Chapter Twenty-Eight

An hour later, the cars arrived to take them to the wedding. Amidst lots of chatter and laughter, they all took their places and set off. At the registry office, Nicci waited for Jay to arrive, nervously playing with the diamond pendant on the chain at her neck. But he was early, much to her surprise.

Terry Pellington walked his youngest daughter down the tiny aisle to where Jay was waiting to receive her. Matt and Ryan stood by Jay’s side, Ryan keeping his eyes ahead but Matt kept glancing over at Louise. Sam smiled when he caught her eyes and he grinned back at her.

Neither Nicci nor Jay fluffed up their lines, Louise and Sam failed to keep their tears in, laughing at each other when they spotted they were both crying. Both sets of parents smiled and cried too.

In what seemed to be no longer than a blink of an eye, Nicci became Mrs Worthington. Photo after photo was taken – Jay joked that his jaw was aching from posing for pictures. Then, with the formalities over, the bride and groom climbed into their wedding car and headed off to the reception. There was only Nicci who didn’t know where they were going.

‘Can’t you tell me, Jay?’ she pleaded as they sat in the back of the car, sharing a bottle of champagne. She giggled as the bubbles went up her nose. ‘I promise I won’t tell anyone and I can wear a surprised look.’

‘Certainly not,’ he admonished, sliding a hand up her leg. ‘I hear brides wear garters, let me see.’

‘Stop changing the subject.’ Nicci snapped his hand away playfully.

Jay grinned. Leaning in close to her, he kissed her on the nose. ‘I love you, Mrs Worthington,’ he said. ‘But I don’t know where we’re going either. All I know is that it will be very special. But first, we have to call in at the market.’

‘The market?’ Nicci wrinkled up her nose. ‘What on earth for?’

‘Sam has something for you but she doesn’t want everyone at the reception to see.’

‘You’d better not be planning me a party down the aisle,’ she cried, ‘or else I’ll be very cross.’

‘Don’t be daft.’ Jay held his nerve, trying not to give the game away. ‘Only the best for my wife.’

Nicci beamed and then her hand moved to cover her mouth. ‘I think I’m going to be sick.’

‘Thanks a bunch!’

‘No, it’s nothing to do with that. My stomach is churning over and over.’

‘You’re not actually going to be sick, are you?’ Jay looked a little concerned. ‘Because if you are, you’ll start me off too.’

‘I’m fine. Just a little nervous.’ Nicci glanced at him shyly.

‘What about me?’ said Jay. ‘What if I have a fit of giggles when I’m saying my speech or some squeaky voice comes out? Or worse than that, faint like they do on those clips on You’ve Been Framed.’

‘Which reminds me, I need to make sure I remember how to record a video on my phone, just in case,’ Nicci teased. ‘I can’t miss an opportunity to make £250.’

Jay’s eyes widened in disbelief. ‘Seriously?’ he asked.

‘Of course ... not!’ Nicci gave him a kiss this time. ‘It will all turn out okay,’ she reassured him.

‘They’re here!’ cried Ryan as he ran into the hall where everyone had rushed to after the service. ‘Take your places, and, remember kids, be quiet!’

‘You need to be quiet!’ Louise whispered loudly as she punched him in his arm. ‘She’ll be able to hear you shouting.’

‘Sorry!’

Louise turned to Sam and rolled her eyes. Then she frowned when she saw her friend’s worried face. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’m so nervous,’ said Sam. ‘What if Nicci hates it?’

‘She won’t.’ Louise shook her head, her straightened hair in curls shaking about. ‘How could you not like it? You have the place looking beautiful. No one would recognise it.’

Sam turned back to see that it was indeed a sight to behold. All in all, everyone had made a tremendous effort. And now they were lined up either side of the doors. Family, and friends from the market stalls, who had given their time and their wares for free to make Nicci and Jay’s big day perfect.

Sam felt herself welling up again. But as the door handle went down, everyone in the room froze.

The door opened and there was a squeal.

‘Congratulations!’ rang out around the room.

‘This is amazing!’ Nicci turned to Jay wide-eyed, and when she saw him grinning, she clicked in. ‘You did know, didn’t you?’

Jay shrugged and she flew into his arms. Afterwards, she turned round and round in circles taking everything in, before running over to greet her family.

When she got to Sam and Nicci, she pulled them both close. ‘I can’t believe you did all this for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!’

‘It is amazing,’ said Louise, giving Nicci’s hand a quick squeeze.

Once the wedding meal was served, and everyone’s glass had been filled, Sam realised she could finally relax. Only the evening to go and it had indeed all worked out perfectly on the day.

