the corner of my eye, I notice a deliveryman walk through the courtyard’s archway to stand under my balcony. ‘Sophia Trent?’
‘Yes,’ I say, surprised.
‘Delivery for you – catch!’ With that, he throws a stunning bouquet of flowers. I realise it’s Jess’s bouquet as it sails towards me and in spite of my shock and usual ineptitude at sports, I somehow manage to catch it. Everyone on the screen cheers and I wave the bouquet at them.
‘Jess, you are unbelievable!’ I laugh at her. She’s just phoned me on FaceTime.
‘Ah, it’s my wedding day, I’m allowed to create a few surprises of my own!’
‘Seriously thank you so much – it’s gorgeous. I am so proud of you, Jess. You are the most beautiful bride I ever saw and I think I cried during half the service.’
‘No, thank you – look what you’ve done to make this day so special. I’m really proud of you, especially after all you have been through.’ I surreptitiously brush back the tears. I can’t cry at Jess on her special day, but her words mean so much. She might not understand exactly how I’m feeling some of the time, but she knows it’s been tough and that counts for a lot.
‘Jess?’
‘Oh Zach’s calling me. I’ve got to go and speak to a couple of our guests I haven’t had a chance to catch up with yet, but seriously, Sophia, thanks for everything.’
She rings off and I stare at the bouquet for a second, lost in thought.
‘Hey,’ calls down Jack, ‘was that the bride’s bouquet you were given or is some random delivery man trying to chat you up?’
‘Yeah.’ I try to sniff quietly whilst wiping my face carefully with a tissue, so Jack doesn’t hear I’ve been crying. Weddings are meant to be happy. ‘I wish he’d brought me chocolates like the Milk Tray ad,’ I quip.
‘Meant to be good luck though. Is it all over?’
‘Yes.’ I smile. ‘It was such a beautiful ceremony, even with everyone watching from their living rooms. Made me feel so lucky that even though we all feel isolated at times, for so many different reasons, we aren’t alone, we’re all surrounded by people who love us. And at the end of the day, love conquers all.’
Jack’s silent for a moment. ‘Wow, you’re quite philosophical when you get going.’
‘Sorry,’ I say, blushing. I hope I haven’t scared him off. ‘I probably shouldn’t drink any more; it’s gone straight to my head and now here I am rambling away.’
‘It’s nice,’ he assures me. ‘I like talking to you. Also I think it’s the first wedding I’ve ever been to that I’ve actually enjoyed.’
‘But you weren’t even at the actual wedding,’ I protest.
‘That’s probably why!’ He laughs.
‘You are totally impossible.’
‘I know, Sam’s always telling me that. Like another drink? I can make the next one a mocktail.’
‘Good idea.’ I sigh contentedly after he’s lowered it down on the rope. The Budweiser packet apparently came to a bad end, so Jack’s replaced it with a cardboard wine carrier. He’s covered it with sparkly dark blue paper with stars on, I notice. The thought of him painstakingly cutting up wrapping paper and sticking it on the cardboard makes me smile. It makes me wonder if … well I don’t know, it’s probably nothing, but maybe Jack is trying to impress me? Or perhaps it’s my imagination? I’m never very good at reading the signals. Look at what happened with Ryan. I had no idea my change of career was going to be such a disappointment to him. Or the epilepsy, although I know it was a shock. Now I worry what any future boyfriend would feel about my condition. I’d love to have half of Erica’s certainty round men and relationships.
‘I’m so pleased today went well,’ I continue. ‘The last wedding I went to was with Ryan, my ex, so I thought I’d never enjoy one again. But this was great. Then again Jess and I have always been close.’
‘You didn’t mention Ryan amongst the dodgy line-up of exes,’ he says tentatively. I wonder if he’s trying not to intrude.
‘No I s’pose I didn’t. Anyway, how about you – I haven’t heard about any of yours at all.’
‘Not much to tell to be honest. I dated a few girls in Agios Nikolaos.’
‘I can imagine. Being a barman in Greece must have been like one big party.’