Free A Paper Marriage by Jessica Steele Page B

to her mother.

    There was no time then, or for some while, in which Lydie could explain to him why she had let her family believe that she and he were dating. But while Jonah was undoubtedly waiting, and she did not lose sight of the fact that she had some explaining to do, Lydie noticed that her great-aunt had started to wilt, and her great-aunt became her first priority.

    The wedding reception was being held at the bride's home, Alcombe Hall. But when Lydie and her great-aunt started to walk the quite some distance to where Lydie had been able to park her car, Jonah took charge and offered, `My car's right here, Miss Gough.' And, before Lydie could say a word, he had opened up the passenger door and was helping Alice Gough in. Then Jonah was turning to the slightly stunned Lydie, his expression bland, but something indefinable lurking in his eyes. `See you shortly, dear,' he said, and Lydie knew then that if he made the smallest attempt to kiss her cheek in parting she was definitely going to thump him.

    She took a step away. He got the message and he drove off, and Lydie mutinied like crazy. First of all Marriott had arrived at the church after her, yet had still somehow found a favoured parking spot, and secondly that was her great-aunt he had just gone off with, not his.

    By the time she had reached her car, though, Lydie was starting to wonder what in thunder was the matter with her . She should be grateful to him that, whether or not he too had spotted her great-aunt's look of weariness, he had saved her the need to walk quite some way. Lydie recalled how Jonah had said he had the greatest respect for her father. That had been evident in the manner in which he had spoken to him-and she was grateful to him for that.

    So, it appeared that there was nothing the matter with Jonah other than that he was enjoying himself hugely at her expense-she could still feel the imprint of his mouth against her cheek. And why wouldn't he enjoy himself at her expense? He might have asked to be invited to this wedding, but he hadn't asked to be nominated her boyfriend. Which then brought what was the matter with her down purely to nerves. Fact one, she found him extremely unsettling. Fact two, she owed him all that money. Fact three, she hadn't even got a job yet, and any time now he was going to tell her his idea for how she should begin to pay him back.

    Lydie pinned a smile on her face on arriving at Alcombe Hall. She joined Jonah and her greataunt, who appeared to be getting on famously, and who had waited for her before tagging on to the procession waiting to shake hands and congratulate the bride and groom.

    After which Jonah found a chair for her aunt and, with waiters hovering, accepted refreshment for the three of them. With everyone i n happy spirits time went by, with more photographs-a good number having been taken at the church and guests chatting and renewing old acquaintances until it was time for the meal and the speeches. But at no time did it seem the right time for Lydie to have a private conversation with the man who was, whether he liked it or not, her man friend in particular that day.

    Jonah had been placed in between Lydie and her great-aunt at the meal table, and Lydie had to give him top marks that he saw to it that her great-aunt was not neglected. He was attentive to her too, pleasant and affable, but it was still just not the place in which for them to discuss what they had to discuss. Nor was there any space later, when the meal was at an end and all the speeches over and the guests started to move about. Because by then Lydie was thinking in terms of getting her great-aunt Alice home. She knew the dear love had enjoyed the wedding, but sensed she had had enough. And was certain of it when modern music started issuing forth from one of the rooms and her great-aunt visibly winced.

    `You look worried?'

     

    Lydie looked up to see Jonah addressing her. `I think I should take Aunt Alice home, but...'