As usual, Matt and Ryan were like a double act with their pre-rehearsed routine as best men. They had the bride and groom’s family and friends roaring with laughter in no time as they relayed anecdote after anecdote about Jay – luckily, keeping them all clean. They even managed to remember to thank the bridesmaids as tradition expected them to. Ryan then went on to have the last word.

‘And finally, may I say a special thank you to my wife.’ He raised his glass in salute to Sarah. ‘Not only does she do a fantastic job of raising our daughters, she also looks after me – and that’s a hell of a thing to ask anyone to do.’

Everyone laughed.

‘To Sarah Pellington.’

As family and guests toasted her health, Sarah smiled, but inside she was fuming.

‘And what about you, Matt?’ Jay shouted up. ‘Any special lady in your life?’

‘Sure there is.’ Matt looked at the other end of the table to where Louise was sitting.

As all eyes in the room followed his gaze, Louise looked on in bewilderment. What did Matt mean by that?

When everyone had finished, and Nicci and Jay were doing the rounds chatting to their guests, Ryan joined Sarah at the end of the table where she’d sat with the twins. Sandra had taken them off her hands for a while, no doubt enjoying the opportunity to show the guests what beautiful grandchildren she had.

‘Was I good or was I good?’ Ryan asked with a smirk as he sat down next to her.

‘Oh, you’re always good, aren’t you?’ Sarah spoke quietly, not wanting to bring attention to them.

Ryan sat down with a frown. ‘What’s up?’

‘I’ve just had enough of you.’

‘Give me a break.’ Ryan reached for a half full glass of wine that had been left on the table and took a sip. ‘I’ve only just sat down.’

‘I mean it, Ryan,’ Sarah hissed. ‘I want you to leave. I want you out of the house.’

Ryan was about to take another sip, but stopped, glass in mid-air.

‘I know about Jess.’ Sarah watched the colour drain from his face. ‘I know that it isn’t your baby – thank the lord – but it still doesn’t excuse the fact that you slept with her.’

‘I—’

‘Don’t you dare think of lying!’ She held up her hand.

Ryan gulped. ‘But it was only the once or twice!’

Sarah laughed inwardly at his choice of words, exactly the same as Jess had chosen earlier. She still didn’t want to know exactly how many times it had been. Because, sitting here with him, Sarah realised that she wasn’t actually concerned.

‘It’s over now anyway,’ Ryan added.

‘I don’t care!’ Sarah took the glass from him and knocked back the rest of the wine. She placed the glass down onto the table and stood up. Not wanting to make a scene, her tone was quiet but forceful. ‘I want you out of the house by next weekend.’

‘Wait!’ Ryan grabbed her hand as she began to walk away. ‘Please. I can explain.’

‘No!’ Sarah snatched it away. ‘I don’t want to play happy families anymore. It’s too late.’

‘Sarah!’

But Sarah didn’t stop.

Around seven thirty, the music started up and as evening guests began to filter in, Nicci and Jay took to the floor for their first dance as a married couple. To the sounds of ‘Thinking out Loud’, by Ed Sheeran, people clapped, oohed and aahed and took more photos. It was a magical moment for everyone involved in the day.

Over at her table, Sam sat with Reece, grinning like a madwoman. She glanced around the room to see all the people she worked with, the ones who had made this day possible. Geoff Adams was chatting to Malcolm. Melissa was over at the bar with Clara, laughing at something that Duncan, the delivery man, was telling them. Marilyn stood with Sally from Cupcake Delights, waiting to dance. All in all, it had been perfect.

Louise came over and sat down.

‘Why can’t I have that?’ She sighed, pointing at the bride and groom as they smooched in the middle of the floor with their friends and family surrounding them. By this point, several other couples had taken to the floor too.

‘Marriage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,’ said Reece. Then he glanced at Sam guiltily. ‘I didn’t mean to say that out loud.’

Despite his insinuation, Sam grinned. Before she had time to come back with something jokey, Matt raced over, grabbed Louise’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Sam realised this might be the right time to let Reece know how she felt.

‘It’s not working for you, is it?’ she asked.

Reece shook his head. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be. It’s not working for me either.’ She smiled, for the first time ever feeling shy around her husband. They sat in silence why they each digested the other’s words.

Reece reached for her hand finally and gave it a quick squeeze.

‘Will you be going back to Sheffield?’ Sam asked.

‘Is that all right with you?’

She nodded. ‘When were you planning on leaving?’

‘In the morning. Is it okay if I stay one more night?’

