Maria drove up the long, winding road, thinking of the last time she’d been here, the excitement and tension in the van when she’d driven up with James. Now it was almost here. Two days and it would all be over. Mark and Annabel would be married, and her secret would get easier to keep. Darcy had stayed away from the shop but constantly sent her letters and rang her. His messages were mostly about his mother, how he was going to tell her to mind her own business, that they could work it out. He didn’t mention the baby, just how he felt, how sorry he was. All about him. She hadn’t replied, except the time Cassie got hold of her mobile and texted back BUGGER OFF YOU NAMBY PAMBY DIPSHIT before she could wrestle the phone from her grasp. He’d stopped calling the shop too, since Lynn had taken to blowing a whistle down the line every time she knew it was him. Short, but very effective at getting rid of nuisance callers. This weekend would be another part of her closing the Darcy file, planning the perfect wedding to prove she still had it in her, even if her own marriage was a non-starter. She just wanted to see Annabel and Mark happy, then she could have that in her head as a good memory. The knowledge that she hadn’t screwed up anyone’s life. James was respectably cordial, but he was keeping his distance too. She had seen his van in the village lately, even on Wexley Street itself, but when she looked again, it had always disappeared. Maybe it was a pregnancy mirage. Given her current near-to-delivering condition, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
She drove her car into the car park area, as close as she could to the hotel while still being tucked away out of sight. The hotel was gorgeous, and there was even a nice big visible sign at the entrance now, so at least the guests wouldn’t have any problems finding it.
She grabbed her bag and headed to the boot to pull out her overnight case. She had just waddled to the end of the car when someone opened the boot, pulling the case out.
‘You look nice,’ James said, pulling out the carry handle and reaching for her bag. She let him take it, and his lips twitched as though he was ramming a smile back in. ‘Getting big now.’
‘Thanks,’ she said sarcastically, rubbing her bump. James’s blue-green eyes ran over every inch of her, making her feel like he was trying to scan her for any changes.
‘Maria!’ A screech behind him heralded Annabel’s arrival. ‘Look at you!’
Annabel slammed into her and James winced.
‘Anna, be careful!’
‘Sorry,’ she said, shooting him a glance. ‘I can’t believe you kept this a secret from me!’ She pulled back from hugging and put both hands on her bump. Maria shrank back before she could stop herself. James appeared at her side and removed his sister’s hands.
‘Anna, you don’t just touch pregnant women like that.’
Maria grimaced inwardly, thinking of the times James had touched her stomach, felt her child kick, and spoke to it about the shop, the wedding, a rude customer he had had that day. The baby did a little kick, as always reminding her on cue of the good times with him.
‘Sorry!’ Annabel trilled. ‘It’s just so exciting, and you kept it quiet!’ Her face fell. ‘Oh God, sorry. I guess I get why. I found out from James, though. He had a pregnancy book in his van!’
Maria looked sideways at James, but he kept his eyes on his sister.
‘Er, shall we go in then?’ He picked up the case like it was a piece of paper and held out his arm for Maria.
She looked at it, at Annabel, and at the rather steep set of stone steps that led up to the hotel. She put her arm in his, and they all walked in together.
Annabel kept up a constant stream of chatter until the checkout desk was free, and Maria found herself flagging with the small talk. It was lovely to see her so happy, but she was fast realising that doing this wedding was going to be the hardest thing ever. Especially with her secret on show for everyone to see. Her bump was like a telltale beating heart.
‘Hello, can I help?’ the chirpy receptionist asked, and Annabel finally drew breath. James took the opportunity to grab one of her girlfriends from the bar and take them off together.
‘Hi,’ Maria said, sighing with relief. ‘Maria Mallory, I have a suite booked for one night.’
‘One?’ James asked, appearing beside her again, still carrying her luggage. ‘Two, surely?’
Maria ignored him, taking the key from the receptionist and heading to the lift. James went to follow, but she turned and held her hands out for her bags.
‘Mar, stop being ridiculous! Let me help you.’ He grabbed his own hair in his free hand, as though he was ready to rip it out.
