So it all went well, decided Cat, even though she couldn’t have told a judge and jury very much about it. Bits came back to her in trailers, flashes, little windows of acute perception followed by great blanks. But the guests and television people had all been filming hard, and she was prepared to bet nothing had been left out.
The mothers wore revolting hats and comfortable shoes and lots of polyester and – as mothers were supposed to do – they sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.
Cat’s father looked relieved, and Cat supposed it was because his only daughter hadn’t married the scoundrel, after all?
Fanny had got sponsors to cover lots of costs, but he had paid the rest without complaining. Or without too much complaining, even though he’d wondered several times why bridal flowers cost so much. They could have had chrysanthemums from his greenhouse. ‘You’d have only had to ask,’ he said. ‘Mrs Fink next door would have been pleased to bunch them up for you.’
Cat couldn’t take her eyes off Adam, couldn’t quite believe she’d married such a lovely man. Or that she’d met him by the purest chance. What if she hadn’t been in Barry’s yard that afternoon? What if she hadn’t come to Dorset back in May? What if he hadn’t needed any chimneys, spindles?
Fanny had organised the wedding banquet, from the wild mushroom, pecorino and sweet chilli starter to the last artisan and fairly-traded chocolate heart. Cat had to admit she’d done it well. After the final speeches, she had gone to find her fairy godmother, to give her a big hug.
But, as she went to look for Fanny, who she thought was probably the centre of attention among that crowd of husbands, upsetting all their wives, Adam caught her hand and told her Fan would have to wait.
‘Come outside,’ he whispered.
‘But it’s dark and cold,’ she whispered back.
‘You’d better wrap up warm, then.’
‘Adam, are we going somewhere?’ she asked softly as he draped the lovely emerald velvet cloak which had been one of Fanny’s wedding gifts around her shoulders.
‘It’s just a little way.’
‘But what—’
‘Come on,’ he added urgently. ‘I don’t want those television people following us.’
Soon they were in the hotel lobby, and a moment later they were both outside.
‘My wedding present to you,’ said Adam.
‘But where is it?’
Adam glanced behind him and nodded to a man who Cat had noticed lurking in the lobby. She had assumed he was a hotel porter. Why did she need a porter?
She peered into the murk.
When they’d first come outside, the forecourt had been dark as pitch.
But suddenly it was illuminated.
It became as bright as day.
There was an almighty whoosh, and then a thunder of cascading water, as jets and columns of it shot into the air and rained down on the mermaids, gods and goddesses below.
‘Oh, Adam, it’s amazing!’
Cat gazed enraptured as the fountain played and as the perfectly restored white Venus in its marble heart smiled her wedding blessing down on them.
About the Author
Margaret James was born and brought up in Hereford. She studied English at London University, and has written many short stories, articles and serials for magazines. She is the author of sixteen published novels.
Margaret is a long-standing contributor to Writing Magazine for which she writes the Fiction Focus column and an author interview for each issue. She’s also a creative writing tutor for the London School of Journalism and wrote two of its distance-learning courses. She is the co-author with Cathie Hartigan of The Creative Writing Student’s Handbook.
An active member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, she contributed to the 50th anniversary anthology Loves Me, Loves Me Not.
For more information on Margaret visit:
www.margaretjamesblog.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/majanovelist and
www.facebook.com/margaret.james.5268
More Choc Lit
From Margaret James
The Silver Locket
Winner of 2010 Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles
If life is cheap, how much is love worth?
It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?
The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.
But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.
What value will she put on his love?
First novel in the trilogy.
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B004D4ZYTQ)
The Golden Chain
Can first love last forever?
1931 is the year that changes everything for Daisy Denham. Her family has not long swapped life in India for Dorset, England when she uncovers an old secret.
At the same time, she meets Ewan Fraser – a handsome dreamer who wants nothing more than to entertain the world and for Daisy to play his leading lady.
Ewan offers love and a chance to escape with a touring theatre company. As they grow closer, he gives her a golden chain and Daisy gives him a promise – that she will always keep him in her heart.
