Breaking All the Rules

by Rachael Richey

  “So how long were you out?” Kate was silent. Jenny peered at her suspiciously. “Kate, how long?”

  “All night.”

  “All night? You spent the night with Sam Somerville, three days before your wedding? Where were you?”

  “In a hotel.”

  “Oh, dear god.” Jenny was lost for words. She was staring at Kate when the door suddenly opened, and Vicky stepped into the room. She took one look at Kate’s bruised arm and realisation flooded over her face. She closed the door behind her and grinned at them.

  “Next time you lie to Mum and Dad, make sure you’ve covered your tracks,” she said. “I can give you some tips. I perfected it years ago. Now what the hell are you going to do about that?” She reached over and gently touched Kate’s arm. “That looks really sore. Just like Sam’s eye.”

  “There’s more.” Jenny pointed to Kate’s skirt. “She’s got bruises all up her leg and on her ribs.”

  “Shit, Kate. Are you okay?” Vicky sounded genuinely concerned.

  Kate stared at her in surprise. “Not really. But why do you care?”

  “Because you’re my sister, and you’ve suddenly got a whole lot more interesting.” She grinned again. “So spill. You were on Dartmoor with Sam Somerville, and you had a car crash? What were you doing there? And why did Dad back you up? Does he know?”

  “No, he doesn’t.” Kate shook her head. “That surprised me too. He’s been giving me some funny looks lately.”

  Vicky sat down on the bed next to Jenny. “So why were you with Sam? Have you been seeing him?”

  Kate put her hands up to cover her face and groaned. “Don’t tell Mum and Dad.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’ve been really stupid. I went out with him when he first got back, just as friends for a catch-up. All very innocent, but it sort of turned into a date, and I didn’t tell him about Richard.”

  Vicky was grinning widely. “Ah, I get it now. That was before the Hen night, wasn’t it? Then I really dropped you in it.”

  “Yep. You did.” Kate sat down on the bed and wriggled up so she could lean against the pillows. “But then I went out with him again, supposedly to explain why I hadn’t told him, but that was even more like a date, and he kissed me.”

  Vicky laughed. “Did you know about this?” she asked Jenny.

  Jenny nodded. “Eventually. She didn’t tell me about the kisses straight away, though. But after that she decided to try and avoid him ’cause we realised it would be a very bad idea for her to see him again.” Jenny glanced over at Kate. “That didn’t go too well. She went out for a drink with him last week, but managed to avoid him for a week, until this Dartmoor debacle.”

  “You still like him, then?” Vicky watched her. “Obviously. So how did you happen to go to Dartmoor? That seems a bit random.”

  “I was trying to get away from Mum on Wednesday.” Kate rolled her eyes. “She was driving me crazy with wedding stuff, so I went out for a walk. I had just got to the end of the road when Sam pulled up in his Land Rover and spoke to me. While we were talking, Mum appeared at the gate, and I jumped into the Land Rover to escape her. He was going to Dartmoor to deliver some beer and asked if I wanted to go with him.” Kate sighed. “I was so desperate to get away that I said yes.”

  “Okay.” Vicky shrugged. “Doesn’t sound too bad yet. How come you crashed the car?”

  “A deer jumped out in front of us in the rain, and he swerved to avoid it. We went into a deep ditch, and Sam hurt his face.”

  “And your bruises?”

  “That was when I fell in the river when we were walking to try and find a phone signal.”

  Vicky stared at her silently. “And now you’re covered in bruises you can’t explain to Richard or Mum and Dad, and which are going to show under your wedding dress.” She looked at Kate thoughtfully. “Or are you not going through with the wedding?”

  “I have to.” Kate looked so miserable that Jenny reached out and grabbed her hand. “It’s all arranged and paid for. I can’t let Mum and Dad down. Or Richard. I have to go through with it.” A strange look crossed her face, and Jenny squeezed her hand.

  “What is it, Kate?”

  “Well, this was the really weird thing. Granny spent ages, earlier, telling me a tale about her youth, and I think she was telling me not to marry Richard unless I was really sure. And she knows about the bruises.”

  “Granny does?” Vicky stared at her in surprise. “However did that happen? And what stories?”

