That's What Friends Are For

by Marcie Steele

  She spotted a card shoved down by the side of the till and turned to Louise. ‘Yours, I presume?’ When Louise nodded, she continued. ‘I wonder who it’s from.’

  ‘Hmm, I wonder.’

  Sam grinned. Even though it wouldn’t be signed, they knew it would be from Matt. He always sent Louise a card. As Louise shoved it back down the side of the till again, Sam wondered if she ever wished it was sent with feeling rather than in humour. She reached for it and put it on display.

  ‘Hey!’ Louise tried to take it down but her fingers were slapped away gently.

  ‘True love needs to be acknowledged,’ Sam teased.

  ‘It would be, if it was true love.’ Louise pointed at Nicci who was smiling brightly. Behind her were twelve red roses in a cellophane box and a red heart-shaped helium balloon. ‘That’s true love.’

  Sam smiled, thinking about the secret wedding. What they were organising was about true love. She really hoped it all went to plan.

  ‘You had anything from Reece?’ Louise asked.

  Sam shook her head. ‘Just a card. We’re far too married for that.’

  Last week, Sam had deliberated about it for a while and then wondered why. Even though a card seemed false and a little over the top at the moment, it was a token gesture she was happy to go along with. So when a bouquet of flowers was delivered to the stall an hour later, she was left a little shamefaced. She smiled, feeling her skin flushing as customers cooed at her.

  ‘I hope they’re from Reece,’ Louise muttered.

  Goosebumps broke out over Sam’s skin. Get a grip, she thought, chastising herself. Dan would have moved on by now. He’d probably be sending flowers to another woman today. She opened the accompanying envelope and sighed with relief, thankful that Reece had put his name to them rather than leave it a mystery.

  ‘Aw, flowers for you, too,’ Nicci said. ‘Aren’t we the Valentine honeys!’

  ‘Speak for yourself,’ said Louise. ‘I might have a card but it doesn’t mean anything.’

  Sam raised her eyebrows as Louise stared over at Matt.

  Charley was in a great mood. That morning, she’d opened an email from Alex to find a Valentine e-card and a message that she’d memorised since reading it again and again. ‘I wish I could kiss my Valentine. One day I hope you will be mine.’ Even the boys at school continually asking her who would be her Valentine shag couldn’t dampen her spirit. She was still beaming about it at lunchtime.

  ‘I really wish I could meet him,’ she told Sophie again as they sat in the bus stop eating their sandwiches. ‘It was such a lovely card – with music and hearts and flowers.’

  ‘I really wish you’d stop talking about it. I’m getting a bit sick of hearing about him, Charl.’

  Charley frowned. ‘That’s not a nice thing to say.’

  ‘Well,’ Sophie picked at the corner of her bread, ‘all I hear is Alex this and Alex that and Alex has done this.’

  ‘But, you’re the same about Owen and I listen to you,’ Charley protested, stung by her friend’s words.

  ‘I’m not as bad as you. All you want to do is talk about him. I’m surprised you want to know me at all.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be stupid,’ Charley said, brushing crumbs from her shirt. ‘I talk to him because he doesn’t know anything about me.’

  ‘I thought he knew everything about you. You’ve told him so much.’

  ‘I mean—’

  ‘I know what you mean.’ Sophie turned to her, raising her voice slightly as a lorry went rumbling past. ‘But, don’t you think you ought to be more careful? He’s someone you met online.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘So he isn’t really a friend. He’s just someone you can talk to. I thought I was your best friend.’

  ‘You are.’ Charley paused. How could she explain to anyone how Alex made her feel? Just one look at his photograph made her go all squishy inside. She watched a group of boys from her year walk past. None of them were a patch on Alex, she mused, especially when they started pointing at her and laughing.

  ‘He’s just so … so lovely,’ she continued. ‘He’s always there for me—’

  ‘No, he’s not. He’s on Facebook every now and then at the same time as you.’

  Charley raised her eyebrows. ‘We arrange times to be online, if you must know.’

  ‘Like we used to,’ Sophie said pointedly.

  ‘Like we still do.’

