by Louise Hall
Cate smiled and let Erin give her a hug but all she could see was the small platform in the centre of the room. Surely that was for brides, she wasn’t going to be asked to stand up on that. “Where’s Liv?” she asked, hoping for some sisterly support.
“Oh, she’s coming in later after work,” Erin hiccupped. “Sorry, it’s the champagne. Would you like some?”
“No, thanks,” Cate said politely.
“I’d love some,” Zeke said.
“Who’s this?” Erin asked Cate.
Zeke stepped forward. “I’m Cate’s date for the wedding.”
Erin raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know you were bringing a date?”
“It said plus one on the invite,” Cate said, “you don’t mind, do you?”
“No,” Erin said warmly. “Of course not, I’m just surprised, that’s all, and you never mentioned a boyfriend.”
“Oh, I’m not,” Zeke started to interrupt but Cate glared at him. There was an awkward moment where nobody said anything and then Zeke came to the rescue. He slid an arm around Cate’s waist and kissed her on the cheek. “I can’t believe you haven’t told your family about us, Cate.”
“I’m sorry,” Cate said, turning around to kiss him back. “Will you forgive me?”
With her back to Erin, she mouthed “thank you” to Zeke.
“Of course,” Zeke said, “now let me see your dress.”
Cate was right, she did have to stand on the platform in the centre of the room while Erin, Zeke and the dressmaker walked around, scrutinising the dress and her from every angle. The dress was nicer than she’d expected, having read far too many horror stories about bridesmaids’ dresses. Forest green to contrast with Erin’s fiery red hair and made from brushed silk, it was strapless and had a knee length skirt which bobbed as she turned. “What do you think?” Erin said, biting her lip. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful,” Cate smiled.
“It is,” Zeke said, patting Erin on the arm. “It’s gorgeous, you’ve made a really good choice.”
“Thank you,” Erin said, a huge smile breaking out on her face. “You really think so?”
“I do,” Zeke said. “What were you thinking for hair, up or down?”
Erin and Zeke walked across the room to the sofa so Erin could show him her wedding book.
“Can I get down now?” Cate asked the dressmaker.
“I just need to make a couple of adjustments,” she replied, “hold still.”
Cate looked at herself in the mirror as the dressmaker knelt down and adjusted the hem of the dress. Will this be enough to change his mind?
“Just a couple more,” the dressmaker said, standing up and looking at Cate’s cleavage. “Yes,” she looked at the gaping fabric. “We might need to put some padding in here, to make it fit better.”
Why are my breasts so small? Cate felt her eyes well with tears. Why does everybody want to pad them out?
The dressmaker came back with some pads and slotted them into place inside the top of the dress. “There, doesn’t that look better?”
“Yes,” Cate said to be polite but she avoided looking at herself in the mirror.
When she went back to the dressing room to get changed, Erin knocked on the door. “Yes?” Cate said, pulling on her jeans.
“I’ve got a favour to ask you,” Erin said softly. “You can say no if you don’t want to do it.”
“Okay.”
“Monty’s such a good dog but he’s sensitive, you know? He doesn’t really get on too well with other dogs. He’s such a sweetheart; he doesn’t know how to defend himself. When we first got him, Ben took him to the park and there was another dog there. We didn’t know so Ben let him off the leash. Ben threw the ball and just then the other dog barked and Monty went running off in the opposite direction. He’s a really fast runner. Ben had to chase him all the way across the park. The other dog kept barking and it just made Monty run even faster. Anyway, when Ben eventually found him he was at the top of the slide in the children’s play area. He was just sat there, shivering and whimpering. When Ben brought him home, he went straight upstairs and hid under the bed, he stayed there all day.”
Cate opened the door; she’d finished getting dressed. Erin had tears in her eyes. “We’re supposed to be going to Thailand on our honeymoon and my Dad was going to come and look after Monty but he’s got a job in Basingstoke those weeks.”
“What do you need?” Cate asked softly.
