Page 47 of The Silent Bride
We lock up the flat and the three of us make our way downstairs and out into the chilly late-afternoon sunshine. The winter months have fallen away and spring is finally here. We’re going off on my hen weekend and I have no idea what’s happening. I asked Elizabeth not to plan anything too full on. Just something relaxing that we can all enjoy.
After last year’s weirdness between me, Elizabeth and Graham, everything’s settled down and Graham now seems to accept that I’ll be marrying Seth. Graham hasn’t called round on his own after that weird night in December, and, as far as I’m aware, Elizabeth hasn’t since accused Graham of still having feelings for me. Thank goodness.
Mum is sitting in the front of Elizabeth’s Peugeot and Francesca waves from the back. Elizabeth, Daisy and I load our cases into the car boot, spending a couple of minutes panicking that they won’t fit. Eventually, we manage to cram everything in. Elizabeth gets into thedriver’s seat and Daisy and I slide into the back next to Francesca where we all squeal like kids.
‘Where are we going?’ I demand.
‘Wait and see,’ my sister replies.
‘Surprises make me nervous,’ I reply.
‘You don’t have to come,’ she says, winking at me in the rear-view mirror.
‘Fine.’ I lean back in the car and fold my arms across my chest, pretending to be annoyed for all of two seconds.
‘I made a playlist,’ Elizabeth says, fiddling with her phone. After a moment Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ pounds through the car speakers at full volume. The car pulls away and we all start singing, including Mum who doesn’t know the words, but she’s giving it a good go.
The drive takes us through the forest and there’s already a build-up of Friday traffic, but nothing dampens our collective mood. Elizabeth’s soundtrack is cheesily wedding-themed and we’re now being treated to Bruno Mars’ ‘Marry You’.
‘Can you at least tell me who else will be there?’ I ask. ‘I know Miriam’s coming later this evening.’
‘Just her and Charlotte,’ Elizabeth calls from the front.
‘Who?’ I ask, with a horrible sinking feeling.
‘Charlotte, your work colleague. Actually, she messaged me on Facebook and invited herself last minute so I couldn’t really say no. That’s okay, right?’
I don’t want to make Elizabeth feel bad, but that is really not okay. It’s bad enough I have to put up with her at work, let alone on my precious time off with friends and family.
‘Not Charlotte with the infinite hairdos?’ Daisy asks.
I’ve moaned about Charlotte enough times that Daisy knows exactly my feelings towards her. This would never have happened if Daisy had been my maid of honour.
‘Should I not have let her come?’ Elizabeth asks, turning down the music, worry sending her voice an octave higher than usual.
‘No, it’s fine,’ I say. ‘As long as I don’t have to share a room with the girl.’
‘She wanted her own room, so you’re safe,’ Elizabeth replies.
‘Phew.’ I wipe my brow.
‘You’re sharing a room with Francesca,’ Elizabeth says.
‘Yay!’ I turn to Laurence’s girlfriend and give her arm a squeeze. ‘You don’t snore, do you?’
‘I don’t think so,’ she replies, looking a little nervous.
‘I don’t understand why Charlotte asked to come,’ I say. ‘I thought she couldn’t stand me. Maybe she’ll be different out of the office ...’
‘It’s a shame Seth’s mother couldn’t join us,’ my mum says.
‘She couldn’t get the time off,’ I reply.
As we drive further into the forest, my excitement grows when I think I recognise where we’re going. ‘Grove Park Spa!’ I exclaim as we pass through the impressive wrought-iron gates. ‘I’ve always wanted to come here.’
‘Ta-da!’ my sister cries. ‘Two nights of relaxation, spa treatments, food, drink and the best company.’
‘I’ve never been to a spa before,’ Francesca says. ‘Not sure about all the massaging and stuff.’