  ‘Yeah, whenever you aren’t talking to him,’ Sophie sulked.

  Charley sighed. ‘I like him. He never judges me and he makes me—’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘You don’t understand what it’s like being me. People at school don’t call you names.’

  ‘You should ignore them.’

  ‘That’s easy for you to say. Who called me Charley Cockhead this morning? I heard someone shout it when we went to double maths.’

  Sophie laughed. She couldn’t help it.

  But Charley didn’t find it funny. She screwed up her silver foil and shoved it into the bin.

  ‘For your information, I’m sick of you laughing at me too,’ she said, glaring at her friend.

  ‘I’m not laughing at you,’ Sophie insisted.

  ‘Yes, you are. And a true friend wouldn’t do that. A true friend would support me.’

  ‘I do support you.’

  Charley ignored her. ‘That’s why I like talking to Alex.’

  Sophie huffed. ‘You really need to chill out, Charl. Stop getting your knickers in a twist. Not everyone is out to get you.’

  ‘You’re just as bad as the rest of them!’ Charley stood up. ‘I can’t believe you’d turn on me too.’ She began to walk away, shouting over her shoulder, ‘Alex doesn’t judge me. ’

  ‘Charley!’ Sophie shouted. ‘Charley, wait up!’

  But Charley didn’t stop. Ever since Sophie had got together with Owen, she had pushed her aside. Did she look down on her because she’d had sex with Owen now? She’d told Charley all about it and, even though she was still scared, she couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like.

  No wonder she was always thinking about Alex. She had no one else to talk to. He was the only person who completely understood her – and was the guy she wanted to lose her virginity with.

  But she wasn’t going to tell anyone that.

  * * *

  After work, Jess had arranged to meet Ryan in the stock room. She’d bought him some aftershave for Valentine’s Day. She knew he wouldn’t be able to take it home, but that hadn’t been her intention anyway. Instead, she planned to keep the aftershave in the stock room and bring it out whenever they met up illicitly there. It would be their secret – their code, in fact. She’d purposely bought him Armani Code as a joke between the two of them.

  Ryan arrived in the stock room some ten minutes after her. It was nearly six as they’d had to wait until everyone had gone home. Even though there was a caretaker to lock up every night, all stallholders had front entrance keys. Ryan had told Mike he would set the alarms on the main doors once he’d finished stock taking. Now, they were all alone.

  ‘Hey,’ Ryan said, walking towards her. He was carrying a red gift bag.

  ‘Hey, yourself,’ she replied.

  They kissed passionately. Jess pressed her body close to his and ran her hands over his back. They pulled apart and he thrust the gift bag into her hands.

  ‘For you, my Valentine,’ he smiled, raining kisses over her face.

  Jess pulled out a box of perfume. DKNY Classic. She unwrapped it and sprayed it around liberally.

  ‘It’s gorgeous,’ she smiled and kissed him again. As the scent of water lilies and white birch enveloped them, they slipped to the floor.

  Jess laughed inwardly. This was a doddle. Mission accomplished.

  Nicci couldn’t wait to get home that evening after the text message she’d received from Jay earlier on.

  ‘I have something waiting for you on the table.’

/>   All the way home on the bus, she wondered what it could be. By the time she opened the front door, she was bursting with anticipation. She could smell something cooking. She sniffed. Ooh, curry! She hoped it was one of Jay’s specials.

  She took off her coat and almost ran through to the kitchen. But it was no different to how she’d left it this morning. The table wasn’t set for a romantic meal for two. There were no flowers, no gift. Nothing.

  Confused, Nicci went through to the living room, then smiled as she stood in the doorway. Jay was sitting on the floor, his back to the settee. His chest was bare, his legs covered with the duvet from upstairs. Next to him, the coffee table was piled high with food, a candle lit either end. There was wine chilling in an ice bucket, chocolates waiting to be opened.

  Nicci giggled. ‘You meant coffee table, didn’t you?’

  ‘Actually, I didn’t,’ said Jay. He stood up, the duvet dropping to reveal his nakedness. ‘I intend to ravish you over the kitchen table.’

