‘A bloody burst water main,’ my granddad says. ‘Ran down the hill and down our driveway, filled up the house in no time.’
‘Shit.’
‘Language,’ my gran says, waking up in the chair next to my granddad’s bed.
‘Sorry, Gran,’ I smile.
After my mum receives a message from Maria saying Leo is out of surgery, and that she’s going home to get changed while we wait for him to wake up, my mum and I hurry to his bedside. We arrive in the room where Leo is recovering. A nurse is fussing around him, doing various tests.
‘Are you his fiancée?’ she asks. I nod.
‘His mum told me to expect you. She’s gone home to get some things for him but you’re welcome to wait here until he comes round.’
‘Thanks,’ I say, curling up in the big armchair in the corner of the room.
‘Do you want me to stay with you?’ my mum asks.
‘I’ll be fine,’ I tell her. ‘Thank you for everything.’
‘Don’t mention it,’ she replies. ‘You’re still my little girl.’
I feel a tear escape my eye, which I quickly wipe away.
I look over at Leo, in his hospital bed, looking so helpless and yet so peacefully asleep.
I would spend hours, sometimes even full nights, worrying about him doing his job, and in a way I was right to, because he has had an accident. But if there weren’t people like Leo doing this job, there wouldn’t have been anyone to save my granddad’s life last night. Leo isn’t just my hero, he’s a real hero. On the plane, on the way over here, when I had no idea what had happened to him, I was so scared I’d never get to tell him how I felt, that he’d die thinking I didn’t want to marry him. Now all I want him to do is wake up so I can tell him as soon as possible.
You know that feeling when you wake up and you know you’ve been asleep, with your head at a funny angle and your mouth wide open? Ouch.
I straighten my neck and wipe my chin with the back of my hand as I get my bearings, remembering where I am.
I look over at Leo’s bed. He’s awake and sitting up. My God, it’s so good to see him.
I rush over to him, hugging him so tightly it makes my chest hurt.
I release him and look into his eyes, and for a moment neither of us says a word.
‘You just couldn’t handle not being the centre of attention, could you?’ I joke. ‘I have an accident, you just have to go and have an even more impressive one.’
‘Oh no, you see right through me,’ he says sarcastically.
I hold his hand tightly.
‘Thank you for saving my granddad,’ I tell him.
‘Just doing my job,’ he says. ‘Anyway, he’s practically my granddad too. You never need to thank me for looking out for our family.’
I smile. Then I cry.
‘Leo, I shouldn’t have gone to Paris, I’m so sorry.’
‘I’m sorry for so much more than that,’ he tells me. ‘I was feeling insecure and I didn’t know how to tell you.’
‘Have you seen yourself?’ I ask him. ‘You have nothing to be insecure about. Your abs have abs.’
Leo laughs.
‘Yeah, but I don’t have endless money. I can’t give you the lifestyle you had before. Not like Dylan could… I guess that’s why I got so jealous, seeing you and him getting on so well. He could give you your old life back.’
‘Leo, I don’t want my old life back,’ I assure him. ‘Skinner offered me my old job back and I said no. Sure, I thought about it, fantasised about it even, but I told him I don’t want to go back to LA and there’s no negotiating or expensive gift basket that can change that. I knew that, if I told you, you’d tell me I should go.’
‘I just want you to be happy,’ he tells me. ‘And since you took this new job, you’ve been happy again. Happier than you were at home with me.’
‘Yes, it’s been nice going out to work, and yes, I’ve enjoyed the perks of hanging out with Dylan, but I realised something while I was away. You’re absolutely right. I have been putting off planning this wedding, and you were sort of right about me not wanting to get married… I love you so much and I want to be married to you, but I don’t want a big white wedding. I’m sorry. It’s just not me and the thought of having to go through with it has been terrifying me. And then, well, I got myself into a little bit of a state because my girl stuff is a bit messed up and I googled eggs and I don’t have that many left and—’
‘What have I told you about googling things?’ he says.
