Almost Official

by Ruby Reade

  I look up and see her waving and mouthing bye, bye at me. I roll my eyes but put my car into gear.

  I guess I will have to wait and see what tonight brings as Jenny says.

  Chapter 27

  Lucy

  I drop down onto my chair enjoying the satisfying whooshing noise as I rest my feet for the first time today and admit shopping defeat.

  Kate still has that determined look in her eyes that she had when we first met up this morning to go on our wedding dress hunt. I must confess that she is starting to scare me now with her single-minded ambition to get everything perfect today.

  It took every plea, tantrums and much stamping of already sore and throbbing feet before she relented and allowed us a lunch break.

  Laura has turned two chairs into a makeshift bed and Jenny has bagged the sofa. She is looking paler than usual today and been acting a bit odd, when I have enough energy later, well, in a few days’ time maybe, I will remind myself to quiz her over it. Perhaps I should make myself a note or a reminder.

  'Seriously Luce, I can't believe it’s been two weeks since you have even attempted to talk to any of us.' Laura admonishes me with her eyes shut from her horizontal position.

  'Hey, don't feel too bad she has managed almost no contact with me, and we live under the same roof. Mum was thinking about sending a search and rescue party into your room.' Jen directs the last part to me with a half smile. Guilt rushes over me because I know that they have been worried, but I just had to take some time to clear my head.

  'I know I have been a bit of a hermit and trust me life without you lot is a lot duller and infinitely quieter.' I say receiving an eye roll from Kate.

  'As if. You're the noisiest one of us all. We have to resort to watching EastEnders to get our regular drama fix when you're not about.' Kate tells me.

  'Look, it's not as if I have ditched you to be off leading some exciting and glamorous life or anything. I have literally been working and sleeping. That’s it. The highlights have only been me trying to dodge Nigel, and evading questions from Miranda.' I shrug and pick up my drink hoping they notice the signal for a change in subject.

  'I still think she looks like a Herman,' Laura says grinning. 'What? She does. Who in their right mind walks around wearing a scarf all the time unless they have an incriminating Adams apple to hide.' To be honest, she does have a point. I watch her turn her concentration back to the placemat pyramid that she has started to construct.

  'On another note, what exactly have you been planning whilst you were closeted away from us?' Kate asks changing the subject back to my crash site life.

  'Just the usual plan really, either win, inherit or marry into a ginormous amount of money and magically my life transforms beyond recognition.' I wink at her.

  'No not that one, I mean I want to know what exactly you are planning to do about the whole Drew and Kevin scenario.' Kate is nothing if not persistent. I watch everyone else shift into a comfortable position and turn their attention on me.

  'Don't forget Jamie,' Jen adds, and I remind myself to have a strong talk with her later.

  'Jamie? Oh yes, I remember the sexy writer. I had forgotten all about him.'

  'Jamie is out of the picture, he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth the past two weeks which does me a favour to be honest. It’s another complication I don't have time or brain space for.'

  'He definitely did you a favour you have too much going on already before you start adding more mischief into the pot.' Laura says without looking up from her pyramid which is looking pretty impressive.

  'Yeah you are practically batting them away.' Kate laughs at me

  'Yeah pass me the cricket bat because that is my decision. My grand master plan is to avoid all male contact and enjoy being single and completely focusing on myself with no complications.' I announce.

  'So, that's what those noises were coming from your room. You were batting men away, there was me thinking you had adopted a secret baby elephant which was hiding in your room.' Jenny says giggling to herself.

  'Sorry no batting practise and no elephants either, I was actually exercising in there, part of my new Just About Me plan.'

  'No, you're wrong, it was an elephant then, an exercising elephant.' Sisters. Bloody sisters.

  'I will have you know that I am on my way to supermodel size.' I half smile at them and roll my eyes.

  'Lucy, I don't think you need to worry about losing weight it's not as if you have any problems in the pulling department.' Kate tries to reassure me.

  'I'm not doing it for that reason, I want to feel better about myself and to feel stronger, not for some stupid man.' I say crossing my arms high over my chest.

