Geli Voyante's Hot or Not (32 page)

‘Baby, get back in bed.’

‘
Nooo,’ I protest as Theo grabs my ass.
Memo to self: if your boyfriend can grab hold of enough flab to pull you back, you need to do squats or something because, yes, your bum most definitely looks big in this.
‘I have to get ready.’

It’s
the morning of Tiggy’s wedding, a wedding I do not want to attend. So far Calvin has resisted his inner demons and the wedding ceremony is going ahead, but it’s been a strange few days. Theo’s not left my side once and Tiggy has been hanging around us like a bad fly. She’s not even joined in the conversations or card games – she has just sat there – and the atmosphere has been weird.

I can see why Theo has repeatedly dragged me back to our room at any given opportunity
. Sex is what he implied we’d be doing from his caveman dragging, which prompted some eye-rolling from Calvin and
that
look from Tiggy, but sometimes I managed to convince him to watch movies with me. And not just pay-per-view ones...
Yuck
.

I can’t fathom
out Tiggy’s behaviour. I know she used to fancy Theo, but she’s marrying the sex-god that is Calvin Murphy-Lee. What is her problem?

‘
Come back to bed,’ Theo insists. ‘So I can do disgusting things to you and make you blush.’

I blush at this.
‘I have to get ready for the wedding,’ I protest.

‘It’s hours away.’ H
e growls at me. ‘Come here.’

‘Look,
’ I huffily say. ‘Tiggy is no doubt going to pay some whizz kid to airbrush the photos to make me look bad. I need to look fabbity.’

I reach for my robe that’s draped over the dressing table.
Maybe I’m now acclimatised to Durban, or maybe it’s the air con, but I feel quite shivery.

‘Fine.
’ Theo growls this in my ear; I hadn’t realised he had got out of bed.

‘I
f you won’t come where I was, I’ll make you come right here.’

He pushes me roughly into the
dressing table and parts my legs. It’s easier to let him just get on with it because sex like this never lasts long with Theo. He’s lost in his moment, muttering dirty expressions, and I could be anyone.

‘Can we not stop in bed all day and skip the wedding?’
he asks a few minutes later, completely unaware that if he had bothered to look up once during his thrusting he would have seen the vacant expression on my face.

It’s not supposed to be like this, is it? If someone really loved you, they’d stop and listen to you. They’d make it about the both of you and not just take based on one person’s needs.

I shake my head, trying to steady myself on the dresser. I want to cry. Not just because of what’s just happened, but because of the wedding.

T
empting as it is to skip this wedding – I really don’t want to watch the destruction of poor Mr Murphy-Lee’s life once his marriage to Tiggy is official; it’s the equivalent of watching human bear-baiting – I know I need to see it happen, need to see that Calvin has made his decision so I can move on. Maybe then I’ll pluck up the courage to deal with Theo...

The first person I clock as I push open the heavy oak door to the restaurant is Tiggy. This morning it’s girls-only in the main restaurant and I’m thankful I have a reprieve from Theo. With any luck, I can avoid him until after the wedding ceremony since I’m getting ready in Claire’s room.

Tiggy looks washed out from a distance, sickly.
Pre-wedding jitters? There’s no trace of any beauty preparations ahead of this afternoon’s wedding ceremony, and this is the first time I’ve seen her without her face on since before she lured Eric away. It’s unnerving. I could almost forget the past nine years and believe I’m here to witness my best friend in the world get married, rather than the frenemy she has since become.

She looks miserable. I wonder how Calvin is holding up? This is supposed to be the best day of their lives, after all.

My heart flutters a little at the thought of him, but I know I have to forget Calvin Murphy-Lee. He’s going to marry Tiggy, and I need to support this even if I like Calvin way beyond the initial fancying stage I went through when I first clicked “view more photos” on Facebook just a few months ago. It’s his wedding day though and he’s clearly made his decision. I have to accept that.

I
’m still stood by the door. There’s only Tiggy in here that I recognise, tucked away on a side table, which is why I’m hovering. Deep breath, Geli. It’s time to be nice – something I never was despite Dad and Claire’s many requests.

Seeing her like this reminds me of when we were best friends, back when we
’d do anything for each other and we’d have
killed
to be sisters – without that involving the death or divorce of our respective parents, of course – it’s time for a fresh start. In fact, I will be nicer to Dad too. I’m lucky I still have him.

Weddings are al
l about fresh starts, so I’ll make this mine. Today can be the beginning of the new Geli Voyante. No,
Angelica
Voyante. I’m a grown-up now; I’ve come a long way these past few months.

‘You
OK, Tiggy?’ I smile warmly at her, nodding at the waiter who is offering me tea. See, that didn’t kill me.

