Four Weddings and a Festival by Annie Robertson

Author:Annie Robertson [Robertson, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409190004
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2019-06-19T04:00:00+00:00

The forty-five-minute wait in the dismal coffee shop near the Tube is torture. There are only so many emails you can reread, messages you can reply to, and Twitter feeds you can follow when your mind is half demented with thoughts of the man who slept with you and hasn’t been in touch since. By the time Leo arrives, I’ve drunk three cups of coffee and I’m caffeinated to the hilt.

‘Hi,’ he says, pulling out the chair opposite mine. It scrapes loudly on the linoleum floor. ‘Kat sends her apologies. She had to rush off to her final dress fitting.’

‘Right,’ I say, containing a laugh. It’s such a plausible reason to anyone who doesn’t know her, but to me it’s the most blatant excuse to give us some space. ‘Did you find somewhere suitable for the photos?’

He shakes his head with a little puff of resignation. ‘It’s not the most inspiring of venues.’

‘Even by Kat’s standards it’s pretty basic.’

‘But we’ll make it work.’

We’ll? Does he mean him and his assistant, or is he referring to himself and Kat?

There’s a pregnant pause between us. I reposition the small vase of artificial flowers.

‘I’ll grab a drink. What would you like?’ he says, when the moment becomes uncomfortable.

To know what’s going on here. ‘Nothing for me, thanks. I’m fine.’

He returns a few moments later with a large black coffee. My caffeine high has diminished, and the vibe between us feels less stilted.

‘How have you been?’ he asks. His eyes are full of warmth but he keeps his seat pushed back from the table, a safe distance apart.

‘Okay.’

Bea, don’t play it cool. Charles didn’t. He told Carrie that he wished they’d rung each other. That she ruthlessly slept with him and never called. You can do the same.

‘Though maybe a little confused,’ I continue.

‘About why I haven’t been in touch?’

‘Right.’

‘I’m sorry about that, I’ve been meaning to, but I thought it might be better in person.’

Alarm bells start clanging in my head.

‘What might be better in person?’ I ask, not certain I really want to know the answer.

Maybe Henry was right, maybe it is kinder to be kept in the dark.

‘You remember my assistant, Brit?’

As if I could forget. ‘Uh-huh.’

‘Our relationship is, like I said, complicated.’

‘Relationship?’

‘We work together but we also . . .’

There’s a slight pause, while I feel my heart sink.

‘We also have a kind of on–off relationship.’

‘Okay,’ I say, my voice tight. Aunt Jane would not be impressed. ‘And were you on with her when we—’

‘No,’ he says, quickly. ‘Definitely not. But she messaged me that morning, and I had to go. Not just because of her but because . . .’ He falters. ‘Like I said, it’s complicated.’

‘Are you with her now?’

He nods. ‘I’m sorry, Bea. I didn’t mean for you to be caught in the middle.’

‘I don’t feel caught,’ I say, using my best imperious tone. ‘It was a bit of fun, that’s all. We’re both grown-ups.’

Even if I do feel like running home and hiding under the duvet.

‘I’m glad you feel that way.

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