  'You should come to the gym with me instead of sweating it out in your box room.' Laura offers.

  'No way am I setting foot in there, especially not when I look at my worst, I will be in the firing line of Kevin, Drew and Satan, so thanks but no thanks. What are you trying to do to me?'

  'Lucy.' I don't notice Jen call me.

  'True, but at least it would be entertaining for me.' Laura tells me laughing.

  'Wish I could be of service, but I must regrettably decline your generous offer of complete public humiliation, but thanks again.' I say to Laura with a bow.

  'Luce.' She tries again.

  'Lucy.' I finally notice Jenny calling me, 'I don't feel to great do you think you could take me home?" She looks very pale. I hope it's not catching.

  'Okay baby girl, you don't look to great.’ I try to get a smile, but only get a stare back. ‘Right, well, ok ladies it looks like we are off, sorry to cut short, but we can meet up one night in the week to get a game plan together for all the other bits.'

  'Thanks for coming today I know I have been a bit of a diva. I just want it perfect you know?' Kate says pulling me into a bear hug.

  'You're going to have to come to me,' Laura demands. 'My feet are on fire.'

  I walk over and give her a hug before linking arms with my deflated looking sister and head home.

  ***

  I don’t believe it.

  My head is reeling from Jen's bombshell. I don't know how I am managing to walk properly. I keep trying to say something, anything, but words for once are failing to come out. Instead they fly through my mind and back out again.

  'How am I going to tell mum I think I am pregnant?' She asks puncturing the silence.

  'Well, maybe you should find out if you are first, otherwise it could be a big drama over nothing.' I do my best to be the voice of reason.

  'I am kind of excited, but I am also freaking out as well, it’s insane. I keep wanting to do the test because I want to know, but I haven't yet because I don't know what I will do if I am, it suddenly will be real.'

  'Have you told Pete yet?'

  'Not yet I need to be sure first, I can't even begin to think about how he will react. I honestly have no idea what he will think about it all, I don't even know what I think about it yet.'

  We reach the front door. Jenny goes to put her key in and stops, turning towards me.

  'I seriously don't want anyone to know yet, and that includes mum okay?' She warns me.

  'Of course not, why would I tell her, I told you to wait and find out first.' Seriously, I'm not that much of a blabber mouth, who does she think I am? I push past her into the house first.

  'Is that you Lucy?'

  'Yeah Mum, Jen is with me as well.' I call back following my nose to the smell of cakes cooking, the kitchen and my Mum.

  'Did you have any luck with the dresses today?' She asks, nose still in the newspaper at our kitchen table.

  'Oh seriously, Kate was on a mission today.' I drop into the nearest seat and kick off my heels. Sighing I crack my toes backwards and forwards. That, feels, so good.

  'Dinner is just about done so that will sort you both out' She reassures us and puts the paper down. I made fruit scones for afters.’

  'Great I am starving.' I rest my feet up on he
r chair as soon as she stands up.

  'Jesus Jenny, you are looking rough, Kate obviously went a bit over the top today.'

  'Cheers Mum.' Jen says with an attempt at a smile.

  'I'm just saying, perhaps you are coming down with something.' Mum says reaching over to touch her forehead the way she always does.

  I was wrong, I am a blabber mouth. The knowledge is burning a hole in my brain. It is making my toes twitch and shake. I am biting my lip. How can she not say anything? This is ridiculous. It was too much to tell me. Surely she knows me better than this.

  'No, I don't think so, probably just overdid it today.' She lies.

  'Tell her.' I mouth at Jen.

  'See how it goes, if you don't get better it might be worth getting checked over at the doctors.' Mum advises.

  'I think that she should as well.' I say grinning at Jenny. Her eyes decrease into slits and focus on me.

  'Thank you Lucy I will.' Each word is clipped and shot at me with intent. I smile at her.

  Mum brings over mine and Jenny's first, slow cooked chilli and rice is perfect and will help to soak up the alcohol later. She brings hers and a jug of water to the table making me move my feet.