  ‘What about Jess?’

  ‘She’s not coming home until ten. I bribed her …’

  She giggled even more as she saw him getting aroused.

  ‘But first.’ He pointed down, raising his eyebrows.

  Nicci rolled her eyes playfully. Despite what she’d done behind Jay’s back, at least he wanted to make her happy. And he clearly still fancied the pants off her – as did she of him.

  Who cared if she had to wait a couple of years to marry him? It would be worth it to become his wife.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Over the next few days, Sam was kept so busy arranging the details for Nicci’s secret wedding that she didn’t have time to think about herself and the fact that Reece would soon be returning home. There was so much to organise before the date, set for the first Sunday in April, but at least now she had a list of definite things to show Louise and Jay, who were the only two people who knew for now.

  They’d met up the night before to discuss things, Jay pretending he was working overtime. So far the hotel Nicci had already been in touch with regarding the reception had emailed back and offered a reduced rate as an incentive to rebook, but wouldn’t do anything about giving a refund for the deposit she had paid. After discussing finances with Jay, she’d managed to negotiate a luxury room for the wedding night instead.

  Sam had decided to call everyone together at the end of the week and announce it in one go. It would be far easier that way. And maybe she’d get some answers straight away. She studied her list again:

  Venue – She’d tasked Jay with getting the registrar on board, and checking that everything needing to be done was set in place.

  Dress – Jay had given her details of a particular one that Nicci had left notes about in her notebook. Helpfully, she’d also cut out a picture from a magazine, so Sam was going to see about getting it sewn up at a fraction of the cost.

  Shoes – Clara had said she’d provide them for free. Melissa too had said she’d do all the make-up for the women in the bridal party. Charley, Louise and Ryan’s twin girls, Amelia and Abigail, were going to be bridesmaids, as per Nicci’s notebook. Mr Adams was making a cake like the one in the clipping Jay had brought for him from the wedding planning book. All that was left to organise was the flowers. Sam had given the florist notice of the wedding, and the colour scheme. All she needed to do was ask Jay if he knew Nicci’s favourite flower.

  Sam put the list away in her pocket. All in all, planning a wedding without letting the bride know was still possible but it would take a hell of a lot of organisation and co-ordination. Still, as queen-of-the-list-makers, she couldn’t wait to get started. And at least it kept her mind from her own worries.

  At five o’clock, Jay came to the market on the pretence that he’d knocked off work early after dropping off a delivery for his boss. Sam suggested that Nicci might as well finish now that he was here, rather than hang around for another half hour. Once they’d gone and the doors to the general public had been closed, everyone gathered around her stall. Sam stood at the front, Louise by her side.

  ‘I won’t keep you back for long,’ she shouted, looking around at a sea of puzzled faces, ‘but we have something we need your help with.’

  She told everyone about Nicci and Jay’s story. Not about the debt and the on-off wedding proposal. But about a hard-working couple who were struggling to plan their big day. She made out in the speech that it was their idea, that neither Nicci nor Jay knew it was planned and that she was after offers of help to make the day perfect for them.

  Everyone began to pipe up with ideas. Sam held up a hand as they all spoke at once.

  ‘I have to explain first that there isn’t much money so I’ll need you to offer your services for as cheap as possible. Maybe even,’ she paused, ‘for free?’

  ‘I wouldn’t want paying,’ said Melissa.

  ‘Me neither,’ said Mr Adams. ‘Nicci’s like one of our own, we’ve known her for so long.’

  ‘And Jay too,’ added Nigel Beaconsfield, from the butcher’s counter.

  ‘Ooh, and I love picking out wedding shoes!’ said Clara in an excited pitch. ‘I already have some in mind that I’ve seen. I know Nicci will love them, depending on the dress, of course.’

  Louise’s eyes teared up. ‘Thanks, you guys,’ she spoke quietly.

  Sam glanced around at everyone, still not quite believing what she’d heard. She caught Jess’s eye, her face like thunder, but decided to ignore her. She wouldn’t sabotage this wedding.

