The Girl's Guide to Falling in Love

by Sophie Hart

  After they’d posed for photos, Simon helped his new bride into the car and the two of them cuddled up on the back seat, holding hands and sharing little butterfly kisses.

  ‘Can you believe that we’re married?’ Zoe asked Simon, her eyes positively gleaming with excitement.

  ‘It feels amazing,’ Simon told her honestly. ‘I hope married life is always this good.’

  ‘Of course it will be. And if it’s not, then we can go and see Annie,’ Zoe giggled.

  Simon was staring at her in wonder, hardly able to comprehend that they were finally husband and wife.

  He leant towards her, kissing her very gently. ‘I love you, Mrs Wright.’

  ‘I love you too, Mr Wright,’ Zoe replied. ‘And nothing will ever change that.’

  38

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  ‘Healthy, lusty sex is wonderful’ – John Wayne

  ‘Simon, look,’ Zoe breathed, as Ray carefully parked the vintage Triumph in the driveway of Simon’s parents’ home. ‘It’s absolutely perfect.’

  Brian and Jill owned a large farm-style house, with acres of land running all the way down to the canal where Brian ran his boat hire business. The field leading down to the water was the spot that Zoe and Simon had chosen for their reception, and it was the first time they’d seen it since Julia had worked her magic, transforming it from an ordinary patch of meadow into a breathtaking party venue.

  There were fairy lights draped in the bushes and lanterns hanging from ancient oak trees, whilst tea lights in jam jars had been placed around the lawn, giving an enchanting, romantic feel to the whole place. A long trestle table, draped in a white cloth, was groaning with food, and a bar area had been erected where hired waiters were currently making sure that everyone was served with a fruity glass of Pimm’s. Scattered throughout the grounds were bunting, balloons and bouquets of flowers, courtesy of Linda, whilst a stage area had been set up just behind the house, to host the band later in the evening.

  Even the boats on the water had been specially decorated; one had been painted bridal white with silver trim, then covered in L plates and streamers, with tin cans trailing from the roof and a ‘Just Married’ sign hanging above the door.

  ‘I know I said I’d surprise you by arranging something special for our wedding night – the place where we’re finally going to consummate this marriage,’ Simon said with feeling. ‘And I hope you think it’s fitting that I’ve chosen… this boat.’

  Zoe looked at the hesitant expression on Simon’s face and burst out laughing, thinking what a perfect choice it was. She didn’t need her new husband to waste his money on some grand, impersonal hotel; they’d spent some incredibly romantic nights on the boats, and for Zoe, being out on the water brought back so many happy memories.

  ‘Oh Simon, I don’t mind at all.’

  ‘In fact,’ Simon continued, biting his lip. ‘This is actually our boat.’

  Zoe frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Mum and Dad have given it to us. As a wedding present. They know we have to be out of the flat soon so, if you want, we can live here, at least until we’ve saved up enough money for a deposit on a house.’

  ‘Oh, Simon,’ Zoe breathed, her eyes shining as she flung her arms around him.

  ‘And look here,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her to one end of the boat. ‘It’s been re-named. It’s now the Mrs Wright, in honour of you.’

  Zoe gasped as she saw that Simon was telling the truth – the swirly, silver writing did indeed read Mrs Wright. Zoe gazed at the boat, hardly able to believe everything Simon was telling her. This was where they would spend their first night as a married couple she realised, suddenly remembering how important tonight was to them both. They’d spent months working towards this evening, refraining from intercourse, and learning everything they could about each other, following Annie’s instructions to the letter.

  Recalling the new wedding underwear she was wearing, Zoe leant across to her new husband and murmured seductively, ‘And after all your surprises, I might have one for you later.’

  Simon’s eyebrows shot up, a sly grin stealing over his face as he guessed what she was referring to. ‘Can we cancel the party? Get straight into bed now?’ he joked, his eyes running over Zoe’s body. She looked so delicious in her dress, like a parcel ready for him to open.

  ‘We’ve waited almost six months,’ Zoe laughed. ‘Surely you can manage another few hours?’

