Two of a Mind by S M Stuart Page B

the meticulous planning of his beautiful bride. Laura felt only a brief stab of jealousy that Jade had chosen not to marry Bethany’s father, despite numerous proposals. Laura hadn’t had the chance to indulge herself as the mother-of-the-bride, however, being godmother of the groom on this occasion had it’s advantages. She and Matt were included in all the family portraits of the day so she could enjoy the involvement without the stress of the organisation.
    â€œRemind me again who that couple are with Jen,” Matt whispered as the toasts came to an end.
    â€œSamuel went to school with Jen and Celeste and that’s his girlfriend Elizabeth.”
    â€œPhwar. She’s a looker!”
    â€œMatthew Simpson.” Laura playfully slapped her husband’s arm. “You’re old enough to be her father.”
    â€œAh so it’s only that you consider me too old for her. Not that you’re jealous, at all.” Matt smiled as he kissed his wife’s pouting lips.
    â€œBehave you two!” Jade interrupted. “Anyone would think it’s
your
wedding day.”
    â€œI hope that we’ll still be just as loving when we reach our thirtieth anniversary,” said the new Mrs Hanson, approaching the table.
    â€œMy dear girl,” Matt said. “I’ve never seen Jonny happier. He’s besotted. Whatever you’ve been doing together in that office of yours has done the trick.” He gave an exaggerated wink and earned another slap from his wife.
    Celeste blushed slightly. “If I told you I’d have to kill you,” she replied with her own sly wink.

CHAPTER 16

    Ellingham: 31 July 2110

    Things are getting complicated
.
    I couldn’t work out what was really happening in my relationship with Seth. We were best friends; always had been and, if I had my way, always would be. But I realised that, for me at least, it was developing into something more. I thought about the way he’d cared for me earlier. Was I imagining that the way he felt about me was changing too?
    I stretched to relieve the stiffness in my neck and shoulders. I’d been hunched over the desk in my room trying to tune out the white noise in my head that had returned during dinner. I’d made my excuses and left the table before dessert, coming to my room before Mum got into full flow about me going out when she’d said I shouldn’t.
    So much for improved mother daughter relations!
I thought.
    As I leaned backwards, Seth’s scent wafted up from his jumper, draped over the back of my chair. I’d forgotten to give it back to him when we’d reached my house. I tried to rekindle the relaxed, safe feeling I’d experienced that afternoon when he’d been massaging my face and the noise in my head had diminished. Although the reminder of his smell was comforting it didn’t do the trick and the voices continued to chatter incoherently. At least I didn’t feel quite so sick this time. Maybe if I concentrated on something else I could ignore the internal racket.
    Elizabeth’s
Handi
was charging up in the last rays of sunlight on the window ledge.
I’ll have another look. See what I can come up with.
When the unit turned on I chose ‘Random Access’ – an opportunity to let fate decide where I’d start.

    News Archive: Sun 14 Feb 2106 (France)
    This morning, in a gruesome parody of a Valentine’s Day tryst, the bodies of a young couple were found in the gardens of the Théâtre Marigny, Paris. Police wish to speak to anyone in the area of the Square Marigny, Avenue des Champs Élysées, Avenue de Marigny and/or Avenue Gabriél between 9 o’clock yesterday evening and 7 o’clock this morning – the time that the awful discovery was made by one of the groundsmen.
    POP-UP:
‘How alike are the groans of love to those of the dying.’
Under the Volcano, ch12: Malcolm Lowry (1909-57)
    (DOM: 13/02)

    Oh great!