Page 35 of Wedding Games
‘And, I, er, swapped my clothes with a rugby player,’ she said.
‘Ah,’ he replied. ‘Does he need them back?’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. He ran away after the fight with the bouncers.’
Rory ran his hand over his face. ‘Are you okay?’
She hugged her arms around her. ‘Yes, but I desperately need a shower and a sleep.’
He pulled her into his arms and led her out as Sam argued with Jamie about not touching her, and Duncan offered to take Fiona home via the sheep dip at Alasdair’s farm.
Rory’s truckwas blissfully warm and quiet, and Zoe felt the stress of the night easing away as they left Inverness behind for the Highlands.
‘Did you have a good time yesterday?’ she yawned.
He smiled at her. ‘Once Charlie stopped being a grade A dickhead, it was amazing.’
She grinned. ‘Valentina told us that he spent ages learning that dance routine.’
‘I’m now dreading his speech at the wedding tomorrow. He won’t tell me what he’s going to say, only that it’s “short and from the heart”.’
‘Aww, that sounds lovely.’
Rory raised an eyebrow and Zoe laughed.
‘The only card I have left is the threat that if he stitches me up, I’ll get my revenge at his wedding.’
‘Oh my god! Has he proposed to Valentina?’
‘No, he’s waiting until he’s sure she’ll say yes, so don’t say anything.’
‘I won’t.’ Zoe yawned again. ‘I haven’t slept a wink all night. As soon as I’m showered, I’m going straight to bed.’
‘You want any company? Your t-shirt is telling me to be kind to animals, so I thought I might pet your puss—’
The sound of Zoe’s phone cut through the inside of the truck. She took the call.
‘Hey, mum—’
‘Your dad’s missing!’ her mother cried.
Zoe put the phone on speaker so Rory could listen in. ‘What do you mean, dad’s missing?’
‘He went to the distillery with Brad yesterday afternoon and didn’t come home last night. He said he might stay over at the castle if they got back really late, but he’s still not back and his phone keeps going to voicemail.’
Zoe looked at her watch. ‘It’s only just gone ten. You know how he is with his phone. He never remembers to charge it and is always leaving it places. I’m sure everything’s fine.’
Rory’s phone rang. He showed Zoe the screen and the flashing word ‘Mum’.
‘Mum, can you hang on a second, Barbara’s just calling. Don’t go anywhere.’
Rory pulled to the side of the road and answered the call, putting it on speakerphone.
‘He’s gone!’ Barbara’s shrill voice filled the small space.
‘What’s happened?’ Rory asked.
‘Bradley didn’t come back from the tour with Arnold yesterday. I can’t find him anywhere, and he’s not answering any of his phones. I’m—’
