That's What Friends Are For
Page 24
Crying now, Jess hugged a cushion to her chest and tried not to think about it anymore. Instead, she looked forward to the day that she would get married and have her own big day like Jay and Nicci, surrounded by family and friends. One day, she would find a man who would love her bump as much as her, maybe even have more kids.
More importantly, she needed to ensure that she found her own man this time rather than think it was okay to steal someone else’s.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘Ohmigod!’ Louise cried as she opened the curtains the next morning. ‘The weather forecast was right. It’s been snowing. There must be at least six inches. We’re going –’
‘It can’t be – not today!’ Nicci jumped out of bed and joined her sister at the window.
‘April Fool!’
Nicci thumped her arm, hard.
‘Ow!’
‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’
‘Well, that’ll teach you to get married on April 1st, you daft mare.’ Louise grinned. ‘And I can get my own back on you for last night. You snored like a pig.’
Nicci grinned. They stood silent for a moment and then she threw herself back on the bed, laughing.
‘I’m getting married today. Can you believe it?’
‘Believe it? I can’t forget it. It’s the only thing I’ve heard about in weeks since I let it slip.’ Louise sat on the edge of the bed as Nicci pulled down the zip to the cover of her dress; smiled as she watched her sister run a hand down the material afterwards.
‘I’m so proud of you,’ she told her. ‘I hope you have a fantastic day today.’
Nicci shuffled back across the bed and gave her a hug.
‘Don’t worry, big sis,’ she soothed. ‘You’ll find your Prince Charming one day.’
‘Now’s the time you shout April Fool.’
Nicci sighed. ‘It wasn’t meant as a joke. You never know.’
‘Yeah, right. And my bum is blue.’
‘It will be if it snows!’
Louise grinned, not really knowing where that saying had come from. Then she sniffed long and hard. Her eyes lit up with anticipation. ‘Can you smell that?’
Nicci smiled. ‘Bacon!’
‘Race you for the first sarnie.’
As if they were teenagers again, they flew down the stairs and into the kitchen. Their dad, Terry, was the one frying the bacon; while their mum was busy buttering toast and making tea.
‘Just in time, girls,’ she smiled. ‘Nicci, you can set the table and—’
Nicci looked puzzled. ‘Since when have we set the table for breakfast?’
‘Since my youngest daughter decided to get married.’ With a warm smile, Sandra slapped her hand away as Nicci tried to grab a piece of toast. ‘Do as you’re told, Missy, or else ... Louise, go and see where Charley is.’
‘It’s seven thirty, Mum. She’ll still be asleep.’
‘Well, get her up then. We have a busy day ahead.’
‘Yes, because,’ Terry broke out into song, ‘you’re getting married in five ho-urs. Ding dong the bells are going to CHIME!’
Nicci laughed and then her face was etched in worry. ‘Oh, I hope everything goes all right today. I’ve waited so long for this moment.’
‘Everything will be fine.’ Sandra placed a pot of tea onto the table. ‘And besides, something has to go wrong on the day – it’s tradition.’
‘It’s also a tradition that the bride eats a lovely big fry up.’ Terry slid the bacon and eggs on to plates and handed one to Nicci. ‘Get that down you, my lovely.’
Later that morning over at the market, Sam stood mentally ticking off her list, scrutinising everything to make sure nothing was out of place or hadn’t been done. She removed a rogue piece of cotton from the tablecloth at the wedding table and smiled. It all looked so special. The wedding party wouldn’t know but they would be sitting at several trestle tables covered in cream material, gold tassles hanging from a runner that ran the whole length and down the sides, almost touching the floor. Two chairs at its middle had been covered too, for the bride and groom.
She sat down on Nicci’s seat and surveyed what everyone had worked hard to create. Gone was the market hall and in its place was a spectacular wedding room. All the junk had been moved to the stock room, leaving them ample space for eight circular tables set out for guests. Each table had mini chocolate wedding fancies for the women, miniature bottles of whisky for the men. Gold and cream helium balloon decorations graced the centres. The places were set and she was waiting on Mr Adams bringing in the food. The wine glasses shined and awaited the drink. There was a space left in the middle of the floor which would do as a makeshift dance floor and a local DJ had set up in readiness at the far end of the room. The only noise at the moment was coming from the clink of glassware as the bar was set up to her right.
Sam prayed it would all go well for Nicci and Jay. They were a lovely couple and doted on each other. She realised she and Reece must have been the same all those years ago, imagining they’d be together forever. She wished she knew the secret to keeping it that way. But for her, there was no going back.
