by Karen King
‘They might have been if you’d started off that way. But you didn’t,’ Owen reminded her. ‘So now they’re interested in the triangle between you, Ian, and Blake. They voted for you to keep Blake as your photographer and to tell Ian. You’ve got rid of him.’
‘The readers will soon forget about Blake,’ she said. ‘They’ll be too busy wondering what my interfering monster-in-law does next and whether I’ll manage to plan the wedding in time.’
Owen sighed. ‘You’ve set this up now, Cassie, and the readers are gagging to find out what happens next with Paige and Blake. If you don’t give them what they want they’ll walk, and I can’t afford to lose any more sales.’
‘I’m not doing it.’ Cassie folded her arms resolutely.
‘Then I’ll write the bloody column myself.’
What! He couldn’t! ‘You promised that you wouldn’t alter my work again.’
‘I won’t alter your work. I’ll take you off the column and I’ll write it. It’ll be my work. It’s my bloody paper, I make the decisions.’
For a moment they locked gazes, then Owen sighed, pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. ‘Look, Cassie, this was supposed to be a fictional column about a couple who were getting married. To get us a bit of female interest. You were the one who took it and made it personal.’
‘I was messing around. Gary subbed the wrong file. You know that.’
‘Everything you write in this office is copyright of the newspaper,’ Owen reminded her. ‘You shouldn’t have been messing around. You should have been working. That’s what you’re paid to do.’
Silence swept over the office. She could feel everyone watching them, listening. Now she was telling the whole sodding office that her column was based on true facts. Damn. Damn. Damn.
‘I think we’d better take this into my office, don’t you?’ Owen shoved the chair back, stood up, and marched over to his office.
Cassie shrugged her shoulders and raised her eyebrows so that anyone – make that everyone – who was watching would know that it was nothing to get het up about, and followed him into the office hoping that her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.
She came back out ten minutes later inwardly seething, having been forced to agree to continue with the column the way she’d been writing it, otherwise Owen ‘Would write the bloody thing how he saw fit and she’d be covering flower and dog shows for the foreseeable future.’
Great. And she had an hour to write it or they wouldn’t make the deadline for Saturday’s paper. An hour to write something that included Jared – sorry, Blake – and didn’t sound too much like her own life. Especially as she now knew that the man in question would probably be reading it. How did her life get so complicated?
A smile hovered over her lips. Well, she’d give him something to think about. She put her fingers on the keyboard and started to type.
Owen was delighted with it. ‘That’s better,’ he said. ‘I knew you’d come through.’ He patted her on the shoulder. ‘We’ve got another winner here, Cassie.’
Cassie smiled. She was pleased with herself. She just hoped Jared read it. That would show him that she was well and truly over him.
‘He kissed you!’ Sam gaped at her during lunchtime the next day. ‘OMG, how did you feel? Do you still fancy him?’
‘It was just a peck on the cheek,’ Cassie told her, thankful that she’d waited until they’d sat down and put their lunch – cappuccino, chicken sandwich, and carrot cake for Sam, a mocha and salad wrap (less fattening than bread) for her – on the table, because Sam looked so shocked she would probably have dropped the tray. ‘And no, I do not. Actually, I’ve decided, I don’t want Jared photographing our wedding. I’ve got to talk Sylvia into choosing another photographer, so I need your help. I need to think of a convincing reason why I don’t want to use Jared.’
‘You sure you’re over him? You were pretty devastated when he ditched you.’
Cassie felt herself blush as Sam scrutinised her face. ‘Sam, watch my lips. I do not fancy Jared!’ She declared forcibly. ‘Yes, I was upset, I was a kid. It was eons ago. I realise now that it was for the best. I’m marrying Timothy. I love Timothy, not Jared.’
Sam took a forkful of her cake and chewed it slowly, as if considering it. Cassie tried not to drool as she watched her. Only the thought of her lovely, slim-line dress which fitted her like a glove gave her the strength to resist the urge to go and order herself a slice of carrot cake too.
