Jasmine’s expression switched from confusion to delight and then she giggled.
‘What?’ asked Lexie, flicking her gaze from Theo to Jasmine and back again.
Theo turned the soles of the shoes towards Lexie and her stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch. Painted in what looked like scarlet nail polish on the underside of each shoe were the words ‘Love’ and ‘Just Married’ and several juvenile attempts at a drawing in the shape of a heart, with the added benefit of a selection of unicorn stickers. Once the initial shock had subsided, Lexie burst into laughter and the three of them enjoyed a few moments of hilarity.
‘Dan told me that it’s a tradition to paint something on the bridegroom’s car when they go away after the wedding, but I thought I would do this instead for Zara. They’re really pretty, aren’t they?’
‘They sure are,’ guffawed Theo, touching the corner of his eyes with his little finger. ‘Completely inspired!’
‘I love shoes. I’ve got twelve pairs at home in my wardrobe and my mum says I can have a new pair of red-and-gold sequin trainers for my birthday next week.’
‘I love shoes, too,’ said Lexie, smiling at Jasmine, but keen to draw the conversation to an end so she could report back to Zara that all was well. ‘Now, why don’t you go and find your family while I put these back in Zara’s room?’
‘Okay,’ she said, with a sweet, butter-wouldn’t-melt grin before skipping from the room, singing the signature tune from a children’s TV programme.
‘Oh, my God!’ spluttered Theo as he followed Lexie back down the corridor towards the wedding suite. ‘I’ve never had so much fun on an assignment in my entire life!’
‘I’m with you on that! Marley has the best job in the world!’
Chapter Twelve
Lexie waved Theo off in his MG and texted Zara to tell her that the Great Wedding Shoes Catastrophe had been averted. She also planned to ask Dan to have a quiet word with his sister about her propensity towards staging pranks that have unintended consequences – like an exploding bride-to-be!
She inhaled a deep breath, extracted Marley’s trusty folder from her shoulder bag and flicked to the page headed ‘Wedding Breakfast Menu’. It was time for her conference with Anton, and after the pandemonium of the last hour she intended to spend the next thirty minutes surrounded by the soothing aromas of mango puff pastry turnovers dusted in powdered sugar, coconut-infused kisses, and warm honey-glazed pineapple upside down cake whilst revelling in the sexy timbre of Anton’s French accent, even though the chef himself rarely cracked a smile.
If there was one area of the wedding arrangements she knew she didn’t have to worry about it was the catering. Once again, Marley had selected well when she had suggested Dalston Manor to Zara and Jason as the perfect venue for their wedding ceremony and reception – even though it was at the expensive end of the spectrum. Lexie had drooled over the menu that Anton had created which, of course, reflected the couple’s desire for a Caribbean theme, and she knew their discussion was a formality as she trusted him to produce a wedding feast fit for royalty.
She was just about to push open the door leading into the dining room when she heard her name being called. She swivelled on her heels to see who it was, and smiled when she saw Freya running towards her, a bulky white dress-carrier over her arm, her Cath Kidston bag bouncing at her side.
‘Hey! Lexie! I got here as quickly as I could,’ puffed Freya, dropping down onto one of the red velvet Chesterfields that were dotted around the foyer between the potted palms and over-sized Chinese vases.
‘What do you…?’
‘Zara’s missing wedding shoes! I can’t believe this is happening, I—’
‘It’s okay, it’s okay. Panic averted – it was all just a misunderstanding. We’ve found them and they’ve been reunited with their owner!’
‘Thank God!’
Lexie joined her friend on the sofa, concern for her wellbeing spiralling through her chest.
‘How did you get on with the Rachel’s bridesmaid’s dress?’
Freya’s demeanour changed immediately and she pushed herself up from her slouched position to beam at Lexie. ‘No problem at all. I used dishwater detergent and then vinegar and it’s as good as new. No one will be any the wiser, except us.’
‘And Theo.’
‘Oka… ay.’
Freya paused and squinted at Lexie, her mouth twisting into an interested smile.
‘I take it that was his little green MG I saw disappearing into the sunset with you in the passenger seat?’
‘It was seven thirty in the morning!’
‘Whatever. Where were you going?’
Lexie couldn’t help it, warmth seeped into her face and she knew that Freya wouldn’t budge until she’d recited every detail of her encounter with Theo so the sooner she gave her a short synopsis of her al fresco breakfast, the sooner Freya could make a start on Rachel’s bridesmaid dress fitting and the sooner she could start talking, and tasting, canapés with Anton who was the world’s most impatient person and hated to be kept waiting.
‘He brought me breakfast, that’s all.’
‘Ooo, that sounds romantic.’
‘It wasn’t romantic at all. We’re just friends, Freya,’ she said flashing her friend a warning look that told her not to go any further with that kind of talk. ‘In fact, he—’
‘That’s the best way to start a relationship. Harry and I were friends for three years before we realised that we were destined to be together. Now, I’m not saying it’ll take you as long…’
‘Stop. Right. There. Theo and I are not, I repeat not, destined to be together – this wedding overload is starting to get the better of you! All I’m concerned about is making sure Zara and Jason have the most perfect wedding day possible. Theo helped me and Jasper with the napkin folding task, and then to locate a pair of shoes that had gone walk-about, that’s it. I’m grateful, but after this weekend I doubt our paths will cross again.’
‘Well, that doesn’t have to be the case. Bath isn’t that far away, and it’s Katrina and Dylan’s wedding in three weeks’ time so you’ll definitely see him then.’
‘Don’t you think Marley will be back by then?’
‘Maybe… possibly, I’m not sure…’
‘Oh God, have you spoken to her?’
Freya hesitated for long enough for Lexie to know the answer to her question.
‘Freya?’
‘Okay, I wasn’t going to tell you, but yes, she rang me last night – she tried you first but apparently your phone was switched off – just to make sure everything was on track. She’s absolutely stressed out, poor girl. Her sister’s got cabin fever and is insisting on being wheeled out every day for coffee, to visit friends, take in a movie, all in her wheelchair. She even had Marley take her to the beach at midnight so she could watch the waves crash onto the shore. And of course she’s worried sick about the agency, but I put her mind at rest about that straight away.’
‘So you didn’t tell her about what happened with Rachel’s dress or the mysterious gin bottle?’