by Jill Mansell
‘Zack, I’m good at volleyball, aren’t I?’ Joss turned to him, bristling with indignation. ‘I’m better than Lily is.’
‘Oh!’ Lily pointed over Zack’s shoulder.
‘What?’ Zack started to turn, to see what was happening behind him. And that was when everything went black.
***
So this was Mya. Ellie had seen her making her way across the sand towards them, holding a playful finger to her lips. Dark haired, curvily attractive, and wearing a surprising amount of makeup for a trip to the beach, she was sporting a white lace shirt, tight black jeans, lots of silver jewelry, and… gosh, by the smell of it, a good half-bottle of Chanel No. 5.
Well, it was either Mya or one of the Kardashians. But from the way she was now kneeling behind Zack, her hands covering his eyes and her smile beaming from ear to ear, Ellie thought she could probably guess which.
‘Surprise!’ Mya let him go at last. ‘Hi, you! I just dropped in on your mum and she said you were all here, so I thought I’d come on down.’ She gave Zack an enthusiastic just-good-friends kiss and a hug before greeting the rest of them with a cheery smile. ‘Hey, kids, excited about tomorrow?’
‘Ellie, this is Mya.’ Zack performed the introductions. ‘Mya, my girlfriend Ellie.’
‘Yes, hi, Steph told me you were coming to the wedding. Nice to meet you.’
Mya was friendly and cheerful, but Ellie knew she was being given a thorough once-over and most probably found sadly lacking. Oh well, couldn’t be helped. She combed her fingers through her Worzel Gummidge hair and said, ‘You too,’ smiling back in a Yes-I’m-his-girlfriend-aren’t-I-lucky kind of way.
‘Come on!’ Lily was scrambling impatiently to her feet, sending up a spray of sand. ‘Let’s play volleyball! Mya, you can play too.’
To her credit, Mya was a good sport and she did join in. Bracelets and necklaces clanking like a jailer’s keys, hair rock-steady thanks to the impenetrable coating of Elnett super-strength, she threw herself into the game with enthusiasm and on several occasions accidentally-on-purpose threw herself into Zack’s path. Ellie couldn’t help liking her, though; when Zack had described Mya as a Labrador puppy he’d been spot on.
The game was great fun, noisy and boisterous. Afterwards Zack draped his arm around Ellie’s shoulders and planted an affectionate boyfriend kiss on her forehead. ‘Well done. If your team hadn’t cheated, we’d have beaten you.’
He’d only done it for show, but it still felt fantastic; imagine what it would be like if he were doing it for real. Ellie gave him a girlfriend jab in the ribs. ‘I’ve got news for you. You still wouldn’t have stood a chance.’
As they made their way back to the house, Mya caught up with Ellie while Zack was taking control of the dogs.
‘Hi. Look, sorry if I was over the top back there. Steph’s just told me I was being a bit obvious with Zack. The thing is, I don’t mean to be, I just can’t help myself. My body language gives me away. When you’ve had a crush on someone as long as I have, it’s hard to keep it under control.’
‘It’s fine. No problem.’ Ellie was charmed by her frankness.
‘But you don’t have to worry, I wouldn’t do anything. Not while he’s with you.’ Mya shook her head vigorously. ‘I’m not that kind of person.’ She sighed. ‘Oh, but he’s gorgeous. You’re so lucky.’
‘I know.’ Ellie shifted the stripy beach bag over her shoulder. ‘He’s great.’
‘And you look so happy together.’
‘We are.’ Well, I am. Especially when he puts his arm round my shoulder and kisses me on the forehead like an actual proper boyfriend.
‘But were you like me? I mean, when you first realized how much you liked him, did your body language give you away? Were you all googly eyes and touchy-feely without being able to control yourself?’ Mya made touchy-feely gestures in the air and her bracelets jangled like sleigh bells. ‘Was that how you were with Zack or were you able to keep it all under control?’
‘I think I probably… kept it more hidden.’ Zack and Steph were coming up behind them now, which was distracting to say the least. Ellie said, ‘I was scared of giving myself away, because of working for him. I mean, if it didn’t work out, I risked losing my job. Which would have been awful.’
‘Oh God, I knew it. You didn’t let on and it got him interested. Instead of pretty much jumping up and down, going, “Me, me!” I’m a complete failure.’ Mya was looking forlorn. ‘I’m just shooting myself in the foot.’