“We were wondering if you’d housesit for us?” Erin looked hopefully at Cate. “You wouldn’t have to do much, just watch Monty really. Plus, you’ve got exams coming up so it’ll give you somewhere quiet to study. We could pay you?”
Cate laughed; she knew with the wedding that they didn’t have much money. “Don’t be silly, you don’t have to pay me. Of course I’ll do it.”
“Thank you so much,” Erin gave her another hug.
“You ready to go?” Zeke asked, coming over to join them.
“Thanks again,” Erin said as she walked them to the front door.
“Are you not coming?” Cate asked.
Erin shook her head, “no, I’m going to wait for Liv, she shouldn’t be too long.”
“Who is he?” Zeke asked as they got into Cate’s car.
“Who’s who?” Cate said, she waved to Erin who was stood in the doorway of the dress shop.
“The guy,” Zeke said. “The one you’re using me to try and make jealous.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cate said.
“Spill,” Zeke said. “Or I’m not coming to the wedding with you.”
“What about Alice Devereux?” Cate said.
“Hm” Zeke said. “You really don’t like her, do you? Who did you say she was dating?”
Cate went red, “nobody.”
Zeke pulled out his phone, “I could always ask Sinead?”
“No,” Cate said too quickly. “Don’t do that.”
“Aha,” Zeke said, “it’s him, isn’t it? It’s her brother.”
“You can’t tell anybody,” Cate said seriously. “Promise me you won’t tell?”
“Ooh, I’m seeing a whole new side of you and I like it,” Zeke said. “I promise not to tell if you give me all the juicy details.”
The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. Zeke didn’t say anything until she’d finished. “So you haven’t spoken to him in a month?”
“No,” Cate shook her head, “and he’s dating Alice Devereux. How can I compete with that? Even you think she’s hot.”
“Yes and you’re dating Zeke Elliott, things aren’t always what they seem.”
CHAPTER 13
“You’re dating Zeke Elliott?” Sinead’s mouth dropped open when she caught Cate and Zeke walking across the quad together holding hands.
“Yep,” Cate said nonchalantly. Zeke had decided that if they wanted Kian to believe they were dating when he saw them together at the wedding, they needed to try it out on other people first, namely Sinead.
“I’ll see you inside, babe,” Zeke said, giving her a kiss. As he walked away, he gave her butt a squeeze.
Sinead watched all of this with her eyes wide. “When did all this happen? Wait a second, is he the Lip Gloss Guy?”
“Maybe,” Cate smiled.
Jake joined them, slinging an arm across Sinead’s shoulders. “I always thought Elliott was gay.”
“Oh, he’s not,” Cate smiled in what she was hoped was a dreamy fashion. “I can assure you of that.”
“Oh my God,” Sinead’s eyes just kept getting wider and wider. “Have you…?”
Cate looked down at her watch, “oh wow, look at the time, I’d better get to class.”
“Let’s have lunch,” Sinead said quickly. “I’ll meet you by the vending machines?”
“I thought you were coming to watch me play lacrosse at lunchtime,” Jake pouted.
“Sweetie,” Sinead said in a baby voice. “You don�
�t mind if I skip it today, do you?”
Cate started walking away.
“Wait,” Sinead called, rushing to catch up with her, “meet me after class?”
“What about Jake?” Cate asked.
“He’ll get over it,” Sinead shrugged.
“Did she buy it?” Zeke whispered as Cate sat down next to him.
“Yeah,” Cate grinned. “She’s blowing off Jake’s lacrosse practice to have lunch with me. She’s never done that before.”
“Hey,” Zeke said, pretending to be insulted. “What about me? Don’t you want to have lunch with your boyfriend?”
“Darn,” Cate said quickly. “I didn’t think about that. Should I blow her off?” She’d never cancelled on Sinead before; even just the idea was kind of thrilling.
Zeke thought about it for a minute, “Nah, it’s cool. If we’re too OTT, people might get suspicious. Plus, I kind of haven’t done the reading for Sociology this afternoon so I’ll probably just hang out in the library. You go have lunch with Sinead.”