  “I can’t tell you the stories, that’s up to her to tell you if she wants to. It was all very personal. Long story, but I had to admit to her and Mum that I had a bruise on my hip and said that I walked into a table, and Granny took me aside and asked if Richard had been hitting me.”

  Vicky burst out laughing. “Seriously? God, that’s hysterical. But how come she knows about the other bruises?”

  “She guessed. I don’t know how. I told her I fell in a river, but didn’t tell her any more.”

  “So.” Vicky moved further up the bed. “Are you in love with Sam?”

  “No. Yes.” Kate hugged her knees and buried her face in them. “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t know what to do. I spent Wednesday night in a hotel with him. Three days before my wedding. I’ve really messed up this time.”

  “And did you sleep with him?” Vicky was watching her with interest.

  “No. Well, not what you mean.” Kate looked up briefly. “We slept in the same bed. There was only one. But we didn’t do anything.”

  “Nothing?” Jenny leaned forward.

  “Nothing.” Kate felt her face get hot.

  “You always were a dreadful liar, sis.”

  “He kissed me. That’s all.”

  “That’s all?” Jenny narrowed her eyes. “A proper kiss this time?”

  Kate nodded. “Yeah. But that’s all. He didn’t ask me not to get married or anything.”

  Vicky kicked off her shoes and pulled the clip out of her hair. She had come straight from work and was still wearing her suit. She shook her head, and her hair fell down around her shoulders. “Well, he probably wouldn’t, would he? He must know it’s all arranged.”

  “Vick, have you had your hair cut?” Jenny was watching her.

  “Yeah, d’you like it?” Vicky ran her hand over it and posed.

  “It’s much shorter. Looks nice, actually,” Kate admitted. “Just remembered I’m really pissed with you.”

  “You usually are. Why this time?”

  “Richard’s Stag do.”

  Vicky laughed. “Yeah, thought you’d hate that. I tried to get in on as many photos as possible, just to piss you off.”

  “Well, you succeeded. I had a real go at him over it, too.”

  “Well, to be fair, he didn’t invite me.” Vicky grinned. “I just turned up, but he didn’t seem to mind. It was a good night, actually. He can be fun.”

  “How long did you stay?” Kate watched her closely.

  “Oh, pretty much until the end. They went to several clubs, and I stayed with them until about two. Then they went on somewhere I wasn’t keen on, so I stayed put.” Vicky grinned at Kate. “Richard’s not so boring when he’s out on the town, you know.”

  Kate felt her head begin to spin. So Richard had lied to her. He had told her Vicky had only been with them when they took the selfies. He said she had gone off with her friends after that.

  Why would he lie? Vicky had been happy enough to say she’d been there. Obviously there was nothing between them, so why had he lied? Was it just because he knew how much she hated her sister? She glanced at Vicky. Or she had done, until tonight. Tonight she was actually being nice.

  “Didn’t Richard tell you Vicky left after those photos we saw?” Jenny frowned.

  “Yes.” Kate nodded. “He did. He lied to me.”

  “Probably feared for his life if he told you.” Vicky stood up and took off her jacket. “He knows how much we don’t get on.” She grinned at
Kate. “Anyway, who are you to talk? You’ve been lying to him for weeks.”

  Kate took a deep breath. “Right. I’m finding this all way too stressful to cope with. I’m going to have to go through with the wedding. I can’t let Mum and Dad and everyone else down now.” She wriggled off the bed and stood up. “So what the hell can we do about these bruises on my arm? My dress is sleeveless.”

  Jenny got up and looked closely at the arm. “Maybe we could use makeup?”

  Vicky joined her. “Fake tan?”

  “It would need to be nearly black to cover this.” Kate felt the tears threatening to return. “There must be something we can do.”

  “Have you got a dark foundation?” Jenny was rummaging through Kate’s makeup bag. “That might be worth a try.” She found a tube and squeezed a little onto her finger. “May I rub it on, or would you rather do it?”

  “You can do it.” Kate gritted her teeth and held her arm out.

  Gently, Jenny smoothed a little foundation over the centre of the bruise, where it was the darkest purple. “It’s not covering it at all.” She stood back and inspected it. “That won’t do. We need to think of something else.”