‘Maybe, but body language is just being honest. It’s nature’s way of letting other people know how you feel. I think your way could be best.’ Only in theory, obviously.
‘Do you? Ah, that’s nice of you to say.’ Without even realizing she was doing it, Mya gave Ellie’s arm a grateful squeeze. ‘But I’m really going to try and rein myself in. Give it a shot, see how it goes.’ Beneath the layers and layers of mascara, her amber eyes were bright with determination. ‘After all, your way worked for you.’
Elmo caught up with them. Zack, materializing at Ellie’s side, said easily, ‘What are you two chatting about?’
‘How Ellie stayed cool at work and didn’t let on how much she fancied you.’ Mya reached across and gave him a nudge. ‘I bet you kept your feelings under wraps too, didn’t you?’
‘Yes.’ Zack smiled slightly. ‘I did.’
‘Ha, I knew it! Neither of you saying anything, no giveaway body language, just all these incredible emotions smoldering away under the surface. Imagine the excitement, the adrenaline buzz, the electricity.’ Mya heaved a sigh of envy. ‘So romantic.’
For a moment nobody spoke. Ellie couldn’t look at Zack. At last she said faintly, ‘Yes, yes, it was.’
‘Ellie!’ The next second her hand was seized. ‘Quick, we’re having a race home and we need to beat Zack and Lily.’ Joss was already trying to jump up behind her. ‘Come on, catch my legs, you have to give me a piggyback!’
Chapter 55
Two pairs of trainers flash-flash-flashed, changing color with each step taken as Lily and Joss trooped up the aisle behind their mother. They’d won, but so cleverly that no one begrudged them their moment of victory.
Ellie, standing beside Zack in one of the front pews, smiled at the memory. She had been making coffee in the kitchen earlier while the girls gazed dispiritedly at the lilac satin bridesmaids’ shoes on their feet. At length Joss had said, ‘Mummy, why did you choose to wear that dress for your wedding?’
Steph, fabulous in slinky oyster satin, had replied, ‘Because this was the one I liked best, sweetie.’
Prompting Joss to say in a sad voice, ‘Oh. I liked my flashing trainers best.’
Ellie and Steph had exchanged a look across the kitchen. And that was the moment Steph gave in. After all, she explained to the rest of the family, the whole point of getting married in the first place was for the sake of the kids.
And now they were. Getting married. In a beautiful fourteenth-century church, surrounded by friends and family. The service was being conducted by a jolly vicar who had known Steph since she was seven. As he pointed out to the congregation, it was highly likely that she’d have been partial to a pair of flashing trainers herself if only they’d been invented that many years ago.
The atmosphere during the service was relaxed and celebratory. Mya, with flowers in her hair and her lilac dress clinging to every curve, looked amazing. When the vows had been exchanged and the vicar declared that Gareth may kiss the bride, Lily said in a despairing voice, ‘They’re always doing that,’ prompting much laughter and a round of applause when Gareth announced that he was about to do it again.
Zack turned and smiled at Ellie. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. The next moment a bony finger tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
‘We were just saying,’ stage-whispered an elderly woman with peacock feathers exploding from her hat, ‘could be you two next.’
After the service everyone spilled outside into the suns
hine. Ellie’s high heel skidded on one of the steps and she almost went flying. Grabbing her in the nick of time, Zack held her up.
‘Are you OK?’ His arm was around her waist. It felt gorgeous.
‘I’m fine. That was a real slip, by the way. Not a Mya-type one.’ She didn’t want him to think she’d done it on purpose.
‘I know that.’
‘Oh my goodness, look at me.’ Tizz was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. ‘Crying like a baby, how ridiculous. I’m not used to this makeup malarkey.’ She presented her face to Ellie for inspection. ‘Have I smudged anything? Do I look like a panda?’
Since neither of them had a mirror, Ellie took control of the tissue and carefully wiped away the mascara spillage. ‘There, all done.’
‘You’re a star.’ Tizz leaned in and murmured not very discreetly, ‘You never know, it could be you and Zack next!’
‘Mum,’ said Zack.
‘What? I’m just saying it could be!’
‘The photographer wants you.’ Zack pointed to where a rotund man garlanded with cameras was attempting to corral the main players into a group.
