Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [84]
Greg smiled. He really had missed her.`What are you wearing?'
`Bra, knickers, grey T-shirt with a picture of Screaming Lord Sutch on the front-'
`I meant to the wedding.'
`Oh, a new dress. You'll love it!'
`So long as it doesn't have Screaming Lord Sutch on the front.'
`Greg, I have to go, we're going to be rushed off our feet for the next couple of hours. See you at the Salinger, okay?'
`Twelve o'clock. I won't be late.'
`Blimey, better not be!'
`I love you,' Greg blurted out.
There was a brief pause.
`I love you too.'
`When security stop you, you tell them you're there to see Mr O'Hare,' Greg explained importantly.
`Right.'
`Then you have to sing the first two lines of "Here Comes the Bride".'
`Is this a wind-up?'
`No.'
`Can't I just hum it?'
`No!'
`Fucking celebrities,' sighed Buzz.
`There he is,' Chloe squealed delightedly, peeping through the curtains down to the street below. `Buzz Baxter, lovely, lovely chap. Danced with me at our wedding reception, tried to undo my bra on the dance floor and asked if
I'd like to have sex with him in the back of his Austin Montego.'
Miranda peered over Chloe's shoulder at Buzz, glimpsing the camera under his baggy jacket as he fished out his wallet to pay off the cab. Moments later, Buzz smoothed the jacket back into place. The camera, like a concealed weapon, was undetectable. As he turned to mount the white marble steps, another gleaming black cab drew up behind him.
`How did you know Greg would tip him off?'
Chloe, drily, said, `I know Greg.'
At that moment the door of the cab swung open and Miranda's head began to swim. Oh God, this was actually going to happen, it was really really about to happen. Just for a second, Miranda was choked with sorrow. So much for happy-ever-after. How could she have made such a monumental mistake?
No, no, I mustn't feel sorry for myself, there's no time for that now. Be brave, be strong, and smile like a bride…
`New suit,' Chloe observed with satisfaction. `Let's hope it cost a bomb.' She took a deep breath, adjusted the padding beneath her uniform and spun Miranda round so fast she almost fell off her high heels. `Right, the weasel has landed.' Firmly, she propelled Miranda in the direction of the blue ballroom's double doors. `Go, go, go!'
The security man stepped forward, blocking Greg's path through the foyer. Greg knew he was security because he was wearing Blues Brothers dark glasses and an ill-fitting black suit.
`May I help you, sir?''I'm here to see Mr O'Hare,' said Greg.
The Blues Brother nodded impassively.
And waited.
`Um… "Here comes the bride,"' Greg sang in a quavering voice. He felt simultaneously foolish and important. '"All… all dressed in whi-ite…"'
White came out horribly off-key, which was embarrassing.
The Blues Brother didn't smile. He nodded again, grimly, and stepped to one side.
`Through reception, up the stairs and turn right. The ballroom's straight ahead of you.'
His black suit was too tight for him. Greg, squaring his shoulders and instinctively straightening his own jacket, wondered if the man had any idea how it felt to wear a suit that had cost eight hundred quid.
He checked his cuffs, then his watch. Five to twelve. Mustn't be late.
When Greg was out of sight, Tony Vale removed his Blues Brothers glasses - Camden Market, Ј1.50 - before turning and switching off the video camera concealed within the pedestal flower arrangement behind him. Then he headed for the staircase. Wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun.
The double doors were closed. Fenn Lomax was pacing up and down outside like a nervous father-to-be.
`Hi. Greg Malone.' As he held out his perspiring-withexcitement hand, Greg wondered how much Fenn's suit had cost. `Congratulations.'
'Miranda's fiancй. Nice to meet you at last.' Fenn nodded and smiled, shaking the outstretched hand. `I have to congratulate you too.'
`Is everyone in there?' Greg jerked his head in the direction of the double doors.
`Oh yes, all ready and waiting. Apart from the bride, of course. Right,' said Fenn, taking