Simon walked into the bar of the hotel where, six months previously, he’d stayed before his wedding to Sue. He saw his friend sitting at a table.
‘Alex.’
Turning, Alex rose to his feet in one swift movement, coming forwards to give Simon quick shake of the hand. ‘Simon. Thanks. A role change, eh?’
‘Yep, your turn now. I hate to say it, but I told you so.’
Straight to the point, as always.
Alex grinned and scooped back his hair. ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s bizarre, I know. But last year, I didn’t want you and Sue thinking we might hook up together and I admit I was still being a martyr about Lauren. I tried to resist Jaclyn, but she was determined to make me behave in a civilised fashion at your wedding! She made me assess what I was doing to myself, playing the victim, and it woke me up, that’s for sure. Damn glad, too.’
‘I’m pleased. Good for Jaclyn. And good for you. Now, my turn to buy you a pre-wedding drink. There’s time.’
‘Isn’t it at this point I say you’re supposed to be keeping me on the straight and narrow, seeing as how I’m getting married in a couple of hours?’
‘Yeah, and I reply, there’s time and it’s only a pint! Plus, I’ve got the rings, and our buttonholes, so we’re good to go. Come on.’
The two men settled amicably near a blazing log fire and for several peaceful moments chatted about inconsequential things until a silence fell.
‘You happy?’ Simon eventually asked. ‘No regrets about Lauren?’
‘Lauren?’ For a moment. Alex looked blank. ‘Oh, her! No. None at all. She came round you know, to ask if I’d consider starting over again. She must have been mad. I never told Jaclyn. No point—Lauren was only on the doorstep for about two minutes. I felt nothing except surprise. Jaclyn is so different. Jaclyn…’ Alex shook his head, expelling a long breath as his voice trailed off.
Simon grinned. ‘Okay, I get the picture. As good as Sue, by the sound of it! Now, having done my duty, made sure you’ve no regrets and want to go through with this, it’s time to get you sorted. C’mon, mate! Upstairs!’
They stood, and gazed at each other for a moment, before leaning in for a hug and a lot of shoulder slapping, then turned and went up the stairs to don their wedding finery.
As Alex and Simon shared their pint, Sue and Jaclyn were also experiencing the weird feeling of a replay themselves, except Sue was expecting.
The two women hugged then stood back and gazed at each other, their eyes shining with happiness.
‘Oh, Sue, you’re here! Where’s Simon? Oh, look at your bump! How long is it now? Are you sure you’re okay to be doing this?’
‘Try stopping me! I’m your chief bridesmaid, remember? For the record, I’ve another four months to go. And Simon is where he should be, with Alex.’
‘Oh, this is amazing.’ Jaclyn sighed, her hands on her friend’s shoulders, her smile one of sheer delight. ‘Do you remember last July? Well, how stupid of me, of course you do! It was your wedding.’
‘Yes, and who would have thought six months later, I’d be following you down the aisle? Are you sure, Jaclyn? Absolutely sure?’
‘Oh, yes! Gerry and Lauren did me a great favour. Gerry came back a few weeks ago, you know? Honestly, the cheek! I kept him on the doorstep and told him not a snowflake’s chance in hell. Asked what had happened to Lauren, and he went all red in the face and muttered something about flings and being sorry. I told him he was too late. I felt nothing at all. No twinge, no regret—nothing!’
‘That’s good, then. I’m so pleased for you.’ Sue gave her a hug and stepped back, a smile wide on her face. ‘Now, we better get started.’
‘Oh! Is your dress okay?’ Jaclyn looked worried.
‘It’s so good. It was an inspired idea to let me sort it from my end. Saved me from endless fittings, especially with the bump!’
At that moment, Jaclyn’s mother entered. ‘Jaclyn! Darling girl. Have you got everything you need? Can I do anything?’
Jaclyn stood, as Marie, pulled her into an embrace. Her throat tightened. ‘So good to see you, mum.’
Her parents had arrived late last night and had stayed with Helen. They weren’t staying long, but there were already arrangements in place for Alex and her to go to Spain in the summer. It wouldn’t be their first visit, as they’d both flown out for a couple of long weekends so her parents could get to know Alex.
‘Your dress!’ Marie looked excited. She’d seen a couple of photos, but it was never the same as reality.
‘Oh, yes,’ Sue exclaimed. ‘All this talking and looking at my dress… what about yours? Where is it?’
Jaclyn swung open the door of the wardrobe and carefully lifted the plastic-covered dress from inside, hooking it over the still-open door. It was cream, with a heart-shaped neckline edged in lace. The long sleeves were also of lace and the dress itself a gracious sweep of rich silk, smooth and elegant.
Marie and Sue gazed at it, delight in their eyes.
‘Darling,’ her mother put her arm round Jaclyn’s waist. ‘That’s divine. You’re going to look so, so beautiful.’
A tear slid down her cheek as Jaclyn laughed and kissed her.
From then on, it was a flurry of showers, carefully slipping the soft dresses over heads, sitting while the hairdresser worked magic with unseen pins and delicate flowers, followed by the make-up artist, who created a gentle, fresh beauty.
Finally, they were ready.
‘Do I look all right, Sue?’ Jaclyn’s voice was a breathless whisper.
‘You look…stunning,’ Sue answered, tears in her eyes as she looked at her friend. ‘You look stunning.’