by Erin Green
It took over three hours to drive from England to Gretna Green on that bright April day, but drive they did in order to book a wedding, a much smaller wedding but one where the marriage certificate would be successfully signed by both bride and groom.
Epilogue
‘Congratulations!’ chorused the welcoming party, and an explosion of confetti and party poppers filled the air as the new Mr and Mrs Henson entered the morning room.
‘Thank you, guys,’ gushed Esmé, overcome with gratitude. ‘You shouldn’t have.’
‘Yeah, seriously, you shouldn’t have,’ added Asa sarcastically to the small gathered group, as he carried his new bride over the Montague Road threshold and gently placed her feet on the tiled floor of the morning room.
‘Tell us all about it!’ demanded Marianne, slapping a glass of champagne into Esmé’s hand. Penny squeezed in close to hear the details.
‘It was simply beautiful, just the two of us, with a couple of hired witnesses… just what we wanted.’
‘No party, no cake, no flowers?’ asked Carys, leaving Dam’s side for an instant to re-bond with the females.
‘Of course, I had flowers, what girl gets married without flowers, but yeah… ten pounds each we paid the witnesses, total strangers but so thrilled to be part of our day,’ explained Esmé, her left hand being lifted and lowered by her friends as she spoke. ‘It was lovely.’
‘And private,’ added Asa, above the simultaneous ‘ohs’ and ‘ahhs’ of the women at the sight of Esmé’s gold band. ‘Any of you fellas want to see my wedding band?’
A tsunami of head shakes occurred, as Asa grabbed a champagne flute from Russ.
Esmé spent an age reliving every detail of the ceremony, from the Scottish piper that walked them down the aisle, her dream dress which, courtesy of Andrew and her mother’s planning, was perfect for their elopement, and the hand tied lily-of-the-valley bouquet quickly arranged by the local florist.
‘No horse and carriage?’ asked Carys.
‘No bridesmaids?’ asked Penny.
‘No guests?’ asked Marianne.
Esmé shook her head, a profuse apology sat upon her lips.
‘No, and yet… everything was perfect, just as we’d dreamed,’ sighed Esmé.
Esmé felt strange asking if anyone had heard from Andrew, but it felt necessary to ask. Carys quietly told her that he’d taken it badly, had spent several days at home on the sick but was beginning to piece his routine together again. She reinforced that in time he’d be fine. Carys had dropped in on her parents while Esmé had been away too, just to make sure they’d survived the shock departure of their daughter alongside a tattooed stranger.
‘Any news on Grace?’ Esmé asked, eager to catch up on the details.
‘She’s recovering nicely, her son David phoned only yesterday to say Grace wants to arrange for you to go and visit her, very soon,’ explained Dam. ‘I think she’s hoping for a slice of wedding cake.’
‘Hmmm, and to gloat about her choice of man,’ said Esmé, giving Asa a cheeky grin.
‘We’ve got news too,’ announced Russ, his arm draped about Rita’s shoulder. ‘Rita and Toby are joining me here, so the house sharing has increased.’
‘Fabulous news, and Kane, you get to spend more time with Toby living under the same roof,’ added Esmé.
‘True, very true. Now, I can be a full time dad. Did you bring us any presents?’ interrupted Kane, slouched upon the couch, having not bothered to stand to greet the happy couple.
‘Same old Kane, putting your needs first,’ mocked Asa. ‘Esmé has brought presents actually, we stopped off to buy them in the city centre prior to driving home.’
‘Great! A souvenir from Brum city centre,’ moaned Kane, shaking his head and downing his beer.
Esmé dashed to retrieve a series of bulging plastic bags from the hallway, Asa stood proudly awaiting her return.
‘It isn’t much but we wanted to show our gratitude to our friends with a small gesture so… I’m sorry they aren’t wrapped but here goes,’ said Esmé, bringing out a slim box from the first bag. ‘Kane… here’s your very own Single Guy’s Calendar… please complete each day and do every task.’
Asa handed the boxed treat to his new brother-in-law. His gratitude was a mumbled ‘thanks’.