‘It’s fine, honestly. I’m just going to freshen up.’
He didn’t move, or give her the bags. The lift pinged as the doors opened, and a bellboy was standing there, looking at them expectantly.
‘Hi, can you possibly take my bags?’ she asked him. James tutted behind her but gave the bags to the lad. She followed him into the lift, and turning to face the doors as they closed, saw that James was gone.
‘Cassie, I don’t think I can do this. James is here, and I don’t know… Mark is going to see I’m pregnant. What am I going to say?’
Cassie was lying in bed with Tucker at the cottage, and he gave her a kiss and headed downstairs to make them both breakfast. Cassie pushed her long black hair off her face, tousled from Tucker running his hands through it, and sat up straight.
‘You do the job, Mar, and get out of there. Do the dinner tonight, the wedding tomorrow, and then get your stuff in your car and come home. Don’t tell Mark anything. You have to act normal. Let them think it’s Darcy’s baby, just for now, then you can sort it out after. Tell the simpering git the truth and get rid of him and his dragon of a mother for ever.’
‘What about James, though?’
Cassie sighed down the line. ‘I don’t know, Mar. You know I think you should tell him how you feel. I know it’s impossible now, but maybe after the wedding…’
Maria looked in the mirror in the hotel bathroom. She was wearing a neat little sky-blue maternity dress, her hair swept back behind her ears.
‘I could wait for ever, but the baby will still be Mark’s. I can’t lie to him like that, not while I’m in his life. I’m a bad person. I need to get away from him, so I don’t ruin his life too.’
‘You didn’t ruin your life, or anyone else’s! You had a one-night stand, you were both single, and now you’re having a baby. Hell, without people like you, taking chances, living their lives… well, I’d be out of a job! Life is messy!’
Maria laughed.
‘Great, thanks, mate. Great time to be a born-again bloody optimist by the way. I still can’t get James involved in this. Ever. I have to let him go, let him live his life. He deserves better.’
‘I get it, Maria, I do, but your whole stubborn independent streak will shoot you in the foot before too long, and then it might be too late.’
‘Takes one to know one,’ Maria retorted, and Cassie laughed. Tucker walked into the room, holding a tray with breakfast on it, wearing only her apron. He had a flower from the garden between his teeth.
‘Yeah, well, maybe it’s time to let someone into our lives, you know. Maybe we can do that, and still be us.’
Tucker grinned at her words and snuggled back in next to her, tray on his lap.
‘Love you, mate, speak soon.’ Maria felt so happy for her friend. She had met her match, it seemed.
With Mr Atwood being dealt with by the authorities, and his wife taking out a restraining order on him, it seemed Cassie and Tucker had a lovely lazy weekend ahead. Maria just hoped she could get through the next two days in one piece.
The sound of laughter and the tinkling of glasses were music to Maria’s ears as she came down from her hotel room to deal with the evening dinner get-together. All of Annabel’s and Mark’s families were in for the night, ready for the big day tomorrow. She stepped out of the lift and headed to the dining room where the hotel had sectioned off part of the large room to accommodate the wedding party. Time to face Mark. She brushed her hands down her black maternity trousers, smoothing her cream blouse down at the front as though she could hide her bump under a crease. If only.
She headed to the room and stood in the doorway to survey the scene. There was one long table with all their immediate family and friends chatting away as they waited for the meal to begin. The wine waiters were making their rounds, and the whole room looked perfect. So far so good. She scanned the room and saw Annabel, sitting next to Mark. They were laughing along with each other, and they looked so perfect together. Maria felt a twinge of guilt, wrapped in panic, but pushed it away. She surveyed the rest of the guests and felt her stomach clench. James was sitting at the table, talking with the head bridesmaid, a rather pushy woman called Liz. She and Annabel had gone to university together apparently, but Maria could tell that Annabel was the pushover in the relationship, someone who was too nice to stand up to her friend. Annabel was a sidekick.