  “Stage makeup!” Vicky suddenly announced. “That should do it. That’s really thick and covers anything.”

  “Okay.” Kate stared at her. “Do you have any?”

  “No.”

  “Well, that’s no bloody good, then.”

  “But I’m sure we can get some. Think! Do you know anyone who might have some? There used to be a drama group in the village. They’d have some.”

  “There did!” Jenny’s eyes lit up. “You’re right. Our neighbour, Mr. Freeman, belonged to it. He used to play the dame in the pantomime.”

  “Oh, I remember him.” Vicky laughed. “He was good.”

  “Does he still do it?” Kate’s voice was tearful. “Can we really get some?”

  “I don’t know if he does it now, but he’ll know who does.” Jenny headed for the door. “I’ll pop home now and try and find out. Will you be okay, Kate?”

  “I’ll look after her.” Vicky nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be nice. Just go, and hurry up. I’ll tell Mum you had to go home for something you forgot for tomorrow. Otherwise she’ll fuss.”

  As the door closed behind Jenny, Kate looked at Vicky. “Why are you being nice?”

  “I told you, you’ve just become more interesting.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I don’t actually want you to be unhappy, and I think you are.”

  Kate sat down on the bed again and sighed. “Yeah. This should be the most exciting time of my life, and I just feel like crying all the time. I’ve really messed this up, Vick. Big time.”

  Vicky sat down beside her. “Not necessarily. Maybe this was meant to happen. Maybe Richard is not who you’re meant to be with.”

  “Well, it’s a bit bloody late to find out.” Kate fell backwards onto the bed and covered her face with her hands. “This wedding has cost Dad and Granny thousands. I can’t just change my mind now. And it would destroy Mum.”

  “True.” Vicky wrinkled her nose. “But think what it’s doing to you. They’d be pissed off with you for a while, but you might be about to ruin your whole life.”

  Kate opened one eye and looked up at her sister. “I can’t do it, Vick. However much this is tearing me apart, I have to go through with it. There are too many people who’d get hurt.” She rolled onto her stomach. “It doesn’t have to be forever.”

  “Kate, you can’t go into a marriage thinking like that!” Vicky stared at her. “That’s not fair to Richard.”

  “And me dumping him the day of the wedding would be?” Kate shook her head. “No, I just can’t do it. It’s not like he’s even done anything wrong.”

  “He did lie to you about the Stag do.” Vicky raised her eyebrows. “If you want an excuse.”

  “That’s hardly worth breaking up over.” Kate sat up miserably. “But thanks for trying. I almost wish he had been having an affair.”

  Vicky raised her eyebrows. “Did you think he was?”

  “Not really. It’s just when I was in London I saw him going into a restaurant with his arm round a woman.” She sniffed. “Turns out she was with his clients, and he was just guiding her through the door.”

  Vicky frowned and a strange look passed over her face. “When was that? I didn’t know you’d been to London recently.”

  “Tuesday of last week. I went up to surprise him, but he was working. I saw him for about five minutes, and then he had to go out to some lunch and later a dinner with some clients. I happened to see him going into a restaurant when I was on my way back to the station.” Kate glanced at her sister and managed a small smile. “I actually skived off work to go. Never done that before.”

  “You are getting naughty.” Vicky got up and walked over to the window. “Hope Jen doesn’t take too long. Mum’s going to start fussing if we stay up here.”

  “And there was this weird thing too.” Kate was still thinking about London. “Some old guy at the court thought he’d met me at some parties in London. He mentioned one in Mayfair a few weeks ago. I accused Richard of taking other women to parties, and he got quite upset. He, and Jen, pointed out that loads of people look like me. It was a bit odd, though.”

  “Jen’s back.” Vicky was still looking out the window, her back to Kate. “I think I’d better go back downstairs. Mum’ll be getting suspicious if I’m up here with you too long. She’ll be expecting us to be fighting.”

  Kate watched her as she walked over to the door. “Vick? Thanks. You’ve been nice. I kinda think you understand.”