‘That it’s smart?’ I reply, knowing full well that isn’t the answer. ‘I know, I know, and I know I probably have nothing to worry about but… It all sounds kind of stupid now but I guess I worried that if I couldn’t give you a wedding and I couldn’t give you kids… I should’ve just been honest with you.’
‘Mia, listen to me, OK?’ I nod. ‘I don’t care about any of that stuff – not one bit of it. All I care about is you, and whatever does or doesn’t come with that package is fine by me. You should’ve just said you didn’t want a big wedding. Do you think I care about that stuff?’
‘Everyone was just pushing me towards it,’ I tell him. ‘And then when Belle came over and told me no one in the family would be a bridesmaid for me I realised I didn’t have anyone to ask. And then all the other stuff that followed, it just wasn’t me.’
‘You should’ve asked Rory and Iwan,’ he laughs.
‘I should’ve just spoken to you,’ I reply.
‘So, how about we just elope then?’ he suggests. ‘Forget the wedding stuff, forget the family. Let’s just do things how you want to do them.’
‘What, like, on a beach in Hawaii, just the two of us?’
‘That could be arranged,’ he replies with a smile.
‘We should probably wait until your bone has healed.’
‘Bones,’ he corrects me. ‘My fibula and my talus.’
‘All right, all right, don’t milk it,’ I laugh. ‘Here’s the thing, though. I don’t think our family would be very impressed with us if we got married without them.’
‘Probably not,’ he replies. ‘But who cares?’
‘I do,’ I tell him. ‘Let’s come up with something together, that makes everyone happy.’
‘I’d love that,’ he tells me. ‘And I love you.’
‘I love you too,’ I reply. ‘Now, when can we get you out of here?’
Chapter Forty-One
The Valentina-De Luca household is finally looking festive, after I spent hours this morning making it so.
It’s Christmas Eve and Leo is coming home today, so I’ve spent the day tidying up and putting up Christmas decorations. I just want everything to be perfect when he gets here.
I’m just moving the last few bits from the living room when I hear my phone ringing. For a minute I worry it’s the hospital, telling me they’re not letting Leo come home for some reason, but then I realise it’s Skype. And it’s Skinner calling.
‘Hello,’ I say brightly. ‘I can’t talk right now, unfortunately.’
‘I won’t keep you long, Mia,’ he assures me. ‘I’m just calling to give you the best Christmas gift of all time.’
‘Go on,’ I laugh. ‘I hope it’s not more cheese. There was so much cheese in those hampers I’ll be feeding it to my grandkids.’
‘No more cheese, just good news and bad news. Bad news, Savannah has had some kind of stress episode and she’s been signed off sick.’
‘Oh no, that’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear that,’ I tell him sincerely.
‘Good news, you hold all the cards now,’ he tells me. ‘I need you, Mia. No one else can write this movie, so, what if you were to work remotely?’
‘What, work from here?’
‘Sure,’ he replies. ‘Why not?’
‘Erm, that would be wonderful,’ I tell him. ‘Wow, this really is the best Christmas gift ever.’
Well, maybe the second-best, after Leo coming home, but I don’t think my boss will apprecia
te the mush, he’ll just tell me to save it for the movie.
‘OK, I’m going to go enjoy the holidays with my family, and you do the same,’ he tells me. ‘You start work in the New Year.’
‘Thank you,’ I tell him. ‘Happy Christmas.’
Once I’m off the phone I have a little squeal to myself. It finally feels like everything is falling into place.
‘Hello?’ I hear my dad call from the hallway.
‘Hey, Dad, thanks for bringing him home,’ I say as he wheels Leo in.
‘No trouble,’ he says. ‘But I’ve got to get straight off. Your mother needs a pie for tonight. Christmas Eve, so of course she does.’
I laugh, kiss him on the cheek and thank him for all his help. Then, once Leo and I are alone, I tell him about my great job news.
‘That’s amazing,’ he tells me. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, smiling widely.
‘I should probably give you your present then. It might help,’ he says.
‘Ooh, yes, please,’ I reply.
