Page 12 of The Engagement

Her mother takes a couple of steps back and drops down into a chair.

‘Mum, please don’t be like this,’ Belle says, sitting down next to her. She strokes her back. ‘I knew you’d be a bit surprised and shocked, but please, can’t you just be happy for me? Jack and I adore each other. He’s so wonderful.’

Her mum looks up again to where Jack was standing, but he’s walked off. Though judging by the strange look in her eyes, it’s as if she can still see him.

‘Honestly, Mum, it’s no big deal. When you know, you know, right? You’ve always said that.’

Hannah whips up her head. ‘No, no youdon’tknow, Belle,’ she says. She’s almost baring her teeth, making Belle recoil. ‘You knownothing. How…how could you do this?’

‘Christ, Mum, I thought you might actually be happy for me. Do you want a drink or something? It’s what you usually do.’ Belle pulls away from her mother.

‘For God’s sake,’ her mum hisses. ‘What’s got into you? I’m speechless…We’ll talk about this later.’ She doesn’t seem to know what to do with herself.

‘Sure,’ Belle says, shrugging. ‘But you won’t change my mind.’ She gets up to go and find Jack, but her mother grabs her arm, forcing her to stay seated.

‘And believe me, there’s plenty to talk about. You reallydon’tknow what you’re doing.’ She keeps her voice low.

Belle scowls as her dad sits down the other side of her. She’s trapped, hemmed in by them both, and there’s no sign of Jack to save her. He’s probably gone to the bar to get her a drink. He’s thoughtful like that.

‘Belle, I don’t like to state the obvious,’ her dad says in her ear. ‘But…howoldis Jack, exactly?’

Belle turns, rolling her eyes. ‘Well, I knew that’s all you’d focus on,’ she says. ‘Age is just a number. Can’t you be happy for me?’

‘How old?’ he repeats.

‘Ow, Mum!’ Belle squeals as her mum squeezes her wrist hard. Her nails are digging in.

‘Tell him how old.’ Hannah gets up close to her face. She’s sweating, and even through her make-up, Belle knows she’s gone deathly pale.

‘Thirties,’ Belle says, thrusting up her chin. ‘Thirty…thirty-nine, to be precise. And so what if he is? We love each other and that’s that.’

Hannah makes a noise – somewhere between a growl and a laugh.

Rob drops his head into his hands. ‘Love, you’re still at school. You might be eighteen now, but this is crazy. Look, I’m not saying don’t see him, but don’t rush into something you’ll regret. Marriage is a big deal. How does that sound?’

Belle puts a finger on her lip and tilts her head up to the barn rafters. ‘Like you’re being controlling? I’m eighteen, Dad. It’s my life.’

‘Belle, you’re still at school. A young girl doing her A levels does not get married to a man…thatage.’ Her mother’s face is close and her breath smells of alcohol.

Belle doesn’t like her tone. She isn’t acting normal.

‘I’m not going back to school, so it doesn’t really matter, does it?’

‘What?’ Rob groans again. ‘Belle, let’s not ruin tonight. If you knew how much trouble your mum’s gone to, then—’

‘Jack said exams are a waste of time, and I agree with him. He’s done really well for himself, and he left school aged fifteen. He’s got his own business and a house and a car and everything. I’m going to be working for him, which is an amazing opportunity, so you won’t have to worry about supporting me. We’ve got it all planned out.’

Belle watches as her mother suddenly gets up and rushes off, weaving her way through the guests as fast as she can, not even stopping when people try to talk to her. She disappears outside through the big barn doors.

‘God, Belle, great timing,’ her dad says. ‘I’ve got so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin. But for now, just do one thing for me.’

Belle reaches out and takes her father’s hand.

‘Just enjoy this bloody party.’

CHAPTER SEVEN

HANNAH – NOW

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