CHANGE OF PLAN! PLEASE PLAY ‘TINY
DANCER’ – ELTON JOHN AS FIRST DANCE!
SORRY FOR THE SHORT NOTICE. E.
The writing is all block capitals, and although I don’t think I can recognize it, I know it isn’t mine and while I can’t be certain, I’m pretty sure it’s not Rupert’s.
‘Right. Thank you. I’m sorry for the confusion.’ Ignoring his puzzled look, I take the note from him and plastering yet another fake smile on my face, quickly cross the dance floor, stopping to snag my shoes from under the top table, and march out into the evening.
I lock myself in the posh block of portaloos in the garden, my hands shaking slightly as I slide the lock to the cubicle closed. I thank God silently that Rupert had insisted on the most expensive block, the ones with mirrors and cubicles and actual tiny sinks with jars of pot pourri on top of them. Alone, I open the note again, my eyes scanning over the words as I rack my brains to think who could have done something this cruel. It was intentional, there’s no doubt about it, but I think that hopefully, Rupert and I reacted in such a way that everyone else must have thought it was an error on the band’s part. I am so engrossed in trying to work out who requested that the song be changed, that I don’t realize I am no longer alone in the portaloo until I hear my name.
‘That must be Emily’s idea.’ A woman’s voice, thin and reedy with that plummy undertone that all Rupert’s friends seem to have, but I’m not sure I recognize it.
‘Oh, of course. Why else would Rupert drop the Osbourne? Becoming Osbourne-Milligan was Caro’s idea, wasn’t it? And Rupert carried on being Osbourne-Milligan after she died. Definitely Emily’s idea.’
I sit bolt upright on the closed toilet seat, tucking my dress out of the way and drawing my feet up so the cubicle appears empty. I hold my breath, afraid of giving myself away.
‘What do you think of her anyway? It’s all a bit quick, isn’t it?’ A smacking sound, like someone is refreshing their lipstick.
‘Rupert on the rebound, do you think? Or maybe she’s just after the money. Caro left him at least a couple of mill, I’m sure.’ A spritz, and then a sickly-sweet perfume wafts on the air, catching in the back of my throat. BITCH. The word floats through my mind and I have to bite down on my tongue, to tamp down the fury that rises as I listen to the women tear me apart just feet away.
‘Of course, Rupert is very attractive. He was bound to move on sooner rather than later. Although he was devastated at what happened with Caro. I was at the party that night, you know.’
I hear a gasp of delicious shock from the other woman, and I shift slightly, my nerve endings singing. The party. Someone else had made mention of a party just before Caro died. I lean forward as far as I dare, trying to hear what they say next.
‘Really? What happened? Can you tell me?’
‘Well, they had a blazing row, right there in front of us all. And then Caro stormed out. We got the call a few days later to say that she was gone.’
‘Oh gosh. Do you think…?’
‘Ladies.’ A new voice butts in, and this time I am sure it is Sadie. A flutter of nerves stirs in my belly as I wait to hear what Sadie will say. Will she let slip anything about the party? Or will she join in their spiteful bitching about me? I almost feel sick, waiting. ‘Even if Emily is after Rupert’s money, is it any business of yours? And how dare you gossip about Caro? You’re supposed to be friends of Rupert. I strongly suggest you watch what you’re saying, seeing as you’re enjoying a night out on his dime.’ There is a pause, footsteps as the bitchy women hurry outside, and then a tap on the cubicle door. ‘Emily? It’s OK, darling, you can come out now.’
I wipe my face with a piece of toilet tissue and slide the door open, peering out cautiously. ‘Well, that was refreshing.’ I try to laugh, but as I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, the mascara that smudges under my eyes, I want to cry.
‘Oh, ignore them. They weren’t anyone who matters, trust me. They’re just jealous that you snagged Rupert and not them.’ Sadie gives a brittle smile before turning to the mirror and swiping more bright red lipstick over her mouth. ‘Are you OK? That wasn’t the song you chose earlier, was it?’ My eyes meet Sadie’s in the mirror, and any chance I had of asking her about Caro and the night of the party slips away. ‘What happened?’
‘No. It wasn’t our choice. The singer said I left him a note but… I don’t know. It was just a silly mistake, no big deal.’ I lick my finger and wipe away the black smudges of make-up from under my eyes, so I at least look presentable.
‘Well, it gave me a jolt, so goodness knows how it made Rupert feel.’ Sadie eyes me closely. ‘They played that for Caro and Rupert’s first dance.’
‘I know. Amanda mentioned it when we went for lunch together a few weeks ago, you know when all three of us went to that new place, near the station?’
‘Oh, Emily. I didn’t realize that you knew. Are you sure you’re OK?’ Sadie’s face is creased with concern, her lipsticked mouth turned down as she gently squeezes my arm.
‘Honestly, it’s fine.’ I blink. ‘I think I’d like to just forget about it, you know? Whatever happened I don’t want to let it put a shadow over our day.’
Sadie pulls out a tiny hairbrush from her clutch bag, running it over her already immaculate
