The Importance of Being Married (33 page)

“But you haven’t chosen your dress yet. We’re doing that next week.”

“I know. But she wants everything now. And she’s organizing an engagement party for Saturday night.”

“She is?”

“Yes. At Boasters. I don’t even know where it is.”

“Oh, relax, Jess. I’m sure she’ll send you a little map. Anyway, just remember, in a few weeks you’re going to be a millionaire. You need to get used to people working for you.”

“She’s given me Pantone numbers.”

“Cool! You should get her to decorate Grace’s house after the wedding.”

“You think?”

“Sure, put your stamp on it. New sofas, new curtains. Jess, it’s going to be so much fun.”

“New sofas…” My voice trailed off as an image of me and Anthony moving into Grace’s house suddenly filled my head.

“Jess? Are you okay?”

“Sure. Completely okay,” I assured her. “I just…”

“Just what?”

“You think the marriage is going to work?” I whispered into the receiver. “I mean, I’m actually getting married.”

“You’ve only just realized that?” Helen said, laughing.

“No, but…”

“It’ll be fine,” Helen said reassuringly. “He’s gorgeous, you’re gorgeous, and it’s going to be fabulous.”

“You’re right,” I said, nodding to myself as I forced my eyes to focus back on Fenella’s list. Anthony was spending so much money on the wedding—I couldn’t possibly let him down. “I’m going to be Mrs. Milton,” I said firmly. “And I’m going to be really happy.”

“Atta girl,” Helen said cheerfully. “Oh, and by the way?”

“What?”

“Cravats. Bow ties are just so last century.”

Chapter 24

PROJECT: MARRIAGE DAY 28

To do

1. Go to engagement party.

2. Meet Fenella.

3. Be happy…

Boasters wasn’t just a “fresh new private members’ club.” It was the newest, freshest place in London. It was so über-cool that Helen and I couldn’t actually find it for half an hour; it was only when Ivana arrived and pointed out the sleek black door with no markings that we realized where it was.

Now, I’ll admit that inviting Ivana may not have been one of my proudest moments, but when Fenella rang to apologize that she probably wouldn’t be able to meet up with me in person before the party because there was so much to organize but that she was desperately excited and that we’d have coffee “soonest,” she asked me to e-mail over my guest list for the party. And even though I figured that everyone from Milton Advertising kind of counted as my guests as well as Anthony’s, I just couldn’t send over one, single, solitary name (Helen’s). She might think I didn’t have many friends or something. So I found myself giving her Ivana’s, too. And Sean’s. Worse than that, I got all intimidated talking to Fenella and found myself making up some utterly crap excuse for my short guest list. I told her that everyone I knew seemed to be out of the country skiing or lapping up some sunshine somewhere, and I was convinced that she knew I was lying, even though she said, “Oh, God, I know exactly what you mean—everyone I know keeps dashing off on holiday, too, and I’ve only made it to Gstaad twice this year, which is totally unfair, but what are you going to do?”

As we approached the door to the club, Ivana stopped me and narrowed her eyes.

“This your engagement party,” she said, grabbing my shoulders. “You no looking like it.”

“I’m not?” I asked anxiously

“Your shoulders, they are too far forward,” she interrupted me. “They must be back.”

I rolled my eyes. “If I don’t lean forward slightly, my breasts look like tornadoes,” I said, shooting a look at Helen, with whom I’d argued for hours over what I was wearing—she had, eventually, allowed me to wear a demure little black dress but had insisted on squeezing me into a bra that looked like something out of an S&M film.

“Let me see,” Ivana demanded, and I duly showed her. “Hmmm. I em liking the bra,” she said, scrutinizing me. “The dress not so much. But you…No. Is no good.”

“No good? Why? Have I got food in my teeth?”

Ivana raised an eyebrow. “No. But you heff look in your eye I recognize. Is fear.”

“I’m not afraid,” I said defensively. “Just, you know, a bit nervous. I’m meeting all of Anthony’s friends. I’m sure he’s nervous about meeting…well, meeting you.”

“Nerrrvous,” Ivana said, rolling the
r
for longer than was really necessary in my opinion. “Why nervous? Is yourrrr party. You must think you are sexiest woman in room.”

“Right,” I said tersely, thinking of all the Tamaras and Selinas who would no doubt be scrutinizing me. “No problem.”

