Love's Not a Competition

Chapter 9

Twelve Weeks to Go...

Rick decides he's going to meet me at St Pancras station on Tuesday afternoon; apparently he's in the area for a meeting. We'd originally arranged to meet when I get off the underground near Rick's and the change of plan that comes just after I've got on the train at St Albans throws me slightly and almost makes me turn round and go home for some reason.

What ought to make me cancel is that I'm sneaking out to meet another man behind my soon to be husband's back, but that doesn't factor in to my decision at all. Not that I'm intending getting up to no good, I just... enjoyed Rick's company I guess.

Over the weekend I did think several times about cancelling but, as you can see, I didn't. I just need to do this; I don't know why. There's nothing wrong with meeting an old friend for a drink and a chat, is there?

I met Lou for coffee and shopping on Saturday – I bought the dress I'm wearing now – and of course she asked how my meeting with Rick went on Friday. I told her the truth; that after the first few minutes it felt like we were meeting up after seeing each other only days before, rather than ten years. I told her how quickly the time had passed and how much I'd enjoyed myself. And then eventually I found myself telling her I'm seeing him again today. Much to my surprise she wasn't disapproving as I'd thought she might be, she actually said she could see why I needed to. Maybe she's just being nice to me because I'm ill, like my mum was over how much of my tattoo my wedding dress shows. Perhaps this is going to be it from now on; I'll be able to get away with anything with the two of them. I'm not sure I like that idea, I don't want to be treated any differently, at least not until I need to be treated differently.

Anyway, none of that matters right now. At the moment I'm just thankful I have Lou as my alibi for this evening; Calum thinks we're going shopping for shoes to go with Lou's bridesmaids dress – he knows I've got my shoes already – and then out for dinner. He won't be in from rugby until around ten o'clock tonight and I should be home by then.

As the train nears St Pancras I check my makeup, touching up my lipstick and adjusting a few strands of hair, then smooth down my dress and get to my feet as the train pulls into the station. I'm pleased with my new dress, I wore it on Saturday evening when Calum and I went to friends for dinner, but it's perfect for today too. It's a wrap style, dark blue with a multicoloured feather print on it; I wore it with heels on Saturday but I've gone more casual today. The weather's turned warm again, almost like a bit of an Indian summer, so with it I'm just wearing my denim jacket and a pair of tan wedge sandals that I didn't think I'd be wearing again until next summer.

I spot Rick as soon as I emerge from the platform, he's standing a little off to one side, leaning against a pillar as he watches the passers by going about their business. He looks quite casually dressed in beige trousers, a blue and white patterned shirt and a denim jacket and I wonder if he really has been to a meeting or if it's just an excuse so he can meet me a little earlier than originally planned. Mind you, the type of meetings he probably goes to are likely to be more casual than the ones I attend on occasion. Not that I'd wear a suit to a meeting, but I'd definitely dress on the smarter end of the scale.

He sees me almost as quickly as I see him and he moves away from the pillar he's been leaning against and walks towards me, his face wearing a broad smile.

"Hi," he says as he reaches me, immediately drawing me into a hug and kissing my cheek. I feel his breath against my cheek as he speaks and breathe in the scent of the aftershave he's wearing. It's gorgeous, smells expensive and exclusive, and makes my stomach flutter.

"You look gorgeous." He continues before releasing me from his hug.

"Thank you." I feel my cheeks colour slightly and I want to tell him he looks gorgeous too and smells amazing, but I can't quite find the nerve to do so. "How was your meeting?" I ask instead.