Wags To Riches (39 page)

The next morning, I’m sat with Adam in the kitchen, having breakfast and reading the
Daily Mercury. 
I turn the page and gasp.

   “What?” Adam asks as he looks up from the bowl of cereal he’s eating.

   “Look!  It’s a picture of us at the airport yesterday!” I say, showing him the large colour photograph of me and Adam, complete with a close up circular insert of my engagement ring.  “I’m glad I had my nails done before we went to Rome” I say, “I didn’t know they were going to do a close up shot of my hand!” 

   “I’m just glad we told everyone before” Adam says dryly.  “I wouldn’t have wanted my mum and dad to find out this way”.

   “Well quite” I say, “That would have been awful wouldn’t it?” and Adam nods fervently.

   “They also say here, in the little article next to the photograph” I continue, reading down the page, “that we’ve set a date for the wedding!”

   “Really?” Adam replies grinning, “And when’s that then?”

   “Middle of next July apparently” I say laughing.  “Oh as if!”  I look at Adam, expecting him to share my laughter, but instead he looks thoughtful.  “Adam” I say, “You’re not seriously thinking of then are you?”

   “Well – why not?” Adam says.  “The season will have finished by then and the weather should be good”.

   “But that’s less than a year away!” I say, feeling panicky.  “Will we have enough time to sort everything out?  How are we going to find a venue and everything?  Won’t the best ones be all booked up already?”  Oh God – this is all happening so fast!

   “I’m sure we can find somewhere Gailey” Adam says, standing up and leaning across the table to kiss me on the forehead, “We’ll have to have a think about what sort of wedding we want, where we would like to get married and then once we’ve chosen that – we can fix an exact date.  Have a think about it while I’m at training” he adds.  “I’ll just clean my teeth and then I’d better go actually.  It’s the first match of the new season on Saturday and I need to get as much practice in as possible.  Are you coming on Saturday Gail?”

   “Erm - yes of course, if you want me to” I reply distractedly, only half listening.  I’m still trying to get my head round the idea of getting married in less than a year’s time and the amount of organisation and planning that would be needed to get everything done, not to mention the fitness regime I’m seriously going to have to go on to look really good in the wedding photographs.  Oh God!  I’ll just have to knuckle down and really make sure I stick to the diet this time!

   “Are you alright Gail?” Adam asks.

   “Yes I’m fine” I reply hastily, “I’m just thinking that there’s a lot to do for the wedding”.

   “It’ll be fine” Adam says, “I’m sure we can find somewhere nice to have the ceremony.  Don’t worry about it.  I’m glad you are coming on Saturday” he continues, smiling at me.  “It means a lot to me, knowing my fiancée will be in the crowd!”

   Despite my preoccupation with the wedding, I grin at him.  “Gosh, I will be won’t I?” I say.  “Do I get an upgraded seat?”

  Adam laughs.   “Afraid not” he replies.  “Are you sure you don’t mind coming?” he asks.  “I can’t guarantee it will be as exciting as last time”.

   “No, I don’t mind at all” I say earnestly.  “I really enjoyed it last time and it’s always nice to have a chat to Sharon and Gina.  I’ll give them a ring and check that they are going too”.  I can’t drink a full bottle of champagne on my own and I’m hardly likely to share it with Gaz.

“Well – here we are again!” Sharon remarks as she and Gina sit down next to me at the match that Saturday.  It’s a nice sunny afternoon, so I’ve decided to wear my favourite green satin halter neck top, indigo jeans and my gorgeous new moon dust silver shoes from Gucci which Adam had bought me on our last day in Rome.  They are
so
fantastic these shoes, but because they have a five and a half inch stiletto heel, I’ve been practising walking in them all week.  I’ve only worn them to the match really to show them to Gina and Sharon.  This was the first time I’ll see them both since we got back and I’m almost as excited about showing them my new shoes as I am my engagement ring!

   “And how are you – the soon to be Mrs Finchley?” Gina asks.  “You look well Gail –the sun has caught your face hasn’t it?  Or is it love that is giving you that glow?” she asks jokingly.

   “It’s probably the reflection from that massive rock she’s wearing!” Sharon says laughing.  “Let’s have a look Gail” she says and reaches for my left hand.

