Page 36 of Wanting Mr Black
“I agreed.”
What a mess.
“Look at them.” Lucy nods towards the cars heading up the drive, filled with guests arriving for the evening reception. “They’re all here to celebrate our happy day with us. What a bloody lie.”
I wrap my arms around her and give her a hug. “If you both agree you’ve made a mistake, what are you going to do about it?”
“I suppose that’s a conversation for tomorrow. Besides, Mark’s already gone off to the bar with Toby to drown his sorrows.” She gives a despondent sigh. “I just want to be wanted and desired. I want a guy who adores me, like Art adores you.”
“We haven’t got a perfect relationship,” I insist, thinking back to our argument ten minutes earlier. “He can be controlling and dominant, and a jealous and possessive arse.”
Her lips curl into a smile. “Yeah, I saw him swoop in when Toby tried his luck just now.”
I roll my eyes. “Exactly. How Neanderthal.”
“At least he gives a shit.” She shoots me a sideways look. “I’m fairly sure I could be shagging Toby on the top table, and Mark wouldn’t look twice.” She pauses. “Thanks for listening, Soph.”
I’m still not quite sure how stable-and-steady Lucy and Mark have ended up here.
“I can’t help but feel as though this is partly my fault,” I admit.
Lucy pulls a face. “Why?”
“If I’d been a better friend and, I dunno … given you more time, sat down, and spoke to you, maybe it wouldn’t have gotten this far.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s not your fault. This is all down to me and Mark.Weshould have been the ones talking; instead, we buried our heads in the sand, and now, look at us.”
I sigh. “If you need any help sorting things out, just ask.” I give her arm a rub. “You know I’ll always have your back.”
“Thanks, mate.” She glances out of the window at the guests arriving and takes a deep breath, as if psyching herself up. “Come on. Let’s go and play happy families. It’s nearly over.”
The layout of the Summer Room has been rearranged for the evening reception. Circular tables filled with guests are arranged around the black-and-white checked dance floor in the centre of the room. The DJ has taken up residence behind the decks, and an '80s party tune is already blaring from the speakers, getting the party atmosphere started. Ironic, given that the only people enjoying themselves at this wedding will be the guests.
“My darling wife,” Mark slurs as we make an appearance at the bar.
His eyes have taken on a glassy look, which tells me he’s already well on his way to being drunk. Toby slurps his pint of lager beside him and gives me the once-over but remains mute, clearly thinking better of trying it on with me a second time.
Lucy throws Mark a look of disgust. “Are you going to lay off the beer for a while, or are you planning on staggering round the dance floor for our first dance?”
He gives an exaggerated shrug. “Do you even care?”
Her hands ball into fists, and I can see she’s going to fly at him, so I place a hand on her shoulder to calm her. I don’t want to have to break up a fight between the bride and the groom on their wedding day.
“I’ll go and greetourguests on my own then,” she snaps. “The first dance is in ten minutes, if you can stop drinking long enough to make it to the dance floor.”
I spend the next ten minutes by Lucy’s side at the doors to the Summer Room, greeting guests arriving for the evening reception. I can’t leave her to do this by herself after the day she’s had. At this rate, the marriage will be over before the end of the night.
“Ladies and gentlemen, would you like to gather round the dance floor for the bride and groom’s first dance?” the DJ announces over the microphone.
I stand on the perimeter of the dance floor as “The Way You Look Tonight” strikes up, and Lucy and Mark take to the centre of the floor.
This is going to be bloody awkward.
“How long do you think it’ll last?” a male voice asks from beside me.
I glance to my right to find Toby standing there, nursing a fresh pint. His grey silk tie is hanging open around his neck, and his hair is dishevelled. His afternoon of boozing is starting to catch up with him.
If he thinks I’m going to discuss Lucy and Mark’s relationship troubles with him, then he’s sorely mistaken.