‘OK, I believe you. But I think you’re right. You should get another photographer if you can.’
‘What do you mean, if I can? Of course I’ll be able to. Do you realise how many wedding photographers there are?’
‘Good wedding photographers are booked up months, sometimes over a year, in advance. You might not be able to find another photographer who can do that date, especially one of the same calibre as I.D. Images. There’s no point getting rid of this one before you have a suitable replacement.’
That made sense. ‘I’ll make some phone calls this afternoon when I’m back at the office,’ Cassie told her. Surely someone among her network of contacts would know a wedding photographer. Then a thought occurred to her. ‘When I find someone, what do I tell Timothy and his mother without making them suspicious?’
‘How about I.D. Images have a brilliant reputation, but Jared’s just joined the firm? Tell them you were a bit worried that he isn’t experienced enough at wedding photography.’
‘I knew you’d come up with something,’ Cassie grinned. She leant over and spooned a corner of Sam’s carrot cake.
‘Hey, what about your wedding dress?’ Sam reminded her.
‘One teeny forkful won’t hurt.’ Cassie savoured the morsel of cake in her mouth for a moment before swallowing it. She hated this dieting lark. She couldn’t wait until the wedding was over and she could get back to her normal size twelve figure.
‘I’ve asked Emma and Amanda to join us tomorrow, with the girls. I need to make sure all the dresses match.’ She and Sam had planned on choosing the maid of honour dress.
‘We’d better start shopping early,’ Sam told her. ‘Meet you in Hutchins at ten.’
‘Perfect. I’ll phone Emma and Amanda tonight and let them know,’ Cassie said.
Back at the office she made a succession of increasingly frantic calls to photographers – which she could quite truthfully tell Owen was research for her column – but they all proved fruitless. Everyone was booked. If she heard the astonished question ‘June this year?’ One more time, she’d scream down the phone. She had to admit, Sylvia had pulled a blinder by booking I.D. Images. She could find them a small-town photographer, of course, but what excuse could she give for dropping Jared in favour of such small fry? And she was quite sure that even if she initially managed to get Timothy on side, Sylvia would veto it and talk him out of it. It seemed she was stuck with Jared.
She dialled Sam’s number and told her.
‘Can’t you swap to one of the other photographers in the firm?’ Sam asked. ‘Tell Sylvia that you wanted someone more experienced.’
‘I can’t, they’re already booked for that day. That’s why they’ve taken Jared on. I’m going to have to put up with him, I’ve got no choice.’
‘So will you ’fess up to Timothy about your dark past?’
Cassie frowned at Sam’s jesting tone. This was no laughing matter. ‘I’ve thought about it but I can’t. Not now. It will be too awkward and he’ll wonder why I didn’t tell him before.’
‘Then you’d better make sure you’re not alone with Jared again. We don’t want a repeat of today – or worse, him giving you a proper snog,’ Sam said firmly.
‘As if!’ Cassie retorted, indignantly. An unwanted image of Jared taking her in his arms and kissing her soundly on the lips, tracing a trail down her neck, her throat, like he used to do swept across her mind. She pushed it away. She was marrying Timothy. She wasn’t going to waste any more time thinking about Jared. He
was history.
She needed to get home to Timothy, wrap her arms around him, and remind herself how much they loved each other. Thank goodness he was home early tonight so they could finally spend some time together.
However, when she got home she found Sylvia seated on the sofa next to Timothy, sipping a small wine. A delicious aroma wafted out from the kitchen.
‘Ah, Cassandra, we expected you home ages ago, didn’t we, Timothy?’ Sylvia said reproachfully as Cassie walked in. ‘I’ve brought a casserole for us to eat, I cooked it earlier. I know you’re too busy to cook in the evenings.’ She put her glass down and gracefully got to her feet. ‘You freshen up, dear, while I lay the table and dish up. Then you can tell us how your meeting with the photographer went.’
