I’d already spent time planning and plotting my future, trying to establish where my skills were, and the money would certainly help. I’d contemplated going back to accountancy work but I’d never really enjoyed it all that much and wanted to do something more creative. My real strengths were knowing what looked good and organising people and things. I almost baulked when Megan suggested it but the idea of being a wedding planner grew on me over the course of a few days. I liked clothes and accessories, I had an eye for interiors, and I wasn’t afraid of telling people what to do – and despite everything, I was still a believer in marriage.
With Kate’s help for promotion, I’d put together some literature advertising my services as the best wedding planner in Cheshire. Despite being a little bit (a lot) pregnant, I felt up to the job and my father always said ‘there’s no time like the present’ so I had to just get out there. If you counted my own, I had a one hundred per cent track record of planning amazing weddings. I offered no guarantees that the marriage would last though – that was down to the bride and groom.
Chapter Twenty-Six
WhatsApp was going crazy. I was seriously thinking about my business and what I needed to do but the messages kept coming. Nonsense mostly but I couldn’t ignore them.
Kate: I have my first client – small florist’s wants some leaflets designing.
Sam: Going to put tits on those too :=)
Megan: Sam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kate: There were no visible tits on the flyer I sent Frances – anyway, aren’t you two sat right next to each other???
Sam: OUCH!!! She elbowed me!
Kate: Sam, you have a point – sex sells. Maybe some boobs on the flyer would attract attention!
Megan: I hoped you had more class, Kate!
Sam: What’s this florist called again? ;)
Sam: OUCH!!! MEGAN . . . I’M A GARDENER! IT’S MY JOB TO KNOW!
Megan: Don’t shout!
Kate: Get a room!
Me: I have something to announce . . .
Sam: It’s twins?
Kate: She’s big enough . . .
Megan: ???
Me: I’m going to start up a wedding planning business . . .
Kate: typing
Sam: typing
Megan: typing
There was a pause in the incessant messaging. I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant but it wasn’t going to stop me. I continued planning, making a ‘things to do’ list. I was going to need social media, a website, flyers, and other bits and bobs but once I had a client, the hard part would be done. My phone buzzed again, and I picked it up thinking they’d finally replied. My heart thumped.
A friend of mine is getting rid of some nearly new baby stuff. They’ve said it’s going to charity if nobody wants it so I thought I’d see if you were interested? A x
I only had eight weeks left and had intended to go shopping for things that weekend but this was better – it would save me some money and I’d get to see Andrew.
That would be great – thanks. C x
My phone shrilled again. It was WhatsApp.
Megan: That’s great – glad you listened. You’ll be great. xx
Sam: Are weddings a good idea? Do you really want to encourage marriage???
Megan: Are you anti weddings, Sam???
Sam: STOP ELBOWING ME!!!
Kate: I can sort your marketing out. x
Me: Megan and Sam – you’re sat next to each other! Kate, thank you xx
Me: Megan, forgot to say. Antenatal class is Friday night if you can still make it?
Kate: Friday nights have taken a turn . . .
Megan: Definitely xxxxx
Me: Thank you xxx
My phone buzzed again. ‘Jesus!’ I reached down for it, all set to mute WhatsApp but it was a text:
Great, when can I bring it round? Friday straight from school would be good . . . A x
A flicker flashed across my chest. I’d still make the class.
Yes, that works. C x
Perfect – see you then. A x
And then I turned my phone off.
***
Friday came and I was a bag of butterflies. I changed my outfit twice – God knows why. Maternity wear was hardly flattering at its best. Not on me at least. The women in the pictures advertising the clothes were a picture of health and beauty with neat little bumps. I’d grown everywhere and had dry, blotchy skin on my face. Hardly glowing, still, my daughter was in there and as long as she was okay, I’d cope with the temporary side effects. There was a knock at the door and my heart started pounding. Checking myself in the mirror on the way past, I straightened my dress before pausing at the door to take a breath.
‘Hello, Andrew.’
My breath caught when I saw him. His piercing eyes hit me first but it wasn’t just those that took my breath away. Under one arm he had a baby bath filled with baby paraphernalia: baby grows, nappies, and a few toys. Under the other was a gorgeous, soft, white rabbit cuddly toy with big floppy ears. Something about this rugged man carrying such pure items made my heart melt.
As I was about to beckon him in, a lady who I recognised as my next-door-but-one neighbour waved from the bottom of my driveway.
‘I’m Annie. You must be the new neighbours,’ she said, giving a smile.
‘Hi, Annie, lovely to meet you. I’m Charlotte.’ Andrew was smiling at Annie too. ‘And this is Andrew,’ I added. It seemed odd to leave him out of the introductions when he was stood right there.
‘Lovely to meet you too. Welcome to the street and congratulations both of you!’ She pointed to Andrew’s swag and continued on her way. Heat flushed my cheeks.
‘Gosh, I didn’t mean to give her the wrong impression,’ I said. Andrew wore a look of amusement. ‘Come in anyway.’
‘I don’t mind.’ He smirked as he crossed the threshold. ‘This is nice – it feels homely,’
