‘I’m not sure I should let you do this,’ Simon said, as Alex ordered them both pints at the bar of the hotel they’d stayed in last night. ‘As my best man, you should keep me on a straight and sober path.’
Alex snorted as he shot a laughing glance over his shoulder. ‘You’re not trying very hard to stop me. And one pint won’t do any harm. Let’s sit in the garden. The weather’s brilliant.’
The men, still casually dressed in jeans and open-necked shirts, strolled out and found two chairs next to a small fountain. Green lawns spread out on either side, and small paved pathways led off to tempting nooks where tables and chairs waited invitingly. The soft scent of summer flowers perfumed the air and birdsong was faint in the distance.
‘This is a really attractive place,’ Simon commented, looking round in appreciation. He ran a hand through his short blond hair, ruffling it slightly, which gave him a boyishly handsome look. Grinning now at Alex, his smile flashed white in his tanned face, his blue eyes crinkling, small lines radiating out from the corners.
‘Yep. A good choice.’
‘Sue’s parents recommended it.’
Alex leaned forwards, his elbows on the table, black hair brushed back and falling to his collar. ‘Are you nervous? It’s all been… a bit quick, in a way, hasn’t it?’
Taking a slow pull from his beer, Simon looked thoughtful and put his glass down. ‘I suppose so. But then again, not really. You and me, we’re thirty-four. My parents married when they were in their early twenties. So, looked at like that, a bit slow, I’d say.’
Alex laughed. ‘Yeah, right. You know what I mean. Quick since you met Sue. It’s only been a year.’
‘No point in hanging around. We love each other. We’re sure. Let’s just get on with life.’
The two men had known each other for a long time. They’d met when Alex’s family had moved down to Devon to open a hotel. Alex had been nine. They’d parted company for university, but had always kept in touch. Simon had gone to Exeter to study land management while Alex had achieved an entry to King’s College in Cambridge. There, he’d studied music, and now was a well-known pianist, as well as a composer of some stature. His music was finding recognition and popularity. To let off steam, he also composed for television and film. Doing both, he was a busy, and a happy, man.
‘Anyway,’ Simon nudged Alex’s shoulder. ‘What about you? No-one on the scene?’
Alex glowered at his friend, his long, tapered fingers turning the beer glass round and round, his dark-grey eyes stormy. ‘Don’t ask. I still don’t like women very much, as you should realise after what happened. Bloody Lauren. Swore blind I was the love of her life and the next thing I knew, she’d taken up with someone called Gerry. He’d been the fiancé of one of her friends, apparently, and she decided she wanted him for herself. Bitch just about sums it up. Bitch to her friend and bitch to me. It hurt, to be honest.’
‘Ah, sorry, man. But come on… it was six months ago, now?’
‘Still hurts. If you want to know, I’d got as far as wondering about asking her to marry me, if you really want to know. Just as well it never happened!’
‘Hell, mate. I’m sorry. I hadn’t realised it’d got so serious…’
A silence fell as the two men contemplated the remaining beer in their glasses. Both were deep in thought: Simon of what was to come, Alex of what had passed.
Alex was the first to break the silence. ‘Ah, hell. It doesn’t matter and I’m not going to rain on your parade. Let’s get you washed and polished and make our way to the church.’
The two men rose to their feet.
‘Hey,’ Simon exclaimed, pausing at their table. ‘Jaclyn! The bridesmaid!’
Alex stopped and turned to face his friend. ‘What about her?’
‘The chief bridesmaid. The one you’re supposed to look after. You know that, don’t you? And you never know, you might fancy her.’
‘Oh, no. No and no and no.’ Alex strode down the path. ‘Don’t start the matchmaking game, my friend. I just told you—I’m not in the mood for women. I might have to look after her, but that doesn’t mean I have to fall immediately in love with her. It means I make sure I escort her out of the church and… and… well, that’s about it, as far as I know.’
They ducked their heads as they entered the hotel.
‘No, not “that’s about it”. You’re supposed to look after her all the way through the wedding until it ends. We didn’t get to see her last night because she had to attend the summer barbecue at her new workplace, but I’ve met her a couple of times and she’s good fun. And she’s quite a stunner. Don’t be so quick to dismiss her before you even meet. You might really like her?’
Simon heard a snort of derision as Alex took the stairs two at a time. ‘No chance!’
Outside their rooms, they faced each other and grinned.
‘Well, who would’ve thought it?’ Alex said softly. ‘Here we are, all grown up and behaving like adults. And before you ask, yes, I’ve got the ring. Yes, I’ve got our button holes. Yes, I’ll even help you with the cravat if you need it.’ He gave a lop-sided smile and clapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘Go get ready, my lad. I’ll come and collect you in about an hour.’