking out. It’s just been one of those weeks.’
‘Trust me,’ Anna said. ‘I won’t let you down. Fancy helping me out, Imo?’
‘Sure,’ Imogen said. ‘That would be fun. It’s on Saturday, right, your wedding?’
‘Yes,’ Jess said, biting her lip exaggeratedly and then laughing. ‘Only three more days. I’m torn between excitement and blind terror. But thankfully I’ve had no doubts about marrying Ed. I’m pretty sure about that part.’
‘So what was it that happened this week?’ Imogen asked.
‘The travel company we’ve used for our honeymoon to Antigua. We saw on the news that they are having financial problems, and they haven’t answered any of my emails or calls.’
‘Oh dear,’ Anna said. ‘Are you insured?’
‘I don’t even know,’ Jess said. ‘Ed was in charge of that, and I haven’t asked him. There’s been so much to think about with the wedding. For now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed it’ll all work out.’
‘Sure it will,’ Imogen said. ‘There’s always a last-moment hiccup or two, isn’t there?’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Jess said. ‘Ed and I have been looking forward to this holiday since last year. And to be honest, after the stress of organising the wedding I think we’re really going to need it. ’ Jess took a swig of wine from her glass. ‘Anna, I’ve been meaning to ask you. You’re OK, aren’t you, with the whole Mia thing? I know it isn’t ideal, but we couldn’t not ask her.’
Mia … Imogen tried to remember where she’d heard that name before.
‘I mean she and Ed are still good friends,’ Jess went on. ‘We know what she did wasn’t right, cheating on Jon, and especially when Alfie was so young – but Ed didn’t want to take sides. Jon seemed OK with the idea of her being there.’
‘Of course,’ Anna said, calmly. ‘I see her quite often when we pick Alfie up and she’s always nice enough.
It’s your and Ed’s day, and you should invite who you want to.’
‘Fine, good … ’ Jess said. ‘You’re all being very grown-up, I must say.’
‘With Alfie in the middle, it’s the only way to be,’ Anna said. ‘We all want the best for him. I knew from the start that going out with Jon wasn’t going to be entirely straightforward, but he’s the man I fell in love with. I feel lucky I found him.’
‘You’re right,’ Jess said. ‘Jon’s a keeper, and anyway, who hasn’t got a bit of baggage? I still can’t believe you two are actually living together. It’s brilliant. Before he met you, he was adamant he was steering clear of women and commitment. In fact I really wasn’t sure about introducing you two. But you changed his mind, and you both seem really happy.’
‘We are,’ Anna said. ‘You and Ed have definitely earned your matchmaking points. But back to your wedding. What else is on the list, Jess?’
‘You may regret asking that,’ Jess said, laughing and picking up her thick notepad.
Chapter Four
‘I got up early to do the mousse, so that’s all ready,’ Anna said to Imogen, on the morning of Jess’s wedding, pointing to a giant bowl of creamy, light milk chocolate on the kitchen counter. ‘So now we need to roll the waffle for the mini cones.’
‘MOOOSE,’ Alfie said from his high chair, chocolate smeared across his face. ‘MORE MOOOOSE.’
‘I think you may have had enough,’ Imogen said to him. She put on an apron, tying it at the back, and peered into the oven where the sections of waffle were cooking.
‘Yep,’ Anna said, wiping his face with a cloth. ‘Any more and your dad’ll kill me when he gets home.’
‘Tasty,’ Alfie said. ‘Alfie likes the mooose.’
‘There’s our seal of approval,’ Anna laughed. ‘Now we just have to hope that the wedding guests are as easy to please.’
Anna had woken at six to get started, relishing the time on her own, preparing food for Jess’s friends and family to enjoy. When she had a wooden spoon in her hand, she instantly forgot about the working week, the subtle flavours and aromas in her kitchen whisking her away to a sweeter place.
This week was one she was only too happy to forget – with back-to-back meetings and a new budgeting crisis at the Brighton Pavilion, she’d hardly had a moment to manage her team, let alone work on her own projects – she was still checking her emails at midnight, in bed. The new promotion she’d been so excited about a month ago was starting to look worryingly like two jobs in one.
‘I promised Jess a hundred,’ Anna said. ‘The thing with the waffle is we need to roll it while it’s still warm. It should be ready by now, I think.’
Imogen took the tray of waffle sections out of the oven and laid them gently on a rack to cool. After a moment she took one off and rolled it on a wooden board into a loose cone shape. ‘Like this?’ she asked.
‘Messy!’ Alfie called out from his high chair.
‘He might, erm, have a point,’ Anna said, tilting her head as she examined Imogen’s handiwork. ‘Maybe stick to the picture a bit more?’
‘Fine,’ Imogen huffed, looking back at the photo on the recipe.
‘Like this,’ Anna said, as she deftly rolled three and placed them in one of the dozen circular stands Jess had dropped off for them to use, ready for the scoops of chocolate mousse to be added.
Imogen sighed, tried again and produced two neater cones.
‘That’s more like it,’ her sister said approvingly. ‘Now we just need another ninety,’ she smiled. ‘With enough time left over for me to get ready for the wedding. Not sure Jess would think much of me turning up like this.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. The apron kind of suits you,’ Imogen said, ‘and the chocolate on your jeans gives them a fancy touch.’
Anna gave her sister a playful swipe with a clean spatula. ‘Well, that’s eighty quid I’ve wasted at Karen Millen then,’ she said, thinking of the coral silk dress she hadn’t been able to resist, now hanging up on her wardrobe door.
