Looks Unimportant...Sense of Humour Essential

by Evie Evans

  Mr Brooke had been listening in silence. “How terrible. And having to go through a court case as well, I bet that was the last thing your dad needed. You too,” he told her sympathetically.

  “I was too young to take it all in. I just remember the lawyer being really nice and telling me how she was going to tell off the people who’d let my mum down.”

  “So that’s where you got it from?”

  Lucy looked blankly at him.

  “The desire to be a lawyer.”

  “Yes. I guess these things stick in your mind at that age. After that I knew I wanted to help others tell off the people who’d hurt them. That’s how it seemed to me as a kid. Looking back perhaps I’d have been better off joining the police.”

  “Did your lawyer win your case? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “I don’t mind. They didn’t exactly win. The doctor got off. But the court made some recommendations about changes the hospital should make to its procedures so it achieved something. I think it was enough for my dad that the case may have scared them enough to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.”

  “Must have been a really tough time for him.”

  “Yes, luckily he’s an old battler. And he had his brother, Frank.”

  “And you followed your dream.”

  Lucy smiled. “I didn’t realise at the time it was to lead me to pet rats and parrots, it seemed a lot more glamorous to a ten year old kid.”

  “I’m sure a lot of things are.”

  “Like your job for instance. You seem to enjoy the highlife, jetting off places, going to prestigious ceremonies...”

  Mr Brooke cut in, “…never being at home for important occasions, not having long enough to look around the places you’ve jetted off to, waking up in strange hotel rooms.”

  “Five star hotel rooms though,” Lucy pointed out.

  “Okay, maybe there are some luxuries,” he conceded, “But I’d rather be waking up in my own bed.”

  Lucy tried not to think about Mr Brooke in bed and busied herself pouring some wine. Not too much though, she didn’t want a repeat of the opera.

  “So you grew up round here then?” Mr Brooke asked.

  “This area. We moved here when my mum died, we’d lived a few miles away before then. I don’t remember it much though.”

  “It’s a great area, a bit quiet I imagine though.”

  Lucy laughed. “Yes, especially if you’re a teenager. We mostly hung out around the seafront. There wasn’t much else to do.”

  “Do they still do much fishing round here?”

  “A little. No where near the amount they used to. People park their boats here now mostly, weekend sailors.”

  “Do you sail?”

  “I haven’t been for ages, and even then it was mostly just dinghies”.

  “We should go out sometime,” Mr Brooke suggested, making Lucy’s hand falter with her wineglass. “…on a boat.”

  “Oh right,” she agreed, relieved.

  “I don’t know many women that like sailing. They won’t go out on a boat unless it’s a massive yacht.”

  Lucy marvelled at how easy and relaxed she felt, especially considering she was with a major client and they were at Sue’s wedding. It didn’t last. She noticed through the speeches Aunty Suzi had managed to keep an eye on them, looking over regularly at their table. It must be unbearable for her not to know what he was doing with her. She fully expected a royal visit as soon as the speeches were over and she wasn’t wrong.

  “Well, I can see the attraction in London if this is the sort of man you meet,” Aunty Suzi announced as she lowered her bulk into an empty chair next to Lucy and made herself comfortable as if settling in for the long haul. Lucy shot Mr Brooke a glance wishing she’d warned him they may face the Spanish inquisition. “How do you two know each other?” she asked not taking her eyes off Mr Brooke.

  Lucy realised they hadn’t agreed on a story to tell everyone. She held her breath wondering what Mr Brooke was going to say.

  “Well–” he began, then paused dragging out the suspense. Aunty Suzi leaned in further. “We met through mutual friends.”

  “Oh.” Aunty Suzi didn’t hide her disappointment at the lack of story. Lucy knew she wouldn’t leave it there. “What a lovely couple you make. I hope it’s serious?”

  Lucy decided to speak up even though Aunty Suzi was still addressing her questions to Mr Brooke. “We’re just friends.”

  “Ah.” It brought a smile to Aunty Suzi’s lips as if this pleased her.

