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“Why? Aren’t weddings supposed to be fun? All that free food and drink.” He playfully grinned. “Isn’t that right, Adam?”
“Yeah, so I’ve heard.” Adam shrugged. “I’ll go get Sophie another drink.”
James nodded, and before she could say not to bother, Adam had walked off.
“So?” James sat down, giving Sophie an interrogating look.
Sophie, relieved that Adam had gone to the bar, rolled her eyes and sat back down at their table. She pulled tissues from her jacket pocket and started wiping her bag. “I have a mountain of stuff to do and I can’t afford to take the time off from work either.”
“Rubbish!”
“And well, they’re not really close friends or anything.”
Who are you kidding?
“It’s an all day invitation, so you must mean something to them,” James said.
Sophie looked down, unable to meet James’ gaze. It galled her to admit this, even to James. “I'm not sure I can face going on my own.”
“Oh.” James’ smile dropped. “You don’t have an ‘and guest’, do you?”
“You know I don’t,” she hissed.
“Well, you should still go. Might find yourself a nice man.”
Sophie cringed, but hoped her expression didn’t show. “James, I’m too busy with work.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Bollocks.”
Sophie let out a sigh, glancing around the pub garden. Could anyone hear? “It’s complicated.” Then she lowered her voice, “I don’t know if I can handle the ‘why is a pretty girl like you still single?’ speeches.”
She remembered the family gathering last Christmas, all tucked around the dinner table about to tuck into the turkey. Her Aunt Veronica, with too much sherry inside her, started harping on at her. ‘Isn’t it time you found yourself a boyfriend, rather than follow that career of yours?’ She hadn’t let it rest all day. Her insides turned cold, even now. Not to mention the endless ‘So how’s your love life these days Soph?’ from a variety of younger, male cousins. ‘Still single, eh?’
Irritated, she snatched the wedding invitation from an unsuspecting James. She didn’t exactly date much, but she couldn’t admit that, could she? It wasn’t that she was shy. In fact she used to be much more outgoing … and why she had thought that she might have found someone to go with her. The months had whizzed by and her only social outlet was The White Lion on a Friday night. It was her own fault. She should have gone out more, accepted James and Kate’s invitations.
"I'd go with you, for the champagne and food of course!” James said, smiling. Sophie clicked her tongue. “But as you know I’m going –”
“Yes, to that bloody meeting in Manchester.” Most of her colleagues were going next Friday and tonight they’d been talking about extending it to the weekend. Sophie wished she was attending. It would be the perfect excuse. But she’d actually booked the time off ages ago in preparation for the wedding. Months ago she’d psyched herself up, telling herself that she could attend it. Now it came to actually going, her confidence had gone. “Besides, I don’t think Kate would appreciate you going away with me for a weekend.”
“True. She likes you a lot, Sophie. But even Kate might find that difficult to swallow.” He laughed. “But what if Kate went with you?”
Sophie smiled, understanding James’ offer, though not particularly enamoured he was still pressing the matter. “You’re sweet. Thank you, but it’s not really a case –”
“Soph, come on. Would you go if you had someone to go with?”
“Um … ” Yes, she would. But did it sound pathetic? She frowned. Adam walked towards them carrying a glass of wine and a greying dishcloth.
“Sorry, queue at the bar,” he said, handing Sophie her glass. She wasn’t sure if it were true, yet was glad he’d taken his time.
James suddenly beamed. “Adam, you’ll go with Sophie, won’t you?”
Sophie nearly spat out her wine.
“What?” He stared at James, shocked – or horrified even? – stopping mid-wipe with the cloth.
Sophie waved her hands in protest. “Seriously, it’s not that big a deal. I’ll cancel.” She took a gulp of her wine, Dutch courage was really required now.
“No, no, no.” James placed his hand on hers and squeezed it. Once he had an idea in his head, he didn’t stop or even listen. “Adam, you’ll do it, won’t you?”
Sophie glanced around again, hoping no one would take any notice. Good job they weren’t in the office otherwise she’d be the talk of the whole building. She imagined the sniggers.
“Just go along so she doesn’t get all those awkward and annoying questions, you know, like ‘why aren’t you married yet? You’re working too hard at that office.’ ”
Sophie laughed, and even Adam couldn’t hold back a smile. James sounded exactly like an old lady, not dissimilar to her Aunt Veronica.
“Well, I’m not sure,” Adam stammered. Unable to look Sophie in the eye, he picked up his pint.
Sophie sobered. Maybe he’d do it for someone prettier. And smarter. She hardly compared to Bella. Automatically Sophie brushed her hands down her trousers. She couldn’t blame him. Adam was well out of her league. He played Premiership; she was way down in second division.
“Adam, honestly, don’t listen to him,” Sophie said, pointlessly dabbing the cloth over the table. “You don’t have to. I’ll say I’m not going.”
“Rubbish!” James interrupted. Sophie quickly glared at him.
“James –”
“Go on,” James cut in, ignoring her. “You’ll charm the socks off the wedding guests.” He grinned.
“Sophie looks quite capable of standing on her own two feet,” Adam said, giving her a smile. It wasn’t huge, but enough to make her heart flutter. He’d just made her feel like a million dollars. Maybe she should wear more makeup into the office after all.
Stop it.
Adam was right though, what was James suggesting? She didn’t know Adam from … Adam. Oh, God.
“You’ll be helping a lady in distress.”
“I’m not in distress!” Sophie slapped her hand down on the table.
“Ah, James, shall we go get another pint?” Adam said, giving James a stern look, then his expression softened. “Sophie, would you like anything else?”
She shook out her bag and started putting the contents back into it. “Um, no, thanks.”