Timothy stood up and wrapped his arms around Cassie as Sylvia disappeared into the kitchen. ‘Sorry, sweetheart, Mother arrived just after I got home. I know we planned to have the evening together, but she wanted to check we’re happy with the photographer seeing as she booked him for us.’ He gave Cassie a kiss on the cheek. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’
He really was sweet, Cassie thought, and it wasn’t his fault his mother was such an interfering old busy-body.
‘Of course not,’ she reassured him.
Eleven
Jared took the paper he’d just bought out of his bag and turned to Cassie’s column. He couldn’t wait to read her interpretation of Wednesday’s events.
Almost a Bride
Well, most of you voted that I tell Ian about Blake and I’m going to do just that this evening. I can’t believe I got so worked up about Blake being the wedding photographer. It’s no big deal. We had a look around the venue this week and it was all very relaxed. He even gave me a peck on the cheek as we said goodbye and I didn’t feel a thing. I’m so over him.
She went on to describe her humorous attempts to find a wedding dress, and gave a selection of wedding dresses for the reader to vote for the one they liked best. It was all very light-hearted and amusing. And there was no doubt about it: Cassie was telling him that she had no feelings for him. She knew he had read her column last week and would probably read it this week, too. She wanted him to know that she was indifferent to him, that it didn’t matter to her that he was photographing her wedding. Well, he got the message loud and clear. It didn’t matter to him either. He could handle it. It was just another job as far as he was concerned. He’d got over Cassie a long time ago. He threw the newspaper in the bin and picked up his camera. He had another photography session to go to.
Amanda and Estelle were already in Hutchins when Cassie arrived, and Emma and Sophia arrived a few minutes later. So they all had a coffee – milkshake for the girls – while they waited for Sam.
‘Have you decided on the colour scheme yet?’ Emma asked, leaning across to quickly upright the milkshake Sophia had spilt before it spread all over the table.
‘Yes, we thought sky blue for the bridesmaids’ dresses and Timothy will wear a silk tie of the same shade,’ Cassie replied. Blue was her favourite colour.
‘Sky blue, that’s an unusual choice,’ Amanda remarked.
‘It’s a soft, pastel shade. It’ll look pretty,’ Emma said. ‘Are you having blue in your bouquet as well?’
‘Blue, ivory, and a touch of pale pink. I’ve got a picture of the one I want here.’ Cassie rummaged in her handbag and took out a crumpled picture she’d cut out of a magazine. ‘What do you think?’
‘It’s beautiful,’ Emma agreed. ‘Have you booked a florist yet?’
‘Sylvia’s organised one.’ Just like she’s organised everything else, including Jared to be their photographer. ‘I’m going to see her on Thursday afternoon.’
‘So what’s left to do?’ Asked Amanda.
‘Let me see,’ Cassie ticked them off one by one on her fingers. ‘Wedding cake, table decorations, favours, buffet, evening entertainment. Horse and carriage.’ She looked up.
‘I didn’t know you were having a horse and carriage,’ Emma said. ‘That’ll be lovely. You’re so lucky, Cassie.’ Emma made no secret of the fact she thought Cassie had landed on her feet marrying Timothy. She and Simon had only been able to afford a small wedding.
‘Well, I haven’t booked it yet,’ Cassie replied. ‘It’s on my to-do list.’
‘Simon’s friend’s brother hires them out. Do you want me to find out the cost and see if they’ve got any available on your wedding date?’ Emma offered.
‘Please,’ Cassie smiled. ‘Now, have I covered everything? Is there anything I’ve forgotten?’
‘Honeymoon?’ Emma suggested.
‘Timothy’s dealing with that. He wants it to be a surprise.’
‘Well, that sounds about it then,’ declared Emma. ‘All sorted.’
‘I must say, you’re very brave planning a wedding at such short notice.’ Amanda took a pack of baby wipes out of her handbag and cleaned Estelle’s banana milkshake-covered mouth. ‘It took Daniel and I two years to plan our wedding, and I was still running frantically around in the weeks beforehand, trying to make sure everything went according to plan.’
