Well, well, well. This was a turn up for the books. All this time she’d been focusing her attention on separating Rebecca from her sister, to try to discredit her in the press and with Daniel, in order to break up their engagement, and turns out there had been plenty going on in the background that she hadn’t really known about. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. She was certain that Rebecca would be feeling completely isolated now. Her trust in both Daniel and her skanky sister had suffered major blows. There’s was no way this wedding was going ahead now. How could it? Daniel was going off to be a vet! She couldn’t have planned this any better.
Now Daniel would be the one overlooked. He was leaving the family business and his fiancée had publicly embarrassed them. Nicole had set out to show Daniel just how common the Ashworths were and she’d succeeded. It was time for Nicole to swoop in and save the day. She’d been underestimated by her parents for long enough. The money and the gifts would keep coming but she wanted more – more power, more status, more visibility. Her father would have no choice but to hand the keys to the Balfour empire to her now.
Nicole stifled a giggle as she thought about Daniel becoming a student again. What was he thinking? He was going to resign from the family business so he could be a vet?! Nicole was incredulous. Who would want to leave all that comfort behind, to live poorly, to give up a powerful position in a multi-million-pound corporation so that they could stick their hands up a horse’s backside?
When Justin had told Nicole about Tracy turning up and that Lizzie hadn’t told Rebecca about them being in touch, she had known instantly that this would be the thing to bring the Ashworth sisters back down to reality with a bump. There had been something in Justin’s expression when he’d told her that she hadn’t liked the look of. What had it been? Regret? Anxiety? She couldn’t think about that now. She’d got what she wanted from him and that was all that mattered. If he was beginning to wish he hadn’t told her or he was having some sort of pathetic attack of conscience then that was his problem.
Nicole had expected Rebecca to be upset when everything started kicking off but not in her wildest dreams had she expected her to respond like that! She smiled, thinking about how deliciously disastrous it had all been. With just that teensy tidbit of information, she’d been able to push her so far off the edge that Rebecca hadn’t been able to hide what a trashy little harpy she was any longer and all of her common and crazy had just spilled all over The Saltwater and its fabulous highbrow brunch guests. Not to mention the photos from Seffy! I mean, they were just an absolute bonus. Who knew her mousy little friend had it in her? Nicole smiled to herself. This had been fun but that part was over now. It was time to prove to her parents that she was more than ready to step up and take Daniel’s place in the company.
She looked at her parents. Her father was staring into space, an angry look on his face. Her mother was gathering her bag, scrambling around for her belongings, desperate to escape the restaurant and leave this mortifying scene behind them. Nicole hadn’t ever seen her look quite so frantic and lacking in composure.
‘Here, let me get that.’ Nicole said, taking her mother’s bag and instructing the maître d’ to call their driver round at once.
‘Dad, snap out of it,’ she said to her father. ‘Let’s go back to the house. We’ll have a sherry and sort this out. I have this in hand.’
Rupert nodded and did as his daughter said. He was devastated. He’d spent the best part of Daniel’s life grooming him to take over the business. He’d allowed him those three silly years at university to get that stupid vet nonsense out of his system, and now this? He had been so proud of his son, convinced he would be handing over to him when the time came. Yes, he’d been a little out of sorts recently, and he’d certainly had trouble landing that new hotel account, but he’d secured it in the end. Rupert had simply thought Daniel had been distracted with all the wedding plans. Which Rupert thought ridiculous. It was women who planned weddings, but Rebecca had insisted that Daniel share the duties.
The three of them climbed into their Rolls Royce Phantom and their driver pulled smoothly away from the kerb. Nicole thought about the presentation she had been secretly working on for the past three months. The presentation that would show her father and the rest of the board just how perfect she was to join the company. To finally shine. To finally be noticed. To finally get out of Daniel’s shadow.
She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Justin.