‘Wheel me to… the secret room,’ he says dramatically.
‘Oh my God, I’ve been desperate to see in this room for ever,’ I squeak.
‘Well, it’s all yours,’ he says. ‘Take a look.’
I open the door slowly and peep my head inside.
‘Oh… my… God.’
‘Do you like it?’ he asks.
I step inside the room and twirl around, taking in everything it has to offer.
Leo has built me the most stunning office. It’s white and kind of minimalist, but then there’s such beautiful detail and intricate little finishing touches that I love, that really make the room special.
On one wall is a canvas print of each of the books I’ve written; on the other main wall is a huge bookself, already stocked with all the books I own, with an awesome sofa built into it. A cute little nook for curling up and reading books in.
‘Leo, this is just… wow.’
‘See, you thought we weren’t making progress, didn’t you? But I’ve been spending all my time getting this done for you. This is why I asked Amy to come over and help, along with two other guys from work. I probably should have mentioned that. I’m sorry.’
‘Forget about all that,’ I tell him. ‘This room is perfect. You’re perfect.’
‘No one is perfect,’ he laughs. ‘You’re the closest thing to it I’ve ever met, though.’
Chapter Forty-Two
As I stroll along the beach in my dress I marvel at how, no matter how much changes, this beach always stays the same. I know that whenever I come to Cornwall and stay at the beach house, everything is going to be exactly as I left it, beautifully familiar.
My dress may not be the dream dress I tried on in Paris, but I like it. It’s a long, floaty ballgown – in cream, not white. If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that I didn’t want a white dress.
It’s a year, almost to the day, since Leo popped the question here on the beach and, in an hour or so, we’ll finally tie the knot in front of our family and close friends. Well, we met here, he proposed here, so it makes sense that we get married here too.
I’m just killing time, strolling along the beach until it’s time to do this thing. We may not have observed many traditions, but one thing I do want to make sure is that my hubby-to-be doesn’t see me before the wedding. Not because I think it’s bad luck, but because I want to blow him away with this dress.
I’m heading back in the direction of the house when I spot an old friend walking along the beach.
‘Oi, Chris,’ I shout in a rather unladylike fashion.
Chris the lifeguard is another thing that doesn’t change about the beach. He’ll probably still be here when he’s 80.
‘Hey, I know you,’ he says, his Australian accent bringing back so many memories from when we met. ‘It’s, erm…’
‘Mia,’ I tell him.
‘Mia, right. From the big house.’
‘That’s me,’ I reply. ‘Where’s Jay?’
Chris’s face falls.
‘He passed away a few months back. Still can’t get used to not having him follow me around everywhere.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ I say. I know how much he loved that dog.
‘He had a good life,’ he says. ‘I don’t pick up nearly as many chicks without him.’
‘So, I was here last year and you jogged straight past me,’ I tell him.
‘Did I? Sorry,’ he says. ‘Surprising, really, you’re still a babe.’
Amazing that, last year, when I wasn’t all dolled up, he didn’t even look twice at me, but now, because I look like the old Mia again, he’s turning on the charm.
‘I’m getting married today,’ I tell him.
‘You are?’ he asks. ‘Wow. I wondered why you had so much skin covered up. Who’s the lucky fella?’
‘You’ve met him, actually,’ I tell him. ‘Leo, from when we met.’
Chris’s eyes widen.
‘Well, I’m happy for you,’ he tells me.
‘Thanks,’ I reply. ‘I’m happy for me too.’
Chris laughs.
‘Well, have a good one,’ he says, jogging off.
I smile to myself before carrying on with my walk.
I feel my phone buzz from inside my tiny handbag. It’s Dylan to tell me that he’s nearly here and he’s bringing his new girlfriend to meet me. He’s been seeing her for two months now and he’s never seemed happier, plus he’s back in touch with Mikey and Nicole. I don’t think he’s lonely any more, which makes me happy. He says he has me to thank for that, but I don’t know. I feel like I learned a lot from him too.