At lunchtime, Cate and Sinead bought snacks from the vending machine and found a deserted part of the campus. “How did you find this place?” Cate asked, as they sat down on the small patch of grass.
“Jake,” Sinead said, opening her packet of crisps. “We come here sometimes to make out.”
Ugh, Cate shook her head to get rid of that mental image. “Was he OK about you missing his lacrosse practice?”
“Whatever,” Sinead waved her hand. “I’m more interested in you and Zeke. I want all the juicy details, don’t leave anything out.”
The night before the wedding, Irene hosted a dinner party for fifteen. Miles and Sophia, Erin’s parents, had initially offered to stay at a nearby hotel but Irene insisted that they stay at the house. So there was Ben and Erin, her parents, Remy, Liv and Ryan, Cate and Zeke, Eamon, Jean, Sinead and Kian and Erin’s cousin Kelly, her maid of honour. Vincenzo couldn’t get the time off work so he’d stayed behind in Italy with the boys and Alice wasn’t due to arrive until early the following morning. Jake was supposed to be there as well but Sinead had just frowned when Cate asked where he was and said she’d explain later.
“Do I look OK?” Cate asked, anxiously. She’d treated herself to a new dress; it was black with lace sleeves.
“You look gorge, as always,” Zeke smiled. He was lounging on her bed, flicking through Cosmopolitan.
Cate turned back to the mirror. She still wasn’t sure whether to wear her hair up or down. “I know I can’t compete with Alice Devereux. I just want to give him… something to think about.”
“You will,” Zeke patted the mattress. “Now sit down, all that pacing is freaking me out. I’m the one that’s supposed to be nervous, remember? I’m meeting The Family for the first time.”
Cate laughed, “they’re not the Mafia, you know? They’ll love you.”
“Zeke?” Cate gave him a nudge.
“Sorry, what?” He was distracted by a shirtless photo of Ryan Gosling.
“Thanks for doing this,” Cate squeezed his hand.
“It was worth it just to see my Mum’s face; she was so happy.”
“Do you think you’ll ever…?”
“Hey,” Zeke said, cutting her off. “Your hands are freezing.”
“Are you really that nervous?” Zeke asked softly. He rubbed her fingers trying to warm them up. “He means that much to you?”
“Yeah,” Cate blushed. “I know it’s silly.”
“It’s not silly,” Zeke smiled. “Let’s see what we can do get him back for you.”
The dinner was marred by the obvious tension between Sinead and her parents. “Where’s Sweetie?” Zeke whispered to Cate.
“I don’t know,” Cate whispered back. “Sinead said she’d tell me later.”
After everybody had finished eating, Jean got up and began to collect the plates. “You don’t have to do that,” Irene protested. “You’re my guests.”
“I don’t mind,” Jean said quickly. “Sinead will help me.”
“But Mum,” Sinead pouted.
Jean looked at her sternly. “Now.”
A heavy silence settled over the room; Jean was usually so easy-going.
“I’ll give them a hand,” Eamon got up and followed his wife and daughter into the kitchen.
“You’re being unfair,” Sinead’s voice carried from the kitchen into the dining room. “So, I’m having sex, so what?”
“I’m not the only one,” Sinead continued. “Even Cate’s having sex. With Zeke. Because she told me.”
The words seemed to reverberate around the small room, getting louder and louder. “Cate’s having sex.”
Before anybody could say anything, Cate dropped her napkin and rushed out of the dining room. I’m going to kill Sinead. She ran downstairs to the basement and out of the back door.
Zeke caught up with her at the bottom of the garden. “Am I good?” He smirked.
“Good at what?” Cate struggled to catch her breath. She was beyond mortified.
“Sex,” Zeke smiled. “Oh, come on Cate, it was funny.”
Cate whacked him on the arm, “it was so far from funny.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” he reminded her. “This imaginary sex that we’ve been having, I’m like porn-star good, right?”
“How can you joke about this?” Cate winced. “I’m mortified. My whole family thinks I’m having sex.”
