Willow watched Anna until she’d started the engine up and driven away. She was tempted to phone Charlie and say, “Guess what? I’ve just been flagged down in the library car park by Anna of all people. She had the audacity to warn me off marrying you. Can you believe it?” And then Charlie would say, “Darling, take no notice. Anna is nuts. That’s why Ben extricated himself from the relationship.”
Willow dithered. If she told Charlie what had happened, then Charlie would tell Ben. Poor Ben would be so embarrassed about his ex-girlfriend trying to rain on Willow’s parade. Instead, Willow decided to ignore Anna and do her best not to let her words upset her.
Taking a deep breath, Willow pushed open the library door. She was sure that Jean, Fiona and Theresa would be thrilled for her. Willow decided to tell her colleagues at the earliest opportunity in order to restore her previously happy mood.
‘Congratulations,’ said Fiona, as Willow showed off her ring.
‘What’s this?’ said Theresa, sidling over to see what her colleagues were gossiping about. ‘Oh my goodness. You’re wearing a diamond. Woohoo! You’re so lucky,’ Theresa gabbled. ‘I’ve seen your Charlie, and he’s lush.’
‘Why are you girls talking and not working?’ said Jean, bustling over. ‘Ah,’ she said, as Willow flashed her sparkler. ‘Now I understand. That’s beautiful. Congratulations from me. From what I’ve heard about your Charlie, he’s a good’un. I hope you’ll both be very happy.’
Emma couldn’t concentrate. Willow was marrying Charlie. The date was set. Charlie had wanted to get married sooner rather than later, so much so he’d seized the opportunity of a cancellation at Goldhill Grange.
There was no doubt that the wedding was going to be a very classy affair. Willow had already asked Emma to be her bridesmaid. Despite accepting, she’d wanted to scream, “No! I absolutely won’t walk down the aisle with you. No way can I witness you making the biggest mistake of your life.”
Even Emma’s mother had noticed her glum mood.
‘For goodness sake, Emma, what’s the matter with you?’
‘Willow is getting married.’
‘Really?’ said Karen.
‘Yeah.’
‘When?’
‘Soon. Ridiculously soon. The seventh of December.’
‘I must buy a new outfit,’ said Karen, before carrying on filing her nails.
Noah didn’t give much away when Emma later Facetimed him.
‘I really thought you and Willow had a connection,’ said Emma in despair.
‘Yeah, me too,’ said Noah with a shrug. ‘But I guess I got it wrong. Hey, sis. Let’s put things in perspective, eh? Willow is a gorgeous girl, but I’ve never properly met her and… well, now I guess I never will,’ he said sadly.
‘That’s where you’re wrong.’ Emma’s brain was racing. ‘You’re coming to her wedding.’
‘Am I invited?’ said Noah, looking astonished.
‘No. But I’m allowed to bring a plus-one. And guess what, bro? You’re my plus-one.’
‘Willow?’ said Jean, looking irritated. ‘There’s a telephone call for you.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ said Willow, hurrying over. ‘I’ve told everyone I know not to ring me on the library phone. I don’t know who it is, but I’ll be sure to tell them–’
‘No matter,’ said Jean, passing Willow the phone. ‘Just make it quick.’
‘Hello?’ said Willow.
She was met with silence. Willow experienced a sense of déjà vu as, seconds later, a female whispered down the line. The message was only slightly different to the last time around.
‘Don’t marry Charlie.’
But this time Willow was going to say something.
‘I know that’s you, Anna. Well thank you for your call, but please don’t ring here again.’
Kev pressed a tissue to her wet eyes, desperately trying to stem the tears without wrecking her mascara. So, it was finally happening. Charlie was marrying Willow. Kev had lost him. And despite her knowing that Charlie was a cad, a bounder, and would never remain faithful to Willow, she couldn’t deny that the news of his impending marriage had devastated her. If only there was a way to make Willow change her mind.
And then she thought of something.
Fifty-Nine
The wedding machine roared into action and the weeks that followed passed in a blur.
