Court Out - By Elle Wynne Page 0,104

catered to. Despite my initial thoughts that the suggestions she had for her big day would be way over the top, the venue looks beautiful.

My room is huge, with a large carved ash four poster bed, adorned with luxurious bed linen and bountiful fluffy pillows. I’ve already raided the complimentary stash of goodies in the bathroom and had a long soak in the freestanding tub.

I wish Sebastian were here. I’ve resisted the temptation to call him for fear of being overheard again. He’s spending the night with Ewan and the rest of the boys to make sure that he gets to the wedding in one piece tomorrow. I have no idea what Sebastian is going to say to him, if anything about Serena.

It’s one of those great hypothetical questions, isn’t it? I mean, if you knew that your friend was going to marry someone who had been involved in a heady physical and emotional relationship with someone, would you tell them? Is it any of your business? Would they shoot the messenger?

I always thought I knew the answer, but now, I really don’t know what to do. Of course, that situation doesn’t incorporate the fact that your best friend has been doing other, criminal acts with the man, but the basics are there.

I’ve cried off attending the rehearsal dinner downstairs, on the basis that I don’t want to run the risk of eating too much. Serena seemed content with the excuse for my absence and again gave my waistline a rather smug glance. She’s promised to pop in later so we can do some ‘girlie stuff’ before going to bed. I’d much rather sit and eat one of the many bowls of pot pourri dotted around the room, but I think I’m stuck with it.

The banging on my bedroom door comes just after 10. I unlock and open the heavy wooden door and am greeted by the sight of a clearly inebriated Serena. She pushes past me and sits heavily in the middle of the bed. I grab the television remote and tune in to a channel showing a film that I hope will distract her. It takes me a moment to realise that I’ve tuned into the adult channel. Serena doesn’t seem to have noticed and we sit in silence for a few moments, watching the synchronised bobbing bottoms before she turns round to face me.

“Do you think I’m doing the right thing?” she slurs.

Despite everything, this was not what I was expecting.

“What do you mean? About what?” I ask, somewhat shrilly.

“Marrying Ewan. I mean, he loves me and everything and he’s nice to me, but is this it? Can I really be with just him for the rest of my life?”

She looks at me expectantly. “Well?”

“Well, tomorrow you are going to have to say your vows to him and really mean them. If you can do that, then you should marry him. If you can’t, then no, you really shouldn’t.” I don’t know where this amazing pearl of wisdom has come from, but it actually makes a lot of sense.

Serena tries and fails to process this. “Yeah, but I want to get married, I like the security of a relationship. Would it be so terrible if I got married just for the perks?”

Despite everything, I’m already speaking words of reason to her.

“Erm, yes! Serena, if you are having totally acceptable pre-wedding jitters then that is one thing. If you have no intention of being a good wife to Ewan for the rest of your life, then that’s something else altogether!”

She sighs. I can practically see what is going through her head. She’s wondering whether to tell me about her dalliance with Rivers. I decide to try and push it. For once I can be devil’s advocate.

“So, I saw Lucinda this morning” I start.

Serena sits bolt upright and looks at me with a deep frown. “Really? Did she say if she was still coming?” she asks, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Coming? Coming where?” I stupidly reply.

“To the wedding, of course!” she responds.

Wait a minute.

“Serena, please tell me you didn’t invite Rivers to the wedding?” I beg, already knowing the answer. A defensive mask settles on her face.

“Yes, I did. What of it?” she snaps.

I decide to skate around the issue.

“Well, it’s just that you and Lucinda are hardly best friends are you? Anyway, she didn’t mention it. She did mention her own wedding though.” I say, not able to resist.

Serena’s frown has deepened and she has screwed the duvet