“So what?” Zeke said. “I’ve got something that might cheer you up.”
“Impossible.”
“Oh yeah,” Zeke raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t the only one who made a quick getaway tonight. Just after you left the table, Kian quickly made his excuses and left too. You should have seen the look on his face. I thought he might have gone after you so I waited a little but then I heard the roar of his car engine. I think somebody might be jealous, regretting missed opportunities perhaps?”
“No,” Cate shook her head. “He probably just has to be up early tomorrow to pick Alice up from the airport.”
By the time Zeke persuaded Cate to go back to the house, Miles, Sophia, Erin and Kelly had gone upstairs to bed and Ben had gone home. Irene, Remy and Liv were finishing up the dishes in the kitchen. “You’d better go,” Cate said to Zeke.
“Remember, I’m like porn-star good,” he smiled.
As soon as she walked into the kitchen, all three of them turned around to face her. “Well, well,” Remy said, with her hands on her hips. “My baby sister’s all grown up.”
Cate blushed. “Is he a good guy?” Liv asked earnestly. “Does he treat you well?”
Irene was blunter. “Do you use protection?”
“Mum!” Cate sat at the kitchen table and covered her face with her hands. She really didn’t want to talk about her imaginary sex life.
When she looked up, all three of them were looking at her, expecting an answer.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “yes, we use protection.”
All three of them breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course they do,” Liv smiled. “This is Cate we’re talking about.”
“I bet she makes him wear one of those full-body latex suits like in the Naked Gun films,” Remy laughed.
“Thanks for that wonderful mental image,” Irene said sarcastically to Remy. “I’m going to bed and I suggest you all do the same, we’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Cate got into bed and switched on her phone. “How did it go?” Zeke asked when he called. “Did you tell them how good I was?”
“My sister thinks I probably make you wear a giant condom that covers your whole body.”
“That’s just weird,” Zeke laughed.
The following morning before breakfast, Cate apologised to Erin and her parents for the scene the previous night.
“Nonsense,” Erin said kindly. “It was perfect actually; it took my mind off today. I think I might have even slept for a couple of hours last night.”
CHAPTER 14
“Over there,” Kian jerked his head. He couldn’t look at Cate but he knew where she was.
“She’s young,” Alice said.
“Don’t stare,” Kian warned. “She’s 18. At least she’s not married with kids.”
“Touché,” Alice smiled, acknowledging Kian’s reference to her boyfriend, Jack.
“She’s cute,” Alice chose her words carefully. “She’s just not what I expected. She’s seems like a nice girl.”
“Can we talk about something else?” Kian gritted his teeth. “Before I go over there and kill that fucker she’s dancing with.”
“I’ve never seen you jealous before,” Alice grinned. She leaned in close so her lips were right next to his ear. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. He’s gay.”
Kian felt a tiny flicker of hope. “You think so?”
“She keeps looking at you.” Kian waited and soon enough, Cate looked across at him. Their eyes met for the briefest second before she quickly turned away, blushing.
“You two are adorable,” Alice teased. “You need to talk to her.”
“And how the fuck do you propose I do that when she’s here with her boyfriend?”
“Ooh, I’ve got an idea,” Alice giggled, clapping her hands together. “Keep an eye on your girl.”
Alice went up to the DJ and whispered something in his ear. Kian made his way through the clusters of tables to the back of the room, which was darker and less-crowded.
Cate and Zeke had just stepped off the dance floor when Alice approached them. “Hey,” she looked straight at Zeke, ignoring Cate. “You were amazing out there.”
“Thanks,” Zeke said, flicking his collar. “I do my best”.
The next song came on and Alice clapped her hands, “ooh, it’s my song. Dance with me?”
Zeke looked over at Cate, “it’s cool,” she said. “I’m going to go and get some air.”
“Cool,” Zeke said and quickly followed Alice into the centre of the dance floor.
Cate didn’t want to listen to The Frocks so she stepped outside the club. It was already dark and there was nobody else around.
