by Katie Ginger
‘Which table do you think we’re on?’ asked Miles, taking an orange juice for himself and handing one to Stella.
‘Somewhere near the back I’m sure.’ Again there was no bitterness in her voice. In fact, Stella sounded like she was actually enjoying herself. Miles looked around.
‘Have you noticed there aren’t any children?’
‘Aren’t there?’
‘No. I think that’s such a shame. I love seeing kids at weddings all overexcited and dancing like idiots. It makes me feel better about my dance moves.’
Stella laughed and sipped her orange juice. ‘I won’t drag you up to the dance floor so you don’t have to worry.’
‘Good.’ They moved to the side to let some other people through and again his body touched Stella’s. Being close to her made him hyper-aware of everything he was doing but she didn’t immediately move away. When she did he had a sudden urge to take her hand and pull it back. ‘Do you mind if I have a beer or two with dinner? I’m happy not to drink if you prefer.’
‘Of course I don’t mind.’ Where Stella’s hair was piled onto her head, Miles could see the full beauty of her profile. He found himself thinking about kissing her long, graceful neck and hoped he wasn’t blushing, turning his attention away to the monstrously huge flower display next to him. ‘You’re doing me such a big favour, please enjoy yourself.’
‘I am enjoying myself actually. You’re not bad company.’
‘Neither are you,’ she joked.
‘Are you surprised?’ He wasn’t sure he was going to like the answer but he’d asked now, and trusted Stella would at least be honest with him.
She hesitated. ‘A little.’
A prickle of shame stung the back of his neck and he reached a hand back to quell it. ‘I was awful to you when you arrived and I’m embarrassed by how I behaved. I am sorry for being such an arse.’ Stella’s glass stilled in mid-air. She clearly hadn’t expected such an apology from him. He wanted her to see what he was really like, not the self-indulgent man he’d been before. Feeling embarrassed, he motioned to the seating chart. ‘We’d better take our seats. I think they’re arriving soon.’
Along with the other guests they found their table and sat down. Miles was next to a large woman in an enormous fuchsia dress and matching feathery fascinator, the colour of which matched the blobs of blusher on her cheeks. Her name was Fiona and she had more lipstick on her teeth than on her lips but had a kind and happy face. Stella was next to an old man called Jack with receding, slick-backed grey hair.
‘Are you with the bride or groom?’ asked the woman, swatting away a bright pink feather that bounced back and tapped her on the nose.
‘Groom,’ Miles answered, glancing at Stella. She was chatting away to the old man, making him laugh as though they were old friends. She really did have a way with people, such an easy, unassuming manner.
‘I’m with the bride,’ Fiona said. ‘She’s my goddaughter. Don’t you think she looks gorgeous?’
‘She looks lovely,’ Miles replied, politely. She was pretty but he wouldn’t go so far as to say gorgeous.
The woman poured herself a large glass of white wine from the bottles in the middle of the table. ‘This is Isaac’s second marriage, you know. He’s divorced. Don’t know why it didn’t work out but sometimes things just don’t, do they?’
From the corner of his eye Miles saw Stella’s back stiffen then relax as Fiona passed no judgement.
‘I don’t know about you young ’uns, but I’m absolutely starving,’ said Jack, taking a bread roll from the basket in the centre of the table and cutting it open.
‘I’m quite hungry too,’ said Stella, smiling at everyone.
‘And are you with the groom’s side too?’ asked Fiona.
Miles caught the mischievous twinkle in Stella’s eyes as she replied. ‘Yes, I’m Isaac’s ex-wife.’
Fiona coughed as her wine went down the wrong way. She grabbed her napkin and wiped at her mouth. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you before.’ Her cheeks blazed even redder under the pink blush. ‘He’s always spoken very highly of you.’
‘We’re still friends,’ Stella admitted taking a bread roll herself and giving Fiona a disarming smile. ‘He’s a lovely man and I’m very happy for him and Ellie. Like you say, sometimes things don’t work out but it’s fine, really. He looks incredibly happy – and Ellie too.’
