The heavy oak door to the church swung open with a clunk of latch and a harsh protest from the hinges. There was a wave of movement as people turned to catch a glimpse of the bride, and murmurs of appreciation floated out to the four of them waiting in the porch. Helen sniffed a little and ran her finger under first one eye, then the other.
‘My mascara will run,’ she murmured. ‘Oh, my darling girl…!’
She hugged her daughter close before walking up the aisle to the front pew, nodding and smiling as she went, a vision in pale blue.
Sue took her father’s arm and Jaclyn stood behind them, bending forwards to pull out the small train of the bridal dress. The organ thundered out the strains of the Pachelbel Canon and the small procession moved down the dimly-lit aisle towards the two tall figures waiting by the altar.
Despite everything Jaclyn had said to Sue about men… best men in particular… she was only human and therefore curious to see this paragon. Sue hadn’t really told her much else about him as they were dressing. Only that, like them, the two men had known each other since they were young and had maintained their friendship ever since, both sharing a passion for skiing as well as having other similar interests. Alex worked in the music industry, Sue had added, but didn’t get round to explaining quite what he did. She’d only met him herself for the first time last night as apparently, he’d been abroad quite a lot since she’d started going out with Simon. America, she thought.
As if he sensed her interest, or maybe shared her curiosity, the man next to Simon… Alex, his name was, Jaclyn reminded herself… turned and met her eyes. A tremor ran through her as she stared into the enigmatic dark grey of his steady gaze and, unexpectedly, her stomach flipped. For a moment, she felt breathless and confused, before gathering herself together to concentrate on following Sue down the aisle. It was only when they’d stopped and Sue stepped forwards to stand next to Simon, that Jaclyn allowed herself another swift look at the clear-cut profile of the unknown best man.
A strong jaw, emphasised by rather delicious stubble, high cheekbones, a firm mouth. Luxuriantly thick, dark hair brushed back and falling nearly to his shoulders, a shock when compared to Simon’s short haircut. He was tall, at least six inches taller than Jaclyn herself, who stood at five feet eight. Not conventionally good-looking, his face was rugged and had strength. His firm mouth turned up at one corner in a half-smile, and the laughter lines radiating from the corners of his eyes made him very attractive.
Jaclyn was cross with herself. This really wouldn’t do. She wasn’t interested in best men. Bringing her gaze back to the couple in front of her, she took Sue’s bouquet as the marriage ceremony started.
Afterwards, as they signed the register, Jaclyn was introduced to Alex.
‘Jaclyn!’ Simon turned, laughing, from kissing Sue. ‘Thanks! Thanks a million. You’ve been great, coming to help Sue, despite your new work commitments. Look, here’s Alex, my best man, and my best mate. Alex,’ he caught his friend by the arm and turned him to face Jaclyn, ‘meet Jaclyn. You always said you liked redheads!’
He cast a meaningful glance at his friend, which Jaclyn could have scripted word for word. “Look! I told you. Not bad, eh? Why don’t you give her a go?”
Mmm, apparently there was no girlfriend on the horizon, then, if both Sue and Simon were determined to pair them together.
Alex shot a curt look at Simon, clearly rejecting his friend’s subtext. ‘That was many moons ago, my friend,’ he responded coolly. ‘Jaclyn… I’m pleased to meet you.’ He offered her a brief smile and held out a strong hand.
Just as well she wasn’t interested, Jaclyn thought, as they shook hands. That was about the neatest brush-off she’d ever heard.
Unable to resist, she replied under her breath, so that only he could hear, ‘Come to think of it, it’s quite a while since I fancied black-haired men, too!’
She turned away, not seeing the shock on his face as he took in what she’d said, the raised left eyebrow, and the slow smile which followed.
While the guests mingled in the gardens of the hotel and nibbled appetisers, sipping prosecco or Pimm’s, the photographer ordered everyone into different groups and settings, making it impossible for Jaclyn and Alex to avoid each other. As she stood near him, ready to move into another grouping, she noticed a lot of people coming up to him and chatting. He was unfailingly polite, a quick smile on his face in response to whatever they were saying to him, sometimes a handshake. Odd.
