Ghosted: Wicked Wedding Planners Series

by Alyssa Parsons

‘So he didn’t even tell you she was going to be there?’

  ‘No nothing, just that he had a family friend’s wedding to go to.’

  ‘And he obviously didn’t twig that you may have been the planner,’ Leanna remarks.

  ‘Obviously not.’

  ‘What they were there together, like on a date?’

  ‘No I don’t think so. Alice’s family are good friends with Honey the bride’s family so they were all hanging out together,’ I tell her.

  ‘Did you speak to him?’ Leanna looks intrigued at the situation.

  ‘Yeah I saw him at the bar and he seemed happy to see me. He told me he couldn’t wait for our big date.’

  ‘Okay so not a big deal then.’

  ‘That’s what I thought until later.’

  ‘OMG, what happened,’ she looks at me in anticipation.

  ‘Alice happened.’

  ‘Spill the beans,’ she demands.

  ‘She cornered me in the study and told me that there was something I should know about Caspar,’ I recall last night’s events.

  ‘What did you need to know?’ Leanna asks impatiently.

  ‘She told me that Caspar is Ellie’s dad. Apparently, she felt I should know as she didn’t think he should be hiding things from me now that we were going out,’ I say bitterly.

  ‘Hold on a minute, I thought Caspar’s cousin was the dad,’ Leanna looks confused.

  ‘Yeah, that’s what he’s told me.’

  ‘So you believe her?’ Leanna asks.

  ‘Yeah I do. Like she said, why would he be taking Ellie for days out? Plus she told me she would be more than happy to show me the birth certificate,’ I tell her what Alice said as her parting shot.

  ‘No way, I didn’t see that coming. You poor thing. You must have been in a real state last night.’

  ‘I was. It’s so horrible. It’s like my 21st all over again but is worse this time Leanna.’

  ‘Why didn’t you bloody well tell me all this last night? I would have come home. You shouldn’t have been on your own,’ Leanna tells me off.

  ‘I didn’t want to ruin your date night, you seemed so happy,’ I smile at her.

  ‘This was an emergency Sammi. I am really cross you didn’t say anything,’ Leanna is not impressed.

  ‘It’s okay, I stayed at Auntie Jo’s,’ I reassure her.

  ‘Oh god, how did she take the news?’

  ‘She was pretty cool actually. She didn’t get mad and she was super supportive. I am going to stay at hers for a while.’

  ‘That’s good. Have you spoken to Caspar about this yet?’

  ‘He came in to the study just as Alice was leaving.’

  ‘Oh my god, this just keeps getting worse. Did you go mental?’

  No, I was too shocked.’

  ‘What did you say to him?’

  ‘I told him what Alice had said and that I didn’t want to speak to him.’

  ‘Did he deny it?’

  ‘Yes he said it wasn’t true’. He wanted to talk but I refused. He’s tried ringing and texting so I’ve blocked him.’

  ‘Wow, that’s pretty hardcore,’ Leanna looks stunned that I chose to do that.

  ‘I’m fed up of his lies and his messed up behaviour. That’s why I am staying at Auntie Jo’s for a while. I need some space and time to think.’

  ‘You’re being really strong about this,’ Leanna reaches over to give me a big hug.

  ‘I don’t feel it,’ I can feel tears starting to form. ‘I don’t know how I am going to recover from this.’

  ‘You will, you have all of us. It will take time but you’ll do it,’ Leanna assures me.

  ‘I don’t know,’ I say doubtfully.

  ‘I just can’t even believe he is such a manipulative person.’

  ‘No me neither, but there you go. He probably gets his kicks out of messing people around.’

  ‘Do you think Alice confronted you because she wants to break you guys and try and get back with him,’ Leanna asks me.

  ‘Probably, who knows?’ I reply. ‘I am fed up with trying to work out the dynamics between Alice and Caspar.’

  ‘That sucks,’ Leanna says.

  ‘Do you know what? I can’t even be bothered to talk about it right now. Talk to me about something happy. Things with you and Matt seem to be going really well. I haven’t seen you in ages and I want to know what is going on with you guys,’ I say.

