Page 101 of Be More Lucy

‘Cynthia,’ Jack said.

Jack’s new stepmother. Jack had mentioned she had a big personality.

‘I did tell Cynthia we should leave you alone.’ Roger followed Cynthia over to the table.

‘It’s alright Dad. We just wanted to be on our own for the ceremony.’

‘Congratulations! I’m so happy for you both.’ He shook Jack’s hand and then hugged Em. ‘ You’re not expecting me to do a speech tonight are you?’ he added, nervously.

‘No - no speeches. But how did you know we’d be in Barnstaple?’

‘Cynthia is something of a Miss Marple. She heard a car start up this morning. So she looked out of the cottage window and there were the four of you heading off all dressed up. She guessed what might be going on. And this is the nearest register office, so here we are.’

There was no chance of getting Lucy to talk about Harry now. Mark may as well do his duty as best man. He forced a smile. ‘Can I get you both a drink?’

55

Jack was going to drive the four of them back home while Roger and Cynthia followed behind in Roger’s sports car.

Mark settled into the back seat. Lucy was got in next to him. Good. He might get an opportunity to find out whether Harry was a serious love interest. But Em insisted on chatting. She wasn’t normally this talkative. Or perhaps she was and he hadn’t noticed before.

He heard a ping. A text on Em’s phone judging by the direction it came from. That would distract her for a minute or two.

‘Is Harry joining us today?’ he asked Lucy.

She looked puzzled. ‘No. It would be awkward. No one knows Harry here. Apart from me, of course.’

Em turned round again.

‘That was the caterers. They’re going to get everything set up half an hour earlier than we planned. So we need to get the marquee decorated before 5 pm. Lucy, can you give me a hand after we’ve got changed?’

Em turned to Mark. ‘Jack needs to pick up the drinks and glasses from the wine merchant. Would you be an angel and help him?’

‘I might be more helpful with the decorating. I’m taller than you and Lucy?’

‘We’ve got step ladders. We’ll be fine.’

So no chance to speak to Lucy for the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon as well probably. Damn it. Hopefully, Jack knew something. Mark would have to ask him when they went to the wine merchants.

Mark went to his room to get changed into his jeans ready for the trip to the wine merchants. There was a knock on the door.

‘Are you decent? I’ve brought you some tea.’ His mother never waited on him normally. She must be after something. He opened the door for her.

‘Have you spoken to Lucy yet?’ she asked as she walked in.

‘Only briefly. I had time to tell her what happened with Hannah but nothing else.’

‘Are you wearing that shirt again tonight?’ Nancy nodded towards the red shirt that Mark had just taken off and hung on the wardrobe door.

‘Yes. Why?’

‘It could do with ironing. I can’t believe you went to the solicitors dressed in a creased shirt.’

Something about the way she said it, implied she didn’t believe the story about this morning’s trip to Barnstaple.He needed to be careful what he said. ‘I don’t think anyone noticed.’

‘Do you want me to iron it for you?’

‘Are you feeling alright, Mother dearest? You’ve never offered to iron a shirt for me before.’

---