Page 10 of Hard
‘Are you trying to say I’m a mess?’ Of course, she is. My life at the moment is one big mess.
‘You’re messy, not a mess. And if you’re not going to sue me for damages to your mental or physical health, or for harassment in the workplace, there’s only one thing left to do.’ Chastity picks up her phone as it pings. ‘And that’s find you a nice young man tonight, one to fill the void in your life. And by that, I mean your—’
‘Thank you!’ I yell, covering my ears. ‘That will do!’
Chapter 4
PAISLEY
‘Well, that would’ve gone worse,’ Chastity murmurs, taking her seat at the table next to me.
‘Aside from the vows,’ I agree. The bride’s twenty-minute vow soliloquy was a little much. Twenty minutes of declarations of love and promises to let him sleep on the left side of the bed forever even though that’s her favourite side. And to honour her promise to let him “shag”Scarlett Johansson should the fantasy become a possible reality because “even celebrities are allowed a celebrity shag”. And that’s not the dance kind as I came to find out after moving to London.
‘Such sacrifices in the name of love,’ I say with a wry grin, sliding my fingers around the dainty stem of my champagne glass.
‘Love is—’
‘A battlefield?’
‘I was going to say like anal.’
I almost spray champagne over the pristine white tablecloth. ‘Chas, what the hell!’
‘Loveislike anal,’ Chastity replies, taking a graceful sip from her own glass. ‘At least, like shooting anal. A total pain in the arse.’
‘Oh, Lord. What a conversation to have on a day like this.’
‘What? You think those two haven’t had a little buttseggs.’
‘Really? Today, you want to talk about this?’ My gaze follows hers to the top table and the gorgeous blonde in the princess dress. Her groom is a little older and a little more relaxed in his demeanour. As the front man of a once-successful band, something tells me this isn’t the first time he’s been king for a day.
‘I’d put money on them both being familiar. She looks like the type to grin and bear it, literally. And he looks like someone completelyau-faitwith a little bum play.’
‘I say again... on a day like this? In a place like this?’
‘Okay,’ she replies with a long-suffering sigh. ‘Fine. But just because we’re in Claridge’s.’
Because the venueisbeautiful. Perfect, in fact, and Claridge’s is, well, the epitome of London swank. Chandeliers sparkle, marble floors gleam, and Art Deco mirrors reflect the candlelight splendour of the place. And the food? If the hors d’oeuvres are any indication, it’s divine. And even though I’d prefer to be at home in my sweats, or better still, my ratty robe, the champagne has taken the edge off the day.
We eat, we drink, and I pretend to be merry as we chat with our tablemates. Fake it until you make it, right? Fake it until it no longer hurts to remember you paid a deposit to secure your own wedding here.
‘You feeling okay?’ Chastity asks.
Folding my lips in, I nod. I didn’t tell her our wedding planner had brought me here. That I’d imagined myself in a white dress, dancing around this very room. I assume she’s asking if I’m okay about Robin being here. Because, yes, he showed up. Just as I knew he would. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him since our split, and though I’ve always managed to be civil, seeing him always makes my stomach twist with the most painful ache. He’s also the reason I no longer listen to the radio.
Hypocrite. Fraud. Unfaithful fuck!
I shudder, tears pricking my eyelids. Sad tears. Angry tears. And everything in between. For the first time since Chastity suggested it, I almost want to screw some random man just as a way of clawing a little something back.
Only, as I look around the ballroom, I think how futile this idea is. These are all his types; thelovey-darlingshowbiz crowd. People whose fondness for vodka breakfasts I used to paint away for morning TV.
God, they’re a shitty, shallow bunch.Maybe I should’ve stayed off the champagne.
‘Hey, where’d you go?’ Chas’s forehead creases in a frown.
‘It’s just so sad that they spoiled a fantastic meal by following it with a trio of fruit desserts.’ I frown down at the rectangular plate in front of me. ‘Seriously, what’s wrong with people? Where’s the chocolate? The caramel?’
‘You’re an odd one,’ Chas says, pulling me in to her side.