   “Wow!” they both say at the same time.

   “It’s gorgeous isn’t it?” Gina says to Sharon.

   “Oh it’s beautiful!” Sharon agrees.  “So tell us all about it Gail – where were you when he proposed?”  And I tell them about being out on the hotel balcony and both Gina and Sharon sigh.

   “Oh how romantic!” Gina says.  “Rome is
such
a wonderful place!”

   “You do realise we will have to do a toast to you when we go for champagne shortly” Sharon says to me and I grin.

   “Absolutely!” Gina says, nodding her head.  She puts her sunglasses on and then looks round the stadium for a moment.  “It doesn’t seem like two minutes since we were here before,” she remarks.

   “Yes, but this time” I say, bringing my feet out from underneath the chair where I’d tucked them out of sight, “My shoes are higher than yours!  Look!” and I point at my feet.

Both Gina and Sharon looked down.  Sharon’s mouth drops open.  “Oh my God!  Look at those
SHOES!
” she gasps as I grin widely.  “They.  Are.  Amazing!”

   “Did you buy them in Rome?” Gina asks, reaching down and lifting up my foot for a closer look and I nod.  “They are gorgeous!  If ever you have a clear out Gail and you don’t want them anymore, chuck them my way will you?”

   “Not if I get there first!” Sharon says laughing and then a cheer goes up from the crowd.  “Oh I think the boys are coming out!” she says and we all hastily turn our attention to the pitch.  I wave at Adam.

   “You look so different you know” Gina remarks to me as the match began.  “Don’t you think Sharon?  You know from the last time she came with us?”

   “Yeah – you do and it’s not just the shoes” Sharon says, “You look...”  She trails off, trying to find the right word.

   “What?” I ask tentatively.  I hope they don’t say ‘cheap’.  Or ‘tarty’.  Or ‘slutty’.

   “Well you look really groomed.  Polished.  Don’t get me wrong – you looked nice before, but now you look – well – more like...” Gina says.

   “More like you two you mean?” I say laughing.

   “Yes” Sharon says firmly.  “Although you do win the award for best shoes today so I think we will do a toast to your shoes as well.  Shall we go now?”

   “Yes lets” Gina says and we make our way down the row.  I get to the end and go to take another step with her left foot, but suddenly found I can’t move.

   “Oh God what’s happened?” I say panicking and look down to see to my absolute horror that my left heel has got wedged between two pieces of the metal flooring.  Oh
shit
.  “Girls – I think my heels stuck!” I call to Gina and Sharon.  Why does this have to happen to me?  I finally get the most beautiful pair of shoes ever, I do all this bloody practising walking about in them and I go and get bloody stuck!

   Sharon and Gina turn round.  “Oh God!” Gina says, “Can’t you move your foot at all?” 

   “No!” I squeal.  “What am I going to do?” I say in a frustrated voice.  “Help me!”

Gina and Sharon look at each other desperately for a second.  “Look – let’s ask that big bloke up there if he can pull your heel out” Gina says and walks up to him.  She gently taps him on the arm and explains my predicament.  He comes over, tries to pull the heel out, but no luck. 

   “No - I think you’re going to have to snap it off I’m afraid duck” he says firmly and I stare at him horrified.

   “SNAP IT OFF?” Sharon squawks.  “NEW SEASON GUCCI? 
Do you know how much thOse shoes cost? 
Out of my way!  Let me have a go!”  She grabs hold of my ankle and with a massive effort, yanks my heel free.

   “Oh thank you so much Sharon!” I say, nearly crying with relief as the guy gapes at Sharon.

   “It’s all right Gail,” she says, shaking her head in disbelief as the guy goes back to his seat.  “Snap it off!  The very idea!”

The game ends in a nil-nil draw and apart from my heel getting stuck
, is nowhere as exciting as the last match, so most of the time is spent discussing possible wedding venues for me and Adam and getting pleasantly tipsy.

   “What about Chanterey Hall?” I ask him that evening after dinner.  “Gina suggested it.  Do you know it at all?”

   Adam shakes his head.  “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never been.  Might be worth a look”.  He takes a sip of wine.