Standing side by side, as Simon and Sue posed by the fountain, Jaclyn turned to Alex, determined to be polite and friendly. ‘You seem to know a lot of people here. I didn’t know you were familiar with the area… or the village, come to that?’
‘I’m not.’
‘Then, how come so many people seem to know you?’ They moved, as directed by the photographer, to stand with Simon and Sue, both smiling convincingly at the camera.
‘Because I’m well-known?’
Jaclyn shot him an exasperated glance, moving yet again as instructed.
‘And loveable, too, I suppose,’ she muttered under her breath.
She saw his quick grin in response to her barb, before it faded and his face became still. No, more than still, she thought. He looked despondent.
‘Once upon a time, I might have agreed,’ he murmured sardonically, placing one hand on her shoulder, causing a shiver to run through her, and one on Sue’s in response to yet another command. ‘But I’m not too sure of that anymore.’
Jaclyn looked at him sharply. There was no doubt about it—his voice matched his expression, and both were sad. Seemed they had something in common, then. An unhappy love affair somewhere in his past, as there was in hers.
Eventually, the photos were over. The bride and groom took time to mingle with the guests, and Jaclyn moved away from Alex, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Her parents had retired to Spain, so Jaclyn’s only base in the village now was Sue’s house. Except Sue had just got married and would move to Devon. Still, she thought, Helen would be glad to see her should she need to stay overnight at any time, maybe to attend another wedding or a party. Who knew?
Now and again, Jaclyn’s eyes would seek the tall figure of Alex. Every time she looked, it was clear many people wanted to speak to him, and she couldn’t help wondering why. He’d already told her he didn’t come from the area.
Try as she might, it seemed she was unable to ignore him, despite the fact their exchanges so far had been tepid or downright hostile. And she didn’t do best men, she reminded herself firmly. The romantic atmosphere of a wedding obviously led to the wrong choices, and she wasn’t going to be caught like that again. And yet Alex was definitely worth a second look…
The wedding party moved into the dining-room. Jaclyn walked up behind Sue. At last—the one person who could satisfy her curiosity.
‘How come he knows so many people? Alex?’ she hissed in her friend’s ear.
‘I thought I told you?’ Sue looked round, startled, as Simon tugged on her hand to lead her towards the top table.
‘No!’
‘Yes, I did. Before we dressed, I—oh!’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘You cut me off. He’s a—’
‘Sue! Look at you, all grown up and beautiful!’
‘Aunty Jean. Yes. Thank you.’ Distracted by Aunty Jean, Sue drifted off with Simon as Jean trotted alongside and continued to compliment her, still leaving Jaclyn in ignorance.
Not only did she wonder what Alex did, but now she very much wanted to know what he’d meant when he said he felt unlovable. His comment resonated with her. Definitely like her, if their reasons turned out to be the same.
Her trust lay shattered and her confidence dented by the nasty behaviour of both her fiancé and so-called friend.
Jaclyn sat down, and the subject of her curiosity and thoughts—far too many thoughts—sat next to her.
Alex.
He leaned across and picked up the bottle of wine set on the table next to them.
‘Wine? Red or white?’ His voice was flat, his face expressionless.
‘White, please,’ Jaclyn responded, putting her hands on her lap to hide their slight tremble. A tremble that had also settled inside, making her feel as if a thousand butterflies had been released in her stomach. Damn it, Alex was attractive, despite her sour comment about black-haired men earlier!
Trying to distract herself, she let her gaze drift over the crowd of people settling into their places at the beautifully decorated tables, laughing and chattering. Good heavens! Was that Samantha Hughes with a baby? She hadn’t seen her out in the gardens.
But it was no good. Her thoughts drifted back to Alex.
Casting a quick sideways look at the disinterested profile of the man sitting next to her, she felt decidedly cross with herself. Feeling attracted to someone was so not what she’d expected for today. Anyway, interested or not, she couldn’t see how she would enjoy herself with this iceberg to contend with. Somehow, they had to relate to each other through the meal, and try “being together” for the rest of the event.
When she’d been chief bridesmaid before, she and the best man had accepted they were considered as a pair and had set out to enjoy themselves, both knowing, like Cinderella, that come midnight they’d revert to normality.
