Free Lizzie Marshall's Wedding by Emily Harvale Page B

be in Max’s arms. ‘His mobile rang. Actually, it was almost erotic. It was in his pocket and set to vibrate!’
    Both Jess and Susie sniggered simultaneously.
    ‘So what happened? Did he answer it?’
    ‘After a few seconds, yes. He ... he sort of pulled away and gave me a really odd look, like ... like he didn’t know where he was or something. Then he said, “Sorry, I have to get this” and just answered the phone. It was his mum – I think – yes, it must have been because he said something along the lines of “I’m just asking her now. I’ll call you back,” and he hung up.’
    ‘And?’ Susie said.
    ‘Um. I’m not really sure. The vicar turned up as Max answered his phone. I opened the door, thinking I could quickly get rid of him but Max said he had to dash; he’d come to ask if I’d go and see his mum later this afternoon – to discuss the wedding. He said he’d come back and pick me up at four. That was it.’
    ‘What?’ Susie slumped back against the chair. ‘One minute he’s sweeping you off your feet and the next it’s all business! What did you say?’
    ‘I said okay.’
    ‘Okay! What do you mean you said okay?’
    ‘I said okay, I’d be ready at four.’
    ‘Dear God. You clearly are out of practise with men aren’t you?’ Jess said then glanced at her watch. ‘Right, we’ve got a couple of hours. Come on.’ She got up and headed for the door.
    ‘Where are we going? A couple of hours for what? Don’t you need to get back to work?’
    ‘Fiona’s there. We’re hardly rushed off our feet today. We’re going to yours to search through your wardrobe to find the sexiest dress you’ve got.’
    ‘What do I need a sexy dress for?’ Becky hadn’t moved from her chair.
    ‘That’s obvious even to me,’ Susie said, grabbing Becky’s hand and pulling her to her feet, ‘to make sure the next time Max sees you, he doesn’t want to stop at just kissing.’
     
    ‘I told you on the way here, you’re wasting your time. I don’t have a sexy dress,’ Becky said as Jess and Susie rifled through her wardrobe.
    ‘I thought you were just saying that,’ Jess said patently disappointed. ‘Everyone has at least one killer dress. You must have had one before you got married. And what about all the posh events you organise? We’ve been to some and you’ve definitely worn good stuff to those. Where are they?’
    Becky dropped onto her bed and clasped her hands in her lap. ‘I ... I’ve sold most of them ... on e-bay. I’ve just kept the business outfits. It looks more professional anyway.’
    ‘You sold them? When?’ Susie’s voice held a note of incredulity.
    ‘Just before Christmas. I wanted to buy Lily something nice and ... well, apart from that wedding in January and the New Year’s Eve party just before that, business had been a bit slow. I needed to keep up the repayments on the agreement – although, that might all be a waste of time now and, what with everything else, that didn’t leave much.’
    ‘You haven’t heard back from your solicitor about the letter then?’ Jess said.
    Becky shook her head. ‘No. I’m kind of hoping no news is good news. Anyway, I got quite a bit for the stuff I sold and it meant I could give Lily a nice present and have money to tide us over for a few months and some for her birthday in March. I thought things would start to pick up again in the spring. Of course, that was all before the letter arrived last Friday.’
    Jess sank onto the bed beside her. ‘I had no idea things were so tight Becky. I knew you didn’t have cash to throw around but I thought you were managing.’
    ‘I am managing. I ... I just had to sell a few things to do so. That’s why it would be so great if Margaret Bedford gave me some business.’
    ‘Right! That’s it. You wouldn’t take that money I offered you yesterday but you’re having it and I’m not going to take no for an answer, unless you never want me to speak to you again. I’m serious Becky.