‘Well, I’m hardly likely to kick you out right now.’

Reece leant across and ever so tenderly kissed her on the lips. ‘I’ll miss you,’ he said.

‘No,’ Sam smiled through her tears. ‘No, you won’t.’

Matt twirled Louise around in his arms as they made their way to the makeshift dance floor.

Louise threw her head back and laughed. ‘I take it you want to dance, Mister.’

‘Mmm – hmm.’

‘Just the one dance?’

Matt shook his head.

‘Two?’

He shook his head again.

‘More than two?’

A nod this time.

‘I’m not sure my feet will take much more. These heels are killing me.’

‘Then let me sweep you off your feet.’

‘Ooh, get you, you smooth talker,’ she teased.

With a nod of his head at the DJ, the music changed to a slower pace and Matt cleared his throat. ‘Maybe it’s time I just came out with what I really want to say.’

Louise frowned. ‘I thought you just did.’

‘I want to ask you something.’

‘I’m not covering for you on the stall while you swan off somewhere on holiday, if that’s what you’re after. You know I need to stay in Sam’s good books. I’ve caused her enough trouble lately and –’

‘Can you just shut up for one minute?’ he whispered into her ear. Before she could protest, Matt silenced her with a kiss. Louise resisted at first, mainly out of surprise, and then melted into his embrace.

Once they stopped, Matt reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a small, black box.

Louise’s eyes widened as she flipped it open to reveal a band of gold with a collection of stones.

‘Louise Pellington, I think I’ve wasted far too much time just being your friend when I really want more. And I know there’d normally be a long time while we went out with each other before getting into a serious relationship. But I want to be a permanent part of your life right now. I love you so much. I want to wake up with you. I want to fall asleep with you. Hell, you need someone to keep you on the straight and narrow. And I want – I want ... Louise, will you marry me?’

Louise’s mouth gaped open. Did Matt just ...?

The music went lower still and everyone’s eyes were on her. Matt dropped to his knees, right there in the middle of the dance floor.

‘Will you marry me?’ he repeated.

‘Ohmigod!’ Louise squealed.

‘That’s not the answer I was looking for.’ But Matt was smiling.

‘Yes!’ Louise pulled him to standing and flung her arms around his neck. ‘Yes! Yes! One hundred billion trillion times, yes, I will marry you!’

The room broke out into applause. Louise and Matt grinned at each other like two five year olds sharing a secret. Then there was no time for grinning as Matt kissed her again. She vaguely recalled someone shouting ‘get a room’ before they stopped.

Giddy by the euphoria of her proposal, Louise searched Charley out with her eyes. She was by the side of the dance floor with Sophie, waving at them. Louise beckoned her over and she ran into her arms.

‘I was waiting for you to finish with the necking first,’ Charley shrieked, hugging her tightly. ‘I can’t believe it! After all this time, you’re getting married.’

Louise feigned hurt. ‘Didn’t you think anyone would have your old mum?’

‘I mean that I can’t believe after all this time you two have finally got together.’ Charley gave Matt a hug too.

‘You knew how I felt about him?’ said Louise.

‘Mum, everyone knew how you felt about him and everyone knew how he felt about you.’

‘Really?’

Charley nodded fervently. ‘Does this mean that I get to be bridesmaid again? Because if it does, please let me pick my own dress. I don’t want to look like an overgrown fairy at your wedding.’

Louise grinned and they hugged. Behind Charley, she spotted Sam. She was holding out her arms. Louise rushed into them. They hugged each other tightly, tears pouring down their faces.

‘Can you believe he proposed to me?’ Louise spoke finally, wiping at her eyes.

‘He should have done it years ago,’ Sam told her. ‘I’ve always thought you were made for each other. But you wouldn’t listen to anyone.’

‘I know, I know, I’m a bolshie cow. It’s definitely where Charley gets her stubborn streak from.’

‘Oh, I don’t know so much. I think she takes after her father for that.’

Louise grinned. Sam wouldn’t have brought Martin into the conversation unless she had forgiven her.

They embraced again.

‘So that’s the last time I have to save you from the clutches of Rob Masters, then?’ Sam added.

‘Oi, you cheeky cat.’

‘You’re supposed to say thank you!’

Louise glanced over her shoulder to where Matt was being congratulated by her mum and dad. ‘Thank you,’ she smiled. ‘Not just for that, but for everything. For being here for me, for putting up with me, for standing by me through thick and thin. I don’t know what I would have done without you.’

‘It’s been a pleasure – well, most of it.’ Sam grinned too. ‘And, anyway, that’s what friends are for.’