Froth and frivolity.
Wasn’t going to happen here, that was obvious. She’d be happy just to talk to him, and at least pretend to enjoy his company, but his cool and distant manner would make it very difficult.
She wondered why it was just her he seemed to be so unfriendly towards, because she’d seen him smiling and talking cheerfully enough with the other guests. Laughing, too.
Damn Simon and his loaded comments—it looked like it’d made Alex put up all a lot of barriers.
And yet, niggling at her was his sad remark about not feeling loveable, which made her wonder, yet again, if he’d a recent bust-up, like her? If you could call six months recent…
‘Um…have you known Simon long?’ she asked, bravely deciding to jump in and start their conversation.
‘Since we were children… about nine.’
‘I don’t actually know where Simon grew up,’ Jaclyn offered, annoyed that she sounded apologetic. ‘He met Sue last year when they were both on holiday. I’ve been working away, and although she told me quite a bit about him, I don’t think that ever came up—where he grew up. And the couple of times I’ve met him have been rather brief.’
‘Devon.’
‘Oh. Where he works now?’
‘Nearby.’
‘Did you go to the same university, like me and Sue?’
‘No. He went to Exeter.’
‘And yourself?’
‘Cambridge. I was at King’s.’
Heavens, Jaclyn thought, as she took a long drink of the bland, white wine. Totally monosyllabic! This really was going to be hard work. Hadn’t he ever heard of making conversation? Her attraction might just roll over and die at this rate.
She tried again. ‘That’s the college which broadcasts Carols at Christmas, isn’t it? Do you have to be musical to go there?’
‘No, you don’t. Nor do you have to be posh, or from a private school.’
‘I went through UCAS myself and I know ordinary mortals can apply to Cambridge—and Oxford—if they so choose.’
Alex shot her a quick glance, a question in his eyes. She met his eyes steadily, but he must have detected her inner exasperation, because a look of what appeared to be remorse crossed his face.
‘I’m sorry,’ he surprised her by saying.
Jaclyn smiled, accepting his apology. ‘So, tell me, what was Cambridge like?’
He shrugged and glanced across the room. ‘Not very different from any other university. Old buildings, of course. And tourists! My God, the tourists!’ he turned back to her, that quick, utterly breathtaking smile lightening his features, a slight dimple creasing his cheek, the laughter lines appearing at the corners of his eyes.
Jaclyn sucked in a sharp breath. If she’d thought him attractive before, he was doubly so when he smiled. Her stomach somersaulted yet again. Whoa! Cancel that roll over and die business.
‘It was so funny,’ he continued, ‘seeing the punts go up what we called the Backs, and listening to the spiel the punters gave out about each college, and the tourists drinking it all in. Half of what they were told was pure imagination. I thought about working the punts one summer, but in the end, I decided I couldn’t go through all that drivel ten or twelve times a day!’
He fell silent as the waitress placed the starter in front of him. His strong-looking hands picked up a bread roll from the basket and tore it decisively into two.
Jaclyn ignored her own plate as she watched every movement of his long-fingered hands in fascination, a coil of something long dormant uncurling inside her. Damn, damn, damn! Sue was right. He was attractive. And he had a pleasant smile. And, it seemed, he was prepared to apologise for being a patronising idiot!
‘Your starter is getting cold,’ he commented.
She blushed and looked up to find his enigmatic grey eyes, again cool and withdrawn, fixed on her face. A silence fell between them as they both turned their attention to the food. Jaclyn pondered on the realisation he’d enjoyed his university days. Another way of making conversation during the course of the meal.
‘So, what else did you do? At university?’
‘Studied. Went to the pub. Rowed. But then, doesn’t everyone who goes to either Oxford or Cambridge at least try rowing?’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ Jaclyn said drily. ‘Do they?’
‘Oh, I think so. It’s a bug which gets into the system for a while. Anyway, I’d rowed at school, so…’ he shrugged dismissively.
‘And were you successful? Did you row for Cambridge?’ Jaclyn put down her fork and sat back in her chair.