‘Fine
Angelica,’ she snaps.

Ah
, yes. I’d forgotten how I really dislike being called Angelica. Maybe I will stick with Geli.

‘Do you want me to check an
ything for you?’ I ask, sitting down on the wicker chair and pouring some milk into my tea. ‘See if the flowers are all in place? Make sure the caterers are en route?’

‘Mum and Claire are
handling it,’ she grunts at me, switching her attention back to shovelling down buttered toast like a woman possessed.

My
, she really is packing away the toast. Then again, she always stress-ate. Funny that, because why would she be stressed? Nerves, I understand, but stress? This is
Tiggy Boodles
– nothing fazes her.
Nothing
. The only thing she cares about is herself, so that’s the only thing she will ever get stressed about. Why would she be stressed? This is the happiest day of her life.

I pick up some bread from the basket and start to butter it. I don
’t have much of an appetite after Theo’s behaviour this morning, but I need to eat something.

‘Where’s Theo
?’ she demands.

I try not to flinch at his name.

‘Having breakfast, probably with Calvin and Dad.’

Her mood shifts at this
; I see the cogs turning.

‘
Be a love, see how Calvin is, and you can do me a huge favour, too.’

‘Sure.
’ I take a mouthful of bread and force myself to eat it. It tastes like cardboard.

‘Get him to go over his groom’s speech with you. Somewhere quiet, just the two of you. I don’t want
everyone
to hear it before I do, but I want to know it sounds good.’

Listening to Calvin twice in one day profess his
undying love for Tiggy? Of course I can do that. I’ll just feel bitter and twisted inside and want to kill myself.

‘O
n it,’ I make myself cheerfully say, abandoning my bread and tea.

I head
to the other breakfast room but only spot Theo and Dad there. I’ll check the honeymoon suite; I hope he’s there because it’s getting hot. I don’t want to be trekking around the estate looking for him in this heat. There’s not even a baby breath of breeze – the air is stifling and I am melting into disgusting stickiness. I make my way through to the honeymoon suite but he’s either not there, or he’s not answering.

The artwork and hangings in this part of the manor are something special. The one just by the honeymoon suite is a William
Kentridge sketch, an artist who was one of my Hot picks when he exhibited at the Tate. That reminds me of happier times at the Gherkin, back when Theo was just some guy I sat next to and fancied from afar, when he wasn’t... Calvin, I need to find Calvin and not dwell on
that
.

Making my way back to the boys
’ breakfast area to see if he has shown up there, I spot a gorgeous Venetian mirror that I pause to admire. I almost jump out of my skin when the side of Theo’s head reflects in it, but he’s walked past me without realising it’s me stood here. I can hear him swearing under his breath.

‘Theo!’

He turns around; he has a face like thunder. I’m glad he’s not seen me now since in this mood he’d only drag me back to our room so I could help him “unwind”. I duck behind the corner so they can’t see me, earning a strange look from one of the maids.
What does Tiggy want with Theo?

She’s grabbed
his arm and is gesticulating wildly at him. Despite her frantic actions, her voice is low and I can’t tell what she is saying. She’s probably drilling him on Calvin’s whereabouts, if I think about it, or maybe trying to see if Theo has heard Calvin’s speech.

OK, T
heo is pointing over into the trees, towards the lake. Calvin has clearly taken himself off for a little walk to clear his head and go over his vows, or his speech, or something. Now, Theo is leading Tiggy out of a side door. Isn’t it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other? Nothing else seems normal about this wedding though so I guess they aren’t overly concerned with traditions.

Oh
, how strange. Tiggy and Theo are disappearing into the trees together. Maybe I should follow and check everything is OK. I do feel a bit sorry for Theo – stuck with just Dad at breakfast, now having to deal with Tiggy’s wedding jitters – I won’t hear the end of this if I don’t go and rescue him from her evil clutches.

I hurry after them...

‘What’s this?’ I finally choose
to reveal myself.

Even though Theo and Tiggy are undeniably arguing, they are arguing quietly which serves me no purpose because I can’t lip read
at this distance, not that I could at any distance with my dreadful eyesight. I’d quite like to know exactly what my boyfriend and stepsister are doing when Calvin is nowhere in sight. They seem to have come out here to have a secluded, heated argument, which makes no sense. Theo can’t stand her, they don’t know each other... what’s going on?  

They
spin around. ‘What’s going on?’ I repeat, as I walk towards them.

At least they are sheltered from the sun. I’m melting
in this clearing. There’s no breeze, and it’s all dreadfully still. Sort of like me a minute ago – still and hidden, trying to fathom this out. This is not about Calvin. Tiggy clearly wanted to get me out of Theo’s way so they could have this conversation. Is this why Calvin has mysteriously vanished?