‘Well that’s lovely of you, dear. Not all marriages end so amicably.’
‘When I left my first wife,’ said Jack, ‘I came home to find all my stuff in bin bags out in the street. Same with the second actually.’
Miles glanced at Stella and she flashed her eyes at him.
‘I’m here on my own,’ replied Fiona a note of sadness in her voice. ‘I wasn’t sure about coming. I don’t much like going to things on my own, but since my Ken passed away, I have to or I’d never leave the house.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Miles.
‘Thank you. The worst thing is,’ Fiona continued, ‘you don’t have anyone to dance with, do you? And there’s nothing worse than sitting out all night.’
‘Well, maybe you’ll have a dance with me later?’ asked Miles. Stella’s head spun towards him. Even though he wasn’t really much of a dancer, Fiona seemed a nice lady and he wanted her to enjoy herself.
The meal was served and, unusually, conversation flowed easily. Any time there was a lull Stella would ask a question and everyone would soon be talking again, sharing memories, experiences or jokes. She had a natural flair for putting people at their ease and seemed genuinely interested in whoever she was talking to, listening intently to what they had to say. At his networking events everyone was out to speak to the right people and say the right thing. Eyes would flit about the room and there would be a lot of polite nodding, but Stella’s eyes never wavered from the person in front of her and she remembered everything they said. It was such a unique quality. Miles had the sneaking suspicion that Isaac had been a fool to let her go.
After the meal, the music started and the first dance began. As ‘I Believe in a Thing called Love,’ by The Darkness started up, Isaac and Ellie went from refined, almost shy man and wife to two idiots rocking out on the dance floor, imploring their friends to come and join them. Guests flocked up, laughing and joking, and soon heads were bobbing up and down. Stella and Miles stood up but didn’t move from their table. Near the end of the song she leaned in to Miles. ‘I did not expect that!’
‘Me neither.’ The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled made them seem bigger, browner and deeper, and he had to draw his gaze away.
‘They look so happy.’
Unable to read her tone, Miles turned to her. ‘Are you okay?’
Stella’s eyes met his but there were no tears, and no pity or disappointment in her face. ‘I’m totally fine. I’m really, really happy for them.’
A round of applause started with whoops and whistles following. The music changed to something orchestral and Isaac danced with his mum while Ellie danced with her dad. Couples joined them, swaying to and fro.
‘Oh, look at that,’ said Fiona, putting a hand over her heart. ‘Isn’t that lovely?’
‘Would you like to dance?’ asked Miles and Fiona’s puffy cheeks rounded as she grinned.
‘I very much would, young man.’ Seeing Stella approve of his actions made him feel ten feet tall.
‘Well,’ said Jack. ‘If that young man is dancing with you, Fiona, then perhaps the lovely Stella would like to dance with me?’
‘I’d be delighted,’ she replied, pushing her chair back. ‘But just so you know, I’m not interested in being wife number three.’
‘Number three?’ Jack look confused. ‘I’m on the lookout for number five now, sweetheart.’
Stella and Miles laughed as everyone went to the dance floor. He might have been imagining it, but he was sure that as he and Fiona turned and twirled, Stella watched him from time to time.
The evening wore on and while Stella sipped her tonic water, giggling with the other guests at the table, Miles saw Isaac and his new wife making their way around the room. His stomach tightened a little as they approached. Stella’s evening had been nice so far; he didn’t want it to go south now.
‘Stella,’ said Isaac. ‘I want to introduce you to Ellie.’ Ellie gave a timid smile.
Stella stood up and kissed Isaac on the cheek then held out her hand to Ellie. ‘I would give you a kiss on the cheek too but I wouldn’t want to ruin your lovely make-up.’
Ellie instantly relaxed and the tight smile loosened to something more genuine. ‘Most of it’s sliding off my face from all the dancing anyway.’
Stella really did have a gift when it came to people. She gently pecked Ellie’s cheek and stood back surveying them both. ‘You look beautiful, Ellie, and your dress is stunning.’