‘That’s another misapprehension,’ Alex told her coolly. ‘You row for your college primarily.’ He turned away from her to respond to something Simon said, on the far side of Sue, leaving her free to take in the wide breadth of his shoulders in the beautifully cut suit, the lean length of his obviously superbly fit body, and to wonder what it was he did now to earn his living. She doubted she’d have much joy in winkling it out of him. His moment of repentance had disappeared.
Idly, she let her gaze wander over the rest of the room, listening to the clinking of glass and china, the murmur of voices and bursts of laughter. Was she the only person struggling to make conversation? It looked like it!
Although not beautiful by conventional standards, Jaclyn knew herself to be attractive, intelligent and capable of getting and keeping a man’s interest. But Alex was proving such very hard work, and it seemed Sue had made a mistake when she suggested he might interest her. Obviously, her friend was unaware of his antipathy toward women. Like a sore tooth you were unable to leave alone, Jaclyn constantly wondered what had caused his unhappiness.
She became aware the murmur of his deep voice had ceased. There was a faint rustle of expensive wool cloth and a delicious smell of cinnamon and lemon as he finished speaking to Simon and straightened up in his seat.
Still slightly irritated, Jaclyn sought about in her mind for another topic of conversation. Could she go back to asking him about university? Maybe not. Music! There was a good one. Even though he’d said he wasn’t musical, she could ask him what he liked to listen to. Everyone liked to listen to music, Jaclyn concluded, her thoughts tinged with desperation. She loved listening to Classic FM and stuff on YouTube, from country and western through rock to folk.
‘I gather you yourself aren’t musical, but what do you enjoy listening to?’
‘Did I say I wasn’t musical?’
‘I thought… you said… I asked if you had to be musical to go to King's College and you said—’
‘I said no. But I didn’t say I wasn’t musical myself.’
Sheer exasperation flooded through Jaclyn. ‘Oh, for goodness' sake! You’re deliberately misleading me.’ She would have liked to have added more, but her innate good manners prevented her from doing so… yet.
The waitresses arrived to remove the plates. Alex gazed out broodingly across the heads of the chattering people, Jaclyn sitting equally silently by his side. She’d tried hard enough! Let him put some effort into the normal courtesies of polite conversation or so help her, she’d remove herself to more congenial company, chief bridesmaid or not!
Just when she’d given up hope and was wondering if she dared to move, he turned his head and sighed. ‘I play the piano,’ he conceded. ‘I enjoy playing classical mostly, but also ragtime and jazz a little. I also like playing the guitar.’
‘Well, that takes care of the next half hour’s conversation,’ Jaclyn murmured dryly.
His sudden laugh surprised her. ‘What do you do?’ he asked. ‘Never mind me. What do you do?’ He smiled a brief acknowledgement of the waitress as she placed the next course in front of them.
Jaclyn was surprised by his sudden volte-face. He seemed to chop and change. Sometimes he relaxed, but then he would retreat and cut her off again.
‘Me? I`m the product of a small country village and a red brick university. Sue and I went to Newcastle. I did business studies and computing. I…’ she hesitated as she thought about her new job. A computer firm, a well-known name. They’d been big now for several years and there were rumours of them expanding into the States. Certainly, she hoped for some travel.
‘What?’
‘I have a new job.’ Jaclyn turned to him. ‘I’m going to be the PA to the marketing manager of the computer firm Tectrans.’
Alex smiled, laying down his knife and fork to shrug slightly. ‘Computers. Mmm, Tectrans…are they a well-known company?’
He was looking at her now. Really looking, Jaclyn decided. ‘Biggish. At least, in this country. They do software for home and business use and they’re hoping to expand into the States. I might get to travel abroad. It’s a wonderful opportunity.’
‘Sounds good. Congratulations,’ he said, his voice once more suddenly flat.
There he went again. The disinterest in his voice came across loud and clear, cutting off her enthusiasm with finality. The message was simple… don’t think I’m interested in you, just because I’ve asked a few questions.
Conversation didn’t seem to be getting any better. Was it because he thought she might be “after him”? Especially in view of Simon’s rather unsubtle introduction? It was almost as if he was determined not to allow himself to relax with her. Her thoughts came back to her theory he’d been hurt, and Simon’s comment had reminded him of someone in his past? Someone he’d not yet forgiven?
