Read Online Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham - Free Book Online

meet someone tomorrow! Some nice businessman.'
    `God help us,' said James. `Can you really see Isobel settling down with some dreary businessman? Anyway, she's far too young still.'
    `She's older than me,' said Milly.
    `Yes,' said James, `but the two of you are very different.'
    `How?' said Milly. She looked at her father. The tensions of the day were throbbing unbearably inside her head; she felt suddenly on edge. `How are we different? Are you saying I'm too stupid to do anything but get married?'
    `No!' said James. He looked shocked. Òf course not! All I mean is that Isobel's a bit more adventurous than you. She likes taking risks.'
    Ì've taken risks in my time!' cried Milly. Ì've taken risks you know nothing about!' She broke off, and stared at her father, breathing hard.
    `Milly, don't get upset,' said James. Àll I'm saying is that you and Isobel are different.'
    Ànd I prefer you,' whispered Simon to Milly. She gave him a grateful smile.
    Ànyway, James, what's wrong with businessmen?' said Olivia. `You're a businessman, aren't you, and I married you.'
    Ì know, my love,' said James tonelessly. `But I'm hoping Isobel might do a little better than someone like me.'
    Later on, as the pudding plates were being removed, Harry cleared his throat for attention.
    Ì don't want to make a big thing of this,' he said. `But I've got a bit of a present for the happy couple.'
    Simon looked up defensively. He'd bought a present of his own to give Milly this evening and had planned to spring it on her while they were all drinking coffee. But whatever Harry had bought, it would undoubtedly be more expensive than the ear-rings he'd chosen. Surreptitiously he felt for the small leather box, safely in his pocket, and wondered whether to leave it for another day a day without competition from his father. But then a small wave of indignation rose through him. Why should he be ashamed? Perhaps his father could afford to spend a bit more than him but then, what did everyone expect?
    Ì've got a present too,' he said, trying to sound casual. `For Milly.,
    'For me?' said Milly confusedly. `But I haven't got anything for you. At least, not anything to give you tonight.'
    `This is something extra,' said Simon.
    He leaned over and gently pushed Milly's blond hair back behind her shoulders, exposing her little pink ears. As he did so, the gesture seemed suddenly erotic; and as he stared at her flawless skin, breathing in her sweet, musky scent, a proud desire surged through him. Sod the rest of them, he thought Olivia with her unbearable smugness, Harry with all his cash. He had Milly's divine body all to himself, and that was all that counted.
    `What is it?' said Milly.
    `Dad first,' said Simon, feeling magnanimous. `What have you got us, Dad?'
    Harry felt in his pocket, and for a mad moment, Simon thought he was going to produce an identical pair of ear-rings. But instead, Harry dropped a key on the table.
    À key?' said Milly. `What's it for?'
    À car?' said Olivia in incredulous tones.
    `Not a car,' said Harry. À flat.'
    There was a unanimous gasp. Olivia opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again.
    `You're joking,' said Simon. `You've bought us a flat?'
    Harry pushed the key across the table.
    Àll yours.'
    Simon stared at his father, feeling all the wrong emotions rise to the surface. He tried to locate a feeling of gratitude, but all he could feel was shock and the beginnings of a defensive, smarting anger. He glanced at Milly. She was gazing at Harry with shining eyes. Simon felt a sudden despair.
    `How . . .' he began, trying to summon the correct, grateful tones, but only managing to sound peevish.
    `How do you know we'll like it?'
    Ìt's the one you wanted to rent.'
    `The one in Marlborough Mansions?'
    Harry shook his head.
    `The one you wanted to rent. The one you couldn't afford.'
    `The flat in Parham Place?' whispered Milly. `You bought it for us?'
    Simon stared at his father, and felt like punching him. Fuck him for being so