Lizzie Marshall's Wedding (23 page)

Becky could hardly say no. ‘Yes, of course. I ... I hope you ... well, I hope things work out for the best.’

‘Thanks. Max has been giving me a lecture, of course, and he’s sure there’s nothing going on with Jack and that bloody woman but ... well, I’ll talk to you about it when I see you. Good night Becky. I’ll pass you back to Max.’

‘Hi love. Is Lily in bed?’

‘No, she’s a bit late tonight. She wanted to finish a jigsaw puzzle and, to be quite honest, I needed the company.’

‘Give her a hug for me. I’ll call you later. Bye.’

‘Well, well,’ Lizzie said when Max had rung off, ‘unless I’m very much mistaken Max Bedford’s in love.’

Becky pottered in the kitchen. She felt much happier having spoken to Max but she wouldn’t feel totally at ease until he was safe at home. She had really wanted to ask him to pop in and see her later, once Lizzie was settled but she knew that was being ridiculous. He’d said he’d call, that was good enough.  But Lizzie hadn’t sounded quite as upset as Becky had expected her to be and, as hard as she tried not to, she still couldn’t help wondering whether Lizzie wanted Max back.

It was nine-thirty and she’d cleaned the oven, cleaned the sink twice and rearranged the cutlery drawer. She realised she was being silly and decided to go upstairs and read.

She was just about to lock up when Max knocked on the door and poked his head round. ‘You really should lock your door at night; you never know who might be around. May I come in?’

She ran to him and threw herself in his arms in the doorway.

‘I take it that’s a yes.’ He kissed her tenderly and when he pulled away he said, ‘Lizzie’s settling in and pouring her heart out to mum and Victoria. I’ve left them to it. I’m starving. I don’t suppose there’s any dinner left is there?’

Becky laughed ecstatically. ‘I’ll make you something. I’m so happy to see you Max. I know this sounds really silly but it feels as if you’ve been gone for a lifetime.’

‘It doesn’t sound silly at all. It’s good to know you miss me as much as I do you. On second thoughts, forget dinner, let’s just go to bed.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

When Max spent the night at Becky’s, he either left by seven, or made sure he was dressed and downstairs by then. Lily woke up around that time and whilst they were happy for her to see them kissing or holding hands, letting her know he slept in Mummy’s bed was a step too far. Not that she would have understood, of course but somehow, acknowledging to her that they spent the night together, gave their relationship an air of permanence and, it seemed neither of them were ready for that.

‘Why don’t I take you and Lily for breakfast at mum’s?’ Max asked when he got out of the shower. ‘That way, you can meet Lizzie and, if you hit it off, I can nip up to town this morning as I’d originally planned and be back in time for lunch. Then, we can all drive down to drop Lizzie at her grandparents, if she still wants to go. What do you think?’

‘That sounds good to me. Will your mum – or Lizzie mind?’Becky said.

‘Mum won’t, and I’m sure Lizzie won’t either but I’ll call and check, if you like.’ He dialled the number and when Margaret answered, he said, ‘Is it okay if the three of us drop in for breakfast? How’s Lizzie? Is she up to company?’

Becky couldn’t hear Margaret’s reply but Max was nodding and smiling at her so she went into Lily’s room and helped her put on a pair of jeans and a dark red sweater then she showered and dressed in a pair of black trousers and a navy sweater whilst Max took Lily downstairs to play.

By eight o’clock they were all seated around the breakfast table in the kitchen of Beckleston Hall.

‘It’s lovely to meet you at last,’ Lizzie said, smiling warmly at Becky. ‘And Lily’s beautiful; you must be very proud.’

‘I am,’ Becky said returning the smile. Despite her reservations and doubts, Lizzie appeared to be as lovely as Max and Margaret had said she was and she clearly had no interest in Max as far as romance went. She obviously cared for him as much as he did her but, Becky soon realised, their relationship actually wasn’t very different to the one she had with Jess and Susie, after all.

‘So, any news from Jack?’ Max asked buttering his third slice of toast.

Lizzie shook her head and cast her eyes down to the half-eaten egg on her plate.

Max glanced at Becky then at Margaret then back to Lizzie. ‘Let me rephrase the question; are you going to answer any of his calls and discuss this like adults?’ He took a fourth slice of toast and started buttering it as everyone in the room stared at him in astonishment – except Lily.

‘Wh ... what makes you think he’s been calling?’ Lizzie asked, her voice raised by several octaves.