Liz seemed to be looking for a leading man at the moment though, as she leaned in to James. Their chairs were smushed together, and she was practically dry humping his leg with her own while she ran her finger along the shoulder of his shirt. He was listening to her and smiling while she cooed over him. He was the brother of the bride, and there to give his only sister away, and she was the head bridesmaid. Maria had done enough weddings to realise this was never going to end well, not for her anyway. Weddings did funny things to people – the hormones, the life-affirming love, and the sense of for ever. It made people bonkers. Events like this always did. It wasn’t a coincidence that birth rates went up after a horrible global loss of life. People reached out to people after funerals. It was human instinct to grasp for life, for happiness. Even if it was a skanky hook-up among the coat racks, it was still inevitable. Weddings were no different. The thought of Liz and James together made her feel physically sick and she rubbed her bump for comfort. She stayed where she was, leaning against the wall. She needed another minute at least.
‘Well, who would fall in love, eh, Sparky?’ she said to her tummy.
‘I would,’ a voice answered behind her. She whirled around and saw Darcy standing there. She walked over to him, trying to work out if he was a mirage, or actually there, on one of the most important days of her life. Déjà vu. She scanned the foyer, but it was thankfully empty.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked him, moving away from the doorway to try to get him away from the wedding party.
‘I’m here for you. I told my mother everything.’ He looked down at her bump. ‘Well, not quite everything, but I will. I want you to come with me, we can tell her together. Tell her we’re getting married, that we’re going to be a family.’
‘A family?’ she echoed. ‘I’m not your family, Darcy, and I’m working, so please go. I need this job.’
He looked past her at the doorway. ‘Well, tomorrow then. I saw on your business page you had this on – is the wedding over?’
Maria’s anger flashed. ‘No, Darcy, for once you actually arrived at the wedding, and early to boot. It’s tomorrow, and you need to leave. Now. If the press are anywhere near here, I swear…’
He held his hands out. ‘No, I borrowed Sis’s car. No one knows I’m here. I wouldn’t have come, but with Lynn at the shop and Cassie at the cottage… you don’t take my calls. I need to straighten things out.’
Maria shook her head, pointing to the corridor, and glancing frantically around her to check for any guests that might be overhearing.
‘Darcy, I’m not interested. It’s over. Go back to your girlfriend. Leave and let me do my job!’
‘No!’ he shouted back, loud enough to make the receptionist look up and take notice. Maria flashed her a relaxed smile and she looked back at her computer.
‘Darcy, leave, please. I don’t want to see you ever again, don’t you get that?’ She moved closer to him, trying her best not to shout. ‘Please, I need this job. There’s no couple that will touch me, after you. I need to get my business going, so please, just go!’
Darcy pointed at her belly. ‘I need to care for you and our baby, and I will. You don’t need to work. I already told you that. We can hire someone to help out at Happy Ever After, Lynn will work more hours, and you can be home with our baby.’
Maria shook her head. How the heck she’d ever loved such a pigheaded man was beyond her. He had literally trampled all over her life, and now just expected to get back in and go back to where they’d left off. It was time to finish this, and quickly.
‘Darcy, I don’t need you. I never did, but I wanted you.’
He started to preen, pushing out his chest, and she swallowed down her revulsion, the sudden nausea she felt. Obviously the baby wasn’t keen on him either. Smart baby.
‘I wanted you, but you left me, and since you’ve been gone I’ve realised a few things. Family is very important to me, and I’ve realised you feel the same. For your family, for the trappings of your life. You let your parents get into your head and you left me humiliated and alone, for no reason other than your parents feeling I was beneath you. I will never forgive you for that, but I’m over it, Darcy.’
He took a step forward.
‘I’m so glad to hear that, Maria darling. If we can just get over this, we—’
‘Now leave. Don’t come back.’
His face crumpled in confusion. ‘But – but, the baby…’
‘The baby isn’t yours, Darcy. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I never expected you to come into my life again.’
‘Not mine? Don’t be ridiculous. I demand a DNA test. You can’t shut me out, lie to me!’
The receptionist was flicking papers now, obviously for effect, and Maria felt herself flush. This was her worst nightmare.