  ‘Ah, my new wife’s bossing me around already,’ Simon sighed, with a happy grin. ‘Whatever you say, darling.’

  He took Zoe’s hand and the two of them walked across the field and into the party, ready to greet their guests.

  * * *

  The sun had set, the day sliding into night as the moon rose and the stars twinkled in the sky above the wedding party. They’d had the speeches, which were both hilarious and touching, and Annie had found herself laughing and crying. She was so proud of how far Zoe and Simon had come. She was proud of how all her clients had done, she realised, glancing at Linda and Ray who were sitting alongside her, holding hands as they watched the guests boogying to the live band.

  Opposite Annie were Nick and Julia. Nick had his arms around his wife as she leant back against him, both of them looking happy and contented. Across the field, on the dance floor, Zoe and Simon were dancing with their bodies locked together, completely unselfconscious as they moved with wild abandon in the middle of their crowd of friends.

  ‘It’s been a wonderful day, hasn’t it?’ Linda commented.

  ‘It’s been lovely,’ Annie agreed. ‘And it’s so great to see them back together. Those two really belong with each other.’

  ‘They look so happy,’ Linda agreed. ‘And I’m sure you played a role in that.’

  ‘Me?’ Annie looked surprised. ‘I don’t think I can take the credit for love. I’m hardly Cupid,’ she smiled.

  ‘Don’t be so modest,’ Linda admonished her. ‘You’ve been wonderful with me and Ray. I really can’t thank you enough. I feel awful when I think how horrible I was to you in those first few sessions.’

  ‘No harm done,’ Annie smiled. ‘I’m just pleased to see such positive results. It’s undoubtedly the best part of my job.’

  Beside Linda, Ray was downing the remainder of his wine. His face looked rather rosy as he leant towards his wife, giving her a little squeeze.

  ‘What do you say we go join the dancing?’ he suggested, a gleam in his eye.

  The band had just segued into ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ by Stevie Wonder, and Linda exclaimed in delight. ‘Ooh, this is one of my favourites. But it’s years since we’ve been dancing, Ray.’

  ‘It’s been years since we’ve done a lot of things,’ he shot back saucily. ‘But think of the fun we’ve been having recently.’

  Linda blushed, but stood up, smoothing down her dress. ‘Go on then, you’ve twisted my arm,’ she giggled. ‘See you soon, Annie.’

  Annie watched them go, walking hand in hand towards the dance floor and making their way into the crowd of people, where Ray began spinning Linda around as she threw back her head in laughter.

  Annie took a sip of her wine, pulling her wrap around her shoulders. After the heat of the day, the air was finally cooling, and there was the slightest of chills in the air. Across the table, Julia slipped away from Nick and walked round to sit beside Annie.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Julia asked.

  ‘Yes, I’m absolutely fine,’ Annie replied honestly. ‘Having a great time. You?’

  ‘Yes, it’s been wonderful. I can’t help thinking about our wedding day,’ Julia confessed, blowing a kiss across the table at Nick. ‘We’ve been reminiscing. I think events like this always make you reflective, don’t they?’ she said, as Annie nodded in agreement.

  ‘And you’re getting on well,’ Annie pressed gently.

  Julia nodded. ‘Really well. I feel like we’ve turned a corner. We were in a pretty bad way for a while back there.’
>
  ‘But you’ve come through it?’

  ‘Fingers crossed,’ Julia smiled.

  ‘And how’s everything going with the baby making?’ Annie asked. ‘Any progress?’

  ‘No, not exactly. To tell you the truth, we’ve decided to take a break from it all for a while. It’s lovely to be able to drink again,’ Julia confessed, nodding at her glass of wine.

  Annie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘You’ve stopped trying?’

  ‘Well, not completely,’ Julia admitted, with a naughty giggle. ‘But we just want to focus on us for a while. If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, then we’ll go and see someone about it – not a sex therapist,’ she couldn’t resist adding cheekily. ‘But yeah, for now we’re just taking some time to work on our relationship and make sure we’re in a good place.’