Charlie’s stag night went without any hitches. Yes, he got drunk. No, he didn’t make a play for the gorgeous stripper hired by one of his work colleagues. He was glad he’d resisted temptation too, because “she” had turned out to be a “he”.
Willow’s hen party was very tame. She’d booked a spa weekend with a girly gang. Even Jean had come along and abandoned her stuffy librarian image by getting terribly tiddly on two glasses of wine. She’d then astonished Willow, Theresa and Fiona with a very blue bridal joke.
‘I believe sex between two people is a beautiful thing, but between five it’s fantastic,’ she’d cackled, and then had a tipsy giddy turn.
Emma and Karen had made Jean drink water, then sat her down with her head between her ankles.
As autumn gave way to an approaching winter, the nights drew in and the temperature dropped. Christmas was on the horizon and the beginnings of festive magic filled the air. Mosley Village sparkled at night with numerous fairy lights that residents had threaded through garden trees. Wicker reindeer seemingly grazed on front lawns, Christmas trees appeared in the downstairs windows of houses, and holly wreaths adorned front doors.
Meanwhile, Charlie had asked his mum if he could get ready on the morning of the wedding at her house, but Grace had declined.
‘Absolutely not,’ she’d said. ‘No way are you monopolising my bathroom, thank you very much. Use your own house.’
‘But Willow will be getting ready at our house.’
‘Too bad. Ask someone else.’
So Charlie had asked Ben if he could get ready at his. After all, Ben had now moved into his new flat. However, the apartment had loads of snagging problems. This included a faulty bath and defunct shower. Charlie’s request was consequently pre-empted by Ben who asked Charlie if he could get ready at his. Charlie had no choice but to say yes, but obviously this impacted upon Willow. She was now despairing. Willow didn’t want Charlie seeing her getting ready or wearing her bridal gown until she walked down the aisle.
As a result, Willow ended up asking her parents if she could get ready at theirs. After all, her father would be travelling in the wedding car with her, so it made sense they leave together. But when Willow telephoned her mum with the request, Anita immediately began flapping.
‘Oh darling, you’re not going to believe what your father has done.’
Willow instantly noted her mother’s use of “your father”. This ominous wording was always trotted out when her dad had messed up over something.
‘What’s happened?’ Willow asked anxiously.
‘Daddy has told all the Scottish relatives they can stay at ours. Not a thought about bathroom availability or bedroom space,’ Anita ranted. ‘And if he thinks I’m giving up our bed, he’s very much mistaken. I’m the mother of the bride, and no way am I sleeping on a sofa the night before my daughter’s wedding.’
‘Ah, yes, quite,’ Willow sympathised, her heart sinking.
‘Anyway, we’d assumed that your wedding car would be picking Daddy up first before making its way over to you.’
‘Oh my goodness. The wedding car!’
Willow clapped a hand to her forehead. It was the one thing that Charlie had overlooked when he’d arranged everything, and it had completely bypassed her attention too.
Willow’s dilemma about where to get ready was thankfully resolved by Karen and Emma. They invited Willow to leave as a bride from their house, and she gratefully accepted the offer.
‘We can get ready together,’ said Emma cosily.
Frantic phone calls were then made to source a wedding car. At the last minute, a
vintage Rolls Royce was successfully booked. The Roller would arrive – with Willow’s father – at Karen’s house. Meanwhile, Emma and Karen would travel to the venue, ahead of Willow, in the Mercedes car that Noah had hired for his duration in England.
Noah had now – much to Karen’s reluctance – arrived from Australia. Karen had been wildly discouraging of Noah’s visit giving any number of excuses she could think of: her house was too cramped… he would have to sleep on the sofa… the sofa was lumpy… until she realised her protests were falling on deaf ears. Noah’s ticket was booked. The son she hadn’t raised was coming. He wanted to get to know her. And that was that.
Willow had yet to meet Noah. She’d deliberately made sure their paths hadn’t yet crossed. However, she knew their meeting would be inevitable once she arrived at Karen’s house to prepare as a bride. By this point Willow was convinced that any chemistry she’d felt on her part had been nothing other than fanciful nonsense, and nothing more than banter on Noah’s part. The small matter of Emma suggesting Willow have a date with Noah had been dismissed by both women as a poor joke.