Ivana shook her head and looked at Sean, who shrugged for good measure. “This not good,” she said dismissively. “Definitely not. So, stand up straight, yes?”

I sighed, then reluctantly drew myself up to my full height. “Okay, can we go in now?”

“Tell me who you are,” Ivana said firmly, blocking the entrance.

I looked at her like she was mad. “I’m Jessica Wild,” I said as quietly as I could. “And I’m late for my engagement party.” I looked at my watch pointedly—I was already twenty minutes later than I’d told Anthony I’d be.

“Jessica who?” Her eyes were flashing dangerously.

“Jessica Wild,” I hissed, feeling my cheeks redden. “Look, please, can’t we just go in? I’m fine, really I am.”

“You are not fine,” Ivana said firmly. “You are scared little girl going to own engagement party. Tell me who you are. Tell me you are Jessica Wiiild, crazy sexy woman.”

I looked around nervously. There was no one there. Slowly, resignedly, I took a deep breath. “I’m Jessica Wild,” I said, looking at Ivana imploringly. “A crazy, sexy woman.”

“Now like you are meaning it. Or no go in.”

She raised an eyebrow and my shoulders slumped; immediately she stared at them until I’d adjusted my posture. “Fine,” I said. Then I tossed back my head. “I’m Jessica Wild,” I said, loudly, confidently. “Wild as you like. I’m Jessica Wild, a crazy, sexy woman who’s wild, wild, wild. Okay?”

Ivana didn’t say anything.

“What?” I demanded. “Not wild enough? Not crazy enough?” I did a little dance, wiggling my hips. “I’m Jessica Wiiild,” I yelled. “Crazy, sexy wild woman of Islington. Lock up your sons, because Jessica Wild is here. Now can we go in?”

“Jessica. Good to see you,” a voice said suddenly; I swung around to see Max approaching.

I smiled weakly. “Max. Hi. Um, these are my friends. Helen, Ivana, and…Sean.”

“And are they wild wild wild, too?” he asked levelly, a little glint in his eye. I blushed furiously. This was all I needed—Max taking the piss.

“That?” I said, attempting a laugh. “Oh that was…I mean, I was just…”

“She vos doing vocal exercises,” Ivana said, turning a huge smile on Max and holding out her hand. “It iys very good to meet you.” She batted her eyes, her eyelashes seeming to follow a full three seconds behind her eyelids. Max smiled.

“Ivana,” he said, holding out his hand.

“So,” Ivana said, her voice deep and low. “Are we going in?”

The glossy black door led to a steep staircase, at the top of which five leggy brunettes were standing, each holding a clipboard with a list of names on it. They looked us up and down dismissively as we made our way up the stairs, then smiled engagingly at us when I gave them my name.

“Congratulations,” one of them simpered.

“Have a great night,” said another.

I smiled and gulped as they swept back a curtain to let us through; immediately I saw Anthony standing next to Marcia laughing about something. I hesitated for a moment, but then Anthony caught my eye.

“Darling!” He rushed over and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re here!”

“Yes. I—”

“You have to come and meet everyone,” he said, grabbing me by the hand and dragging me off. I managed to smile fleetingly back at Helen; moments later I was standing in front of a large group of people, none of whom I’d met before.

“This is Amanda,” Anthony said, smiling at a tall girl in a red dress. “And Josh, her boyfriend. This is Saffron, and this is Alexis. And Meg. Charlotte. Clare. Tatiana.”

I looked around at the sea of faces and managed a smile.

“And this is my fiancée, Jessica Wild,” Anthony concluded. He kissed me on the head. “Back in a tick,” he murmured. “Got to go and shake a few hands. Stupidly invited a whole bunch of clients…”

He disappeared into the throng and I smiled as brightly as I could at Saffron, Alexis, Tatiana, and the rest of them. “Hi!” I said, feeling more self-conscious than I had on my first day at school. They were all looking at me curiously and I suddenly found myself rather wishing Tamara would turn up. At least I could ask her how the party went.

“So, how do you all know one another?” I said eventually.

“Oh, you know, the party circuit I guess,” one of them said.

“The party circuit,” I nodded. “Of course…”

“And you know him through work, right?” I think it was Tatiana speaking; I nodded and smiled.

“That’s right. I’m an account executive at Mil—”

“So are we all going to Henry’s after this?” she interrupted, before I’d been able to finish my sentence.

“Henry’s?” I asked tentatively.