  I am done talking about Caspar and I need a change of subject.

  ‘It’s amazing Sammi,’ Leanna starts gushing.

  I have never seen her talk like this about any relationship and I smile at how ecstatic she is.

  ‘He is wonderful……oh sorry, I don’t mean to rub it in,’ Leanna looks worried that she may have upset me.

  ‘You’re not,’ I tell her. ‘I want to hear all about it. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you and I feel like I am completely out of touch with what’s going on in your life.’

  ‘I’m going to bore you,’ she warns me.

  ‘Bore away,’ I laugh and she tells me all about their cute little dates and how they’ve talked about moving in together.

  ‘I’m so happy for you,’ I reach over to hug her. ‘You really deserve this.’

  ‘Aww thanks Sammi, you are my bestest friend ever. I am here for you, anytime,’ she hugs me back.

  ‘Thanks, there is something I do need.’

  Chapter 29

  A bout half an hour later, Leanna returns with a bag of clothes for me. I didn’t want to risk going back to my house in case Caspar showed up.

  ‘Did you see him?’ I ask anxiously when she returns.

  ‘No, no sign at all,’ she hands me my house keys back.

  ‘Thank goodness for that,’ I look through the bag to make sure everything I need is there. ‘Thanks for getting all this.’

  ‘No probs, anytime.’

  I get back to Auntie Jo’s for the roast dinner. I am a bit hungry as I have only been drinking tea all day as I couldn’t face eating anything earlier.

  I manage to eat a little bit of chicken and some veg. Dan and Auntie Jo have an early night which suits me just fine as I could do with a bit of time to myself. I run myself a lovely hot bubbly bath using some very expensive bath oil.

  I snuggle up in bed after my bath and try to watch a film. But my mind is wandering all over the place and I can barely concentrate. I reach into my bag and pull out the diary I had asked Leanna to pack.

  May 3rd

  Today should have been the day I went for the surprise date Caspar has been planning. But fate has cruelly dealt me the same blow as on my 21st birthday. Every time I allow myself to get excited about our relationship and start thinking we are a proper couple – Wham!! I get brought back down to earth with a massive bump.

  So I met Alice yesterday for the first time. The famous Alice, my nemesis. She is not attractive at all in person. Her only striking feature is her intense blue eyes. Her nasty cold nature makes her ugly. Of course, that’s probably just to me. She may not be so cold and cutting to her friends and family.

  Caspar, I loved you with all my heart. I would have given you everything. Actually, I did give you everything. Even after you destroyed me, 8 years ago, I let you back in. I don’t understand? How can you act so happy when it’s all just a big lie? You must be an amazing actor. I don’t understand why you do this? Do you get off on making girls fall for you? You could get any girl you wanted and I think you know that. Why do you constantly need to cause me pain? What have I ever done to you?

  I’m going try to be stronger this time Caspar. I can’t let you break me again. I am older, more mature this time around. I will rebuild myself. I have my own business, great friends and family. I can’t let them down. I won’t let you destroy me again.

  I don’t really know what else to write so I turn my bedside light off and attempt to get some sleep. I get a bit of sleep but I feel shattered when I wake up. I head off to work early as I feel restless.

&
nbsp; ‘Hey hun, how was the pineapple extravaganza?’ Nic is curious to know how the big wedding went.

  ‘It was a complete success. Honey was very impressed. She is going to give us a testimonial.’

  ‘Fantastic, well done Sammi. I’m surprised you’ve come in so early after such a tiring week.’

  ‘Yeah, I’m a real workaholic,’ I say sarcastically.

  Nic looks at me strangely, ‘Are you okay?’

  I tell her what happened at the wedding. ‘I am a bit worried that Caspar may turn up here since I have blocked all communications with him.’

  ‘He can try but he won’t get far,’ Nic says. ‘What is wrong with the guy?’

  ‘I really don’t know Nic.’

  We come up with a plan of action when Jodie comes in. She is also stunned when she hears what went down after she left the wedding.