  ‘That’s fantastic. I think you’ve made a really positive decision.’

  ‘I knew you’d approve,’ Julia grinned.

  At the other side of the table, Nick looked across at them. ‘What are you two talking about?’ he asked suspiciously.

  ‘We’re talking about you, and how handsome you look tonight,’ Julia told him, leaning across and tugging playfully at his tie. Dressed in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, he looked exceptionally attractive.

  Nick pretended to run a hand through his hair. ‘Naturally,’ he said, making the two women laugh. ‘Annie, if you don’t mind, I’d like to steal my wife away for a little while,’ he requested, taking Julia’s hand.

  ‘Of course not,’ Annie insisted. ‘It was nice catching up, Julia. Have fun, you two!’

  She waved them off, as Nick wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders, and the two of them strolled off towards the canal, giggling as they disappeared into the darkness.

  Annie sat by herself, watching everyone having fun. She was so pleased with how all three couples had done – they’d come so far, and really worked hard to get their relationships back to a good place.

  But for once, Annie found herself wishing that she had someone to share tonight with. She was usually fine by herself but, as Julia had pointed out, weddings had a tendency to make you reflective, and Annie couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy as she watched everyone else have fun, dancing to the live band who were now playing ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi.

  Annie was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the person walking towards her, his tall frame silhouetted against the darkness. It was only when he’d almost reached her, and said her name, that she looked up.

  ‘Annie.’

  ‘Jamie?’ Annie exclaimed, confusion flickering across her face. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Please, Annie, hear me out,’ he said quickly. ‘Your sister got in touch with me, and told me you’d be here tonight.’

  ‘Holly?’ Now Annie was more perplexed than ever. ‘How did she…?’

  ‘She looked up the company and gave us a call. She explained why you behaved the way you did towards me before I left.’

  Annie’s breathing was coming fast, her emotions whirling all over the place. She was furious with Holly, confused as to why Jamie was here and, although she hardly dared admit it to herself, she was thrilled to see him. All the familiar feelings were churning inside her at the sight of him. Her pulse was racing, her mouth dry as she tried to take in the fact that Jamie was standing in front of her, looking incredibly handsome in a suit and tie, his blond hair swept off his face to reveal those soft blue eyes.

  ‘May I sit down?’ he asked, and Annie nodded, not trusting herself to say anything.

  ‘Olivia’s my daughter,’ he explained, with a heavy sigh, as he took a seat on the bench beside Annie. ‘She’s seven – well, she’ll be eight next month. Sara – that’s her mother – we’re… we’re not together any more. We weren’t actually together when she found out she was pregnant. We dated for a few weeks, split up and then she found out afterwards that…’

  Jamie trailed off. Annie hardly dared to speak. Her eyes were glued to his face, and she was utterly oblivious to the noise and the dancing just metres away from her.

  ‘I was terrified, if the truth be told, but I wasn’t going to dodge my responsibilities. Sara decided she wanted to keep the baby, and I said I’d support her. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Livvy is… she’s just incredible,’ he admitted, and Annie saw something in his face that she’d never seen before. Pride and awe and sheer, unadulterated love.

  ‘I should have told you,’ Jamie said, bringing his gaze back to Annie. ‘I know I should have done. I almost did, in fact, on a few occasions, but I didn’t want to scare you off. I liked you – really liked you – and I didn’t want to lay this all on you so soon, but in hindsight, that was a really bad decision. I should have just been honest with you from the beginning.’

  ‘I don’t…’ Annie swallowed, trying to take in everything he was telling her. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘You don’t have to say anything,’ Jamie insisted. ‘Just… dance with me.’

  He held out his hand and Annie dazedly took it, feeling her skin tingle as their palms met. She stood up, and he led her up to the dance floor. Annie’s mind was whirling as the band changed to a slow song – ‘Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele – and Jamie smiled, wrapping his arms around Annie’s waist and pulling her close. Annie let her hands rest on the back of his neck, her heart racing so fast that she felt sure he must be able to feel it through his shirt. Their bodies were pressed close together, and she could smell the fresh, clean scent of him.