‘He’ll be wanting all of us. Come on.’
OK, embarrassing. Ellie tried to hang back. ‘It’s a family shot. You don’t want me in it.’
‘Don’t be silly, of course we do.’ Zack was being dragged over by some of the children; as soon as he was out of earshot, Tizz clutched Ellie’s elbow and said, ‘I have such a good feeling about you. I’m serious, darling. High hopes. We’ve been waiting so long for Zack to meet the right girl and I really think it’s happened at last.’
This was awful. Ellie hated having to lie. ‘But it’s early days, it’s too soon to say…’
‘Maybe so, but I see the way he looks at you.’ They were approaching the photographer now. ‘And let me tell you, Zack’s pretty smitten. I’m his mother.’ Tizz’s eyes were sparkling. ‘Trust me, I can tell.’
Then she was seized by the photographer and ushered to her allotted position. Zack murmured in Ellie’s ear, ‘What’s she been saying to you now?’
His mouth accidentally brushed the top of her ear as he said it, causing a fresh attack of the zingers. When they’d died down, Ellie whispered back, ‘Basically, you’re doing a great job.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Your mum’s convinced you like me. She says she can tell.’ Ellie marveled at her ability to sound amused. ‘I’m impressed; I didn’t know you were such a good actor. You could end up with a BAFTA for this.’
***
By three o’clock they were back at the house and the wedding party was in full flow. A gypsy punk band from St Austell was playing insanely catchy Russian-style music, violins and balalaikas dueling with the hypnotic beat of the drums. There was wild dancing, there was singing, even the dogs joined in. Then it was time to sit down and eat. On her way to their table in the marquee, Ellie was stopped by the vicar.
‘Hello! Having fun?’
‘Oh yes.’
‘You’re Zack’s girlfriend, am I right?’
Would lying to a man of God cause you to be instantly struck down by a thunderbolt? Ellie nodded and said brightly, ‘That’s me!’
The thunderbolt didn’t happen. He beamed at her. ‘Could be you two next, getting married!’
OK, she couldn’t do it. Lying to a vicar was plain wrong. ‘Actually, we won’t be. It’s not really like that with me and Zack. We’re just friends.’ There, she’d said it.
‘Hahahahahaha!’ The vicar threw back his head, showing a quantity of amalgam fillings. ‘Very good, hahaha. Now, where’s my table? Ah, I’m over there…’
The tables were covered in white swagged tablecloths strewn with flowers and silver confetti. The wine had been flowing for the last hour and everyone was nicely relaxed. As the hired caterers began serving the first course, Zack introduced Ellie to the other guests at their table: two long-standing neighbors of the McLarens, three old school friends of Steph’s, and a well-dressed man in his early sixties who explained that he was Gareth’s godfather.
‘So are you going to be next on the list?’ The woman who had lived next door to Zack for many years gave him a jokey nudge.
‘Who knows? It could be a possibility.’ Ellie found herself on the receiving end of the kind of smile from Zack that would have anyone believing him. God, he was brilliant at this. Then again, two could play at that game.
She said playfully, ‘You’d have to give me a pay raise first.’
He shook his head. ‘You drive a hard bargain.’
‘Maybe.’ Ellie turned and gazed deep, deep, deep into his eyes. ‘But I’m worth it.’
Across the table, one of Steph’s friends said cheerfully, ‘You two, get a room!’
Which brought Ellie crashing back to earth and concentrating hard on her starter of scallops in Pernod.
By the time the plates were removed, Zack had got talking to Gareth’s godfather, whose name was Paul. Moments later, Elmo arrived to pay them a visit, scrabbling to be allowed on to Zack’s lap.
‘Sorry about this. No, Elmo. Get down.’
‘Oh, let him join us, I don’t mind. I love dogs.’ Paul gave Elmo’s ears a friendly scratch and adjusted the leather collar that had got itself skew-whiff in all the excitement. ‘But if your name’s McLaren, why does it say Castle on the identity tag?’ He looked at Ellie. ‘Or is that you?’
Ellie shook her head. ‘He’s a timeshare dog. Zack and his neighbor have dual custody. Neither of them can manage a full-time commitment. Zack takes Elmo for most of the walks while he’s at home. Then when he’s away, Elmo goes to live with Geraldine.’