  My belly is very happy.

  'So, are you girls out tonight?' Mum asks.

  'No, just planning on having a chilled one, I was going to go to a party at Pete's but not really in the mood now. Jenny answers. I wait expecting her to tell her about the baby, but nothing.

  'Tell her.' I mouth again.

  She shakes her head in one swift motion and glares at me. A no then.

  I really hate having a secret, especially a pointless one. I mean mum is going to have to know eventually anyway so why not just tell her? Every time I go to blurt it out, I shovel another heap of food in my mouth.

  'Jen might be pregnant!' Ooops I ran out of food to stop me speaking.

  'Lucy.' Mum and Jen gasp at the same time.

  'I think I need to change my job because of Nasty Nigel.' I carry on trying to bypass my outburst.

  'Wait. Back up a minute,' Mum interrupts me her eyes darting backwards and forwards between me and Jen. Jen seems to have lost the ability to speak which puts things firmly in my favour.

  'I was just saying, that I think a bit awkward at work now and could be a good time to move on and broaden my horizons.' I say putting a positive spin on things and bring the conversation back to me rather than Jenny and the possible bump.

  'Lucy, you cannot say something like that and then carry on as if it is nothing.' Bloody dog with a bone is my mother at times.

  'Look I said might be, so no need to panic yet it isn't even confirmed.' I shrug.

  'IAMGOINGTOMURDERYOUWITHMYBAREHANDS.' Jen growls at me. I slide my seat backwards and get ready to run, just in case.

  'Hey, you were too scared to tell her, and she might be able to help.' I try to defend myself.

  'Why do you always have to do it over dinner?' Mum asks doing a good impression of a wax model.

  'Do you remember when I told everyone you lost your virginity at the family barbeque?' I ask Jen and laughing to myself over the memory.

  'Yes, surprisingly enough I do. I also remember nan spitting out her chicken drumstick and Josh going the colour of the beetroot on the table.'

  'So, things seem to be getting a bit heated, now seems the right moment to leave you two to have a chat, just going to go and get ready for Pete's party now, bye.' I wiggle my fingers and make a dart for it.

  'Are you still going?' Jen calls after me.

  'Of course, I am, it's free booze.' Honestly does she not know me?

  'Don't think about leaving before we have spoken.' She shouts at me. As if I am going to agree to that. 'I mean it.' She shouts again.

  'Yeah, yeah.' Not if I can help it.

  Chapter 28

  Lucy

  'Well, hello ladies.' Pete greets us with a huge smile and rubs his hands down the front of his apron which is sporting a pair of formidable breasts. 'Go straight through to the kitchen and grab a drink, it’s just me at the minute but everyone will be here soon.' He assures us pulling the door closed behind me.

  'Why thank you my dear I don't mind if I do.' I march straight through the house. My sights locked on a large bottle of Prosecco that has my name all over it. I would do most things in order to get a large glass of something after the intense ear bashing I have just endured. I don't see what the big problem with Mum knowing is anyway. It’s not like I spilled the beans to Pete, which is obviously something I will have to make great effort in avoiding doing tonight.

  Looking down at my already empty glass I grab the bottle for an instant refill. I must not tell Pete about Jen and the baby situation. In fact, it could be a good idea just to avoid him altogether.

  'Hey beautiful,' Pete says grabbing Jen around the waist in the doorway to the kitchen. He won't be able to do that for too long. An image of her expanding belly pops up.

  'Gwapft' I stifle a comment and get a glare for my efforts. So, avoiding him may be slightly difficult while there are only three of us here, I best just stop talking and thinking altogether for now.

  'Get a room.' I shout at them after a full five minutes of them saying hello I think I have waited long enough.

  'Don't mind if I do.' He laughs and sweeps her off her feet and into his arms effortlessly.

  'Pete. PETE. Pete. Put me DOWN.' She barks at him in her best mum voice. As with all children, this tone is very effective and he obeys immediately.