  We have decided that I will stay in my office all day. Jodie will bring all my clients through so I don’t have to go out to reception. If Caspar rings or comes in, they will tell him I am out with clients. Fingers crossed it all goes okay.

  They are going to bring me any food and drinks that I need. I am going to get cabin fever being stuck in my office but needs must. I get through most of the day and there has been no word from Caspar. He must have realised I’ve blocked him by now.

  Ironically I am slightly disappointed that he hasn’t attempted to see me today. Not that I needed the stress of it all but in a way it would have been nice for my ego to know that he still cared.

  I check through my emails. As I scroll through them, I notice the subject line of one particular email.

  Birth certificate.

  It sends a chill down my spine. I see that the email is from Alice. It is short and to the point:

  Just in case you still need the proof.

  I open the attachment. Alice has taken a photo of Ellie’s birth certificate and sent it to me. There it is in black and white. The mother is listed as Elizabeth Alice Turner – that explains how I never noticed her name on Honey’s wedding guest list.

  But here’s the killer. The father is listed as Caspar James Danes. God, Alice is twisted. She is totally enjoying kicking me while I am down. What an evil vindictive cow. I hate her.

  A couple of hours later, Jodie knock on my door.

  ‘Everything okay?’ I ask her.

  She is holding an envelope. ‘Caspar just came in.’

  ‘What? I feel tense at the thought that he had been at my workplace.

  ‘Yeah, he just left. I told him you were out with a client.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I say in relief. ‘What did he want?’

  ‘I think he knew you wouldn’t see him so he’s left a letter for you,’ she hands me the envelope that’s in her hand.

  ‘Oh okay,’ I take the envelope. It almost feels like it is burning my hand.

  ‘Well, I’ll leave you to it then,’ Jodie says.

  ‘Thanks Jodie, I appreciate all you’ve done.’

  She smiles and leaves me to it. I place the envelope on my desk and stare at it for a while. Part of me wants to tear it up and never but the other part is dying to know what he’s written. I wrestle with my conscience for a while. Curiosity gets the best of me and I decide to read it.

  Sammi

  First of all, I really want to apologise for what you had to go through on Saturday with Alice. She won’t tell me what was said between the two of you. I gather from what you told me, she has somehow inferred that I am Ellie’s dad. Sammi, I hope you know me better than that. I would never lie about something like that. I really hope you don’t think I am capable of doing something like that.

  Alice and I don’t have a good past track record and there is a lot of history there. We were together all through secondary school but we grew apart. Anyway, you already know this. I never loved her and I don’t want to be with her. She never wanted to break up with me and she holds a lot of anger and resentment. It’s made her very bitter.

  She is not happy about us being together. I think she is desperate to break us up and it looks like she is succeeding.

  I hope in time, once you have had a chance to think about things, that you will get in touch so we can talk.

  Just remember Sammi, I love you very much.

  Caspar xxx

  I put down the letter and rub my temples. My head hurts and neck and shoulders feel stiff and achy. I don’t know who or what to believe anymore. I feel like I am falling deeper and deeper into this big black hole. I am losing control over everything and feel frazzled.

  There is a quiet knock on my door. I open it and see Nic and Jodie standing there together.

  ‘You alright?’ Nic asks quietly.

  ‘I don’t know, everything just keeps going round and round in my head,’ I tell her.

  ‘Did you read the letter?’ Jodie asks.

  ‘Yeah,’ I hand it over to them. They both read it and look at me once they finish reading it.

  ‘Very convincing,’ Jodie says.

  ‘Do you believe him?’ Nic hands me the letter back.

  ‘I don’t know anymore, I mean I can see that Alice could very much be the type to sabotage our relationship.’

  ‘She totally could,’ Nic agrees.

  ‘But then again would a woman really lie about the father of her child,’ I tell them. ‘She emailed me a copy of Ellie’s birth certificate. It says he’s the dad.’

  ‘Oh,’ Nic’s face drops. ‘So, what are you going to do about Caspar?’

  ‘For now, nothing, I don’t have the energy to deal with this right now. I am giving myself this week off. I am staying at my Auntie Jo’s and I am going to rest.’

