The Right Time (53 page)

‘No, you're doing great, don't let me interrupt.'

‘What else do you want me to say?' she said plaintively. ‘I said I was sorry, and I didn't know what I was doing. I mean, think about it from my perspective. I was going through such a hard time, and then my car breaks down, and it's towed here, and I meet you, and really, how weird is that? We never would have met otherwise, let alone . . . you know, and that was . . . overwhelming . . . and how was I supposed to deal with all that?'

His face finally cracked a smile.

‘What?' she said in a small voice.

‘I've told you before, you think too much.'

Ellen breathed out as Finn walked towards the back of the car. She followed on her side, watching him. Then they were standing, facing each other, at the back of the car. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his overalls and turned to lean back against the boot.

‘So what happens after the wedding?' he said.

‘Hm?'

‘After your sister's wedding, what then?'

‘They live happily ever after, I suppose.'

He looked at her. ‘I'm not talking about them . . . I'm talking about us.'

He said ‘us'. Ellen took a step closer and turned and leaned back against the boot, next to him.

‘You know,' she said, ‘you think about things too much, Finn. Why does everything have to be so complicated, why can't you let things just unfold?'

She looked sideways at him. He was shaking his head, but he was smiling.

‘Do you want a beer?' he asked her.

She smiled back at him. ‘Do you have any lemon?'

Emma was waiting for her sisters. They better not take too much longer: a bride missing from her own wedding reception was a tad conspicuous.

Just then the door burst open and all three of them spilled into the room, talking over the top of each other.

‘Sorry, Em.'

‘I couldn't get away from –'

‘Have you been waiting long?'

‘No, it's fine,' she said. ‘But I think I might be missed if I don't get back soon.'

Ellen was shaking her head in admiration. ‘You're such a beautiful bride, Em.'

‘Why thank you.' She gave a little curtsy. ‘And you three scrubbed up all right yourselves. I can't get over how the champagne suited everyone so well.'

‘Are you enjoying yourself?' Liz asked her.

‘I am,' she smiled. ‘It's better than even I imagined, and you know how long this has been cooking in my imagination.' She clapped her hands together. ‘But listen, we don't have much time. So, what do we think? What's the consensus?'

They all drew closer in a huddle.

‘She's very attractive,' said Evie.

‘Looks aren't everything,' said Emma.

‘I'm just glad he found someone sensible,' said Ellen.

‘Being a lawyer doesn't necessarily make her sensible,' said Liz.

‘She works for a charitable foundation!' said Evie.

‘I had a good talk to her,' said Ellen. ‘She's definitely got her head screwed on right.'

‘And most importantly, Eddie seems happy,' said Liz.

Emma smiled. ‘So we like her?'

They all nodded.

‘Why'd he have to fall for an Eliza?' said Emma. ‘Another E?'

‘At least she fits in,' said Liz.

‘They do make a handsome couple,' said Ellen.

‘Speaking of handsome,' said Emma, ‘your doctor's very easy on the eye, Liz.'

‘He's not my doctor.'

‘I should hope not, that'd be weird, and awkward, having your boyfriend as your doctor.'

‘He's not my boyfriend either,' Liz insisted. ‘It's not serious, I'm trying to keep my head here. I've only just got out of a very long-term relationship, let's not forget.'

‘All right, all right,' said Emma.

‘He does seem nice, though,' said Evie.

‘Very nice,' Ellen agreed. ‘How old is he?'

Liz winced. ‘You can tell, can't you?'

Ellen frowned. ‘Tell what?'

‘That he's younger than me.'

‘I thought he looked about the same age.'

‘Then why did you ask?'

‘Wow, Liz,' said Emma. ‘How much younger is he?'

‘A couple of years, well, not quite, it's about twenty months, almost.'

‘That hardly makes you a cougar,' Emma said drily.

‘But he's my boss as well.'

‘At least he's not married . . . is he?'

‘Of course not, do you think I'm going to make that mistake again?'

There was a knock at the door and they all jumped.

Emma cleared her throat. ‘Come in.'

The door opened and Tayla popped her head around. ‘Excuse me, Mummy, Uncle Blake asked if I could find his wife for him, please.'

‘That's me!' Emma exclaimed happily. ‘I'm Blake's wife. Oh I love the sound of that.'

Tayla grinned at her aunt.

‘Would you please tell my
husband
we'll be along in a moment, thank you, Tayla.'

‘Okay, Aunty Emma.'

‘She has been an absolute delight, Evie,' Emma said as Tayla closed the door again. ‘You should be very proud of her.'

Evie smiled. ‘I am.'

‘And what about you and Craig,' said Liz, giving her a nudge. ‘You looked like a couple of teenagers out on the dance floor.'

‘Things are going well,' she said.

‘So you are getting back together?' asked Ellen.

‘We will, but I'm not in any hurry. I'm having too much fun.' Evie dropped her voice. ‘And the sex has never been better.'

They all laughed.

‘Okay, that's the end of the briefing,' said Emma. ‘I best be getting back to my husband.'

Evie and Liz linked arms with Emma and they headed for the door.

‘Guys . . .' Ellen said plaintively.

They turned around.

‘Oh, I suppose you want to know what we think of the mechanic?' said Emma.

‘Don't call him that.'

‘But he is a mechanic,' said Liz. ‘He's going to service my car.'

‘And mine,' said Emma.

Ellen's face dropped. ‘You haven't been talking to him about cars the whole time, have you?'

‘Stop teasing her, you two,' said Evie, coming to Ellen's side. ‘Finn is gorgeous, Lenny, I really like him.'

‘Second that.'

‘Third that.'

‘You do?' she said. ‘Really?'

‘Yes, really,' Liz insisted. ‘What's not to like?'

‘And the way he looks at you . . .' said Emma.

‘Hm, I noticed that,' said Evie.

‘I don't know . . .' Ellen stood wringing her hands, her forehead all creased. ‘I'm falling so hard.'

‘So, what's the problem?' asked Liz. ‘Enjoy the ride.'

‘Don't you think it's too soon?'

‘It's nearly a year since you separated,' Evie reminded her.

‘But he's the first man since . . . you know, maybe I should see what's out there . . .'

‘First we couldn't get her out there,' Emma muttered.

‘I'm just worried I'm rushing into this. I mean, Finn's wonderful, we get on so well, I've never felt this way . . . But maybe it's infatuation, and I'm not seeing things clearly. I can't be this lucky.'

‘I thought you were working on that whole glass half-empty thing?' said Liz, raising an eyebrow.

Emma stepped forward and took Ellen's hands in hers. ‘Ellen, I was lucky that Liz was at the fitting that day, when I think about what could have happened . . .' She paused. ‘Yes, it was luck that your car was towed to Finn's garage, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't have happened, or that it wasn't meant to be. Quite the opposite. I know you're scared. I'm scared too, scared it will come back, that I won't be so lucky next time. But I'm not going to let that stop me now. You shouldn't either.'

Evie sniffed, and they looked at her as tears filled her eyes.

‘Oh, Evie,' said Ellen, putting her arm around her. ‘You're always so emotional.'

‘There's only one thing for it,' said Emma. ‘Cake. Let's all go have a nice big piece of my wedding cake.'

Evie gave her stomach a pat. ‘Gosh, I don't really eat cake any more.'

‘Well, you're going to eat this – I had them do a whole layer of chocolate fudge cake just for you,' said Emma, linking her arm through Evie's. Liz opened the door, and the four of them walked out of the room.