  “Nonsense darling,” Mr Brooke told her, grabbing Lucy’s hand. “We’re more than friends,” he explained to Aunty Suzi, “she’s just shy. You’re among family here, there’s no need to be.” He gave Lucy’s hand a playful squeeze.

  “Well, that’s lovely,” Aunty Suzi told them with little feeling.

  “Yes, isn’t it?” Mr Brooke replied. Lucy thought he was in danger of overdoing it and squeezed his hand back. Luckily, before she could question them any more, Aunty Suzi was claimed by an old friend and reluctantly had to leave to meet his wife.

  Before Lucy had even drawn a sigh of relief the empty seat was taken by the bride, Sue, and the moment Lucy had really been dreading had arrived. Face to face with her childhood nemesis.

  18 Sue

  “So who’s this then?” Sue asked Lucy. Even in a wedding dress Sue still had a hard-edged look to her.

  “I’m Leander Brooke. Congratulations on your marriage,” Mr Brooke told her, ignoring her bluntness.

  Sue was giving him a thorough appraisal. “Rich are you?”

  Lucy knew Sue was pretty tactless but even she was taken aback by this. “Sue–”

  Mr Brooke intercepted her. “Say what you mean why don’t you?” he laughed. “I have enough for my needs.”

  “How d’ya land him then?” Sue asked Lucy rudely.

  Lucy let go of Mr Brooke’s hand. “Sue–”.

  “Well it’s a turn up for the books you coming with some rich bloke. You coming with anyone at all really. ” Sue sneered at her. “She’s usually Norma No-Mates,” she explained to Mr Brooke. “In such fancy clothes as well. You should have seen what she used to wear when we were kids,” she laughed, “no better than sackcloth some of it!”

  Lucy sat frozen to the spot, two circles of red appearing on her cheeks. She knew she should answer back, tell Sue to shut up, but the words weren’t there, she couldn’t think of anything to say. How could she be saying this in front of her client?

  Mr Brooke had no such problem. “You’re being a little rude,” he berated her. “I know this is your wedding but it doesn’t give you the right to say what you like to people.” He caught sight of Lucy’s face and his eyes narrowed. “Hang on a minute, Sue?” You’re not the one who used to bully her are you?”

  Lucy shot him a look, don’t go there.

  “I didn’t realise it was your own cousin,” he told Lucy, outraged.

  She put her hand on his arm trying to stop him.

  “Me? Bully? Is that what she’s telling everyone?” Sue exclaimed. “If people can’t take a joke it’s not my fault. No sense of humour, that’s her problem.”

  “No Sue, you’re just not funny, that’s the problem,” Mr Brooke told her his face black. He started to pull Lucy’s throw off the back of her chair. “Let’s go, we’ve been here long enough.”

  “Running away again?” Sue scoffed at her as Mr Brooke got up and helped Lucy out of her seat. “That’s what she always used to do, run home to daddy.”

  Mr Brooke bent down so his face was close to Sue’s. “People like you make me sick,” he told her in a cold, quiet voice. Straightening up he grabbed Lucy by the arm and lead her away from the table.

  They were outside before Lucy knew it. She let out a long breath. Mr Brooke turned to face her.

  “Sorry if I’ve burned a few bridges back there. I just couldn’t sit there and say nothing. Are you okay?”

  “Yes. She’s the one person I can’t
handle. Thanks.”

  “I can’t believe you came to her wedding, she’s so nasty.”

  “I know. I only came because my dad wanted me to. They’d have given him a hard time otherwise.”

  He leaned against the wall to the hotel garden. “I know you said your family were difficult but I didn’t realise you really meant it, I thought you were exaggerating.”

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you here. It wasn’t fair.”

  He looked down at her. “In a way I’m glad I was here to give her a piece of my mind. Look, why don’t we have a walk around the gardens whilst we’re here? Get a breath of fresh air.”

  They made their way through the gate to an elaborate ornamental garden. No doubt the bride and groom had had their photos taken here earlier.

