Page 16 of The Engagement

‘When Belle and I met, it was a meeting of minds as much as a meeting of bodies.’

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake,’ I mutter.

‘I’m putting a stop to this in about three seconds,’ Rob whispers, pulling back his chair, ready to stand up.

‘No…no, wait, don’t,’ I whisper back, panic gripping me. Rob doesn’t know that we can’t antagonise him. ‘I…I…I mean, don’t ruin the evening for Belle. We’ll look like controlling parents and then she’ll want to carry on even more. Let’s sort this out at home.’

Rob pauses, thinking about what I said. Then he then relaxes slightly, staying put in his chair. Until I’ve worked out what to do, until I know what it is hewants, then we have to play along. Getting Rob to understand that is going to be difficult, and I can’t even tell anyone he’s not really called Jack.

‘Yes, there’s an age difference between us, but true love knows no boundaries. If the touchpaper between two people is lit, then there’s no extinguishing it. Thankfully for me, Belle wasn’t fazed by a few years between us. As she keeps telling me, age is just a number.’

‘Few years?’ Rob says, shaking his head. ‘Try two decades.’

And the rest, I think.

‘So where did we meet, you’re probably all wondering?’ Jack continues with a laugh. He gazes fondly at Belle. ‘In a park, is the answer. I first saw Belle sitting on a swing, not a care in the world as her hair flew behind her and…’

On and on he drones. I want to hear what he’s saying, glean anything about this dreadful situation that may help me get out of it, but I can’t stand to listen.

‘A fucking swing?’ Rob shakes his head and covers his face. ‘She was in a bloody kids’ playground being akid, for Christ’s sake.’

‘Rob…it’s OK, we’ll sort it.’ I squeeze his thigh under the table. I don’t want him kicking off.

‘So, I went and sat on the swing beside her, and we got talking. The rest, ladies and gents, is history. It was as if we’d known each other for years. We had so much in common, it was as if we were destined to meet that day.’

I feel myself bristle and sweat as Jack glances my way.

‘And after spending two glorious months in France together, we’ve decided to tie the knot.’

The pair of them stand on the platform, beaming at each other as a few of Belle’s friends whistle and clap.

‘InFrance?’ I whisper to Rob incredulously. ‘He was therewithher?’

Nancy looks across the table at us both, a concerned look on her face.

‘No doubt he was the reason she was delayed,’ Rob says as we try to work it all out.

‘I tried to call the host family she was meant to be staying with from the airport yesterday, but there was no reply.’

Rob looks at me in a way that tells me we’re both thinking the same thing. ‘Right, I’ve had enough,’ he says, standing up and striding over to the platform before I can stop him. Jack is still recounting loved-up stories to the seemingly enraptured guests.

‘Thank you, thank you,’ Rob says, stepping up and standing in front of him. I can tell he’s being restrained by the way he gives a half-hearted clap. A few other guests follow suit. ‘Right, let’s wrap up the speeches now and get this party started.’ He looks over at me. ‘Cake, Hannah?’

Christ…I’d forgotten all about it. I dash off to the kitchen and quickly light all the candles, then carry it out into the main hall. As requested, the DJ plays ‘Happy Birthday’ through the speakers as soon as I emerge, and everyone begins singing.

Slowly, I carry the cake to the table that’s set up in front of the platform and Belle steps down, giving me a hug. Jack is still glued to her side. Once everyone’s finished singing, Belle holds back her hair and leans forward, blowing out the candles.

To my horror, Jack does the same, helping her huff them out.

Everyone cheers.

‘Make a wish!’ someone calls out.

‘Yes, yes, make a wish, darling,’ I say to my daughter.

Jack pushes between us. ‘I’ve already made mine,’ he says, staring right at me.

CHAPTER NINE

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