He was looking at her now as though he was trying to work her out. Trying to figure out what was going on in her head. The problem was, he had never really known.
‘Darcy, I’m not kidding. I slept with someone else, after our wedding. It’s his baby, not yours. Now please leave, I have to get back.’
She could hear a commotion behind her and knew the meal was getting underway. She needed to be there, to make sure everything was running smoothly. She had only glanced at Mark a couple of times, but luckily the Darcy-father cover story must have reached his ears, because he had just given her a panicked look and quick, awkward wave before scurrying back to Annabel’s side. Just as she wanted. That was where he belonged.
Darcy didn’t move, just looked at her with a sneer.
‘Well, I’m just glad I didn’t marry you then, if you were cheating.’
Maria clenched her fists by her sides.
‘Darcy, just leave!’
He shook his head. ‘I think I’ll stick around actually. Is he here?’
She looked around her, feeling pure panic now. She needed him to leave, and to do her job.
‘Is who here?’
‘The father!’ he boomed.
‘What father?’ a familiar voice said behind Maria, and she felt like her heart had stopped. Turning around, she saw James standing there, a drink of what looked like iced water in his hand. ‘I came to bring you a drink,’ he said, moving closer. ‘Darcy? What are you doing here?’
Darcy sneered at him. ‘I came to talk to Maria, but apparently you’re the father. It makes sense now.’
James shook his head. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. You know you’re the father. Don’t try and wriggle out of it. Now’s not the time, so leave.’
He put a hand on Maria’s arm, passing her the drink. ‘You okay? You look pale.’
‘I’m fine, you go back to the meal. I’m so sorry about this, I’ll sort it out.’
James shrugged. ‘I’m fine here, thanks. Darcy, don’t make me throw you out of another door.’ The look he flashed him was enough to tell Darcy just what he thought about him.
‘Oh, do shut up, Daddy. I’m going, don’t worry.’
Maria stepped forward, pushing the glass of water back into James’s grasp. ‘Please, go back to your family.’
‘Oh! Family wedding, is it? Nice, screwing the clients, eh? Nice one! Classy. My mother was right.’
Maria opened her mouth to give him what for but then realised he wasn’t wrong. His mother would love this too. Well, bugger her.
She looked at Darcy and realised any feelings she had ever had for him were nothing really. A fondness perhaps. She had felt more love in the past few months than she had since her parents passed. Real love, for her child, and for a man who, in another life, she would have walked to the ends of the earth for. By contrast, she wouldn’t wee on Darcy if he was on fire.
‘I had a one-night stand, Darcy. The baby is his, not yours, or James’s. It’s my baby, that’s all that matters. I don’t care what you or your bloody precious mother think. I’m happy. For the most part anyway.’ She glanced at James before she could stop herself and he showed her a little shocked smile. ‘I wish you well, Darcy, and I’m going to go back to work now.’
She turned around to head to the dining room and bumped straight into Mark. He was standing there ashen, looking at her bump as if he expected an alien to jump out and attack him.
‘Is all that true?’ he murmured, his eyes bulging in his head.
‘Oh God, I’m sorry… I’m so…’
‘Oh God… oh God… Annabel…’
The two looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Darcy started to laugh, a haughty, ear-grating sound she’d always hated.
‘Well, well, well… you can take the girl out of the village…’
He stopped talking when James charged at him, and the two tussled on the floor, James’s knee on Darcy’s chest.
‘Gerroof!’ he demanded.
Mark didn’t even look at them. He was standing with his head in his hands, looking at Maria in disbelief.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
A tear fell down her cheek as she saw what she had caused. Two of the porters were separating James and Darcy, James screaming for him to be thrown out.
‘I didn’t want to ruin your life. I’m so sorry. I wanted to do the wedding to help you all, I was never going to tell you.’
He looked back at the dining room. ‘I’m getting married tomorrow.’
‘I know,’ Maria said. ‘I’m so sorry.’
James walked back over to them, Darcy being hauled out in the background. He took one look at Mark, and Maria started to cry as she saw the light of recognition cloud his beautiful, trusting face.