Tiggy looks
scared as I approach. Shouldn’t she look excited? It’s her wedding day. And Theo? Theo looks angry. Actually, he looks furious. Violently furious. Is this because I’ve interrupted this – whatever this is – or is he furious at Tiggy? I can sense Tiggy is relieved because I’m now here, witness to whatever this is, but why is she scared? What has she done?

Neither of them
speak; they’re just staring at me.

‘What have you done?’ I ask, turning on Tiggy.

She looks like she is at breaking point; after three months of knowing Theo in more than a professional sense, I know he’s good enough to be able to bluff anything. Unless he physically restrains Tiggy from talking, she looks like she’ll spill.

‘He
–’ is all she manages to get out.

Theo grabs hold of her and covers up her mouth. Now I’m starting to join
her in feeling quite scared. We’re all alone out here. I must have followed them through the trees for at least fifteen minutes – no one will be near this secluded spot to hear me if I start screaming.

‘Theo,’ I say, keepi
ng my voice level. ‘Baby, what’s going on?’

‘Someone just has hysterics on her wedding day,’ he growls.

His eyes are on me, which is why he doesn’t notice Tiggy drop her little black clutch bag on the floor, but I do.

‘Baby, why don’t we
take her inside and get her a nice cold drink?’ I purr, even though the last thing I want to do is be nice to this monster.
Why didn’t I dump him?
‘This heat is enough to send anyone crazy.’

I smile prettily at him
, like the sight of him man-handling Tiggy doesn’t faze me in the slightest. But it does, it really does. It reminds me of the night of her engagement party when he stormed over and dragged me home. He had that look in his eye then, but this glint hasn’t passed. It’s still dangerously there. I need him to leave with Tiggy so I can see what’s in her clutch. If I go back with them, I doubt I’ll be able to find my way back here.

‘Whatever my
baby insists,’ he says tightly smiling and he starts to walk off, dragging Tiggy behind him. I hear her squeal in pain as he roughly pushes her past a tree and her free arm catches its bark.

‘
Geli?’ Theo turns back, realising I’m not behind them.

I
’m crouched on the floor, in front of the bag. ‘Just tying my shoelace,’ I call.

They walk on.

I’m shaking like a leaf when I open its clasp. When I see what’s inside, I want to throw up. There it is. The answer to all of this. To the looks. To why she wanted him here. To this scene being played out.

Nestled in her bag is a
n ultrasound scan, and now I know, or at least I think I know, that Tiggy is pregnant. Theo must be the father. I feel numb.

P
oor Calvin is my first thought, followed immediately by
lucky Calvin
. I twig then that I’m allowed to feel sorry for myself because she’s done it again. She’s stolen my boyfriend off me but, instead of getting a disease, this time she’s getting a baby. No wonder Calvin and I have been getting weird Tiggy and Theo vibes. No wonder Tiggy kept looking at Theo in
that
way.

For a moment I
remain eerily calm, but then I realise it is my right to rage and scream. Even if I have reached the conclusion that I don’t actually want Theo – that I was in love with the idea of what I thought he was, rather than who he turned out to be – well,
she
has done it again.

I sit there for a good five minutes, struggling to breathe. Her phone is also in the clutch, but there are no text messages from Theo and his number isn
’t in her address book. I’m not going to get my answers sat here – I need to confront them.

Even though it
’s ridiculously hot – the hottest day so far of our South Africa trip – I run back to the manor and catch them up. My arms are covered in scratches from the trees; I didn’t even realise they were bleeding.

‘You bitch!
’ I storm over to them. They’ve made it back to the side entrance of the manor. Theo still has hold of her, but it seems he’s had his hands all over her before, his dick
in
her. ‘You fucking bitch,’ I scream.

Then,
I can’t help myself, I slap her. Baby or no baby, I slap her for once again going after what was mine. I slap her for stealing Eric off me, I slap her for always ruining things – this with Theo, breaking my parents up – if I gave her more time, what else would she destroy?

‘You cow, you absolute monstrous cow,’ I yell, repeatedly whacking her
with her own clutch as she cowers.

Theo is still holding onto he
r arm, but suddenly lets her go. I turn to him, livid. Baby or no baby, I don’t care that Tiggy has now slumped to the ground. I feel insane. My body is shaking from this uncontrollable rage, and I want to kill them both.

