Page 21 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘Even Grace doesn’t know yet.’

‘She’s not going to find out from me.’

‘I just need to get through tonight.’

‘And you shall.’

He sounded so sure.

‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘For...?’

‘Your help today.’

She was grateful to him for looking out for her. Oh, she knew it was all duty, and that nobody wanted to see the bridesmaid falling apart. But it was just nice that he’d noticed the hellish time she was having.

‘It’ll be Cousin Tanya next...’

‘Breathe?’ he suggested again, only he said it very kindly. ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ he offered. ‘Only if you want to.’

‘Thank you.’

‘For now, you are going to smile.’

‘Yes!’

And she did just that, taking a breath, so grateful to have him in on her secret—or rather secrets. Because he shared her suspicions about the bride and groom too—although admittedly they looked incredibly happy.

It was nice to be here with him. And he was delightful company—taking her through the French menu and managing not to make her feel stupid at the same time.

‘I don’t want the cold cuts,’ she said as she pondered it closely. ‘And I am not eating blue cheese. What’s bouillabaisse?’

‘Fish stew.’

‘Oh...’

‘You take your food seriously, Violet?’

‘I don’t think so—I’ll eat anything.’

Actually, he wasn’t very talkative, she thought, possibly a little aloof and stern, and yet he behaved decorously, his focus on both the people beside him as well as the proceedings—so much so that a woman who must be the wedding organiser came and had a word in his ear.

‘Excuse me a moment,’ Sahir said.

Violet watched him walk off, stand and speak with the organiser, and as he did Grace leaned over. ‘How are things?’

‘Wonderful.’ Violet smiled. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’

‘It’s perfect—well, except for what happened earlier...’

‘Stop!’ Violet warned her. ‘It’s forgotten.’

Thanks to Sahir, Violet thought. She shuddered to think of the blotchy mess Grace might have come out to see had it not been for him.

‘What’s Sahir doing?’

‘I’ve no idea.’ Violet shrugged, and then as he made his way back to them saw that the wedding gifts were being moved.

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