‘Mark…’ He put his hand over his mouth, running it down his close-set stubble. ‘Tucker said you had a night with a man called Mark.’
Mark moved towards him.
‘Mate, I didn’t know. Annabel and I broke up, and I was drunk, and…’
‘Don’t come anywhere near me,’ he growled, and Mark stopped dead. ‘I will deal with you later.’
Mark shuffled away, back to the dining room, and then the two of them were alone. The foyer had descended into a deafening silence.
He focused his blue-green eyes on her, and she saw tears in them.
‘Was all this some kind of plan? The wedding, the electrics?’
Maria started to sob. ‘No, no, of course not. I didn’t have any idea. He never told me anything, and I didn’t know till they came to the shop. I said no, but then I wanted to help you, to help them, to make it right.’
‘How can you make this right?’ he shouted, crying openly now. ‘You lied to me, Maria! Everything is one big lie. How could you do that? How could you do any of this?’
He crumpled in half, his palms on his cheeks as he hugged his elbows to his stomach.
‘I just can’t… Why didn’t you tell me!’ He stood up, holding his hands out to her. ‘I thought we…’
He bit his lips together, his eyes looking like the ocean, sea glass reflected in the water of his tears. She took a step closer, and another.
‘I’m sorry,’ she sobbed, her face and top wet with tears. She felt like her heart was going to split in two, the pain was so physical. The baby kicked like crazy. Another person mad at being let down. She rubbed the place and the movement stopped. Sorry, baby, Mama has made such a mess.
He lunged forward suddenly and she was in his arms. He dipped his head to hers and kissed her fiercely. His tears mixed with hers, their pain and sorrow drying into salty tracks. She kissed him back, but he pulled away, pushing her away by her shoulders.
‘I shouldn’t have done that. I can’t… I just can’t. It’s done… it’s just done.’
He turned and ran across the foyer, smashing through the entrance doors and racing out of sight. Maria was left alone, weeping, her lips bruised and swollen from the kiss.
‘I love you,’ she sobbed. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Hang tight, I’ll ring Taylor – we’ll come get you.’
Lynn was already putting her coat on and shucking her slippers off, cursing her neat and tidy ways. Her shoes were in the hall closet as always, neatly on the rack. She picked up her keys and tried to stay calm as she listened to Maria cry her heart out over the phone.
‘No, Lynn, I can’t go. My car’s here, and…’
‘So? I’ll ask Simon to come too, or Dot, or… I’ll find someone to come and drive your car back, or we’ll get it another time. I’m on my way.’
‘No, Lynn, I can’t leave. I have the wedding to do.’
Lynn stopped by her front door.
‘Maria love, I don’t think there’s going to be a wedding. You need to come home, get out of there.’
‘Lynn, I’ve been hiding for too long. I have to face this now.’
Lynn sat down on her staircase. She wished her dear friend was there with her, to help with her daughter. It broke her heart listening to her.
‘Why didn’t you tell me Mark was the father, love? I never would have let you do this, it’s too much. You haven’t done anything wrong, but planning the wedding was a bad idea.’
Maria was sitting on her hotel bed, lying back against her headboard, resting her swollen and throbbing ankles on the soft mattress.
‘I wanted to help them, to get money for the baby. I thought I could at least help them have their happy ever after, and then I could raise the baby and leave them alone.’
‘And James?’ Lynn said softly.
Maria burst into tears at the sound of his name.
‘Oh, Lynn, he hates me. He knows, and he kissed me and ran away.’
‘He kissed you?’ Lynn said, holding her hand against her heart. She’d always known it; that man had been lost since he’d first set eyes on Maria.
‘Yes, but then he stopped and ran away. He literally ran out of the hotel, Lynn, and I don’t blame him.’
Maria heard a knock at the door and her heart leapt out of her chest.
‘I have to go, Lynn, someone’s at the door. Don’t come, okay? I’ll call you later.’
She hung up on Lynn’s protests and waddled over to the door. Annabel stood there, dressed in her wedding dinner outfit. She looked at Maria’s bump and swallowed.
‘May I come in?’