  ‘Fair enough, if you need anything from either of us, let us know,’Nic says.

  ‘Anything at all,’ Jodie nods her head in agreement.

  ‘Thanks guys, that means a lot,’ I smile at them.

  Chapter 30

  T he next couple of days at work are pretty uneventful. Caspar hasn’t tried contacting me again. I am enjoying being looked after at Auntie Jo’s but I know I need to get back to my house soon. I can’t keep hiding forever.

  Auntie Jo has been really sweet. Dan has been away for the week so it has just been the two of us.

  It’s been nice spending the evenings together watching films. I’ve also loved having my dinner cooked every night. I could definitely get used to it. After another film and wine session with Auntie Jo, I am ready to go to bed. I give her a hug and head off to bed.

  She has been an absolute angel. We have talked over the whole Casper/Alice situation to death and analysed every minute detail of this whole . But my aunt is also great at giving me space and knows instinctively when I don’ feel like talking about it. Watching films every night with her has given me a chance to lose myself into someone else’s life and it’s been just what I have needed.

  My phone pings and I see I have got a text from Gemma asking after me so I give her a ring.

  ‘Hi Gem,’ I say when she answers.

  ‘Sammi, you okay babe?’ she’s obviously heard what’s happened, no doubt from Leanna.

  ‘As okay as I can be.’

  ‘Listen, can Luke and I drop by to see you sometime? I think there is something you should know.’

  ‘Yeah sure, I’m pretty much in the office all week,’ I tell her. ‘Can you not tell me now?’

  ‘It’s best if we see you in person.’

  I am exhausted with everything and I don’t even have the energy to spend wondering what it is they want to tell me. I tell her they can drop by at work tomorrow.

  The next day just before lunch, Gemma and Luke come by to see me.

  ‘Have a seat guys,’ I point to the chairs as they come into my office.

  Once they have sat down, Gemma wastes no time getting straight to the point. I can tell she is eager to tell me something.

  ‘Right, Sammi. Alice is lying about Caspar being Ellie’s dad,’ she blurts out straight away

  ‘What makes
you so sure?’ I ask, curious to know why she thinks this.

  Gemma nudges Luke. ‘Go on Luke, tell her what you know.’

  ‘It’s true Sammi, Caspar isn’t Ellie’s dad.’ he says.

  ‘So you both keep telling me. How do you know?’ I wait for Luke to fill me in.

  ‘Because we’re good mates and we were really close back then,’ Luke starts explaining. ‘Aaron is definitely the dad. I know Aaron quite well too and he’s told me himself.’

  ‘Well, he would have thought he was. That’s probably what Alice wanted everyone to think. She’s admitted to it already.’

  No really, Sammi, he isn’t Ellie’s dad. I know Caspar really well and he is not lying about this’, Luke is insistent. ‘After all, why would Ellie call him Uncle Caspar and not Dad, I’ve heard her myself.’

  I have to admit that is strange. ‘Look Luke, I don’t know. I really appreciate you coming in to see me but I’ve got proof that he is the dad and nothing you can say will convince me otherwise.’

  ‘Sammi, you are making a massive mistake here. Caspar thinks the world of you. Don’t throw everything away because of Alice. She is a bitter, twisted bitch and you are letting her win,’ Luke is getting frustrated.

  ‘Look guys, thanks for coming over to try and help but…’

  ‘Sammi, please listen to us,’ Gemma interrupts me.

  ‘I am and it’s not that I don’t want to believe what you are telling me…trust me, I wish more than anything it was true but I know it isn’t,’ I tell her.

  ‘Why are you so sure?’ Gemma asks.

  ‘Because of this.’ I turn my laptop around and show them the email I received from Alice.

  After they both read the email, there is not much more either of them can say. I thank them for trying to help. They both tell me how sorry they are that things have turned out this way.

  Before leaving my office, Luke turns round to me. ‘I know you’ve got that email, Sammi, but something doesn’t feel right here. I know Caspar isn’t lying about this. You need to get to the bottom of this.’

  His words play on my mind for the rest of the day but I don’t know what more there is to do.