Paul nodded. ‘Makes sense. Good plan.’ Then he smiled and rubbed Elmo’s head. ‘Geraldine Castle, that takes me back. I used to know someone by that name years ago.’
‘If you met our Geraldine, you’d never forget her. She’s a character,’ said Zack.
‘So was the one I knew. Quite a girl.’ Paul leaned back to make room for the waitress who was now serving dinner. ‘She once danced with a skeleton at our May Ball.’
Ellie and Zack exchanged a look. Ellie said, ‘Our Geraldine’s a doctor.’
Switching from fond reminiscence to dawning realization, Paul put down his wine glass. ‘So am I.’
There was a tiny pause. Could it really be the same Geraldine? Ellie said, ‘Where did you study medicine?’
‘Edinburgh.’
‘That’s it.’ Ellie nodded. ‘Edinburgh’s where she trained. She told me once about a crowd of them having a wheelbarrow race down Princes Street. In real wheelbarrows.’
‘Why am I not surprised to hear that?’ said Zack.
‘Did she mention she was wearing a bikini top and hula skirt while she was doing it?’ Paul was shaking his head in disbelief. ‘This is amazing. I was there. We’d been to a costume party. It was midnight, there were roadworks going on, and the wheelbarrows had been left out, so we decided to put them to good use…’
‘You and Geraldine! Oh wow!’ Ellie clapped her hands; was there anything more satisfying than making a connection? ‘Were you two a couple?’
‘No, no, nothing like that. I had a girlfriend. Geraldine had a boyfriend. Although I must admit, I did have a secret crush on her. She was a stunning-looking girl back then.’
Ellie couldn’t tear her eyes off him; his hair might be streaked with silver now, his eyes crinkled and his jawline less than chiseled, but she wouldn’t mind betting that in his day he’d been a bit of a looker himself.
Hastily Paul added, ‘Don’t tell her I said that!’
‘We have to call her,’ said Ellie. ‘This is brilliant.’
‘No…’ He looked panicked.
But Zack already had his phone out. ‘We must.’ He pressed a few buttons and waited. The rest of the table had by now fallen silent. ‘Hi, Geraldine? Yes, Elmo’s fine. No, nothing’s wrong, it’s all good. Listen, about the time you got yourself carted along Princes Street in a wheelbarrow.’
He hit the hands-free button just in time to catch Geraldine’s parrot-like squawk of recognition.
‘Oh my God, how did you find out about that? I don’t believe it!’
‘And what was it you were wearing? Not very much, by all accounts.’
‘A lei, a red bikini, and a grass skirt. Which in Edinburgh, let me tell you, is pretty intrepid. I still can’t imagine how you’ve got to hear about it.’
‘We’re here with someone who knew you back then.’ Zack’s dark eyes glittered with amusement. ‘His name’s Paul.’
‘Paul Fletcher.’ Mortified, Paul clearly didn’t expect her to remember him by his first name alone.
‘Fletcher,’ Zack duly repeated so Geraldine could hear.
‘Oh my giddy aunt, Paul Fletcher? Are you serious? He never knew this, but I had such a crush on that boy! We used to call him the Greek God,’ Geraldine exclaimed. ‘He was just beautiful.’
They all watched a sixty-something doctor blush deeply. Zack switched off hands free and carried on listening. Finally he said, ‘No, no, of course I won’t tell him you said that. Hang on, let me just go and find him, I’ll pass you over and the two of you can have a chat.’
He covered the phone. Everyone around the table was agog. Paul was visibly trembling. ‘I can’t do this. She thinks I’m a Greek God.’
‘It isn’t Skype.’ Ellie gave his arm a comforting pat. ‘She can’t see you. Anyway, you’re still quite handsome.’ Ach, wrong thing to say.
‘Thanks.’ Paul’s smile was wry.
‘And Geraldine’s wheelbarrow racing days are long gone,’ Zack chimed in. ‘She’s currently getting over a fractured hip.’ He uncovered the phone and handed it over. ‘Here you go.’
Paul took it and pushed back his chair. ‘I can’t talk to her with you lot listening. You have no idea what this is doing to me. It’s like asking me to talk to Barbra Streisand.’
He left them, weaving his way between the tables and heading out into the garden before raising the phone to his ear.
Chapter 56
