Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham Read Free Book Online Page A

bliss. As the wedding plans had progressed and become more concrete, she'd prided herself on keeping her triumph concealed; on treating Simon as casually as any other young beau; on playing down to herself as much as anyone else the significance of the match.
    But now, with only a few days to go, her heart was beginning to beat quickly again with jubilation. In only a few days the whole world would see her daughter marrying one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. All her friends indeed, everyone she had ever known would be forced to admire as she presided over the biggest, glitziest, most romantic wedding any of them had ever seen. This was an event which Olivia felt as though she had been building up to all her life; an event surpassing even her own wedding. That had been a modest, anonymous little affair. Whereas this occasion would be crammed with important, influential, wealthy people, all forced to take a back seat as she and of course Milly strolled prominently, centre stage.
    In just a few days' time she would be donning her designer outfit and smiling at massed rows of cameras and watching as all her friends and acquaintances and jealous relatives goggled at the lavishness of Milly's reception. It would be a beautiful day, a day they would all carry in their thoughts for ever. Like some wonderful movie, thought Olivia happily. Some wonderful, romantic Hollywood movie.
    James Havill arrived at the front door of Pinnacle Hall and tugged at the heavy wrought-iron bell-pull.
    As he waited for an answer he looked around and frowned. The place was too beautiful, too perfect. It was a cliche of opulence, more like some ghastly Hollywood movie than a real place. If this is what money can buy, he thought dishonestly, then you can keep it. I'd rather have real life.
    The front door was, he realized, slightly ajar, and he pushed it open. A fire was blazing cheerily in a huge fireplace and the chandeliers were all lit up, but no one was about. He gazed cautiously around, trying to distinguish the panelled doors from each other. One of these doors was the huge drawing room with the deers' heads. He remembered it from previous visits. But which was it? For a few seconds he dithered, then, suddenly irritated with himself, he stepped towards the nearest door and pushed it open.
    But he'd got it wrong. The first thing he saw was Harry. He was sitting at an enormous oak desk, listening intently to a phone conversation. He raised his silvery head at the sound of the door opening, narrowed his eyes, then waved James away in irritation.
    `Sorry,' said James quietly, backing out.
    `Mr Havill?' came a low voice behind him. Ì'm sorry I didn't answer the door more quickly.' James turned to see a blond girl he recognized as one of Harry's assistants behind him. Ìf you'd like to come with me . . .' she said, tactfully guiding him out of the room and closing the study door.
    `Thank you,' said James, feeling patronized.
    `The others are in the drawing room. Let me take your coat.'
    `Thank you,' said James again.
    Ànd if you need anything else,' said the girl pleasantly, `just ask me. All right?' In other words thought James resentfully don't go wandering about. The girl gave him a smooth smile, opened the door of the drawing room and ushered him in.
    Olivia's pleasant dreamworld was interrupted as the door suddenly opened. She quickly smoothed down her skirt and looked up with a smile, expecting to see Harry. But it was the pretty blond girl again.
    `Your husband's here, Mrs Havill,' she said, and stepped aside.
    Into the room walked James. He'd come straight from the office; his dark grey suit was crumpled and he looked tired.
    `Been here long?' he said.
    `No,' said Olivia with a forced cheerfulness. `Not very.'
    She rose from her seat and walked towards James, intending to greet him with a kiss. Just before she reached him, the girl tactfully withdrew, and closed the door.
    Olivia stopped in her tracks, suddenly feeling