When Willow’s wedding day finally dawned, she was relieved to see the December weather was chilly but bright. The forecast promised a dry day with the palest of blue skies. Willow was overjoyed to see a watery blob of yellow bravely shining away.
Charlie tactfully kept out of the way while Ben helped Willow load up her car with everything she needed. The bridal gown – which had been stored out of sight in the spare room wardrobe – was now in a protective wrapper. Ben laid it carefully on the back seat of Willow’s car. A small suitcase was placed in the boot. This contained Willow’s make-up, toiletries, wedding shoes, veil and, in keeping with the Christmas season, a white faux-fur bolero to keep her warm when travelling to the venue.
‘See you there,’ said Ben, giving Willow a hug.
‘Look after Charlie for me,’ she said. ‘Make sure he doesn’t get cold feet.’
‘No chance of that,’ Ben assured. ‘He’s more concerned about you being talked out of it by Emma or her mum. He made a weak joke about it. Between you and me, Charlie suspects they don’t think he’s good enough for you.’
Willow tutted.
‘I know Karen isn’t a massive fan of marriage because of her own experience, but that’s not to say she’s against other people getting hitched. Far from it. And as for Emma…’
Willow trailed off. She didn’t want to be reminded, today of all days, about the time when Emma had dared to ask Willow if she was truly happy with Charlie.
‘What about Emma?’ Ben prompted.
‘She’s happy for me too,’ said Willow firmly. ‘Despite being let down herself, she wishes Charlie and me all the best. Her heart is in the right place.’
‘And that’s what matters,’ said Ben.
‘You should get to know Emma,’ said Willow suddenly. ‘Ask her to dance later, at the reception.’
‘Are you trying to matchmake?’ Ben teased.
‘Maybe,’ Willow smiled.
‘Never mind me. Today is about you.’ He gave Willow a little prod. ‘Off you go. And don’t be late!’
Willow grinned and got in her car. With a toot and a wave, she set off. New beginnings lay ahead. Woohoo!
But even Willow couldn’t have predicted quite how this next chapter would start.
Sixty
When Willow turned up at her bestie’s house, it wasn’t Emma who opened the door. Nor Karen. Instead, she found herself face to face with Noah.
‘Hey,’ he said, giving her a lazy grin.
His manner was so relaxed, Willow inexplicably felt like she’d known him for years.
‘Come on in. I’m afraid you’ve got me instead of Mum or Emma. They’re both busy accusing each other of nicking lipsticks and hair straighteners, and generally behaving like it’s their big day and not yours. Here, let me help you with your things.’
Her little case and the wedding dress – still in its protective cover – were whisked out of her grasp. The bag was put to one side in the hallway and the dress carefully hung on the back of a door. He held out one hand.
‘It’s so good to finally meet you, Willow.’
She stared at the gorgeous god before her. If she’d thought him handsome on Emma’s mobile screen during those FaceTime calls, seeing him in the flesh didn’t begin to compare.
Noah was far taller than Willow had expected. Even taller than Charlie. Everything about this man was different. Whereas Charlie was a good-looking blond with piercing blue eyes, by comparison Noah made her boyfriend look insipid. Dark hair curled over his collar and soft brown eyes twinkled at her. His smile was wide and generous, and his teeth looked so white he could have starred in his own toothpaste commercial. And that accent! Here, in this typically British house against an English backdrop, it was so much more noticeable… and having an odd effect on her.
Feeling gauche, Willow took Noah’s hand. His touch had an instantaneous effect on her. If she’d thought there’d been chemistry between them on FaceTime, today it felt like someone had lit a faulty Bunsen burner and caused an almighty explosion.
Hellooo! said the little voice in her head.
What? Willow snapped.
Lost your tongue? Say something!
‘Hi,’ Willow finally croaked.
Noah was still holding her hand and Willow was starting to feel like she’d been plugged into the National Grid. In another minute there’d be such an overload of zinging electricity, fuses would start blowing all over the country.
‘How are you feeling?’ asked Noah, finally letting her go.
‘Peculiar,’ Willow admitted.