‘But seriously, Anna. You’ve always looked at home in the kitchen, you’re such a natural at this stuff. Everyone says so. Why don’t you do something with it?’
‘You mean as a job?’ Anna said. ‘I always thought of it as a hobby, something I do to unwind. I never considered it something I could do for money. But lately, I suppose, I have started to wonder … ’
‘I saw your face in the shop,’ Imogen said. ‘I know that Granny V’s not the only reason you don’t want to sell that place.’
‘To the bride and groom,’ Anna said, chinking her champagne glass with Jess’s Uncle Gareth in the marquee at Jess and Ed’s wedding.
‘These ice cream things are incredible,’ Gareth said, cracking one of the cones with his teeth. ‘Jess tells me we’ve got you to thank.’
‘Yes, me and my sister made them,’ Anna said, glowing at the compliment. ‘I’m glad you like them.’
Anna glanced over at Jess, who was seated at the top table. In an ivory satin 1940s-style pencil dress with lace sleeves, and high T-bar heels, she looked more beautiful than ever. Her black curls were loose, adding a natural, unfussy touch to her stunning outfit, and a simple bouquet of pink roses set off her complexion. She was one of those brides who still looked like themselves – just a particularly stunning version. She caught Anna’s eye and smiled.
‘Hey, sweetheart,’ Jon said, taking his place next to Anna and putting his arm around her waist. He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Do I need to watch out for this guy?’ he said, nodding at the man in his sixties Anna had been talking to, who was currently reaching for his second miniature ice cream.
‘I think he’s more interested in the cones than me. You’re safe,’ Anna said, kissing Jon gently on the mouth. ‘Where did you disappear to anyway?’ she asked. ‘You missed Jess’s dad’s speech.’
‘Ed’s mum was feeling faint, and he asked if I could go out with her for some air.’
‘Is she OK now?’ Anna asked, concerned.
‘Oh yes, she’s fine. Got a bit carried away with the fizz and she’s not meant to drink on her medication. She’s back to her brightest. Now, let me try one of these famous ice creams,’ Jon said, reaching towards the stand. ‘These ones are dairy-free, right?’
‘Yes,’ Anna said. ‘You got your own personal batch. So you can go for your life.’
He ate one in a single bite. ‘Delicious,’ he said, squeezing her hand.
As Jess and Ed’s first dance came to an end, the bride desperately encouraged her guests onto the fairy-lit marquee’s dancefloor.
Jon took Anna’s hand. ‘Shall we put them out of their misery?’ Anna nodded her agreement.
‘I thought no one else was ever going to come up,’ Jess said, laughing. ‘We look like a right pair of prats up here on our own. You know what a terrible dancer I am, last thing I need is a spotlight.’
‘The two of you look gorgeous up there,’ Anna said. ‘So happy.’
Anna and Jon started to dance together, and she nestled into his shoulder. Maybe we’re getting there too, she thought to herself. After two years of ups and downs, with Jon adjusting to his new life, and both of them trying to balance Alfie’s at the same time, things finally seemed to be on an even keel. And that was more than enough. Perhaps one day it would be the two of them getting married, but for now, being held by Jon, feeling secure and going home to the flat they both loved – it all felt just right.
‘It’s been a perfect day,’ Jon said, whispering into Anna’s ear. ‘And I don’t think I’ve told you yet, but you look beautiful in that dress.’
Anna smiled and lifted her face to meet Jon’s in a kiss. In that moment, the music from the live band washed away the sadness and stresses of the previous couple of weeks, leaving only lightness.
That is, until she felt a shoe land squarely on her toe. ‘Ouch,’ she yelped, lifting it up instinctively.
‘So sorry.’ She turned to see the awkward perpetrator, a young man i
n a navy suit, handsome in a way he seemed unaware of. ‘Two left feet, me,’ he said. ‘God, I feel terrible.’
‘You’ll probably want to put some ice on that,’ said his partner, as Anna bent down to remove her shoe and inspect the damage. ‘When Ian gets me I usually need to.’
‘Right, yes.’ Anna said. Her little toe was throbbing fiercely, but at least it wasn’t bleeding. She put her shoe back on and looked up to see the woman she was talking to. In a green 1950s-cut dress, her dark-red hair styled into a sleek chin-length bob, she was composed and elegant.
‘Oh, Mia,’ Anna said, attempting to stand up straighter. ‘Hi. I didn’t realise it was you.’
‘Hi,’ Jon said, giving his ex-wife a kiss on the cheek hello and shaking Ian’s hand.
‘Hi,’ Mia said. ‘Sorry about this, Anna. What a way to start the evening’s dancing. Let me get you some ice from the bar.’
‘Booze is still free, then?’ Imogen said, when she arrived twenty minutes later. She picked up two glasses of champagne from a table and passed one to Anna.
‘Yes, all night.’ Anna said, taking a sip of the drink gratefully: it numbed the pain in her foot a little. She’d only been able to tolerate holding the ice on it for a short while.
‘I’m glad you’re here,’ Anna smiled, ‘even if you have nicked one of my favourite dresses.’
Imogen had arrived for the evening party in a one-shouldered silver dress that fell to just below her knees. She’d pinned her hair up loosely, with sun-kissed strands spilling out onto her tanned, lightly freckled shoulders. It was such a glamorous look you could almost miss that she’d teamed it with black flip-flops.
‘I knew you wouldn’t mind,’ Imogen said with a wink.
‘I don’t,’ Anna said. ‘But honestly, Imo, you could have at least stolen some decent shoes to match it,’ she shook her head in disapproval.
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