  ‘Annie…’ Jamie began, but this time he hesitated, seeming more uncertain than before.

  ‘What is it?’ she prompted.

  ‘I… I’m just going to say this now before I lose my nerve. And if I’m completely off the wall with this, then you can tell me, and it doesn’t matter at all, but…’ He took a deep breath, stealing himself. ‘I’m absolutely crazy about you. You’re gorgeous – and you look especially amazing tonight,’ he gushed, taking in the elegant midnight-blue dress that fitted her like a second skin, flowing over her body every time she moved.

  ‘And you’re smart and funny and such good company – even if you are a rubbish cook,’ Jamie couldn’t resist adding with a grin. ‘I really like spending time with you, and I’d really like to spend a lot more time with you. Like I said, if I’m saying the total wrong thing and freaking you out, then tell me to get lost.’

  ‘No,’ Annie said softly, a smile stealing across her face. ‘You’re not saying the wrong thing at all.’

  Jamie stopped dancing and looked straight at Annie, his blue eyes serious. ‘I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,’ he admitted. ‘Now that we’ve moved offices, I’m missing you so much. It’s crazy, isn’t it? I didn’t realise just how much I looked forward to seeing you every day and having our little chats in the kitchen, or even just catching a glimpse of you in the corridor. I know I should have said all this before – well, there’s a lot of things I should have said before – but I completely messed it up and I was terrified that I’d lost you for good—’

  ‘Sssh,’ Annie murmured, laying a finger over his lips. Jamie looked back at her, both of their faces so full of hope and eagerness and anticipation and nerves.

  Then, tantalisingly slowly, Jamie leant forward and kissed her. His lips were warm and soft, and Annie closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensations. She was oblivious to her surroundings, to the revellers around them, to the stars dazzling in the night sky. Nor did she notice that Zoe and Simon, Julia and Nick, and Ray and Linda had suddenly gathered around them, so that when she finally opened her eyes and pulled away, a huge round of applause broke out.

  Instead of feeling self-conscious, Annie laughed happily, catching Jamie’s eye as he did the same. And then they kissed again, and it felt so right and so perfect that Annie never wanted it to end.

  Epilogue

  ‘Good girls go to heaven and bad girls go everywh
ere’ – Helen Gurley Brown

  Five months later…

  The city market place looked magical. The pretty little covered stalls had been transformed into snow-dusted chalets, selling everything from knitted hats and faux-fur earmuffs to mulled wine and hot chocolate laced with brandy. At the eastern end of the square, a giant Christmas tree had been erected, with hundreds of tiny white fairy lights twinkling in its branches. Beneath it, a traditional brass band were playing, whilst a chorus of carol singers joined in a rousing version of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’.

  The weather was chilly – snow had been predicted for later that week – but Annie was cosy in her red skater-style coat and chunky snood. She linked her arm through Jamie’s and snuggled closer, thinking how gorgeous he looked in his black peacoat and grey woollen scarf. His blond hair was neatly cut to perfectly frame his handsome face, while his cheeks were flushed from the cold, and his blue eyes were sparkling.

  ‘Oh look, isn’t that cute,’ Annie gushed, as they browsed the stalls on the Christmas market and she spotted a hand-painted bauble that read ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ in swirly red glitter. ‘I’m going to get it for Poppy,’ she said decisively, pulling out her purse.

  ‘She’s going to be completely spoilt by her Auntie Annie,’ Jamie grinned. ‘You’ve bought her so many presents!’

  ‘That’s exactly as it should be,’ Annie replied, not looking the least bit guilty. ‘Anyway, Olivia isn’t doing too badly either.’

  ‘Believe me, it’s much easier to buy for a two-month-old baby than for an eight-year-old girl. Yes to One Direction merchandise, no to Bratz dolls, and Barbie is apparently “totally uncool, Dad”. I’ve no idea when my daughter got so opinionated.’