Read Online The Name I Call Myself by Beth Moran - Free Book Online Page A

back into a ponytail. Scooting over to the door of the marquee, I snagged one of the other waitresses.
    â€œThe top table’s finished – you need to clear them first.”
    â€œFeel free. I’m not going back there if I can help it.” She began to move away.
    â€œI can’t – I’ve been asked to fetch some more bread. If you don’t, and she complains, I’ll remember we had this conversation.”
    â€œWhatever!”
    I waited long enough to see her stomp up to the top table before re-entering, keeping my back to Perry and his parents as much as possible as I cleared the remaining plates at the furthest end of the tent. Three trips back and forth to the kitchen, a swipe of Marilyn’s lipstick to feign some “tidying up” and I was back as Faith. And so it went on… My phone conveniently rang when it was time to serve the mains, thanks to Mission Commander, and I left to mop up the accidentally spilled wine on my dress when it was time to clear them away. I simply skived serving dessert, dropping a fork under the table so I could duck down to avoid the waiter, and Marilyn dragged me off in the guise of introducing me to some friends as we finished our chocolate parfait.
    I was exhausted, fraught, and coming across as an idiot, embarrassing Perry and irking his mother. This was preposterous.
    But the worst was yet to come.
    As I carefully poured out coffee for table eight, shielding myself behind a large bunch of flowers on a plinth, the tinkling sound of a fork on crystal caused the chattering to fade into silence.
    Oh, no.
    Perry stood to his feet, glass in hand. He was going to make a toast.
    â€œRight, where’s my beautiful fiancée?” He peered around the tent, where I stood, immobile, behind the flowers.
    â€œExcuse me, miss!” An old man resembling a turtle smiled at me across the table. “May I please have a cup of coffee?”
    Everyone, at that moment looking around and waiting for the missing fiancée, turned to stare at the man.
    Marilyn called out, “I think she went outside for some fresh air. I’ll go and find her. Hang on.”
    She caused a bit of a distraction, pushing and shoving needlessly through the tables, elbowing people in the head, and knocking over a water glass as she went, but it wasn’t enough.
    I glanced at the turtle man, still smiling as he pointed to his cup. Then back to Perry, watching us while he waited for Marilyn, no doubt wondering why the waitress hadn’t moved.
    I straightened my shoulders, desperately tried to clutch on to some perspective, and stepped out from behind the bouquet. Pouring the man his coffee, I quietly leaned over and asked the table if there was anything else I could help them with. There wasn’t. I declined from enquiring if anyone happened to have a teleporter. Standing back up again, I turned to catch Perry’s eye. He coughed, and tapped his glass again.
    â€œWell, while we’re waiting – and please, do excuse Faith for needing a moment, she’s had a very tiring day – I would like to thank Aunt Eleanor for hosting such a fabulous party, and my parents, Larissa and Milton, for all their help with the wedding plans so far. And, if any of you happen to have August fifteenth free, we might have another little do to invite you to.”
    His voice faded away as I rushed out of the tent and into the bushes for the last time. Trying to yank myself together, I ran my fingers through my hair, slipped into the dressy shoes, and went back to the tent. Marilyn caught up with me at the entrance.
    â€œDeep breaths.”
    â€œNo time.”
    â€œYes, time. Three deep breaths. Think about choir rehearsal.Breathe out the panic and breathe in the cool, calm, courageous Faith who is loving her engagement party.”
    â€œHe saw me.”
    â€œAnd covered for you. Breathe.”
    I took a couple of trembly breaths.
    â€œBetter. Now, go knock