  “I’m surprised you let her speak to you like that,” Mr Brooke commented as they were looking into the water of a decorative pond. “You wouldn’t have let me speak to you like that, you’re normally pretty feisty.”

  Lucy watched some lily pads floating on the surface. “I know. I can’t explain it. When Sue starts on me, suddenly I’m back in the playground feeling like dirt. It’s like I’m a child again.”

  Mr Brooke pulled her into a hug. The move was so sudden and so comforting Lucy had to suppress a sob that formed in her throat. “I can handle other people just not her.”

  “Don’t worry about it. She’s not worth it.” Lucy enjoyed the warmth of his arms for a few moments. “She looked like a right meringue in that dress anyway,” Mr Brooke commented.

  That made her laugh.

  “No, she did!” Mr Brooke insisted as Lucy reluctantly pulled away. “People like her will never be truly happy, they belittle others to make themselves feel better but it never works. At the end of the day they’re just left with themselves.” His words made her feel a lot better and she smiled at him.

  “Look, let’s blow this place and go get a drink. You look like you need one. Will your dad mind?”

  “No, I shouldn’t think so, he may not even notice if he and Frank have had a few. There’s a pub about half a mile down the road.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  Away from the corrosive influence of her family Lucy began to relax again. “I’m glad you’re here,” she told him thinking how horrible the afternoon would have been without him.

  “No problem.” He was looking at her again making her stomach flip over. When it was just the two of them it was easy to forgot he was this rich businessman and playboy and just see the person underneath.

  “Is this where your dad lives?” he asked as they neared the outskirts of the village.

  “Not quite, he’s in the next village over.”

  “It’s a fantastic area. Really picturesque. I’ve never really been round Norfolk before.”

  “Well you haven’t missed that much.”

  “You only say that because you grew up with it.”

  They came to the pub and decided it was still warm enough to sit outside.

  “Let’s get something to eat as well shall we?” he asked. Neither of them had eaten much at the reception.

  “Yes, good idea. The food here’s great. Well, it used to be.”

  They tucked in when the food arrived and Lucy found her appetite had recovered. Sitting there she could just be having a meal with a friend. Except he wasn’t a friend, he was a client. One that Katherine thought she was over involved with already.

  “What’s the matter?” Mr Brooke asked seeing a shadow appear on her face.

  “Just wondering what I’m going to say at work on Monday about you being here.”

  “Is it a problem?”

  “Well it’s not exactly usual, an important client attending a lawyer’s family wedding.”

  “An important client eh?”

  “That’s how Mr Knowles will view it.”

  “Don’t worry, I can talk him round. Hadn’t you heard, I’m an important client? I thought you were worried about a backlash from your family or something.”

  “Oh no. I’m done with them I think. I’m not going to put up with any more of that.”

  “I don’t blame you. I’m surprised you’ve tolerated it for so long.”

  “Me too. Guess that’s families for you.” She pushed her plate aside and washed the meal down with some gin and tonic. “Talking of which, you’re not going to be too hard on Sebastian are you?”

  Mr Brooke frowned. “Hmm. That young man is getting far too above himself.”

  “I can’t understand how he found out where the wedding was and when.”

  “He probably bribed someone. I knew he’d said the award ceremony was next month.”

  “What’s he getting an award for?”

  “Man of the Year. Not at academic award unfortunately. Voted for by the other pupils. That’s why I think he’s doing a good line in bribery.”

  “I’ve never heard of that award before.”

  “Knowing Sebastian he probably talked the school into it.”

  “He’s quite a character. At least he means well.”

  “I suppose things turned out alright. Actually, I wanted to ask you something.

  “Yes?”

  “Well…”

  Lucy leaned in to hear what he was going to say but he was interrupted by her phone going off. Saved by the bell again. It was her dad.

  “Just wanted to check you’re alright,” her dad said. “Frank’s had a bit too much to drink so I’m taking him home.” It sounded like he’d had had a few himself.

  “Right, I’d better come and meet you then,” Lucy decided. “We’re at the Swan, I’ll be there in about quarter of an hour.”

