Breaking All the Rules

by Rachael Richey

  “Too much information!” Jenny held up her hand. “I may be your best friend, but there are some limits. When are you next seeing him?”

  Kate shrugged. “Dunno. Not before the weekend, obviously. He’s always so busy, and it’s all a bit private, so he can’t even talk to me about his cases. I know he has to go up to London sometime soon for some really high-profile one. I shall have forgotten what he looks like by the wedding.”

  “Better carry a photo around with you.” Jenny giggled and poured a glass of wine ready for Helen. “How’s your mum being with all the wedding stuff? Is she stressing you too?”

  “She’s been pretty good, really.” Kate nodded. “She thrives on that sort of thing. The only problem with her is the fact that she seems to be convinced I’m pregnant.”

  “What? Why on earth does she think that?”

  “Oh, it was at the weekend. I was in a weird mood after seeing Sam at the fête, and then we had Richard’s parents over, and you know what they do to me. I got a bit snappy and stroppy, and then I was nearly sick during dinner. She followed me to the bathroom and told me it was okay if I was pregnant because the wedding was so soon. I couldn’t seem to convince her I wasn’t. She still keeps giving me knowing looks. We haven’t had sex for so long that if I was pregnant I’d be showing by now!” She paused and stared at Jenny in horror. “Oh, god, maybe that’s it. Maybe she thinks I look fat. Do I look fat? Is that what she meant?”

  “Of course you don’t look fat.” Jenny giggled. “You’re just right. And you wouldn’t fit into your dress if you’d put on weight, and that still fits perfectly.”

  “Okay.” Kate was slightly mollified. “Well, I just wish we could talk about something other than the wedding, or Richard, or periods, or pregnancy. I want to get on with my life. And I need a new job.”

  “As an explorer?”

  “Don’t take the piss. No, maybe not, but something more exciting than a secretary. Or even a secretary to someone more exciting. You know, PA to a millionaire or something. Someone with a yacht.”

  “Richard should be able to afford a yacht soon. Certainly by the time he becomes a judge or whatever these lawyers end up as. Can you imagine him in one of those silly wigs?”

  “He already has to wear one of those small wigs when he’s in court.” Kate grinned. “I think they look even more stupid. Can’t tell him that, though. Yeah, he makes a lot of money. Maybe we could get a yacht one day.”

  The kitchen door opened, and Vicky’s head appeared.

  “Sorry, Kate. I was just trying to wind you up, and Mum says I need to apologise. The dresses aren’t that bad, I guess. Now Mum wants her wine, and can we eat something?”

  Kate looked at her suspiciously, but nodded and picked up a couple of bowls of crisps and nuts. Jenny handed a glass of wine to Vicky, then picked up the one for Helen and ushered the sisters back towards the conservatory.

  “That’s better,” she said. “Let’s see if we can have a civilised evening, shall we? If Kate’s going to survive this wedding, we all need to get on.”

  “Survive?” Vicky looked over her shoulder at Kate. “Not panicking, are you? It’s meant to be a happy occasion, isn’t it, not something to survive?”

  “No, I’m not panicking, and I’m not pregnant, whatever Mum tells you. Just a bit stressed with all the arrangements. And I never seem to get to see Richard any more.”

  “Mum thinks you’re pregnant?” Vicky stared at her in surprise. “Why ever does she think that?”

  “It’s a long story, but I’m not.” Kate scowled at her. “And I never will be unless we can spend some time together.”

  “Do you want to be, then?” Vicky slumped down on the sofa and took a handful of peanuts. “Do you want babies?”

  “Maybe one day.” Kate curled up in her favourite chair and popped a pretzel in her mouth. “But not for years and years. I want a career first.” She stared at Jenny, daring her to say anything about explorers.

  “Yeah, you really should get a proper job.” Vicky smirked. “Are you still pretending that secretary job is just temporary?”

  “It is temporary.” Kate scowled at her. “But I’m not going to argue with you tonight. That’s not fair on Mum and Jen. Now have some more peanuts and shut up.” She thrust the bowl at her sister, privately hoping she’d choke on them.