  Vicky glanced over her shoulder and shrugged. “Don’t get used to it. But I don’t want to see you ruin your life.” She opened the door just as Jenny arrived triumphantly waving a tube of cream in the air. “I’ll leave you to it. I am on your side.”

  Jenny came into the room and shut the door behind her. “You and Vicky all right?”

  “Yeah, she was actually being nice. I think.” Kate gave a wry grin. “Only because I’m likely to be in trouble this time rather than her.”

  “Not if this stuff works.” Jenny held up the cream. “Apparently it covers anything. Shall we give it a go?”

  ****

  “Well, now this is nice.” Helen beamed at her daughters. “Everyone getting on together.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” Vicky warned from her corner of the sofa. “I’m only being nice to her because she’s a condemned woman.”

  “Vicky, what a thing to say!” Helen frowned at her. “It’s the most exciting moment of a woman’s life.”

  “If you say so.” Vicky glanced at Kate and raised her wine glass to her. “I hope you’re right.”

  “What colour are you doing your nails, Kate?” Marion changed the subject. “Are you going for a pale colour, or a contrast?”

  “Don’t know.” Kate shrugged, studying her nails with disinterest. “Does it really matter? No one will be looking at my hands.”

  “Well, actually, they might,” Jenny pointed out apologetically. “They may want to see your ring.”

  “Oh, whatever. Top my wine up, Vick.” Kate held her glass out. “I’m too tired to care. Can I go to bed soon, Mum?”

  “Oh, Kate, must you?” Helen looked at her sadly. “This is supposed to be such a fun evening. It’s only nine o’clock. Can’t you stay up a bit longer? At least do your nails first.”

  “If I must.” Kate snatched up the nearest bottle of nail varnish. “Will this do?”

  “Maybe not.” Jenny gently relieved her of it. “I’m not sure black is very apt for the bride. Why not try this nice pearly one? Shall I do it for you?”

  Kate shrugged and took a swig of wine. “If you like.” She held out her hand. “Hurry up, then.”

  “Kate, what’s the matter, darling?” Helen moved over and sat down next to her. “Do you feel ill? Are you feeling sick again?”

  “No, Mum. I’m not feeling sick. I’m not feeling i
ll in any way, and for the last time, I’m not pregnant. I’m tired. That’s all, bloody tired.” To her horror, Kate felt her eyes start to fill with tears, and she turned away. “Just leave me alone. Jen, you can do my nails, and then I’m going to bed.”

  Helen patted her on the arm. “Okay, darling. I’m sorry to have been hassling you. Vicky, fill up your sister’s wine glass. And do Granny’s at the same time.”

  Marion was watching Kate closely. “An early night will do you good, Kate,” she said quietly. “Time to reflect on tomorrow. It’s a big step you’re taking.”

  Kate glanced at her. What did her grandmother mean? Was that another suggestion that she shouldn’t be getting married? Well, to be honest, she didn’t need anyone to tell her that. She had realised it was actually the biggest mistake of her life, and in fact a Very Bad Idea. Even worse than the other ones she had been having lately. But she was stuck with it. She had made her bed and had to lie in it. She felt her whole body go cold. Richard’s bed. Which up until now she had been happy to lie in.

  Right now she couldn’t think of anything worse, and that brought up even more worries about the wedding night. Since the night in the hotel with Sam, she couldn’t imagine spending the night with any other man. The way he had held her close…the amazing kiss… How could she even be considering going through with the wedding? It was madness. It was a total nightmare, and she was stuck firmly in the middle of it. If only she could wake up.

  “Kate?” Marion’s voice cut through her reverie. “Are you all right?”

  She shook her head. “No. No, I don’t think I am. Sorry, Mum, I have to go to bed now. I’ll see you all in the morning.” She glanced at Jenny. “Come up when you’re ready, Jen. What time do we need to get up, Mum?”

  “About eight should be all right.” Helen was watching her anxiously. “The ceremony is at one, so that should give us enough time. Darling, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Like I said, I’m tired. I’ll be fine in the morning.” She left the room without looking back and made her way slowly up the stairs. As she started to open her door, she became aware of someone watching her and turned to find her father standing in his bedroom doorway.

  “Dad.”