  She turned back to Mr Brooke after hanging up her phone. “Hope you don’t mind but I’d better get back. Sounds like dad and Uncle Frank have had a few.”

  He finished his drink. “You’d better show me the way back.”

  *

  When they arrived at the hotel Lucy couldn’t see her father outside.

  “Where’ve they got to?” She wandered into the reception but there was no sign of them there either.

  “Perhaps they’re still inside?” Mr Brooke suggested.

  Lucy looked at the door to the reception room. She didn’t really want to go back in there and see her family again.

  “Do you want me to go look?” Mr Brooke asked, sensing her hesitation.

  “No, I’ll go. Thanks.”

  She’d only taken a couple of steps towards it when the door opened and Sue staggered out.

  “Is my dad still in there?” Lucy asked her.

  Sue took a few more unsteady steps towards her. It seemed Lucy’s dad and uncle weren’t the only ones who’d hit the booze that afternoon. Lucy could see Sue’s makeup had started sliding down one side of her face.

  “Thought you were long gone,” Sue sneered. “They left already. Hey you!” she shouted at Mr Brooke.

  “What do you want?” he asked her, coming forward.

  “Just thought I’d say goodbye,” she slurred. “Can’t imagine you’ll be hanging round with her for long so I ‘spect I won’t see you again. Can I have your number? I could come up to London and see you.”

  Sue looked more like Bet Lynch than a blushing bride at that moment but this was a new low, even for her. Something inside Lucy snapped. She saw Leander open his mouth to respond but before he got a word out she found herself speaking.

  “You’re disgusting. This is your wedding day and you’re propositioning another man. What if your husband came out and saw you now?”

  “He’s too pissed and so what? I know he was trying to get off with one of the bridesmaids earlier.”

  “Then you two are just perfect for each other,” Lucy continued. “Both sad excuses for human beings. If I ever see you again in my life it’ll be too soon. And he’s with me, by the way,” she told her, pointing at Mr Brooke. “Now if you’ll excuse us we’re busy.” With that she grabbed Mr Brooke’s arm and pulled him out of the hotel.


  “Well done,” Mr Brooke told her when they got outside.

  “Wow, I can’t believe I actually stood up to her at last,” Lucy gasped, a sense of euphoria running through her.

  “Feels good?”

  “Yeah!”

  “I’ve got something for this in the car. Come with me.”

  Lucy followed him to the car park. He unlocked the backdoor of his car and opened it for her.

  “Take a seat.”

  She got in wondering what was going on. Mr Brooke walked round the other side and got in, sitting next to her. Reaching down to a box on the floor he produced a bottle of champagne.

  “This was meant to be for celebrating Sebastian’s award but I think we should toast your success instead. Should still be nice and cold.” He pulled out a couple of glasses from the cooler box and handed them to her. After a loud pop he was back filling the glasses.

  “Cheers.”

  “Cheers,” she replied clinking his glass. “Well today didn’t exactly turn out as planned for either of us did it?” she remarked after taking her first gulp of the dry bubbles.

  “Not entirely bad though,” he told her smiling.

  No, Lucy thought to herself. A successful, gorgeous millionaire had turned up as her date for the wedding and she’d finally stood up to Sue. What a day it had been.

  19 Last night

  It was also quite a night. When Lucy woke up her head was screaming and her mouth felt like sandpaper. Champagne. She really was going to have to stop drinking it. It had a terrible effect on her, she couldn’t blame an empty stomach this time. She remembered Mr Brooke opening the second bottle. That had been a bad move, everything was a bit fuzzy after that.

  She’d had another strange dream. This one had been pretty x-rated involving Mr Brooke, naked, and herself, naked, in bed. One quite similar to the one she was lying in right now. She struggled to sit up. Oh my god. This wasn’t her bedroom. This was a hotel room. The other side of the bed was ruffled as if someone had been sleeping there. The sound of a shower running came from behind a nearby door. Oh no. She hadn’t?