  'So, who is coming?' I want to know who and when someone will come to my rescue and distract me from the constant merry-go-round song of Jen's pregnant.

  'Laura just phoned and said she would be here in about twenty. Jamie and Marty are coming, you know that guy who is always in the coffee shop? The one who comes in on his own with a laptop?'

  'Yeah I think I know who you mean.' I say trying not to choke on my drink.

  'Oh she knows,' Jen says pulling a face the natural reply is to poke my tongue at her.

  'Anyway. So, there might only be a few of us tonight it depends who else pops in, oh and Drew mentioned something about coming for a bit.' Fan-dabby-dozzy. 'Sorry.' He apologises when he sees my reaction.

  'Oh lovely. The more the merrier.' I say a little too highly and brightly making Pete frown and I see Jen hide a smile. I don't know why I bother pretending it makes no sodding difference.

  Laura knocking on the door saves me.

  'Hello. Hello. Hello, the party has arrived.' I hear her before I see her. When I do, she is laden down with two bulging clanging bags that are making dangerous clinking noises. Pete dives forwards to rescue them out of her hands and restore them to safety.

  'Why, thank you Pete-ER. Be a darling and pour me out a large red please lovely.' Laura asks without waiting for an answer. No one ever says no to Laura. It wouldn't even enter her reality that someone might.

  'Come on ladies, let’s go and get comfy by the music before the lads get here and try to take over and we end up with something hideous on.' She ushers us into Pete's front room as if it is her own while he goes off to make her drink.

  I launch myself at the sofa and rest my feet up on the arm, I can't believe how sore they are from earlier. I swear each foot is a gigantic blister.

  'Babe where is remote?' Jen asks looking around the room waiting for it to jump up and wave at her.

  'In front of you.' He says using his nose to direct her when he walks back in, hands are full of drinks.

  'I can't see it.' She says putting a hand on her hip.

  'Here.' He picks it up off the cushion on the armchair passing it to her smiling.

  'Ahhhhh. Didn't see that.' She says, going up onto her tiptoes to kiss him. She can only reach his chin. I dread to think of how she is going to behave when her hormones kick into full scale craziness. If there was ever a time to go traveling, become an astronaut or a holiday rep it would be now.

  When he finds out about the baby and realises, he is stu
ck with her mental merry-go-round for nine months he might have to be resuscitated. Mind you, he is so laid back he might not even notice anything is going on.

  Another knock at the door and I get a jolt in my chest. Please don't be Drew. Please don't be Drew, I chant in my head.

  'Hey, I'm glad you made it, the girls are all in the front room and the beers are in the kitchen.' Pete welcomes the next guest. Please don't be Drew, I say again in my head.

  'Come on mate, get off your phone and be sociable.' Says a voice I don't recognise.

  I can't hear a reply. Thankfully it's not Drew who walks through the door but that weird little Marty. I smile at him, but he looks right through me and turns back around out of the room.

  'I thought you said there would be fit girls here?' He says. Fucking prick. How dare that hideous little gimp try and insult us. It's not like he is a prize bull.

  I sit there raging and acting out a number of scenes that result in me decapitating that horrid little prat, when the silver lining walks in. My rage evaporates.

  'Hi Jamie.' Jen calls out. Again, I smile and this time I receive a smile and a wave as reward for my effort.

  Marty stands behind him sulking like a child. I have no idea why Jamie would be friends with someone so rude. He needs to get a grip.

  I decide not to let him ruin my night. The goal is to get Jamie on his own so he can discover how lovely I am and how much he fancies me.

  I watch Marty say something in his ear and they both retreat out.

  The first obstacle is Marty, following him into the kitchen I drain my drink and get up with renewed purpose.

  'I'm just getting a refill, does anyone want one?' I ask the girls without pausing to give them a chance to answer. I sweep out on a mission to the kitchen where the boys are.

  'Hi guys, just getting another.' I say gesturing to the empty glass. I shrug at Marty when he shakes his head, perhaps he doesn't like girls who drink alcohol, or maybe it is just me in general, either way I want to throw the empty glass at his head.