Page 27 of Be More Lucy

‘A fun one. Not one where I’m paraded about like a prize pony to meet people I have nothing in common with and never want to see again. How about you?’

‘A small ceremony and then a relaxed party afterwards, with just the people we care about there?’

‘Sounds perfect. Do I get an invitation?’ He smiled.

‘If you play your cards right,’ she grinned. ‘What do we do about Mark and Lucy? I assume you want Mark as your best man?’

Jack nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve already asked him.’

He walked through the gate into the wood and held it open for Em. ‘It shouldn’t be a problem. If we’re keeping it simple, there’s not much for them to do. Certainly, nothing they need to liaise with one another about. We’ll have to plan it that way.’

‘I’m sure they’ll behave on the day.’

‘Is Lucy still angry with him?’

‘She’s fuming, which is odd because normally, when she falls out with a man, she likes to give off an “I don’t give a fuck” air. Has Mark ever worked out what he did?’

‘He still has no idea why she ghosted him. He said if she wanted to be like that, he was well rid of her.’

They walked a little further in silence.

‘I’m guessing Lucy is organising a hen do for you?’ Jack eventually said.

‘We haven’t discussed it yet, but I’m sure she’ll want to.’

‘Are you going to have a weekend away like last time?’ Jack asked. He sounded a bit on edge about the idea.

‘I’m not sure.’ Everyone had enjoyed what turned into the non-hen do in Newquay last year, but having another trip away seemed a bit cheeky. ‘It’s a big time commitment for everyone.’

‘I thought they were keen to do it all again?’

‘That’s what they said last year, but we’ve just had one for Ella. I’m going to suggest we go out for a meal on a Saturday night in Birmingham as an alternative.’

‘I think Nancy and my mother are hoping to get an invite. They enjoy a good party.’ He went quiet for a minute. ‘If you do go away, can you promise me one thing?’

‘What?’

‘No naked chef this time.’

He was still smarting about Ben, obviously. But Jack should’ve been more decisive and not left her thinking he wasn’t interested. She changed the subject. ‘Are you going to have a stag do?’

‘Mark has suggested we could all to visit him for a long weekend in Spain.’

‘As long as it’s not like the stag do Lars went to.’

‘I promise I will not be fondling scantily clad women.’

They had reached the end of the wood now. The path led out into a quiet cul-de-sac of 1960s bungalows. They continued down the road to the harbour.

Bunting left over from the previous weekend’s Morris dancing festival fluttered in the breeze. Em noticed the colourful patterns the reflections were making in the water. They would make an interesting picture of the harbourfront. Phil at the gallery reckoned that she needed to paint more bright and cheery summer scenes, and this view would fit the bill. She stopped to take a photo.

The view didn’t look as good on the phone. She headed a few yards down the quay to try a different angle, Jack tagging along behind her.

‘I love you.’ Jack slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. She turned around so he could kiss her properly.

‘What prompted that?’ she asked.

‘Does it matter?’

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