‘Russ, here is your New Step-dad’s Calendar… I hope it contains lots of fun activities to share with little Toby… and Rita,’ said Esmé.
One by one the guests each received their calendar: The Modern Man’s Calendar for Jonah and Dam, a Fabulous at Forty for both Penny and Marianne, a Thrilling at Thirty for both Rita and Carys. Everyone began searching for their daily task behind day one’s door, except for Marianne.
‘Marianne?’
‘Is there any chance of a return and refund?’ said Marianne, holding her calendar aloft. ‘I actually need The New Mum-to-be Calendar!’
The morning room erupted into more celebratory cheers.
‘I don’t need to be married to know my Jimmy loves me, that shopping list of life only works for some girls, the rest of us find our own way.’
‘Too right!’ said Esmé, as she flung her arms around Marianne in a warm embrace.
After a few nibbles, the ceremonial cutting of a small shop bought cake and a few more drinks, Esmé was happy to be amongst friends. She scanned the morning room as everyone mingled and chatted happily.
How could life change so much in such a short time? How had a heartbreaking situation led her to such a beautiful relationship? Esmé viewed her husband from across the crowded room. His mouth wide open, belly laughing at his friend Dam’s re-enactment of a family gathering to introduce Carys to their fold, one side of his face fresh and pink, the other inked in blue and emerald but neither side as beautiful as the heart within.
‘I can’t believe you’ve done it,’ said Russ, slapping Asa on the back. ‘Seriously man, I never thought you would.’
‘We had to wait the twenty-nine days after booking so all the legit stuff could go through but yep, she’s made an honest man of me,’ laughed Asa.
‘I can’t believe that back in March I was planning on a June wedding and actually it ended up being a May wedding… far sooner than I’d anticipated,’ said Esmé.
‘Yeah, and to a different bloke!’ shouted Kane.
‘Well, if it goes tits up for us, Esmé, and you change your mind about being married to me…’ said Asa, above the noise of the rabble, ‘Don’t you worry, I found Roberto’s mobile number while cleaning out your room so you can always give him a ring.’
Esmé swiped him for being cheeky. Poor Roberto, she’d never phoned him or given him a second thought, but hey, what will be, will be. Here was her chance to live a little… dream.
The End
We hope you enjoyed this book.
More addictive fiction from Aria:
Find out more
Find out more
Find out more
Acknowledgements
About Erin Green
A Letter from the Author
Also by Erin Green
Become an Aria Addict
Sign up to our newsletter
Acknowledgements
Unreserved thanks to my editor, Sarah Ritherdon and the team at Aria Fiction – it has been a joy working alongside you all and together we have produced two beautiful books.
A belated ‘thank you’ to Debbie Clement for designing such eye-catching book covers for both ‘The Single Girl’s Calendar’ and my debut, ‘A Christmas Wish’.
David Headley and his dedicated team at DHH Literary Agency – the backbone for any author are the support team who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I couldn’t ask for a more experienced and professional team.
My dear writing friends within The Romantic Novelists’ Association – we definitely know how to support each other! We’re not bad at glamming up, chatting and drinking bubbles either, especially the noisy girls Bella, Christie and Philippa on the 22:00 from E
uston London. Eternal thanks to Katie Fforde and Jo Thomas for continuing to be my fairy god-mothers having granted my greatest wish in 2017. I will always ‘give back’ to our writing world.
Helen Phifer and Donna Ashcroft, my partners in crime and romance – thank you for all the positive vibes.
Tamworth and Atherstone libraries for entertaining an author and providing me with time and space to chat to readers. Special thanks to Charlotte Horton, Debbie Smith and Fiona Morton – the best local support an author could wish for.
Thank you to the National Novel Writing Month: November, where each year I attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I’ve completed the challenge for the last seven years, ‘The Single Girl’s Calendar’ was my project for November 2016. My debut novel ‘A Christmas Wish’ was my 2014 project – yay, for www.NaNoWriMo.org!
NHS Blood Donors for enabling me to give 63 blood donations to help others, and a mighty big ‘thanks’ for feeding me biscuits and hot tea over many years! I hope there will be many more occasions, with love from donor H0086120H x www.blood.co.uk
The Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham – my first day and last day of 2017 were spent with you and what a fabulous year it has proven to be!