   “It sounded quite nice I thought.  Mmm, that sea bass was lovely” I say, “I think you can cook again!”

Adam smiles.  “Shall we go outside and finish this wine?” he says, “It’s a beautiful evening”.

   “Yes, lets” I reply, “We’ll wash up later”. 

Adam picks up the wine bottle and we walk through the kitchen to the garden.  It’s just starting to get dark, but the air is lovely and warm.  We stand and look at the garden for a moment, the scent of jasmine filling the air.

   Adam reaches for my left hand.  “I was really nervous asking you to marry me you know” he says, looking at my engagement ring, “Did you notice my hand shaking when I put the ring on your finger?”

   “No I didn’t” I admit, “I was too busy looking into your eyes and trying not to cry!”

   “Aw! Bless you!” Adam says and plants a kiss on my forehead.

   “Get off!” I say, jokingly pushing him away.  “It was only because just before you came back, I banged my elbow on the chair arm!”

Adam laughs and we go over to the little wrought iron table on the patio.  We sit down and Adam refills our wine glasses. 

   “You look nice” I say to him.  “That black shirt and jeans go really well together”.

   “Thanks” Adam says.  “Put your cufflinks in as well - look” and he holds up his wrists to show me.  “I really like these Gail, thanks for getting them for me” he adds and I smile at him.  “Oh yeah – meant to tell you - I managed to sort out a week at Mick’s villa in Spain for us” he adds casually.  “First week of September okay?”

  I let out a loud squeal.  “Adam that’s great!” I say excitedly.  “Wow!  Another holiday - I can’t wait!”

   “So make sure you pack that bikini you wore in the hot tub” Adam continues and I laugh.  “I’ve got a few pictures of the villa actually that Mick lent me to show you – I’ll just go and get them”.  He goes back into the house and returns a few moments later
, carrying a paper wallet of photographs. 

   “This is it” he says and passes me the first picture.  It shows a pale yellow coloured villa, almost palatial in size, with white shutters around each of the windows and a lush green lawn at the front.

   “Gosh, it looks lovely!” I say as Adam passes me the next picture.

   “This is the living room” he says, “and that’s the pool you can see through the window there” he adds, pointing it out and then looks back at the remaining photographs in his hand.  “Oh - this is a better one of the pool” he says, showing me a photo of a huge swimming pool, complete with sun beds, barbeque and stunning view of the surrounding countryside.

   “Blimey!” I say, thoroughly impressed.  “It’s nice isn’t it?”

   “
And the last one...” Adam says, “Is the view from the master bedroom.  You can see the sea in the distance – look” and I look eagerly at the photograph.

   “Wow.  Fancy waking up to that view every day!” I say.

   “I know!” Adam says.  “I’m going to have to get a place out there at some point.  What do you reckon then Gail?” he asks me grinning.  “Think you could manage a week there?”

   “Oh definitely!” I reply, beaming at him.  “What – going on holiday again in four weeks?  Fantastic!”  Only thing is I don’t know when I’m going to be able to see Alex – what with looking for possible wedding venues and shopping for more holiday outfits.  I’ll have to phone her.  I must.

“Gail?”  I can hear Adam’s voice and I try to rouse myself from a deep sleep.  “Gail?” he says again.  I open my eyes and blink a few times to find Adam leaning over me, his face close to mine. 

   “Morning” I say groggily.

   “Morning gorgeous” he says gently.  “Listen - I’m going to go for a run before it gets too hot okay?  I’ll be back for breakfast”.

   “Okay”.

   “I’ll see you in a bit” he says smiling and then kisses me.

   “Okay - bye,” I say, smiling sleepily back at him.  As Adam closes the door behind him, I sit up in bed.  The sun is streaming in through the windows and I decide to get up and go out for a little walk while Adam is having a run.  I walk over to the window and look the fantastic view.  Spain is
lovely
!  We spent the first night in a fabulous hotel in Madrid and then drove down to the villa yesterday.  Having only arrived late last night, I’m quite anxious to go and explore my new surroundings.  Think I’ll have a walk up to that little newsagent’s shop I saw on the way here yesterday I think as I look at my engagement ring.  “I’m so happy!” I say aloud and smile to myself.