suffering I endured last night.
I mean, why put me through that? Was it some sick joke organised by everyone involved with our wedding? Come to think of it, I never even spoke to Lara or Tina at the venue about how they’d both cancelled on me. I have to wonder if they both know something I don’t. Maybe everyone knows things they’re keeping from me.
Even though I’m sitting in what’s probably considered the world’s most luxurious on and off road vehicle, it’s not filling me with anything other than pleasure in how comfortable my backside is.
My stomach is stressed out. We have to go back to the venue and see everyone now. How will they all react to how late we both are? Shouldn’t I be feeling more guilty about the entire mess?
I don’t know. I’m one big ball of confusion. Between phoning wedding guests to say the wedding was off yesterday, and recalling them to say it was back on again, I don’t know if I’m coming or going lately. Well, I do know that we’re definitely headed in one direction right now. And that’s straight towards the wedding venue that I’m not sure I want to exchange vows at with my husband-to-be.
“Maybe we should just elope, Cal.”
“We could,” he replies. “But the paperwork is already available at the venue.”
“Oh yeah!” Well that’s lifted my spirits. Maybe if I call ahead and ask Georgina if all of our guests have left, then I won’t have to kick everyone out when I get there.
I sulk for a bit in the opulent car seat before realising how selfish I’m being. Not every single one of our wedding guests cancelled on me yesterday. When I think about the boredom they must all be enduring at the venue, I get a sinking feeling in my gut.
“Shit, Cal. We really are late, aren’t we?”
“It’s okay, honey.” He reaches over and pats my hand. “I’m sure our guests know that these things sometimes happen.”
“What?” I look at him, astounded. “Brides often leave their grooms at the altar, do they?”
“Actually, we both left the wedding.”
I nod in agreement. We both did indeed leave. And now we’re both returning for the main reason and purpose of this infernal day.
Finally! I’ll be marrying the man of my dreams.
Chapter 23
It’s only when I walk into Mortsbaton Court that I realise the bottom of my dress is quite dusty now. “I’m so sorry, Lolz.” I apologise to Lara who’s actually been here waiting this entire time. “I’ve mucked everything up completely.”
“No you haven’t, darling.” She puts her hand on my bare shoulder. “Here, you’ll be needing this now.” She hands me a bridal bouquet of white roses with real pearls pined into the centre of each blossom.
Callum left with Vince when we returned and I find I don’t like being parted from him again so soon. I just want to hurry this wedding up now. It’s been a real pain in the backside these past couple of days and honestly I’m tired of arsing around.
“Wait!” Tina shouts as she runs down the corridor towards us. Panting and gasping for breath, she sets down a box of paraphernalia. “You weren’t going to walk down the aisle without at least letting me pin your hair up, were you?”
I smile at her. “No, of course not, Tina. Thank you.”
With Lara’s help I kneel and Tina whips my hair up into a quick chignon. She twirls a few solitaire pearl pieces into my blonde locks to match my bouquet. They both help me stand up again and I’m off. I push my way forcefully through the big double doors of the ceremony room.
Everyone is here. All my wedding guests stayed and waited for three hours! I have a feeling I’ll be doing a lot of apologizing at the reception this evening.
Some pleasant music starts up and I lock arms with Lara. Together we hurry down the aisle and I crash into Callum when Lara releases me. “Sorry,” I apologise to my groom. “I just don’t think anyone wants to wait any longer for me to walk down the bloody aisle. Besides, I don’t want to wait any longer to marry you.”
I kiss and kiss my fiancé on the mouth until Vince shouts out from the crowd of about twenty-five. “Save that for after the wedding vows, you two!”
“Right!” Callum steps away, embarrassed and I do the same.
“Sorry.” I mouth a whisper to everyone as we finally take our places at the proverbial alter. We