ZipWorld, Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda - my birthday, spent conquering both your zip wires, was truly an amazing day. I felt as free as a bird. It’s probably the fastest this body will ever move.
Sincere thanks to Norman Perryman, a kinetic painter, whose talents created ‘The Mahler Experience’ dated 23rd November 1993 which hangs inside The Symphony Hall, Birmingham. You made my day when you answered my email request and we met to discuss my idea. It was slightly nerve wrecking explaining my interpretation of your masterpiece but your praise was appreciated.
Ben Johnson – tattoo genius at Original Sin Tattoo Studio, Atherstone, Warwickshire for his advice and talents at turning bare flesh into works of art. Sorry for asking so many questions regarding scar tissue and tattooing ethics. And thank you, for my reverse script – I love them.
Darren Carter – tattoo artist and school friend, for his advice and views about tattooing and associated ethics.
To my Mum, thank you for always being there. Birmingham was the city in which both you and Dad were raised – creating a fitting backdrop for my imagination.
Everlasting thanks to my husband, Leo, – in Gretna Green, Scotland, on 31st December at midday, just the two of us, and yet it was simply the best day of my life!
Heartfelt thank you to my readers, you make my day when you contact me and share reviews about my novels. Without you guys my happy-ever-afters would simply be daydreams wasted on a bookshelf.
And finally, to a stranger waiting at a bus stop on Tuttle Hill, Nuneaton, Warwickshire – I took one look at your face and my imagination was on fire!
About Erin Green
Erin was born and raised in Warwickshire, where she resides with her husband. She writes contemporary novels focusing on love, life and laughter. An ideal day for Erin involves writing, people watching and copious amounts of tea. Erin was delighted to be awarded The Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017 and previously, Love Stories ‘New Talent Award’ in 2015. For more about Erin, visit her website or follow on Twitter.
Find me on Twitter
Visit my website
A Letter from the Author
Dear Reader
Thank you for reading my novel – I hope that you’ve enjoyed the time spent with my book.
Books have played a vital role in my life. My ideal reading books are those where I race through and gobble up the story with passion but as the ending draws near I slow my pace in an attempt to delay the end of my enjoyment. Then afterwards, wish I could forget the story and reread, as if it were the first time.
My reading habit was step one to be becoming an author. And now, I have the delight of spending my time daydreaming and crafting stories for you. I love that my stories revolve about love, life and laughter – much like our daily lives. If you’ve enjoyed my novel – could you let me know by writing a review. I love to hear from my readers, so tell me which character did you like? Who did you fall in love with? Did you laugh or cry, or both? Reading your reactions to my work is one of the nicest parts of my day – so please, feed my curiosity.
If you’d like to ask me a question about my writing or wish to connect via social media, please follow the buttons below.
If you’d like regular updates on my writing, inspirations and events please visit my webpage where you can sign-up for my newsletter. You’ll also find a competitions page where I regularly offer goodies and signed copies of books to lucky readers.
I truly believe that being an author is the best job in the world – but without my readers my books would sit unloved on a shelf.
Love Erin x
Also by Erin Green
Find out more
Find out more
Visit Aria now
Become an Aria Addict
Aria is the new digital-first fiction imprint from Head of Zeus.
It’s Aria’s ambition to discover and publish tomorrow’s superstars, targeting fiction addicts and readers keen to discover new and exciting authors.
Aria will publish a variety of genres under the commercial fiction umbrella such as women’s fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, saga and erotica.
So, whether you’re a budding writer looking for a publisher or an avid reader looking for something to escape with – Aria will have something for you.
Get in touch: [email protected]
Become an Aria Addict
Find us on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
Find us on BookGrail
Addictive Fiction
First published in the United Kingdom in 2018by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd
Copyright © Erin Green, 2018
The moral right of Erin Green to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
9 7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (E) 9781786697967
Aria
c/o Head of Zeus
First Floor East
5–8 Hardwick Street
London EC1R 4RG
www.ariafiction.com