Page 25 of Be More Lucy

‘Neither is Isabella, but when you have your own family church, you’re expected to use it. There must have been four hundred guests, including a few minor royals. The church was full to the rafters. Then they had the Earl’s 19th-century horse-drawn carriage take them up the drive to a huge marquee in the garden. Champagne reception with a small orchestra.’

‘Not a string quartet?’ Perhaps Nancy was exaggerating.

‘Oh goodness me, no. There were at least 30 musicians plus a conductor and an opera singer. Then we had a five-course meal. More flowers than the Chelsea Flower Show. One of the great aunts had to go home because her hay fever tablets weren’t strong enough to counteract the effects of all that pollen.’

Em’s vision of a small ceremony followed by a hot buffet would be a real comedown for Jack. She wished she’d never asked.

‘Huge ornate cake with six different flavoured layers surrounded by a sea of cupcakes covered in icing that looked like flowers,’ Nancy continued. ‘Another buffet in the evening. An ice bar. Ridiculous thing. Dancing until midnight with a band and a DJ afterwards, I think, but I’d gone back to the hotel by then.’

‘Ours will be a much smaller affair. I’m not sure we know 400 people to invite.’

‘Very sensible. There were people there who had never met Jack and Isabella before. Ludicrous. Not what a wedding should be about at all. I always thought it was more of an opportunity for her father to show off to his business contacts rather than a declaration of lifelong devotion. It seems I was right on that one.’

Em decided to change the subject slightly. ‘What was your wedding to Xander like?’

Nancy laughed. ‘A complete contrast to Jack’s. We got married at Marylebone Register Office, much to my mother’s disgust. But if it was good enough for Paul and Linda McCartney, it was good enough for me and Xander. My parents refused to attend, and Xander’s father was something big in the British embassy in Washington at the time and didn’t make any effort to come home. So the only people there were a few close friends, including Jack’s mother, Olivia, of course, and my brother and his girlfriend. We took them for tea at The Ritz afterwards.’ Nancy smiled, then picked up her mug and put it in the dishwasher.

‘I loved every single minute of it. Ask Jack whether he enjoyed his wedding,’ she said as she left the kitchen.

15

Considering it was late on a Thursday afternoon, Lucy’s favourite cafe was still really busy. She checked the time on her phone. Her date was ten minutes late. He’d seemed keen when they were texting online, and he was the one who’d suggested they meet in person. He might just be stuck at the office. She’d give him a bit longer.

‘Excuse me.’ A man walked up to Lucy’s table. Brown eyes to die for, looked about her age. Beard - not ideal, but at least it was neatly trimmed, not one of those shaggy hipster numbers that probably held the remains of the owner’s last two meals. Smartly dressed as if he’d just left an office. Much better looking than his profile pic. He really should update that. He must’ve taken it after a heavy night’s drinking. But perhaps she’d keep that advice to herself if he turned out to be as good as he looked.

‘Hello,’ said Lucy, giving him her best smile.

‘I’m expecting someone, but I can’t find a table with two seats. Would it be ok if I borrowed this chair?’

Perhaps he didn’t recognise her, though Lucy thought her profile pic was reasonably accurate. ‘Is your name Andrei?’

‘No,’ he said, looking puzzled.

Not her date. Bloody typical. No wonder he looked better than his photo. That would’ve been a first.

Lucy sighed. ‘I’m waiting for someone too, but he’s late, so you may as well take it.’

‘Thanks,’ smart guy responded. He sat down at a table across from hers, got out a notebook and pen and started doodling.

Lucy picked up her phone and went through her notifications. No more matches today. There were a couple of business emails that needed attention. She replied to those and checked the time again. Her date was twenty minutes late now.

She finished her latte. No point in getting another one. If “Andrei, 34, Solicitor” couldn’t be bothered to tell her he was running late on their first date, she was crossing him off her list of potential life partners.

As Lucy got up to go, she felt someone looking at her. She turned and saw it was smart guy.

‘Did he stand you up?’ he asked.

‘Yes, looks like it.’ Lucy noticed the chair he’d borrowed was still empty. ‘Yours not turned up either?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘Can I get you another coffee?’

She wasn’t sure if he was waiting for a date or not. He might have been planning to meet a colleague. No ring on his left hand, though. Not that that meant anything. Adam hadn’t worn a wedding ring either. At least, not when he was with Lucy.Stop thinking about that bastard. ‘That depends.’ she said.

‘On what?’ Smart guy asked.

‘On whether you’re straight, single and looking for a relationship, not just a quick shag?’

‘You don’t waste time getting to the point,’ he laughed.

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