Cassie remembered Amanda and Daniel’s wedding. She hadn’t been going out with Timothy long, and it was their first official engagement as a couple. It had taken her ages to decide what to wear. In fact, Timothy had picked up on her indecision and suggested she ask Sylvia to go shopping with her and help her choose. Gratefully, she’d done just that. The elegant, silver-grey, lace dress Sylvia had selected for her had been perfect for the society wedding, but unfortunately had set the precedent for Sylvia taking over under the guise of ‘guiding her’. It had taken all her guile and patience to talk Sylvia out of coming along to help choose the bridesmaids’ dresses. Cassie was determined to pick them herself, and although she hadn’t got a clear picture in her mind, she’d know instantly when she’d spotted the dresses she wanted.
Sam came rushing over, long, blonde hair flying behind her. ‘Sorry I’m late. My bloody car wouldn’t start. It’s a good job Paul was home.’
‘Sam, you’ve met Amanda, Timothy’s sister, haven’t you?’ Both Sam and Amanda had been at a dinner party Timothy and Cassie hosted last year. ‘This is her daughter Estelle, my other flower girl.’
‘Hiya,’ Sam flashed Amanda a big smile, pulled out a chair, and sat down. ‘How are you, Emma?’ she asked, turning to Cassie’s sister.
‘I’m good,’ Emma said, smiling. ‘How about you and Paul? Are you tying the knot yet?’
‘Happy as we are at the mo, but one day.’ Sam looked over at Cassie. ‘Still blue, is it?’
‘Definitely,’ Cassie told her. ‘Do you want a coffee before we go?’
‘No, I’ve delayed you all long enough. Let’s go tackle those shops and find ourselves some bridesmaids’ dresses.’
Estelle spotted a dress she liked in the first shop they went to. White with lots of frills, very girly. She headed for it instantly, clutched it, and refused to put it down.
‘I want it. Please, Mummy,’ she begged. ‘I’ll look like a princess in this.’
‘It’s up to Auntie Cassie, darling, it’s her wedding,’ Amanda told her.
Estelle turned her puppy dog eyes beseechingly at Cassie. ‘Please, Auntie Cassie.’
Cassie felt like a total heel as she shook her head. ‘Sorry, darling, but I want my bridesmaids to be dressed in blue. We’ll get you a pretty dress, I promise.’
Estelle’s face crumpled and she burst into tears. ‘I don’t like blue!’ She wailed.
‘I do,’ said Sophia. ‘Blue’s my favourite colour.’
‘That’s not fair!’ Estelle stamped her feet.
Cassie sighed as Amanda tried to console her daughter. This was going to be quite a day!
Estelle scowled every time she tried on a blue dress, constantly complaining that she wanted to wear a white dress, while Sophia loved every dress she tried on and didn’t want to take it off. Cassie was beginning to wish she’d chosen older bridesmaids. Young o
nes might look cute but they sure were a handful.
Then Sam came to the rescue, picking out a gorgeous white dress with a blue sash and blue silk petals sewn into the hem. ‘What about this?’ she asked.
Both Estelle and Sophia immediately loved the dress. They squealed in delight and clapped their hands.
‘They’re gorgeous,’ Cassie agreed. The blue was the exact shade that she wanted. True, she’d been planning the dresses to be completely blue, but the dresses really were pretty with lacy cap sleeves and lots of white net. And both girls loved them and looked wonderful in them.
‘I need a dress for my maid of honour in the same shade of blue,’ she told the sales assistant. ‘Could you do that?’
‘I certainly can.’ The assistant walked off and returned a few minutes later with three long bridesmaids’ dresses over her arm – the exact same shade of blue as the sashes and petals in the flower girl dresses.
They all sat down and waited while Sam tried on the dresses. She came out wearing each one in turn and parading around like a model, making them all giggle. With her blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and English rose good looks, Sam looked lovely in any bright colour, but this delicate shade of blue really suited her. All three dresses were gorgeous, but the second one, a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and long A-line skirt, made her look stunning.