  “Well, this is nice.” Helen walked in and beamed at them all. “All girls together. Has everyone got some wine?”

  “Yes, thanks, Helen.” Jenny smiled at her. “What have you done with Peter tonight?” She peered around as if expecting Kate’s father to be hiding in the corner.

  “Oh, he’s gone to the golf club with his friends. He won’t be back till late. Gives us lots of time for girly wedding chatter.” Helen glanced over at her daughters. “Are you two getting on now?”

  “We’re fine.” Vicky smiled angelically. “I said sorry about the dress.”

  “Good girl. And Kate, are you feeling okay? You still look a bit flushed.”

  “Mum, I’m fine. It’s a hot day.” Kate wriggled uncomfortably and scooped up a handful of nuts.

  “So what’s happening on Friday, then?” Vicky was watching her with amusement. “Where are we going for this Hen do?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Jenny said. “Kate doesn’t know anything yet. I’ll tell you later, on your own, if you like.”

  “Nah, don’t bother. Is Richard having his Stag the same night? Hope you don’t bump into each other.”

  “No, he’s having his next weekend. They’re going to Bristol for it, for some reason.”

  “Bristol? Maybe I’ll bump into them, then!” Vicky chuckled, her eyes sparkling evilly. “Any idea where they’re going?”

  “None at all.” Kate looked warily at her sister. “You can’t join them. It’s a Stag party, remember? Just him and his mates. I dread to think what they’ll be doing.” She paused and shrugged. “Although knowing Richard, it won’t be anything very exciting. They’ll probably go for an Indian or something.”

  “Richard won’t be arranging it, remember?” Jenny pointed out. “His best man will be. Maybe he’ll book something more exciting.”

  “They could go skydiving,” Vicky suggested.

  “Yeah, right! Richard won’t even go on the swings in the park.”

  “Well, he told me he’d always fancied skydiving.” Vicky shrugged and popped a pretzel into her mouth. “Seems like a good opportunity to do it.”

  “When did he tell you that?” Kate stared at her in amazement.

  “Oh, I dunno. Last time we were both here for dinner, I guess. Few months back.”

  “Well, I think he was probably joking.” Kate leaned over and topped up her wine. “That’s not his sort of thing at all. He was probably just being polite. Now can we talk about something else? Something not to do with the wedding?”

  Chapter 6

  Thursday 2nd July

  Kate stared at herself in the mirror in frustration. Her hair had gone frizzy again. Why was it that every time it really mattered, her hair let her down? When she was at work it invariably looked lovely, but now when she was getting ready to go out it looked like she’d had an electric shock. With a sigh, she pulled the straighteners out of the cupboard and plugged them in. Good job she’d given herself plenty of time to get ready.

  She knelt down on the floor in front of the long mirror and peered closely at her face. At least she had no spots, and so far her mascara hadn’t smudged. Vicky’s mascara never seemed to smudge. Vicky’s hair never frizzed, either. She picked up the straighteners and tested the heat. They were pretty much ready, so she started with her fringe and set about making her hair presentable.

  She was very happy with what she was wearing—faded skinny jeans and her favourite green strappy top. She would take a cardigan with her in case it got chilly later, but judging by the weather at the moment she probably wouldn’t need it. It had been almost unbearably hot at work, and she had ended up taking several illicit
breaks in the staff room, hanging as far out the window as she could safely manage. Holly had joined her once or twice and had succeeded in messing with her head again. She really had to stop talking to the girl.

  And of course tonight was messing with her head too. She wasn’t really sure why she was going. She knew full well she shouldn’t be—borne out by the fact that she’d actually let Jen believe she wasn’t. But how could she not go? The chance of a date with Sam Somerville—well, okay, it wasn’t really a date—was too much to pass up. She had been waiting ten years for that, and however illicit it now was, she wasn’t about to miss it.

  She turned off the straighteners and glanced in the mirror. That was better. Her dark brown hair was now hanging tamed and glossy over her shoulders, her fringe just the right length for once, if a little uneven. She really ought to go to the hairdressers more often, and stop cutting it herself. Standing up, she slipped her feet into her green flats and posed in front of the mirror.

