Page 28 of The Silent Bride
I take a breath and exhale shakily while Mum gives her order. Then we all wait while Graham and Elizabeth finish their whispered conversation that’s obviously about me and Seth, but I’m not sure exactly what it is they’re saying. They both order in polite, clipped tones while I wish I could hide under the table.
Oblivious to the abruptly strained atmosphere, Dad is now asking our waitress about the wines. Mum is sipping her champagne while glancing anxiously from me to Elizabeth and back again.
‘Back in a minute,’ I mutter, lurching to my feet and leaving the table. I head straight for the exit in search of the loos. After a few wrong turns, I spot the door and let myself into the plush marble bathroomwhere I allow myself to breathe. Then I take out my phone and call Seth. It rings once before going to voicemail.
‘Hi, Seth, it’s me. Just checking you’re almost here. We’re at the restaurant. I texted you the details. Let me know if you’ve been held up. Hope everything’s okay. Love you.’
I look at my reflection in the long mirror above the sinks. I went to the salon after work today so my hair looks good – my dark curls thick and glossy, my eyebrows freshly shaped. I jump as the phone shrills in my hand.
Thank goodness. It’s Seth.
‘Hey,’ I say, trying to be laid-back and non-critical.
‘Alice! I’m so sorry. I’ve been stuck in a meeting.’
‘But you’re almost here, right?’
An older woman comes through the door, gives me a nod and goes into one of the stalls.
‘No,’ Seth replies. ‘That’s the thing. I literally just got out of the meeting.’
‘What?’ My heart shrinks and a sudden lethargy blankets my body.
‘I know, I know, it’s your sister’s anniversary bash. You’ll have to celebrate without me, I’m afraid. No way will I make it in time.’
‘Couldn’t you have messaged earlier? Let me know you couldn’t make it.’
‘I would have if I could, but it was an important meeting. I was stuck in there for over two and a half hours and couldn’t get a message out. I’ll make it up to you. Promise.’
‘Okay, we’ll talk about it later.’ I don’t have the time or energy to get mad with Seth right now. I need to go back to the table and smooth things over with my family.
‘You sure you’re okay?’ he asks.
‘Fine,’ I reply, knowing full well I sound anything but.
The woman in the stall comes out and washes her hands. Re-applies her peach lipstick and fluffs up her hair.
‘I really am sorry,’ Seth says. ‘You’re still coming tomorrow, right? We’ve got tickets to the theatre.’
‘Yeah,’ I reply. ‘See you tomorrow.’
The bathroom door opens again and Elizabeth walks in.
‘Love you,’ Seth says.
‘Love you too.’ I hang up and try to gauge my sister’s mood.
‘What are you doing in here?’ she snaps, tucking her hair behind an ear.
‘Are those Mum’s diamond earrings?’ I ask.
‘She said I could borrow them. Why are you skulking about in the loo? Was that Seth on the phone? Is he almost here? Graham’s not happy and, quite frankly, neither am I.’
‘I know, I’m so sorry. Seth got stuck in a meeting at the hospital. He’s not going to make it.’
Elizabeth shakes her head.
‘We can have a lovely evening without him,’ I say, trying to lift her mood. ‘It’s your one-year anniversary!’