‘Doesn’t she look amazing?’ said Isaac, gazing lovingly at his new wife.
‘I’m really very happy for you both,’ said Stella. ‘This is my friend Miles.’
‘How do you do?’ Miles replied, shaking Ellie’s hand. ‘Can I buy you both a drink?’
‘Oh, no, I’ve had bucket loads already,’ said Ellie.
‘Me too,’ added Isaac. ‘I should probably drink some water or something before I fall asleep. I’d be in big trouble then and not just with Ellie.’
‘No, your mum and dad would go bananas. I hope you’ve had a lovely time?’ Ellie’s eyes flitted between them.
Miles said, ‘We have. It’s been lovely. Your godmother has been wonderful company.’
‘Aunty Fi? Really? Not everyone says that. And how was Great-Uncle Jack?’
‘He’s been lovely,’ Stella replied. ‘He’s quite a character.’
‘That’s a nice way of describing him. Isaac’s parents hate him with a passion. I had to put him as far away from them as I could.’
‘They can be quite … firm in their views, can’t they?’ said Stella.
‘God, yes. But for Isaac’s sake I’ll put up with it.’
Stella smiled as Ellie’s cheeks coloured. She suddenly looked down at her empty glass, probably worrying she had said the wrong thing.
‘That was a great choice for your first dance,’ said Miles, steering the conversation to something more neutral. ‘Really good fun.’
‘Thanks,’ said Isaac. ‘It was Ellie’s choice actually.’
‘I wanted something I wouldn’t cry to.’
‘It was brilliant,’ said Stella. She reached behind her and took the white envelope from the table. ‘I’ve got you both a card and a gift voucher-thing. I know that’s not very original, but I didn’t know what you wanted.’
‘That’s really kind of you,’ said Ellie, taking the card. ‘We didn’t expect you to get us anything. Isaac was so worried you wouldn’t come.’
‘Really?’ She turned to Isaac.
He shuffled his feet. ‘Well, you know.’
Stella gave his hand a squeeze. ‘Idiot.’
‘That’s what I told him,’ said Ellie. ‘He’s always said such lovely things about you. I’m really happy I got to meet you.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ said Stella, ‘but we need to get going soon. We’ve got quite a long drive back.’
Isaac nodded. ‘Of course. But perhaps you’d think about coming and staying one weekend? Have you visited Oxford before, Miles?’
‘Once or twice for work, but I’ve never had the pleasure of relaxing and enjoying the sights.’
‘Then you must come and visit. I know where all the best pubs are.’
‘That sounds great,’ Miles replied, glancing at Stella. He wasn’t really sure what he should be saying as they weren’t a couple but replying as if they were felt strangely right and Stella hadn’t stopped him. Isaac and Ellie made their farewells and continued around the room talking to everyone. ‘Do we really have to go or is that an excuse?’ asked Miles.
‘We really do actually. It’s already ten o’clock.’
‘Really?’ Miles checked his own watch even though he knew Stella wasn’t lying, then felt like an idiot for doing so. ‘I never realised it was that late.’
‘It’s been a lovely evening, hasn’t it?’
Before he could stop himself, he said, ‘Time for one last dance?’
‘Sure.’
Miles took Stella’s hand and led her to the dance floor as a slow song came on. At first he was pleased because slow ones were easier to dance to, you just rocked a bit and shuffled around in a circle – even he could manage that. But as he took Stella into his arms and held her close his whole body filled with longing. His hand sat gently in the curve of her waist as if it had been designed to go there by some Cupid-like creator and after a moment her body moved closer to his, pulled by an invisible force. The gap between them disintegrated to nothing.
As she was nearly as tall as him their mouths were dangerously close together and he wanted more than anything to kiss her perfect pale pink lips. He could smell her perfume, and when she raised her eyes to his, their brilliance and clarity penetrated right through to his heart. With a gentle sway their lips brushed, sending a shockwave through his body, and in that instant he decided to kiss her. She didn’t pull away and the kiss they shared was tender and sweet. Had they been alone he’d never have stopped, but as the music came back into his ears he remembered where they were and, unsure if Stella would want something like this to happen so publicly, he didn’t try to kiss her again and just held her until the end of the song.
