Page 24 of Lie For Me

‘Wow,’ Jack said as they took in the decorations. ‘That’s a lot of lilac.’

Lucy leaned in and whispered, ‘Erm, don’t let the bride hear you say that. I think you’ll find that’s lavender.’

‘Ah,’ Jack said, squinting at the sea of coloured balloons, ribbons, and pinned pelmets, ‘That makes it okay then.’

Lucy giggled, and they moved into the room.

‘Get used to it. I think we’re spending most of the next three days surrounded by it.’

Jack mock gagged and clutched at Lucy’s arm.

‘Oi!’ She giggled. ‘Just because you’re a misery when it comes to weddings, doesn’t mean everyone else needs to be.’

She waved her hand, encompassing the room and the acres of lavender ribbon.

‘This is a celebration of their love, and if Sophie…’ then under her breath, she added, ‘and my mum want lavender, that’s what they get.’

Jack murmured, ‘My eyeballs will never recover.’

A tall man with dark floppy hair came bounding over and trapped Lucy in a bear hug. Lucy, arms pinned to her sides, feet drifting off the floor, tried to reach around and pat him on the back in reciprocation.

‘Ollie!’ Lucy squeaked from somewhere in the man’s armpit. ‘Put me down!’

This, Jack realised, was one-half of the reason they were all gathered there for the weekend. Clad in a light summer suit and a navy T-shirt, Ollie seemed to have so far escaped the general lavendering that had gone on.

‘I am so glad you’re here,’ Ollie said into the top of Lucy’s head, still holding onto her.

‘Me too,’ Lucy wheezed out as she wriggled free.

Ollie was beaming ear to ear. Lucy, now free of the enthusiastic embrace, hair slightly mussed, held him by the arms and grinned back at him.

‘Look at you, Ol. You look great. So well and so happy.’

Ollie, in hyperactive wedding mode, grabbed her and hugged her again.

‘I am so happy, Lucy,’ he said. ‘This is going to be the best weekend, I know it. I can’t wait,’ he started welling up, ‘to see Sophie walk down the aisle to me.’

He grabbed a glass of champagne from the bored waitress who was now on drinks service and took a huge gulp.

‘Steady,’ Lucy laughed, ‘or you won’t remember any of it!’

Ollie glanced over at Jack and nudged Lucy in the ribs.

‘So, are you going to introduce me?’ And then, in a stage whisper that could be heard in the kitchens, added, ‘Mum says this might be it, and you’re next!’

He waggled his eyebrows at her.

It occurred to Jack that it was a good thing he was a fake boyfriend; any proper boyfriend might wonder about the wisdom of accompanying Lucy right now.

‘Yes, of course.’

Lucy reached out her hand to take Jack’s and almost started back when he slid his arm about her waist and pulled her in close. She stiffened at the unexpected touch, then he felt her soften and relax into him.

‘This is Jack, my—’ She cleared her throat, and Jack squeezed her side. ‘My boyfriend.’

Ollie enveloped them both in a giant hug that squashed Lucy’s face between them. Extricating herself, she gasped, ‘Crikey, Ol!’

‘Just so happy for you both.’

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