But life on tour is not as they’d hoped. Ewan is tempted away by his career and Daisy is dazzled by the older, charismatic figure of Jesse Trent. She breaks Ewan’s heart and sets off for a life in London with Jesse.
Only time will tell whether some promises are easier to make than keep …
Second novel in the trilogy.
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Golden-Chain-ebook/dp/B004YTJ6US)
The Penny Bangle
When should you trust your heart?
It’s 1942 when Cassie Taylor reluctantly leaves Birmingham to become a land girl on a farm in Dorset.
There she meets Robert and Stephen Denham, twins recovering from injuries sustained at Dunkirk. Cassie is instantly drawn to Stephen, but is wary of the more complex Robert – who doesn’t seem to like Cassie one little bit.
At first, Robert wants to sack the inexperienced city girl. But Cassie soon learns, and Robert comes to admire her courage, finding himself deeply attracted to Cassie. Just as their romance blossoms, he’s called back into active service.
Anxious to have adventures herself, Cassie joins the ATS. In Egypt, she meets up with Robert, and they become engaged. However, war separates them again as Robert is sent to Italy and Cassie back to the UK.
Robert is reported missing, presumed dead. Stephen wants to take Robert’s place in Cassie’s heart. But will Cassie stay true to the memory of her first love, and will Robert come home again?
Third novel in the trilogy.
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Penny-Bangle-Choc-ebook/dp/B007IKD3NQ)
More from Choc Lit
If you loved Margaret’s story, you’ll enjoy the rest of our selection. Here’s a sample:
Please don’t stop the music
Jane Lovering
Winner of the 2012 Best Romantic Comedy Novel of the year
Winner of the 2012 Romantic Novel of the year
How much can you hide?
Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. Trouble is, her jewellery business looks set to fail – until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop and things start looking up, on all fronts.
But Ben has secrets too. When Jemima finds out he used to be the front man of hugely successful Indie rock band Willow Down, she wants to know more. Why did he desert the band on their US tour? Why is he now a semi-recluse?
And the curiosity is mutual – which means that her own secret is no longer safe …
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Please-Dont-Stop-Music-ebook/dp/B004LROOFK)
Never Coming Home
Evonne Wareham
Winner of the Joan Hessayon New Writers’ Award
All she has left is hope.
When Kaz Elmore is told her five-year-old daughter Jamie has died in a car crash, she struggles to accept that she’ll never see her little girl again. Then a stranger comes into her life offering the most dangerous substance in the world: hope.
Devlin, a security consultant and witness to the terrible accident scene, inadvertently reveals that Kaz’s daughter might not have been the girl in the car after all.
What if Jamie is still alive? With no evidence, the police aren’t interested, so Devlin and Kaz have little choice but to investigate themselves.
Devlin never gets involved with a client. Never. But the more time he spends with Kaz, the more he desires her – and the more his carefully constructed ice-man persona starts to unravel.
The desperate search for Jamie leads down dangerous paths – to a murderous acquaintance from Devlin’s dark past, and all across Europe, to Italy, where deadly secrets await. But as long as Kaz has hope, she can’t stop looking …
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Coming-Home-Choc-ebook/dp/B007FU93TM)
The UnTied Kingdom
Kate Johnson
Shortlisted for the 2012 RoNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Category Award
The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles – or was it?
When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third-world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.
Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The General wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.
She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.
And Harker is falling in love with her.
Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-UnTied-Kingdom-ebook/dp/B004URV5SA)
Introducing Choc Lit
We’re an independent publisher creating a delicious selection of fiction. Where heroes are like chocolate – irresistible! Quality stories with a romance at the heart.
Choc Lit novels are selected by genuine readers like yourself. We only publish stories our Choc Lit Tasting Panel want to see in print. Our reviews and awards speak for themselves.
Come and support our authors and join them in our Author’s Corner, read their interviews and see their latest events, reviews and gossip.
Visit: www.choc-lit.com for more details.
Available in paperback and as ebooks from most stores.
We’d also love to hear how you enjoyed The Wedding Diary. Just visit www.choc-lit.com and give your feedback. Describe Adam in terms of chocolate and you could win a Choc Lit novel in our Flavour of the Month competition.
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