As I approach the beach house I adjust my dress. Were it not for the big skirt, I think my bump might be showing today, and no one other than Leo knows I’m pregnant yet. Well, I feel like if my gran knew I’d got knocked up before I got wed, she’d give me a lecture on how I’m doing things in the wrong order, so I’m biding my time before I tell them, and then I just need to go around stealing all their calendars…
Standing on the decking I look into one of the downstairs rooms and see Leo there, looking incredible in his blue suit. As I watch him nervously pacing around the room I just gaze at him lovingly and stroke my tummy with my hand. I finally have everything I never realised I wanted, and it feels amazing.
If you loved How Not To Be A Bride, then read on for an exclusive sneak peak at The Accidental Honeymoon, another laugh-out-loud, feelgood romance from Portia MacIntosh!
Chapter One
‘What have you got in here, a body?’ the hotel porter asks as he places my suitcase on the floor.
‘Ha, ha, ha,’ I laugh politely, but the worried look on his face suggests he would actually like an explanation.
‘I did a bit of last-minute holiday shopping on my way here,’ I tell him. Well, what I actually did was buy myself the best part of a whole new wardrobe. In an inexplicable moment of madness I bought everything I could get my hands on that was distinctly ‘not me’. I left home for my trip without the suitcase I’d already packed with my usual, demure, conservative clothing. Instead, I bought a new one and overstuffed it with short, low, brightly coloured, cheaply made alternatives.
‘Good for you,’ he replies. ‘I thought maybe your fiancé was in there.’
‘Ha, ha, ha,’ I laugh again, this time a little more genuinely as I fantasise about John being stuffed in a suitcase.
‘So, let me show you around the room.’
I glance around my corner suite at the Black Diamond Hotel. It’s still daylight, but even so, the view is amazing. The first thing I do is head towards the window to take it all in.
‘First time in Vegas?’ the porter asks.
I nod my head.
‘I figured so when I heard your accent. Well, you’re in for a treat when it gets dark. This is one of our best rooms for admiring the view. This over here is your bathroom.’
The porter gestures towards a door.
I pop my head inside. Both the floor and wall tiles are black, flecked with colourful sparkles that twinkle the second he flicks the light on. There’s a huge rainfall shower and an even bigger bath. Even the toilet is fancy with its silver mosaic finish, resembling a disco ball.
‘It’s very nice,’ I tell him.
‘And back in the bedroom, the mini bar and safe are down here.’ He gestures to a cupboard. ‘And the TV is inside this cabinet.’
‘Awesome,’ I reply, struggling to hide my indifference.
‘And here is your bed, obviously. It’s a super king, with Egyptian cotton sheets. The rose petals were a request by your fiancé – you’re a very lucky lady.’
I smile as I reach for my purse to tip the porter.
‘Thank you for all your help,’ I tell him, handing him some money.
The porter takes it and thanks me, but he doesn’t leave the room. Instead, he hovers in the doorway.
‘Is everything OK with your room, Miss… er…?’ he asks.
‘Georgie,’ I reply. ‘And it’s great. Thank you.’
Still, the porter lingers.
‘It’s just… you don’t seem very happy with it,’ he persists.
‘Honestly, the room is perfect.’
He furrows his brow, unconvinced.
‘Well, OK then.’
‘OK then,’ I echo.
I force a smile, holding it only as long as it takes the porter to close the door behind him. Finally alone, I crouch down on the floor next to the inviting-looking bed and start picking up the pink and red rose petals that have been scattered around the room. I place the ones from the floor on top of the bed before scooping them all up together. I glance around for a wastepaper bin, but it turns out that’s the only thing this room doesn’t seem to have. There isn’t a bin in the fancy bathroom either. I just need these rose petals out of here. The sparkly toilet literally catches my eye, so I dump the petals inside and flush. I’m walking out of the bathroom when the sound of the toilet spluttering catches my ear. I glance back at it and realise I’ve blocked it, the water having risen all the way to the top. Brilliant, wonderful, marvellous. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse.
How Not to be a Bride Page 22