Married To Freddie Highmore

Chapter Four

I STARED AT my reflection in the mirror. Aunt Linda picked my clothes saying, ‘Your sense of fashion is far less presentable.'

   I am wearing a simple periwinkle dress that reached just beneath my knees. My black hair was fixed in a braid with the help of her old hairdo. I might look fine if it wasn’t for the black, thick-rimmed glasses.

   She turned me around, smiling. “Are you ready?”

   “Yes.”

   Together, we traipsed down the wooden stairs. My heart is beating so fast I thought it might explode. It seems that I will be meeting my deathbed.

   I am meeting Freddie Highmore for the first time. Years ago—or maybe even weeks—I might’ve been dying to get to see him. But now that I know I’m going to marry him, I’m wishing that the stairs magically extend and never end.

   Aunt Linda was talking soundlessly at me, her mouth forming incoherent words. No, she was talking to me normally, problem is I can’t hear her over the loud buzzing.

   I realise that the buzzing is in my ears.

   When we reached the drawing room, my breath immediately hitched in my throat. Freddie Highmore and whom I assume were his parents were sitting on the long, plush sofa.

   Just like in photographs, Freddie was very handsome. And that was an understatement. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. His brown hair highlighted his sea-green eyes, under his eyeglasses.

   He was looking around the old-fashioned house with fascination, until Mr. Highmore spoke up.

   “You must be Margo Andromeda?”

   The buzzing in my ears suddenly stopped as my heart raced very fast. I gulped then cleared my throat. I held my hands together so that they wouldn’t shake horribly.

   “Yes, sir,” I answered. “And I will appreciate it if you will just call me Margo,” I added quickly.

   Mr. and Mrs. Highmore laughed. “Of course, of course,” said Mr. Highmore.

   “I figured out long before that Martha would give her daughter a unique name,” added Mrs. Highmore.

   Then, in a blink, their expressions turned solemn. I knew what was coming. I did not know if I want to hear it but, I didn’t stop them, anyways. It was their way of giving respect, after all.

   “We offer our condolences. I apologise we did not manage to come to John’s funeral—our flight was postponed. We’re sorry for your loss. John is a good friend,” Mrs. Highmore offered.

   “It’s fine, Sue, we understand,” offered Aunt Linda. “No one wanted it.”

   I pursed my lips. I can’t believe he’s gone. One day, he’s driving me to preschool, picking me up, laughing at my bushy hair. I was so dependent on him. It wasn’t fair that he just. . . left.

   The back of my eyes burned, but I forced myself to focus on other things. I successfully distracted myself not two minutes later.

   Freddie glanced at me, then awkwardly gave me a fake smile before training his eyes on the floor quickly. I blushed a bit, biting the inside of my cheek. Shut up, stupid, teenage hormones.

   I took a deep breath to stabilise my heart rate. Aunt Linda led me to the sofa opposite the one occupied by the visitors. As we sat, the elders began animatedly chatting. The atmosphere shifted from gloomy to bright, in an instant. It was not like I was affected by their current moods.