  ‘Are you all sure you’re happy to do this?’ she asked again, just to clarify, but beaming with joy.

  ‘Of course we are.’

  ‘Yes, absolutely.’

  ‘She’s a good girl, is Nicci.’

  ‘And Jay’s a great guy too.’

  ‘Well, it looks like we have a secret wedding to plan!’ Sam shouted, amidst a few whoops and cheers.

  Louise smiled at them. ‘I can’t thank you all enough. Nicci will be thrilled.’

  Sam nodded, along with a few other people. Weddings were so good for the soul. Then she remembered something else.

  ‘Just before we all disappear, Ryan?’ she shouted. ‘Are you still here?’

  Although Ryan was back on his stall, he put up his hand. ‘Yep, still here.’

  ‘Jay wants you to be his best man. And you too, Matt.’

  ‘Cool!’ Matt grinned and shook hands with Ryan. ‘Looks like we’ll have to do a joint speech.’

  ‘Yeah, we can be double funny,’ Ryan replied.

  ‘Or double naff,’ Malcolm shouted. Everyone laughed, and headed back to pack up their stalls for the evening.

  ‘I know which one I’d say is the best out of the two of you.’ Jess licked her top lip and grinned at Ryan. ‘I’d say that’s definitely the right name for you, Ryan. The best man,’ she purred.

  A couple of heads turned abruptly and Ryan caught a few frowns and strange looks. He pretended he hadn’t heard Jess and continued to banter with Matt.

  But Louise and Sam had clearly caught what Jess had said.

  ‘What did she mean by that?’ Louise asked.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Sam replied, not wanting to start an argument just as they were all on a high after soliciting help for the wedding.

  Ryan watched as everyone around him dispersed, hoping he’d got away with it being no more than a throwaway remark. He’d scowled at Jess to let her know that he was mad at her, and she’d sidled off back to the sweet stall with a dramatic sigh.

  But Matt didn’t let it go unnoticed. ‘Did you meet up with her?’ he wanted to know.

  ‘Just the once. I –’

  ‘And did you screw her?’

  Ryan didn’t speak but his silence gave Matt his reply.

  ‘You ... you ...’ Matt pointed his finger in Ryan’s face. ‘You lowlife piece of shit. You said you’d never—’

  ‘It was only the once!’ he lied. ‘I admit that batting too close to home wasn’t such a clever idea but I ha
ven’t seen her since.’

  ‘And you expect me to believe that?’ Matt grabbed his coat. ‘You can lock up tonight. I need some fresh air before I lamp you one.’

  ‘Mate, it’s not what you—’

  But Matt was already gone.

  At home, Jess thought about what she had done. Stupidly, she’d made some brash comment and now Ryan was angry with her. Things had been going so well after they’d met up in the store room on Valentine’s Day, too.

  Once most people had left the market that night, they’d had words about what she had said. He’d told her Matt had sussed what was going on. Jess had apologised but Ryan had stormed off regardless. Maybe she had pushed her luck a little too much.

  She decided to bring her plan of action forward. She took a shower and sprayed herself liberally with the perfume Ryan had bought her. Sleeping with him again twice the week before would have worked out in her favour too. It would make everything seem more believable.

  A few days later, Jess executed her fainting fit with precision. She knew that Matt and Ryan moved a lot of their electrical stock and locked it away in the stock room every evening in case anyone broke into the market. At the end of the day, while the traders were packing up for the day, she watched them leave their stall and followed them, carrying a plastic jar of sweets in the crook of each arm. She pushed open the door, saw them in front of her and suddenly dropped to the floor, letting the jars clatter to the ground.

  Matt got to her first. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked, bending down to see.

  Jess screwed up her eyes and frowned, as if she was trying to remember who they were.

  Ryan waved a hand in front of her eyes. ‘What happened?’ he asked. ‘Did you slip?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Jess lied. She tried to get up, pretending that she was dizzy.

  ‘Whoa!’ Ryan steadied her by the arm. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

  ‘Here.’ Matt pulled a plastic chair from a stack at the side of the room. ‘Sit down here a minute and get your colour back.’