Max poured himself more coffee and refilled Becky’s mug, smiling and winking at her as he did so. ‘Because I know Jack ... and I know you. You’ve turned your phone off haven’t you?’

Lizzie scowled at him. ‘I don’t want to hear his excuses and lies. I – ’

‘Oh for heaven’s sake Lizzie! Give the man a break will you? How do you know he’ll lie or make excuses unless you actually listen to him? I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I don’t care what Kim told you; I don’t believe it – and neither should you.’

‘That’s easy for you to say! But when I asked him if he’d been to see her – he said he had!’

‘Yes. Because he wanted to tell you the truth. But seeing someone doesn’t mean you’re screwing them. If it did, imagine what he’d be thinking about you coming to see me! Oh! Sorry Becky.’ He put his arm around Becky and kissed her on the cheek.

‘Max!’ Lizzie hissed.

‘He’s got a point,’ Margaret said.

‘What do you think Becky?’Lizzie asked.

‘Er ... ,’ Becky wasn’t sure what to say, especially since she’d been thinking along similar lines. ‘I think ... I’d feel as you do but Max is right. Perhaps you should hear what Jack has to say.’

Lizzie held eye contact with Becky for several seconds then looked away. ‘I’m just not sure I could go through all that again,’ she said quietly, lifting her eyes to Max’s face.

‘Okay,’ Max said hurriedly getting to his feet. ‘I need to go. I’ll drop Lily off on my way to the station but I’d like a quick word Becky.’ He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. ‘Excuse us.’ He led her out of the kitchen, down the hall and into the sitting room in silence.

‘Right,’ he said sitting her down on the sofa and sitting next to her, holding both her hands in his. ‘You’re all going to be discussing Jack’s alleged affair when I’ve gone and there’s something I should tell you; something you should hear from me. I told you I had an affair with my secretary but I didn’t tell you her name.’

‘I don’t need to know her name Max. It was before we knew each other and it really doesn’t matter. Why do you want to tell me this now?’

‘I think it might matter, when Lizzie starts telling you about Jack, how they met and who his ex-fiancée was.’ He saw the shadow of suspicion slowly creep across her eyes.

‘You ... you don’t mean ...?’

He nodded in confirmation. ‘I’m afraid so. It came as quite a shock to all of us at the time, believe me. When Lizzie ... found out about my affair with Kim – that’s her name, Kim – I ended it. I didn’t know Jack then but it seems she immediately got her claws into him. I say claws, not out of spite but because of the type of woman she is.’

‘It takes two to tango Max,’ Becky said a little shakily, clearly trying to absorb this latest revelation.

‘I agree. I’m not for one minute suggesting I didn’t play as big a part in it as she did; I’m just saying, when Kim gets a man in her sights, it takes more than bullet proof glass to keep her from taking him down – no pun intended.’

‘I ... I’ve met women like that.’

He was relieved she was taking it so well. ‘Anyway, about two years later, Jack turns up at Lizzie’s on his stag weekend. He’s already having serious doubts about Kim; even the engagement and forthcoming wedding seem to have been staged and controlled by her so, when he meets Lizzie and they fall for one another – big time, well, let’s just say he goes against type and sleeps with Lizzie even though he’s still officially engaged to Kim, although Lizzie doesn’t know it’s Kim he’s engaged to. Are you with me so far?’

‘God Max! Hold on. I’ve just realised what you’re saying. Lizzie had an affair with the fiancé of the woman who had an affair with her husband – you!’

‘Er. That’s about it – I think. It’s still confusing, even to me and I was involved in it! But it gets worse!’

‘How could it possibly get worse?’

‘It seems Kim had found another target, Jack’s best friend, Ross. When Jack was away on business, she got her clutches on him and they also had an affair.’

‘Good grief! Margaret told me a bit about that but not about your involvement with Kim. So, you had an affair with Kim who then got engaged to Jack and she then had an affair with his best friend Ross. Is there anyone the woman didn’t sleep with? Then Lizzie fell in love with Jack not knowing he was engaged to the woman you had an affair with!’

 ‘Er...Yes. You couldn’t make this stuff up could you? I didn’t know mum had told you about Jack and Lizzie and I’m not sure whether I ever told her that Kim was the woman. Anyway, Ross married Kim – a big mistake in my opinion but there it is – and Jack could be with Lizzie, so it all worked out well in the end – until now that is.’