***
“What do you think you’re doing?” Adam scowled at James. He’d never heard of anything so ludicrous in all his life. They both ducked the low doorframe as they entered the pub. The warmth hit them, dry and stuffy compared to outside. “Not only did you just put me in a very awkward situation, the poor girl’s embarrassed.”
“Come on, Adam, she needs a date. Just go along, charm the guests, keep them off her back. You never know, you might enjoy the weekend.” James leaned against the bar. “And Bella’s no longer on the scene, so what’s the problem?” Adam winced. Bella had wanted more than he was prepared to give. He was too busy with work. And his father expected nothing short of absolute dedication.
Adam ordered the drinks when the barmaid arrived, trying to think of arguments for not doing it. There were plenty.
“We hardly know each other.”
James nudged him and laughed. “When has that stopped you before?”
“That’s different! Besides, what have you told her about me?” Adam looked at him questioningly.
“Only what everyone else knows.” James held up his hand defensively. “If she’s ever listened to me jabber on,” James winced, “then she might think of you as ladies’ man.”
“Oh, just wonderful.” Adam shook his head.
“Look, you know I would have gone with Soph, but I’m at that damn meeting in Manchester – and you’re not.” James paused. “And even if I could, Kate loves Sophie, but I’m not even sure she’d understand this one. Come on, help a mate out,” James said, rubbing his hand through his unkempt hair. “Do it for me? You’re the only guy I can trust to do this properly.”
“I don’t know.” Adam slid his hands into his pockets. Why hadn’t he stayed at the office this evening? He’d taken the opportunity to leave on time, rarely able to join the workforce down the pub on a Friday. Now he regretted it. First Bella, and now this.
“So, how good is she … at engineering?” Adam said hesitantly.
James frowned. “She’s a bloody good design engineer. Thomas will be making her chief engineer at this rate – obviously some time yet, she’s only young.”
“So we don’t want to lose her?” Adam’s forehead creased. Would helping Sophie actually benefit him, even if only in company matters?
“No, but what’s this got to do … ? Adam, I’m asking you as a friend.”
“I know, but I might need to call in a favour.” He shrugged.
“Man, it’s always about work with you. Well, you’re probably both suited. The woman works all hours,” James said. Then more sternly, “But she’s the sort who’d help a friend out if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t know what I’m thinking. This is a stupid idea.”
“She’s great. You’ll love her. You two might even hit it off.” James sounded hopeful. Adam scowled.
“We’ve talked about this before. You know it’s not for me, settling down. Not everybody wants what you and Kate have.”
“How do you know if you don’t try it? Dating a woman who’s not afraid to chip a nail might do you good.”
“Date?” Adam sighed and run a hand through his hair. The barmaid put the last pint on the bar and Adam paid her.
James continued frantically, realising his misplaced word. “I’m not asking you to sleep with her. In fact you’d better not - I’ll bloody kill you! Sophie’s a nice young lady, who needs treating properly.” James looked at him knowingly but Adam’s returned expression was horrified. “But truthfully, I think something’s up.”
“Oh, great.”
“She needs someone there for moral support, for some reason. Like I said, she helps friends out, that’s why I can’t believe she’s seriously thinking of not going.” James nudged him. “Haven’t I got you out of a few scrapes? If you’re helping Soph out, you’re helping me out,” James added, looking pleadingly at him. “You’re the only one I know I can trust.”
Trust. There it was again. If James wasn’t such a good friend …
The barmaid handed Adam his change and he sighed. “All right, all right, I’ll do it.”
James slapped his back and grinned. “You won’t regret it.”
“Famous last words those.”
“Sophie is lovely.”
“You keep saying that, but she’s not really my –”
“The problem is you can’t see beyond a woman’s looks. You wait until you get to know her. Trust me.”
Adam rubbed his forehead, and they headed back to the pub garden. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret this?”
***
Well done, James. The one thing she would have liked to have kept buried deep in her handbag, was now the topic of the most embarrassing conversation at the pub.
Coward.
This could be the answer to her fears; only Adam Reid … Really?
While she worried about what James was telling Adam at the bar, she said hello to colleagues, not really listening to them and what they were up to at the weekend.
What would she be doing this weekend? Thinking about packing, or plucking up the courage to call Cassie?
Why hadn’t James stuck with asking Kate? Or one of her accountant friends? Oh, no, he’d asked Adam Reid from Sales and Marketing – a department she wasn’t even familiar with, as her job rarely led her there. All she knew was everyone dressed in smart, slick suits and looked immaculate. They talked about sales figures, advertising campaigns and the big picture, while she and James knuckled down to the hard work behind the scenes.
She glanced around the pub. Some of them were here.
Sophie swallowed, conscious her throat was like sandpaper, and sipping her wine didn’t help.
James and Adam walked towards her and sat down in silence.
What had James told him?
All nice things, surely? He’s a friend. Though, how well did James know her, really? So they worked together five days a week, and went to the pub on a Friday evening, but Sophie didn’t speak much about home, and what awaited her there. They talked shop most of the time, discussing their latest design project, or she let James fill her in on his weekends with Kate and friends.
“As I was saying,” James looked at Adam, as if passing a silent message between them, “Adam will go with you to the wedding.”
“You don’t have to.”
Adam smiled, in an ‘I don’t mind’ kind of way. “So where’s the wedding?” She became very aware of his blue eyes piercing through her at knee melting capacity. Good job she was sitting down.
“Cornwall, where I grew up. I’m supposed to drive down Thursday morning,” she said nervously. “It would mean taking a couple of days off.”
“See, mate, it’ll be fun –”
“Shh, James,” Sophie hissed.
“Okay, fine,” Adam said, ignoring James. He frowned, combing a hand through his hair. Sophie could see he was still thinking about it. Had James bullied him into this?