I daren
’t hit Theo though; this man in front of me – the one who is such a staunch pacifist, at least this month – he would have no qualms about hitting me back, I realise. I’ve felt his force before, know what those muscled arms can do...
He scares me
. Why didn’t I ever realise this – back at the beginning – that even when he was being tender, even when we were having sex, that his actions have always scared me. I see this now.

‘You’re having a baby,’ I hiss.
‘With
her
.’

He
doesn’t even look fazed. ‘Geli,’ he says calmly, so different to his violent-tinged behaviour with Tiggy mere moments ago. How he can turn from violent Theo to polite Theo in a split second scares me even more. ‘I promise you one hundred per cent that I am not having a baby with her.’

His words cut through the stifling air to me, a direct hit.
Strangely, I believe him, but that doesn’t change the fact that something not quite right is going on here. I feel dizzy from the heat, from the exertion of hitting Tiggy, from my confusion. Why are they arguing then? Especially today, of all days? They’ve barely said two words to one another this past week, they barely know each other, so how can they be angry like this? What can Tiggy have done to deserve Theo’s anger? What could possibly make Theo
that
mad?

Tigg
y stands up, hands on hips, red hand marks evident on her. ‘Do I
look
pregnant?’ She glares at me.

I’m surpr
ised she hasn’t slapped me back but, actually, she doesn’t. She does look furious though. Why on earth is she carrying a photo of someone else’s baby in her purse? None of this makes sense, and it’s making my head spin.

We’re in direct sunlight now and
I can hear the chatter of guests somewhere in the distance. I feel stupid and exposed. I feel like I’ve caused some sort of unnecessary drama, when in fact I’ve actually uncovered some... but what?

‘Isn’t it o
bvious, Geli?’ she spits at me, looking at me like I’m stupid. Looking at me in disgust, hatred, showing her true feelings and not the public “sister” face she usually exhibits.

This is the real Tiggy Boodles
stood in front of me. Just because she currently looks like she did when we were fifteen, back when we were best friends – blonde hair colour aside – it doesn’t mean that she’s the sweet girl I used to look up to and giggle with because she was my very best friend. Gone is
that
girl; a monstrous vile woman stands in her place.

As for
Theo, he just looks amused, and I see Theo for what he is – an arrogant, manipulative bully who will only ever have one priority.
Himself
.

‘Well?’ Tiggy demands.

Her haughty candour is still present, despite these weird circumstances. Circumstances I guess that are only weird to me because clearly Theo and Tiggy are in the loop. Let’s see… Tiggy is carrying a picture of another woman’s baby because she’s secretly a lesbian and that baby is hers in the parental sense, but not the biological? Oh, and she’s marrying Calvin to cover this up, hence no sex before marriage with Calvin because he doesn’t float her boat, now or ever, but she needs a sham husband. As for Theo? Well, he found out and is disgusted by all of this because he’s oh-so-moral, so he’s trying to put an end to it as it goes against his Catholic beliefs... Yeah, I doubt it’s this.

‘It’s his baby,’ she
sneers at me.

‘Is it?’ he
asks, looking amused, looking like there’s some audience watching on who are tittering along with him at my naivety, at Tiggy’s silly tales.

‘
I
told
you. Remember, I told you,’ she screeches. ‘How he was seeing Stella before you.’

Wait a minute
. She told me Stella was
after
Theo, she never told me they were together other than that one night. Is she saying Theo and
Stella
are having a baby? Thinking about it, Stella was looking quite chubby the last time I saw her, and she was forced to leave
Glitz
after her appraisal… it could be true that Stella is having a baby,
but with Theo?

‘You’re hav
ing a baby with Stella?’

Who is this man?

‘No.’

H
e moves towards me, but I do not want this man anywhere near me. I don’t want him to touch me because now I definitely don’t believe him. I can’t believe Tiggy knew this all along and that she didn’t tell me, though I guess she was confronting him now for me, was trying to do me a favour. I can’t believe this though, or maybe I don’t want to.

T
he one thing I can’t doubt though are the uneasy feelings I’ve had about Theo since we got together. I’ve always suspected something’s not quite right and now I know what it is.

Of course Theo is having Stella’s baby
. How could I be so stupid as to doubt this? I’ve doubted my relationship with him (then again, what haven’t I doubted these past few months?), and that little voice of reason has been nagging me to break up with him. If I had done so, had just plucked up some courage, then this would not have been my problem.

Sure, I would have found out about Stella and Theo
’s baby at some point with office gossip being like it is and, yes, it would have stung to hear it, but I would have been on the mend. Maybe even dating a nice man, maybe with a nice new job. I’ve been taking the easy way out, living a comfortable life at
New News
and staying with Theo because I’m afraid of disturbing this comfortable existence. I’m afraid of taking a risk; I’m afraid of
him
.