them with tender care as a rule, adding music that suited the moment.
The Brooks’s son Mark was the first to pop up on the huge projector screen. ‘So sorry I couldn’t be there with you today, Melissa. But by the time you watch this I will be sunning myself on a beach in Turkey. It was late notice, so I couldn’t cancel the holiday, but I want you to know I’m there with you in spirit and I hope you and Jason have a brilliant day and a long and happy future together.’
Tony Trot sighed as he popped his phone inside his pocket and went outside for a cigarette. He wouldn’t usually get involved in stunts such as this, but he was wary of getting on the wrong side of Craig Thurston and five grand was a hell of a lot of money to knock back.
Tony punched in Craig’s number. ‘The speeches have started. I’m outside now.’
The Windmill Hall in Upminster had two entrances and it was the rear car park entrance where Darlene was waiting. She knew what order the speeches went in, had the list memorized.
‘You all right?’ Craig asked her. Tony had left the door ajar so they could hear everything. Auntie Mary who lived in Australia was currently boring the arse off everybody.
‘Two more to go,’ Darlene hissed.
Craig could see Darlene was nervous. She was jittery, her hands clearly shaking.
‘Do I look OK? Has my lipstick smudged?’ she gabbled.
‘No. You look great, honest. Just say what you gotta say and leave, OK?’
Feeling her heart pounding like never before, Darlene nodded anxiously.
‘How boring is this? Can’t keep the fixed smile on me face for much longer,’ Peggy Rampling complained to Irish Ted. She had never attended a wedding where tons of well-wishes were played on a big screen and it was ever so dull when you didn’t know any of the people.
‘Most of the messages are from people who are actually here today,’ Irish Ted whispered in Peggy’s ear.
‘I know! What a load of old crap. Why can’t they just say it to the bride and groom in person? I want the music to start.’
Winking at his grandmother, Jason took a gulp of champagne. He knew none of these people wishing him well and he too was bored out of his brain.
‘Hi, Jason. So sorry I couldn’t be at your wedding, but …’
Jason stared at the screen in absolute horror. Darlene was sat on the edge of her bed, done up to the nines. The very same bed he’d shagged her senseless on, on hundreds of occasions. ‘Shit!’ he mumbled.
‘Why’s that old rotter sending him messages?’ Peggy asked Irish Ted, who promptly shrugged.
‘Turn this off,’ Jason shrieked, looking for Tony, who was nowhere in sight.
‘Who is she?’ Melissa enquired, totally bemused.
The hall fell so silent you could’ve heard a pin drop as Darlene added, ‘I thought it only right your wife found out what you are really like, Jason, so she can get the marriage annulled.’
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