  “You look good, girl,” she murmured. “Even better than you did in sixth form. He won’t be able to resist you.” Grinning to herself and feeling extremely naughty, Kate slipped a couple of bangles onto her wrist, fastened a string of multicoloured beads around her neck, and put in matching earrings. She snatched up her bag and cardigan—just in case—and headed back downstairs. “I’m off now, Mum. Don’t wait up.”

  Helen appeared in the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “Okay, love. Where is it you’re going?”

  “Oh, just out with a friend.” Kate waved a hand vaguely and pulled open the front door. “I have my key.”

  “Well, be careful. Remember it’s your Hen Party tomorrow.”

  “As if I’d be allowed to forget that,” Kate muttered to herself as she started down the path, leaving the front door to bang shut behind her. But tonight she was going to do just that. Tonight was about her. Not about the wedding, not about the Hen Party, not about Richard. Certainly not about Richard. It was about her. And Sam Somerville. Of course she’d have to tell him she was getting married, but she could at least have a couple of drinks with him first. It didn’t need to be the first thing she told him, and since she wasn’t wearing her ring, he wouldn’t have any reason to ask her.

  As she set off down the road towards the park gates, her phone started to sing to her. She fished it out and glanced at the screen. It was Jenny. She turned it to silent and dropped it back into her bag. Sorry, Jen, can’t risk you talking me out of this, she thought guiltily, mentally promising to confess to her the next day.

  It was nearly five to seven when she arrived at the park gates, and the only people in sight were a teenage couple snogging in the trees. Kate leant against the railings and tried to steady her breathing. At least she had arrived first. She was bound to do that, of course; she was always early for everything. Quite strange, really, considering her normally disorganised lifestyle, but being on time seemed to come naturally. Maybe she was as boring as Richard. He was always early too.

  She shook her head to get rid of the image of her fiancé and took a deep breath. Suppose Sam didn’t turn up? Suppose he had forgotten? She was going to look really silly standing at the park gates for hours. Because how could she be sure he wasn’t just going to be late? From what she remembered of him, he was usually late. She’d need to wait for quite a while to be sure. She glanced at the time. It was still two minutes to seven. He wasn’t late yet. She closed her eyes and tried to think of something neutral. Buttered toast. That would do. Concentrate on buttered toast…

  “Katy? Are you all right?”

  Shocked back to reality by his voice, Kate’s eyes snapped open, and she stood up straight. “Fine. Thank you. Just thinking about toast.” She felt her face begin to redden as she realised just how gauche and stupid she must sound. “Hello.”

  Sam smiled down at her, his deep brown eyes crinkling alluringly at the corners. “Hello. It’s so good to see you again. Properly this time. You look great.”

  “Thank you. So do you.” Kate took in his ripped jeans, faded black T-shirt, open blue-checked shirt and very old black Converse, and her heart did a minor flip. He looked just as he had at eighteen. His hair was a bit longer, had got tucked into his collar at the back, and flopped over his forehead in a most distracting manner.

  “Shall we go?”

  “Yeah. Sure. Where are we going? We don’t have to stay in the village, do we?”

  “Not if you don’t want to.” Sam looked at her quizzically. “I thought we might drive out to a little pub I found the other day. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Sounds great.” Kate smiled up at him, finding it hard to tear her eyes away from his. “Do you have a car?”

  “Of course.” Sam chuckled. “I’m not eighteen any more. Come on, it’s over here.” He set off down the road towards a tatty green Land Rover that was parked at the roadside. “Here we are. Hop in.” He pulled open the passenger door for her, then ran round and got into the driver’s seat.

  Kate stifled a smile as she noted the very old and tatty interior of the vehicle. Somehow it was typical of Sam. Just what she would have expected. She reached up to pull her seatbelt around her. It didn’t move. She tried again. Still nothing.

  “Sam?”

  He glanced over, his eyebrows raised.

  “The seatbelt won’t work.”

