Read Aftermath (Dividing Line #6) for Free Online Page B

pleasantly as they walked, Thane pointing out objects of interest on the way, giving her some of the grisly history of the castle.
    “I wish you hadn’t told me about the ghosts, I won’t sleep tonight,” she said.
    “I didn’t think you were the kind of woman who scares easily.”
    “You’re a good judge of character.”
    “I am. If you’re worried I’d be happy to come to your room. I’d protect you from the bad things.”
    “I’m sure you would but I don’t think my husband would approve.”
    “Husband. What a waste. Here we are,” he said, stopping outside a door.
    “Thank you, you’ve been very kind.”
    “No doubt I’ll bump into you again Rachel. I just hope we get more time together before you leave.”
    As she smiled up at the big charming Scotsman the door opened to reveal Amber, hair in curlers, wrapped in a dressing gown. “Rachel. Thank God, I need you,” she said before grabbing her arm and pulling her inside.
    Thane found the door closed in his face and he shrugged before wandering back down the corridor, hands in his pockets, whistling.
     
    “Amber, calm down,” said Rachel.
    The normally sweet, quiet girl was in a flap, big green eyes wide with panic. “The make-up girl hasn’t arrived. She was supposed to be here an hour ago.”
    “She’s had a car accident so she won’t be able to make it,” said Cathy, ready to go in her emerald green bridesmaid’s dress, blond hair twisted into a bun. She pressed a button on her mobile phone, ending the call. “Nothing too serious but her arm’s in a sling.”
    “Which means she can’t work. Beth hasn’t turned up yet, she’s stuck in traffic in Aberdeen. I told her not to go through the city, she should have gone round it. What do I do?” exclaimed Amber.
    “Calm down, it’s no problem. Cathy can do your make-up, she’s really good at it.”
    “Course I can,” replied Cathy.
    “But the make-up artist had a special machine to spray the foundation on. My skin’s going to look awful without it,” retorted Amber, on the verge of tears.
    “Your skin’s gorgeous, you don’t even need foundation,” said Rachel.
    “What if I’m one bridesmaid short?”
    “Beth will be here, she won’t let you down. Now calm down or you’ll be all red and puffy. Slow deep breaths.”
    Amber inhaled deeply before releasing a long shaky breath, Rachel’s confidence that everything would be okay soothing her.
    “Better?”
    Amber nodded. “A little.”
    “Cathy’s a whiz with make-up. While she does that I’ll get changed. Then your hair can be finished and we can finally get you in your dress. We’ll be ready to go in plenty of time and everything will be perfect, I promise.”
    Amber took in another deep, shuddering breath, the mania in her eyes vanishing. “Okay. Sorry for being an idiot.”
    “It’s alright, we all know how nerve-wracking it can be.”
    “Have a glass of champers, it’ll calm you down,” said Amber’s mum, Joyce, who was sitting in a chair by the window with a glass in hand. The woman mildly irritated Rachel at the best of times but now she made her angry. Why wasn’t she comforting her daughter? A woman needed her mum on her wedding day.
    “Britney, you look lovely,” said Rachel, smiling at the third bridesmaid in the room.
    “Oh, thanks,” she replied nervously, patting her bleached blond hair with a slightly shaky hand.
    Britney had been a good friend of Amber’s since they were little, they’d grown up on the same estate together, just like Rachel and Beth. However Britney was a nervous girl who was overwhelmed by the luxurious surroundings and the company she was in. Rachel had met her before and knew she made her uncomfortable so she went out of her way to be nice to her, which only seemed to worsen the situation. Rachel hated it when people reacted to her like this, although she could fully understand why, her reputation was formidable, but Britney acted as though she could hurt her. She wished