Thanks for your help, babe. Do you want to come round tonight? x
Some celebratory sex with Justin would be the perfect way to top off what had turned out to be a very successful day. She had a date with the German prince next week, but one last rendezvous with Justin wouldn’t hurt. Well, it wouldn’t hurt her, anyway – precious princess Justin might get his feelings dented but that was his own fault for being so malleable and gullible. She waited for a moment – Justin usually replied straightaway – but nothing happened. She shrugged and put her phone back into her handbag.
She would go out with Seffy instead. Poor little lapdog Seffy, who thought that all of this had been about saving Daniel from a bad marriage so that he could be free to be with her. Nicole would break the news later that Daniel wasn’t interested in her, but at least they’d saved him from himself. Yes, that would work. Seffy would understand.
Nicole settled back, proud of her own cleverness. She was the only person in the cab with a smile on her face, but she didn’t care.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Lizzie
The last few days have been a whirlwind. I managed to pick up a few shifts in the pub down the road and while it’s only temporary, at least it’s money in my pocket for now. I’ve also been spending a bit more time with my mum. It hasn’t been easy, there’s still a bit of underlying resentment there, but she’s really trying, so I have as well. We’re not going to become the best of friends overnight but we both know that and I’m going in eyes wide open. I’m trying not to dwell too much on the past and am making judgements based on the person she is now. It’s best to focus on the future and be positive – and if Mum wants to be part of my future, who am I to say no? It’s hardly like I’ve got plenty of other options for companionship right now. Plus she’s a free spirit, carefree and funny. She had me in stitches the other day telling me about an ex-boyfriend who used to like trying on her underwear. I can see a lot of myself in her, actually. I used to get a little jealous when I noticed the similarities between Dad and Bex – they’re both strong and know what they want from life – and I used to feel left out that there was nobody I took after. Turns out there is. I just didn’t know her until now.
My thoughts turn to Bex and that familiar feeling of guilt flares up. I still need to tell her about Mum being back. I haven’t been putting it off on purpose, it’s just been a busy time, that’s all. And if I’m totally honest I’m a bit nervous about telling her. But I need to stop being such a girl pants. I was so upset with her that she hadn’t told me about Mum’s email, and now I’m basically doing the same thing to her. Well, what I’m doing is probably worse to be fair . . . much worse. Balls. I’ll speak to her soon. I promise. Maybe later, but definitely before my date with Justin.
That’s the other thing keeping me busy lately: Justin. Between spending time with him and Mum, and my shifts in the pub, I haven’t had much time for anything else. And it hasn’t been all sex with Justin either (although there’s been a lot of that). We talk a lot too. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. Maybe I’ll ask him how I should broach the subject of Mum before I speak to Bex. I bet he’ll have some wise words for me. He’s invited me round to his flat tonight for a home-cooked meal. No boyfriend has ever cooked for me before. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked for me before. It’s just everything with Justin is so new and exciting and I can’t help myself from turning into a lovesick teenager.
I’m sat on Jay’s futon, sending Snapchats and WhatsApps back and forth with Justin, when I hear th
e buzzer go. I amble over to the intercom.
‘Hello?’
‘It’s me. Can you let me in?’
It’s Bex. She sounds weird. I press the buzzer so she can come in and I stand and wait for her at the top of the stairs. She appears a few moments later and when I catch sight of her face, red and tear-stained, I gasp. I usher her into the flat and close the door behind us.
‘Babe! What is it? Are you okay? What’s happened? Is it Dad?’
‘Dad’s fine,’ she says. She looks around the flat, a wild look in her eyes. ‘Where is she? Is she here now?’
‘Who? What are you on about?’ I ask, watching in confusion as Bex starts marching around the flat, looking for someone who clearly isn’t there.
‘Don’t play the innocent with me,’ she spits. ‘You know exactly who I’m talking about.’
The blood drains from my face. She can’t be talking about—
‘Mum,’ she clarifies. ‘Tracy. Your new best mate. Whatever you want to call her.’
Oh shit.
‘Bex, listen. I was going to tell you, I was, I swear. Sit down so we can talk properly.’
‘When?’ she asks, ignoring my suggestion to sit down. ‘How long have you been in contact with her?’
