Page 100 of Be More Lucy

‘I’m a respectable married man now.’

‘Oh, come on. As your best man, I insist we’ve got to raise a toast to you and Mrs Carver. We won’t be doing that until this evening otherwise.’

‘I wouldn’t object,’ Lucy said.

‘I better consult my wife.’ Jack said.

‘Your wife could do with a drink too,’ Em said, putting her arm through his and leading him to the exit.

54

Em and Jack were sitting in a booth in the pub while Mark had gone to the bar to get drinks. Lucy had excused herself, saying she was going to help him.

‘At least they’re talking to one another,’ Jack said. ‘Odd about Hannah though.’

‘Is it? Probably using her pregnancy as an excuse. I’m sure she finds Spain much more appealing than Devon on a cold December day. Anyway, we’ve got to get going with sorting out the party. What are we going to do with our wedding rings?’ Em waved her hand at Jack.

‘I didn’t think about that. No one’s going to notice, are they? They’re used to seeing your engagement ring, and I had a ring for years until I split with Isabella. I don’t want to take mine off.’ He looked concerned.

‘Would that be bad luck?’

‘No. But let’s not risk it. I don’t want to lose it. Or you, Mrs Carver.’ He kissed her. ‘Are you sure you want to change your name?’

‘I’m quite enjoying being Mrs Carver.’

‘Good.’ He kissed her again.

‘Do you think Lucy’s alright? She seemed very quiet at the Register Office.’

‘I’m sure being in close proximity to Mark is upsetting after all that’s gone on.’

‘Yes. It must be.’ Em looked across at them, standing by the bar. ‘I don’t like their body language. It’s looking like it might go downhill. Let’s do our best to keep them apart today. We don’t want any arguments. I’ll help with the drinks.’

Mark placed their order at the bar. He was very aware of Lucy standing next to him. It wasn’t the ideal spot to talk with the barman in hearing distance, but he needed to know where he stood. He looked over at Em and Jack who were deep in conversation. Would he ever be that close to someone emotionally? He thought he’d had that with Lucy but she seemed distant today, even now she knew he’d split up with Hannah. Hopefully, it was because the implications of his news hadn’t sunk in yet.

The barman went to the other end of the bar to fetch something. Now or never.

Mark looked at Lucy. ‘So about us?’

‘It’s not about us today is it.’

‘That will be £12.50 please.’ The barman was back. Why did he have to be so bloody efficient?

‘Yes, sure.’ Mark got out his credit card. The barman walked to the other end of the bar again to get the card machine.

‘Lucy?’

‘Shall I help with those?’ Em had walked up to them. Lucy wasn’t going to answer now.

Mark sighed. ‘Thank you,’ he said with an air of resignation.

‘Come on, Luce,’ Em said as she picked up their drinks. ‘Tell us all about Harry. You didn’t get a chance last night. Cynthia didn’t let you get a word in edgeways. ’

Harry. Who the hell was Harry? Mark picked up his drink and followed them.

But Lucy still didn’t get an opportunity to say anything about Harry because at that moment a loud woman in every sense of the word burst through the pub doors.

‘There you are. The registrar said she thought you were coming over here to celebrate. When were you going to tell us?’

---