The Morning After the Wedding Before. Laura Ziepe

needed in his life, though he sometimes made unpleasant remarks about Frankie being like an annoying little brother, which Emma ignored.

      ‘So things didn’t work out with you and Marie then?’ Emma enquired in a gentle voice.

      Frankie cleared his throat and shook his head. ‘Nah. I wasn’t ever really sure about her if you know what I mean?’ He paused for a moment. ‘She was a bit too materialistic for my liking. Always hinting for me to buy her some designer bag or another and telling me what her friends’ boyfriends were buying them. I felt like she wanted to be with me for all the wrong reasons. It was never a serious relationship and I called it a day. She was impressed that you were marrying my cousin,’ he let out a little laugh. ‘I think she follows you on Instagram and is one of your fans. Said something about a lovely bag you had or something once.’

      Emma closed her eyes for a moment, feeling embarrassed. She struggled to hear people use the word ‘fans’ and always found herself feeling so awkward. ‘Oh god. Yes, sorry, maybe I’m to blame for some of the bags she likes,’ she chortled. ‘I always tag my bags in the photos I post. I get sent some for free, but my expensive designer ones I saved up for myself. Everyone is allowed a little treat from time to time, aren’t they? I’d never expect Charlie to fork out for them though; if I want anything I make sure I buy it myself. I’ve just always been like that.’

      ‘You’re a hard worker. Independent, and I admire you for that. I guess that’s where you and Marie were very different.’

      ‘She was very pretty,’ Emma recalled, thinking of her beautiful long red hair and bright blue eyes.

      ‘Yes, but looks aren’t enough, are they? When you like someone and have a real connection, you just know don’t you?’ His hazel eyes burned into hers and feeling the atmosphere shift slightly, Emma looked away quickly. She wasn’t even sure why.

      It took her back to a time when Charlie disappeared on a night out. They were together in a group and Frankie had been there too. There had been a few other couples as well as some of Charlie’s single mates. They’d been drinking in a London bar and after a few hours, the other couples had left.