  “Ah. There’s a knack. Let me.” He leaned across her and gave the belt a sharp tug, his thick hair brushing against her cheek. The belt gave way with a crunch, and he handed it to Kate. “There you go. Should be fine now.”

  She took it out of his hand and pulled it across her body, her face still tingling from the touch of his hair, and her body tingling from his familiar male aroma. God, he smelled good! She fastened the seatbelt, then leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath. This had been a Very Bad Idea. She’d better just have one drink, then ask to go home. She must think of an excuse. She had only been in his presence for about five minutes, and she was already behaving like a lovesick teenager and not the sensible engaged woman that she was. And she must tell him that. Immediately. She glanced sideways at him as he drove. His hair was flopping across his forehead again, and even from the side his eyes were compelling. She had forgotten just how attractive he was. Maybe she should make up an excuse right away. Before they even got to the pub.

  “Have you eaten?” Sam’s voice jolted Kate out of her reverie, and she jumped.

  “What?”

  “Have you had dinner, or shall we eat at the pub? Their menu is pretty good.”

  “Umm…well, no, I haven’t actually had dinner…”

  “Cool. I’ve been wanting to try the food there. My treat.”

  “Oh, no. I can’t let you do that.” Kate began to panic. It was suddenly turning into even more of a date. She couldn’t let him buy her dinner. “Maybe I should just go home. If you’re going to eat…”

  Sam stared at her in surprise. “Whatever for? If you want to pay for yourself, be my guest. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Is there a problem?”

  Kate looked away. “No, no, of course not. I’m sorry. I just felt a bit… Take no notice. I’m just being silly. You can pay for dinner if you like. I never turn down free food.”

  Sam gave a bark of laughter and put his foot down as they left the village. “You haven’t changed. You always seemed to be eating when we were at school. Surprised you never put on weight.” He glanced at her again. “And I can see you haven’t. You look just the same.”

  Kate gave a small smile and gripped her hands tightly together on her lap. She would have to have dinner with him now, then. But she would make her excuses straight afterwards. She really couldn’t risk staying in his company for too long. He probably wouldn’t want her to, once she told him about Richard, anyway. Or maybe it wouldn’t matter to him. Maybe he just wanted to be friends. Maybe she was presuming too much. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Jen was going to be so cross with her. Perhaps she wouldn’t
actually tell her.

  Ten minutes later they drew up into the car park of a low, rambling, thatched building covered in ivy. A chalkboard outside proclaimed they were serving food, and a small garden that ran down to the river, to the rear of the pub, was set with umbrella’d tables.

  “This looks nice.” Kate stared around in appreciation.

  “I think so.” Sam reversed the Land Rover into the corner of the car park and turned off the engine. “It’s so hot. Shall we sit in the garden?”

  “Yes, please. I’ve been too hot and cooped up in an office all day.” Kate opened the car door. “I’d love to sit outside.”

  The inside of the pub was as nice as the exterior, and Kate very quickly chose lasagne from the menu, realising she was extremely hungry. Sam ordered fish and chips, then got them both drinks, which they carried back out into the garden and selected a table with a lovely view of the river and the fields beyond.

  “I had no idea this was here.” Kate gazed around her. “And it’s so close to home.”

  “Yeah. Quite a find, eh?” Sam looked very pleased with himself, and Kate found herself grinning. He hadn’t changed at all. He was still the carefree, relaxed, and totally gorgeous Sam Somerville he had been all those years ago.

  Which was really rather a problem. Over the previous couple of days Kate had managed to convince herself she was completely unfazed by Sam’s return, and that she was looking forward to marrying Richard. Now she felt as if her world was turning upside down. If she still had feelings for Sam, how could she marry Richard? Was it fair to any of them?

  She glanced over at him. Maybe it was just a crush, though. Like one had on a rock star. After all, he had made no suggestion that he actually wanted to ask her out. He never had done. The madly-in-love part had all been on her side. So it would be very silly of her to ditch Richard just in case her high school crush wanted to ask her out after eight years. And anyway, she loved Richard. Of course she did.