Time to put him right, maybe? Point out she wasn’t interested, and she didn’t want to be dumped with him anymore than he wanted to be dumped with her.
Heaving a sigh of irritation, Jaclyn spoke forcefully. ‘Look, Alex, I suspect Simon has tried to suggest I might be a potential girlfriend for you, just as Sue has suggested I might fancy you. I think maybe we both have our reasons—’
‘Reasons? Okay, what are yours?’
‘Not wanting to be turned into a couple just because you’re the best man and I’m the chief bridesmaid. So cheesy, anyway, at the best of times.’ Jaclyn wasn’t sure where this was coming from, but she was annoyed he seemed to think she wanted to hook up with him, and she was determined to set him right and let him know she wasn’t interested either.
‘We have to do this for Simon and Sue’s sake and you could, at least, try to look as if you’re enjoying yourself, otherwise you might upset them. I’m not going to drag you off to my lair if you deign to speak to me, or start planning our own wedding if you actually get as far as smiling!’ She laid down her fork and drank from the glass of wine, still cross. ‘I’m so not interested in you, okay? I’ve had quite enough of men!’
‘Ouch. Dare I ask why this emphatic rebuttal of my potential charms?’
Jaclyn shot him an astonished glance, fighting a powerful urge to burst out laughing. She choked on her wine and had to hold the serviette to her mouth to avoid spraying the tablecloth.
When she’d recovered sufficiently, Jaclyn gave him his answer. ‘I’m not sure I’ve seen much of your potential charms so far. But believe me, when you discover your fiancé in bed with one of your friends, you are so not in the mood to be blindsided into being cosy with the best man. Especially as Gerry was also the best man when I met him!’
‘Gerry?’ Alex sounded startled.
‘Gerry. My fiancé. Or should I say ex-fiancé? He started sleeping with Lauren, who I thought was a friend. Some bloody friend! Aaghh! Why am I telling you this? Oh, yes, I know. Because I do not want another entanglement, especially with a best man. You can stop being so frosty and standoffish. It’s not bloody necessary. I’m not interested… so not interested… in you as a possible boyfriend, any more than you’re interested in me as a possible girlfriend, no matter what Simon and Sue have tried to imply. Let’s just try to be pleasant to each other for the rest of the wedding, okay?’
Alex stared at her, torn between laughter and despair.
Unbelievable, almost farcical, to end up partnering the fall-out from Lauren’s treachery. Lauren. His ex-girlfriend, nearly fiancée. No! Surely this had to be a coincidence?
Yet, Jaclyn had said Gerry, and he recalled Lauren flinging that name at him when he’d found out about her two-timing treachery.
Laughter won. When he finally caught his breath, he said, ‘Oh, the irony. Let me make sure I have this right—your fiancé Gerry took up with your friend Lauren?’
‘Not bloody funny.’ Jaclyn shot him a malevolent glare, hurt almost to the point of tears at his callous reaction to what she’d said. Swallowing frantically, she blinked and sniffed, then took refuge in her glass of wine, her eyes closed against the unshed tears, a ball of blackness gathering inside.
She heard his voice and felt his hand on her arm. His voice was a strange mix of penitence, urgency and anger.
‘No, it isn’t funny, and I’m sorry if it seemed I was laughing at you. Listen, please? Perhaps you’ll understand when I tell you my girlfriend Lauren, who at the time I thought I might marry, buggered off and took up with this guy called Gerry. And I knew Gerry was the fiancé of one of her friends.’ There was a moment’s silence before he spoke again, his voice low. ‘Jeez! It gets complicated, doesn’t it?’
Jaclyn lowered her glass carefully and turned to gape at him, her mouth falling open. ‘Gerry? And… Lauren?’
‘Looks like your Gerry waltzed off with my Lauren, who was also your friend… or so you thought. Crap, isn’t it?’
They stared at each other for several seconds, before both started laughing.
Sue and Simon exchanged a surprised glance. It seemed, against all odds, Alex and Jaclyn were hitting it off!