‘A while,’ I say quietly. Becky is starting to scare me. I’ve never seen that look on her face before. She’s usually so measured and calm, even when she’s upset. But this is something new. She is someone new.
‘How long is a while?’
‘A week—’
‘A week!’
‘Maybe longer, I’m not really sure. But she’s nice! I like her – you would too if you just gave her a chance.’
‘Are you mad?’ Bex’s eyes are blazing. ‘She’s a monster, Lizzie. You’ve only known her a couple of weeks. You don’t know anything about her! How many “nice” women do you know who abandon their husbands and children? Get a grip, will you?’
Whoa, just who does Bex think she’s talking to here? I’ve had just about enough of this. My sister is not the boss of me. ‘No, you’re the one who doesn’t know anything about her. You don’t even know anything about me! I am capable of making my own decisions.’
‘Oh, don’t be so stupid.’
‘Stupid,’ I say angrily. ‘Why are you talking to me like that? Do you have any idea what you sound like? Like your nasty, sneering, snobby new bestie Nicole. It’s uncanny. Well, at least you’ve finally had the courage to say what you really think of me.’
That hurt Bex, I can see it in her eyes. ‘That’s not what I’m saying!’ Bex cries. ‘I just – she’s bad news. You need to trust me on this. I don’t want her in our lives!’
‘Is that why you didn’t tell me that she emailed you?’ I say, my voice rising. I can see Bex is feeling strained and defeated but I can’t help it now. I can just feel all of my anger and frustration from the last couple of weeks bubbling to the surface and I can’t control it.
Becky’s face drops momentarily.
‘Yeah, she told me about that,’ I say. ‘You’re such a hypocrite! Coming here and having a go at me for not telling you I’ve been meeting up with her. Shouting and screaming like a nutcase and all the while you’ve done the same thing! You kept things from me! You weren’t even going to tell me she had got in touch with you!’ I jab my finger in her direction.
‘I was trying to protect us. To protect you. It’s not the same.’
‘Why isn’t it the same? What makes you think I need you to protect me? I’m a grown woman.’
‘Then act like it!’ she shouts in a flash of temper.
‘First you call me stupid and now this! We can’t all be like you! Perfect Rebecca, in control of everything, and ashamed of her waster of a sister.’ This is wrong, all wrong. This wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to go but it’s gained too much momentum now and we’re both snowballing out of control. I can feel the tears streaming down my cheeks.
‘I didn’t say that! Stop putting words in my mouth!’
‘Admit it, that’s what you think. You always have.’
‘That’s not true!’ Becky wipes away her own tears. ‘I’ve done nothing but look out for you for your entire life.’
‘And you’ve never let me forget it either!’ I shout back. ‘I may not have had my life mapped out since I was five years old but at least I know who I am! At least I’m not pretending to be someone else.’
Becky looks like I’ve slapped her. ‘I’ve never pretended to be anyone else.’
‘Really?’ I’m in full self-defence mode now and I don’t think I could stop the words coming out of my mouth even if I wanted to. ‘Where have you been these last few weeks? I’ll tell you where! You’ve been getting cosy with the Balfours, sucking off the paparazzi and courting this whole Nation’s Sweetheart bullshit. Too busy posting on social media to return any of my messages.’
‘I don’t need this. I really don’t need this. Not today.’ She looks at me, tears in her eyes. ‘I don’t want you to see Tracy again. Please listen to me. She’s not a good person, Lizzie. She’ll hurt you.’
‘I can make my own decisions.’ I say. ‘You’ve been telling me what to do my entire life. Christ, you’ve even made me hide away like some sort of hermit so I don’t embarrass you in front of the Balfuckers. Well, my relationship with my mum has nothing to do with you. And I want to see her. I will see her! That’s my choice. End of. Why don’t you go and play with your new family.’
‘Lizzie, won’t you just—’
‘No!’ I’m screaming now. ‘It’s my life! Stop telling me what to do!’
Becky looks at me, her eyes sad. ‘I never tried to tell you what to do,’ she says quietly, all the fury gone from her body.