From the way her eyes dropped and she bit her lip, the pale colour of her cheeks flooding with pink, he could tell she was embarrassed. He too felt like the shy teenage boy he’d once been and chose to keep quiet, seeing if she mentioned it first. When she didn’t and they went back to the table, his insides squirmed around like someone had put them in a washing machine.
They said goodbye to Fiona and Jack, Stella being her normal cheerful self, and made their way to the car. Without the bright sunshine, the evening had turned chilly and Stella shivered a little in the cool breeze.
‘Did you want my jacket?’ asked Miles, thankful for a chance to speak and break the silence that was enveloping them now they were alone.
‘No thanks. I’ll be fine once we’ve got the heater on in the car.’
As he watched the streetlights fly by, remembering the kiss that now felt so monumental, as if it changed everything for him, he realised how much he’d misjudged Stella. He’d made assumptions about her that weren’t true and he felt the weight of that guilt as from the corner of his eye he studied her beautiful face. He wanted to know what she thought of the kiss – the incredible kiss – and drew the subject back to the wedding in the hope that it would come up. ‘How was all that for you? The wedding,’ he added quickly, not wanting to be too obvious.
‘It was fun. I had a …’ She hesitated and Miles’s chest tightened with apprehension. ‘… A nice time.’
Was she talking about the kiss? he wondered. He hoped she was. ‘What actually happened between you and Isaac, if you don’t mind me asking?’
Stella glanced over and gave him a smile. ‘We just grew apart over time. Luckily, he didn’t do anything awful like cheat on me. He and Ellie didn’t get together until after we split. He was decent and told me he had feelings for someone else before acting on them.’
‘Not like Kiera then,’ Miles commented, watching the rhythmic glow of the streetlights through the windscreen.
‘She cheated on you?’
‘Yes, with Jay.’ He could feel Stella’s eyes on him but he didn’t turn. He didn’t want her to pity him, and what’s more, he knew the inescapable moment was coming when he’d have to tell her about Jay. It was going to be hard, it would ruin her evening, add stress on top of everything else she had going on, and it would hurt her, something he’d do anything to avoid. Even though he’d tried to quash the rumours someone might still say something and if she found out he’d kno
wn and not told her she’d never trust him again. He couldn’t abide the thought of that. He wanted Stella to respect him as much as he respected her. A stone-like dread settled on his chest.
‘Jay Adams?’
Miles nodded. ‘It was when they were doing her website. I don’t know if they slept together since, but …’ He paused gathering his courage. He had to do it but he’d worked so hard to put that smile on her face, he didn’t want to wipe it off. ‘Stella, I’m sorry. I found out that they were both lying, saying you slept with Jay, and that’s when it all came out. That was when I ended it—’
‘Wait, what?’ Stella’s head spun to look at him then shot back to the road. ‘He was saying I’d slept with him?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry.’
‘You knew?’ Her voice grew stronger with controlled anger, even though her eyes remained on the motorway. Miles knew he deserved it. ‘Kiera and he concocted this plan to discredit me and I’m afraid you got caught up in it.’
‘Me? Why?’
‘Kiera wanted me to leave Swallowtail Bay. I think she and Jay were going to leak it that I started the rumours so I’d be embarrassed and leave town. It’s a small place and people would boycott any shop I owned if they thought that I’d done something like that. I’m truly sorry, Stella. I’ve been doing everything I can to stop the rumours. Letting people know Jay isn’t a reliable man. I didn’t know how to tell you. I’m sure no one believes him.’
‘So everyone thinks I’m a slapper?’ Stella said angrily. ‘Well, that explains my whispering customers the other day.’
Bloody gossipers. ‘People who know you will know you’re not. I don’t think you are,’ he added, hoping it would help a little. He wanted to tell her how much that kiss had meant to him, the feelings it had stirred. ‘I’m so sorry you got caught up in this.’