‘And now Lizzie thinks Jack is having an affair behind her back just like he did when he was engaged to Kim and just like you did – with Kim?’

‘Well, yes, but it’s worse than that. Lizzie thinks Jack is having an affair
with
Kim.’

‘What? Why?’

‘Because Kim apparently called her yesterday and told her he was – and like the complete and utter idiot that Jack can be sometimes, he didn’t deny it.’

He saw the odd look in her eye.

‘So ... you think Jack should have denied it? You think he should have lied?’

‘No! I told you, I did that once, I certainly wouldn’t suggest anyone else try it. He should have denied it because, no matter what Kim says and now matter how difficult the woman is to ignore, I don’t believe Jack’s guilty.’

‘Is she difficult to ignore, Max? Would you be able to –’

‘Stop right there.’ He kissed her on her nose. ‘Been there, seen it, done it, got eaten for breakfast. Not only would I be able to ignore her, I have. She came on to me just before Christmas last year and I told her in no uncertain terms, that dog won’t hunt. Why are you grinning?’

‘Because I love the things you say. But ... is she still married to ... Ross, was it?’

‘Yep. Although Lizzie told me last night that Jack had said they were having problems. Ross and Kim that is. They’ve got a young child. Ross is crazy about him but Kim apparently, not so much. No big surprise there. She always has to be centre stage. She seems to be looking about for a new starring role.’

‘Thanks for telling me. How long did the affair last? Yours and Kim’s I mean?’

‘Six months.’

‘Six months! Would it have continued if Lizzie hadn’t found out?’

He studied her face. ‘If I’m honest. Yes, it probably would.’

‘Would you have left Lizzie for her?’

‘Good God no! I never had feelings for Kim, it was just sex! Oh. Wrong thing to say I guess. What I mean is, I was never in love with Kim and if I’d really loved Lizzie as much as I thought I did, I’d have been able to resist her, even though she is sex on legs. Was sex on ... Sorry. I think I’ll shut up now, I’m not really doing myself any favours am I?’

He saw her smile reach her eyes.

‘I think you are. I don’t like the image that description conjures up – it’s difficult for us ordinary women to compete with – but you’re being completely honest and I like that.’

She kissed him and he wrapped her in his arms.

‘There’s nothing ordinary about you Fifi and forty Kim’s could cross my path and I think I can say, with all honesty, I’d probably trip over them – because I wouldn’t even notice they were there.’

Fifteen minutes later, Becky, Lizzie, Margaret and Victoria were indeed discussing men and marriage, love and betrayal and exactly why it was that tall, buxom, blondes could lure men to the rocky bed of infidelity with their Siren song of sex.

‘I just don’t understand it,’ Lizzie said, ‘Jack does love me, I’m absolutely certain of that. But then, I thought Max loved me and he did the same thing. Maybe it’s me! Oh God. I’m sorry Becky; it must be weird hearing me say things like that about Max.’

Becky shook her head and said truthfully, ‘We can’t pretend it didn’t happen. You’re his ex-wife. If I can’t deal with that then clearly Max and I won’t last very long. I will be honest though. I did feel a bit jealous when I heard you were coming to stay.’

‘You really don’t need to worry about me Becky. You must know this, you’d have to be blind not to see it but I’ll say it anyway, Max is crazy about you and Max doesn’t get crazy about many women does he Margaret?’

Margaret smiled warmly at Becky. ‘He certainly doesn’t.’

Becky felt her heart soar and yet she had to be realistic. ‘But you’ve said it yourself, that didn’t stop him from cheating on you, when he loved you.’

‘That’s true. And of course, there are never any guarantees but Max has changed since then. I don’t think he’d make the same mistake again. You’re right though. We never really know. Take Jack. After everything that happened, how we met, that woman and Ross, I would never have believed in a million years that he would get involved with her again and yet – here we are.’

‘Do ... do you really believe her though Lizzie? I mean, from what Max has told me about her, she doesn’t sound a very nice woman.’

‘She’s an absolute cow! And no, part of me didn’t, even though she gave me dates and times and places but Jack didn’t deny it so ... ’

‘What did he actually say and what did you actually ask him?’

‘I said I’d heard that he had been seeing K ... that woman, sorry but I can’t bring myself to say her name again, and I asked if it were true. He hesitated for just a second then he said that he had. I was stunned. I really couldn’t believe it. I asked how many times and he said “five”.’