‘You did, you always did! At least Mum doesn’t do that. At least she lets me be me. You’re just jealous because we’ve been spending time together, not you two. Poor Bex, not in the limelight for a change and you can’t stand it. Well, deal with it. She wants me, not you!’
I stop, knowing I’ve gone too far. What did I just say? I didn’t mean it. Oh God, her face. I reach out for her but she takes a step back, sobbing quietly.
‘I only ever wanted to protect you. Do what you like,’ she whispers, and then she’s gone.
I stare at the space where she had been standing, wishing I could take it back. My chest is heaving with angry sobs, all the resentment from the last weeks finally released. Blindly, I pick up my phone with shaking hand and pull up a name.
‘Mum?’ I say when she answers. ‘I need to see you.’
As soon as I let Mum in, I dissolve into a fresh puddle of tears. She pulls me in for a long hug and then settles me onto the sofa before making me a cup of tea.
‘Tell me everything,’ she says, sitting down beside me and stroking my hair. It feels nice, comforting. ‘Let it all out, pet. I’m here.’
And so I do. I tell her everything. Not just about the fight with Bex, but everything leading up to it: the engagement party, meeting Daniel’s family, Nicole’s accusations that I pushed her, the fallout from the piece in the press, how alone I’ve felt recently, Daniel’s phone conversation that I overheard, meeting Justin, how my own sister doesn’t even know that I have a sort-of boyfriend who isn’t a waste of space like the last one and all the knobs before him. I even tell her about my fake dog-walking job because once the floodgates are open there’s no stopping it.
The more I talk, the better I feel. It’s such a relief to talk openly about these things, and I realise how much I’ve been keeping to myself. It’s usually Bex that I turn to at times like this – she’s never been the reason I’m feeling like this, but she is now and that makes me so unbearably sad. I’m glad Mum is here, that she’s on my side, that she understands me. It makes everything feel less like a punch in the dick.
‘I’m meant to be seeing Justin tonight,’ I sniff, ‘but I don’t think I can. I’m an emotional wreck! It’s too early days for him to see me like this,’ I finish, blowing my nos
e noisily.
‘Now’s exactly the time you should be seeing him. It’s his job to cheer you up,’ Mum says. ‘What time are you meeting him?’
‘Seven-thirty,’ I say.
‘You’ve got a couple of hours until you need to start thinking about getting ready. Why don’t you have a nap? It will make you feel better and it’ll sort out the puffy eyes too. That, and a bit of Touche Éclat.’ She pulls a golden concealer pen out of her handbag and waves it about like a magic wand.
I nod. ‘OK, I am pretty shattered. I’ll have a couple of hours’ kip and see how I feel when I wake up.’
‘Good plan.’ She stands up and pulls me up with her. I’m almost the same height as her and I so look like her. ‘C’mon, let me tuck you in and then I’ll let myself out.’
I do as instructed and climb into Jay’s bed without changing into my pyjamas. I can already feel my eyelids growing heavy and my limbs relaxing. Jesus. I am so tired. Getting everything off my chest has completely exhausted me.
Mum tucks the blankets in all around me so that I’m snug and cosy. I smile to myself. I’m just drifting off when I hear her say, ‘I’ll give you a ring in the morning. Maybe we can have a spa day or something.’
‘That sounds nice.’ I smile sleepily.
‘Goodnight, sweetheart,’ she says, kissing my forehead.
‘Night, Mum,’ I mumble.
And before I know it I slide off into a deep snooze.
Mum was right. I feel so much better when I wake up an hour later – relatively speaking, of course. The memory of my row with Bex hits me like a truck and all I want to do is crawl back into bed and go to sleep again. I’ve had rows with her before – I mean, we’re sisters, of course we’ve argued – but this was something else. I think the only other big fight we’ve ever had was about whose turn it was on Guitar Hero on the Playstation when we were younger. And that was nowhere near as bad as this. There was so much resentment, and the things we both said . . .
My Sister's Wedding: For better or worse, two families are about to become one . . . Page 20