‘Wedding nerves,’ Noah laughed. ‘Can I get you a cup of tea? Coffee? Or, considering this is a special day, how about a glass of champagne?’
He led her into the kitchen.
‘Mum and Emma put some champers in the fridge earlier. What do you fancy?’
You, was the first answer that popped into Willow’s head.
‘I, er–’
‘Of course she wants champagne,’ said Karen, coming into the kitchen. ‘Hello, darling,’ she said, embracing Willow.
Karen had already done her make-up but was still in her dressing gown.
‘Crack open the bubbles, Noah,’ she ordered, before turning back to Willow. ‘Have you had some breakfast?’
‘No,’ Willow shook her head. ‘To be honest, I think I’m too nervous to eat.’
‘Well we can’t have you passing out, can we?’ said Karen. ‘Good thing I bought some croissants from good old Markies. What more could a bride want on her wedding morning?’ she beamed.
A long snog with your son, Willow was shocked to find herself thinking.
And why stop there? jeered the little voice in her head. Why not just grapple him away from the fridge and push him down on Karen’s granite worktop? Then ask everyone to avert their eyes while the bride-to-be has one final fling.
‘Willow!’ squealed Emma, clattering into the kitchen on extremely high heels. ‘What do you think of these?’
She stuck a foot out for Willow to see her bridesmaid shoes.
‘Aren’t they gorgeous?’
‘Perfect,’ Willow nodded.
Like her mother, Emma was still in her dressing gown. However, her make-up wasn’t complete. Emma was now regarding Willow through mismatched eyes. One eyelid was sporting eyeshadow in rosy tones, the other was bare. Consequently, Emma looked like she was suffering conjunctivitis.
‘We’ve finished with the bathroom, so it’s all yours. Make-up is taking place in Mum’s bedroom thanks to Noah appropriating mine with luggage and paraphernalia. Oooh, yummy, champagne. Cheers!’ said Emma, grabbing a glass from Noah and toasting Willow.
‘Cheers,’ she replied, clinking glasses with the three of them.
Willow took a sip and it went straight to her head.
‘Speech!’ said Emma.
‘What, now?’ said Willow.
‘Yes!’<
br />
‘Okay.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Well, thank you, Karen, for letting me get ready at your house. Thank you, Emma, for being my bridesmaid.’
She looked at Noah. Should she thank him for something?
‘And thank you, Noah, for…’
Letting my eyes feast upon a face that must be the most perfect in Creation… for making my heart do little flips as if I’m on a rollercoaster… for my loins twanging like a softly strummed guitar…
Oh. My. God. Did you just say your loins were twanging?
‘Um, my champagne,’ Willow concluded, taking a hasty gulp.
By the time Willow had picked at her croissant and drunk two glasses of champagne, she felt a little less shy around Noah and able to look at him without quite so many pornographic images dancing through her brain.
‘Hey, come on,’ said Emma to Willow. She set down her glass. ‘The time’s getting on. You ought to start getting ready, and I need to do my other eye.’
An hour later, Willow’s hair and make-up were finished. Karen and Emma had left her to quietly prepare without disturbance.
Willow now regarded herself in Karen’s bedroom mirror. She hadn’t needed a lot of blusher as her cheeks were glowing redder than a traffic light. She wasn’t sure if this was down to the champagne still coursing through her veins, or the effect Noah had had on her.
She stared at her reflection. Her eyes were sparkling more than the diamond on her left hand. The last time she’d looked like this was when she’d fallen in love with Charlie. But that had been ages ago.
Have you fallen in love with Noah? piped up the little voice.
Shut UP! Willow silently raged. I love Charlie, okay?
Turning away from the mirror, she reached for her wedding dress. Taking it out of the protective wrapper, Willow stepped into it and carefully pulled the fabric up to her shoulders. Wait. She needed someone to do up all the little buttons at the back. Where was Emma? Opening the bedroom door, she peered along the landing.
‘Ems?’
‘I’m in the loo,’ came a voice. ‘That champagne has gone right through me. I might be a while.’
Willow's Wedding Vows: a laugh out loud romantic comedy with a twist! Page 26
