PROLOGUE – 1995
‘Did you see the way Matt kept staring at you, Lou?’ Sam Wheldon asked her best friend as they walked home from the school disco.
Louise Pellington turned to her with a grimace. ‘Euw, he’s our Ryan’s mate, I don’t fancy him in the slightest. What about you, though? I saw you looking at Reece.’
‘I know, but I’m not sure if he’s my type. I like my men mean and moody. Reece is too goody-goody for me.’
‘I thought it would be me who would want a bad boy,’ teased Louise.
‘Neither of us would know what to do with one,’ Sam pointed out.
‘Agreed. I can’t wait to get married though. I want a huge wedding with lots of guests, no expense spared, and a three week honeymoon afterwards.’ Louise broke free and ran in front of Sam pretending to waltz with a partner. ‘My first dance will be to something really smoochy, like The Pretender’s ‘I’ll Stand by You’. Everyone will be crying because they will be so happy for me. I’ll have four children and a big house and a dog and—’
‘Four!’ exclaimed Sam. ‘I’m not sure I could cope with one!’
‘But you do want kids?’
‘Yes! I’m tired of just me and dad.’
‘That’s why you’re an honorary member of the Pellington’s.’ Louise danced a little more before stopping while Sam caught up with her. ‘I have enough family for the both of us. Wait until we all start having children – we’ll have to start our own nursery!’
‘I don’t want any until I’m at least twenty,’ said Sam.
‘Oh, me too.’ Louise linked her arm back through Sam’s. ‘I want to leave Hedworth and go to London, travel the world, see some life, before being tied down with a baby. And I need to find a decent man first, and I won’t find him here. What about your wedding?’
‘Me?’ Sam paused while she thought – what did she want?
‘I’d like my wedding to be a small affair,’ she told her, ‘surrounded by my close friends, and my dad can walk me down the aisle. I might not even have a church service, just a registry do. I’ll look beautiful in a long white dress and flowers in my hair. And you can be my chief bridesmaid and wear a dress that makes you look like a fairy.’
‘Thanks a lot.’ Louise nudged her gently. ‘And will you stay in Hedworth or come to London with me?’
‘I’m not sure. It’s okay in Hedworth but it’s not very exciting is it?’
‘No, I can’t wait to leave school and move out.’
‘Me too,’ said Sam. ‘And if my dad thinks I’ll be working on the fruit and veg stall for the rest of my life, he’s got another think coming. Saturdays are enough for me.’
‘We should make a pact,’ Louise spoke excitedly. ‘We shouldn’t marry anyone, or have children, until we are at least twenty-one. And we should have a double wedding.’
Sam nodded. ‘Of course, because we’re best friends forever.’