Page 9 of Promise Me Ever After
They both nodded, as if knowing exactly how that felt. Sometimes it was good to have allies.
The rest of the morning whizzed by until finally lunchtime arrived.
Darcy treated us to takeaway sandwiches and cake from the Blue Goose cafe for lunch. She even suggested turning the sign on the door to closed so we could eat and chat in peace. Given lunch time was one of her busiest periods, I told her not to be daft, we could do both as long as one of us could serve any customers that came in.
“Okay, so what do you want to do for your hen night? And who’s coming?” I popped a piece of avocado that had fallen out of my sandwich into my mouth.
My sister sighed. “It’s hard,” she wailed. “There are so many people Ishouldinvite but haven’t seen in ages. If it’s too big, I won’t get to spend quality time with everyone.”
“Is Mum on the guest list?” I sniggered. “That will change the activities I can plan.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I guess so. And Fraser’s mum too.”
“So, afternoon tea at the Ealynn Marina Hotel and dinner at The Castle?” I wrinkled my nose. “Hardly a wild night.”
Darcy’s eyes lit up. “You might just have solved my issue. I could have two parties. One for the mothers and then one for us. What do you think?”
“So, we can get drunk and wild with strippers without offending anyone?” For some reason, my mind went back to the first time I’d seen Alex and how his chef’s whites had clung to his torso. A vision of a stripping chef cemented itself into my head.
“Well, yes, sort of.” Darcy covered her eyes. “You know I’m such a wuss when it comes to being the centre of attention, particularly if a well-endowed dude is waving his dick in my face.”
I stifled a laugh. “Damn, there goes the entertainment for the evening. Seriously, though, sis. What do you want? Drinks? Dinner? A riverboat cruise?”
“Ugh. I don’t know. That’s what maids of honour are for. Aren’t you meant to surprise me?”
“Surprise you, yes. Scare you half to death, not such a good idea.” I glanced at my phone to check the time. “Look, I need to head off, so why don’t you give it a bit more thought and let me know what you think? We’re going around in circles here.” I stood up and brushed the crumbs off my cobalt blue t-shirt. I’d teamed it with black jeans and a simple black blazer and low heels. Traipsing around Anna’s Kitchen in anything higher would be a death wish for my ankles.
Darcy jumped up and enveloped me in a hug. “It’s good to have you here, Georgie. I know the circumstances aren’t ideal, but it’s nice having my big sister so close.”
I hugged her hard, forcing back unexpected tears. What I hadn’t told her was that I appreciated it. I needed a strong support network around me right now too.
The Ealynn Marina Hotel was situated at one end of the town, near the water as the name suggested. The building looked out onto the river and on a glorious autumn afternoon such as this, there weren’t many better places to be. I went inside, to see a few guests relaxing in the lounge.
At reception, a woman tapped away on her keyboard. Hearing me approach, she glanced up and smiled.
“Good afternoon, how can I help you?”
“I’m Georgie Cavanagh from Anna’s Kitchen. I’m here to see Emily Berry in Marketing.”
“Of course, give me a moment.” Her hand went to pick up the phone.
“Wait,” I interrupted. “My boss, Ellis Gregory was meant to be here, but I’m taking his place.”
She nodded and murmured a few words into the receiver. She replaced the handset and turned to me. “Emily will be here shortly. Take a seat?”
I did as she asked and sat down on one of the sofas near the door. Not two minutes later, a woman walked towards me. In my head, Emily was a middle-aged woman, all homely and traditional. So when a twenty-something with dark hair bouncing side to side in a long ponytail, dressed in a pencil skirt and skyscraper heels with a notebook tucked under one arm, approached me, I almost did a double take.
“Georgie? I’m Ems. Good to meet you.”
I stood up and extended a hand. “You too.”
“Are you Darcy Cavanagh’s sister?” Ems asked. “It’s not that much of a common surname.”
“Yeah, I am. I’m guessing you’re organising the wedding then? She said she was having it here.”
“That’s right.” Ems bit her lip and I wondered how much of a Bridezilla Darcy was being.
“Give me a call if you need any help with her.” I laughed as Ems struggled to stifle a smile.