Taking one last look around, with great satisfaction and anticipation of what was to come, Sam left to get changed for the wedding ceremony. Things might not have gone to plan for Nicci but everyone had certainly done her proud today. She couldn’t wait to see her face.
It was half past eleven. Upstairs in Nicci’s old bedroom, the chatter was loud and the champagne was flowing. The women were adding the final preparations to ensure everything was just perfect for the big day.
Louise and Sam helped Nicci step into her wedding dress and then fasten it up. The off-white dress was understated perfection; long and sleeveless satin with a v-neckline pleated bodice. The skirt was A-line and cut on the bias.
‘At least you don’t have to breathe in to fit in your dress,’ sighed Louise, zipping it up easily and fastening the hook and eye.
‘That’s because I’ve been on the wedding nerves diet,’ Nicci laughed.
‘Oh, don’t worry,’ said Sarah, running a brush through her daughter Abigail’s hair as Amelia, her other daughter, tried to do her own. ‘Besides you’ve got the old traditional good luck charms, haven’t you? Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?’
‘Have I?’ Nicci turned round with a worried look on her face.
‘Sure you have,’ said Louise. ‘Something old is Jay.’
Nicci’s mouth dropped open before she grinned.
‘Something new is your dress,’ said Sam, running a hand down the front of it to smooth it out.
‘Something borrowed is your necklace,’ said Sandra, doing the same to the back. ‘Borrowed from your mum.’ Nicci fingered the thin gold chain with its diamond pendant.
‘And something blue is this.’ Nicci lifted up the skirt of her dress, much to the annoyance of Sam and Sandra, and snapped the elastic on her lacy garter. ‘Perfect!’
Charley’s hair was piled up in a bun, tendrils hanging down by her ears to frame her face; tiny white flowers weaved in here and there. In her pale pink dress, she looked angelic.
‘You look like a magical princess,’ Louise smiled affectionately.
Charley grinned at her. ‘I look more like a fairy. I can’t wait to wear the new dress you bought me this evening.’
Sarah was helping the twins into their clothes, tying ballet shoe ribbons round two pairs of fidgety legs. They each wore halos of flowers matching their three-quarter length dresses with a huge bow at the centre of the back. Cream tights and fluffy angora cardigans finished their outfits off completely. She gave them both a hug before showing them off to everyone.
‘Now, that’s what fairies look like,’ muttered Charley. Louise giggled.
Over in the corner of the room, Jess stood quietly, trying to get ready alone. She didn’t want to join in even if they had let her; she wanted to blend into the background. It was hurtful to see Sarah and the twin
s.
She stepped into a simple pink dress that stopped at her ankles. A month ago, it would have fitted perfectly but due to the baby bump she was now showing, the dress had to be let out at the last minute and was stretched to its maximum. Still, it was only for one day.
Jess put her hand around her back to pull up the zip. But it was a struggle to do it by herself.
‘Here, let me help,’ Sarah offered, coming over to her.
Oh no, not her of all people, thought Jess.
‘Oh, it’s fine,’ she said blushing crimson.
‘It won’t take me a minute.’ Sarah pulled up the zip and turned Jess round to face her. She stared at her for a moment, eyes brimming with tears. Then she smiled.
‘You look gorgeous,’ she said.
‘I look fat and pregnant,’ said Jess.
‘No. You look radiant because you’re pregnant.’ Sarah paused for a moment and then spoke quietly. ‘Was it you?’
Jess decided she didn’t want to lie again. Besides, she’d been deceitful and Sarah deserved to know the truth. She nodded.
Sarah’s eyes dropped and then met Jess’s again. ‘Is it his baby?’
‘No.’ Jess shook her head this time. ‘It was only the once or twice.’
‘Was it once or twice?’
‘Well, I—’
‘Oh, what does it matter anyway? It’s another once or twice too much again as far as I’m concerned. Ryan is good-looking and he has the gift of the gab. You weren’t the first woman to fall for his charms.’
The two women looked at each other. There was no need for any more words, even though Jess knew that Ryan wasn’t the only one to blame.
‘Mummy, Abby needs a wee and my ribbon has come undone,’ Amelia shouted from the other side of the room.
Sarah took a deep breath and held her head high. With one last look at Jess, she gave her a faint smile before reaching down for her daughter’s hands.
‘Come on then, poppet,’ she said. ‘Let’s get you sorted. We can’t have any mishaps, today of all days.’
Before she moved away, Jess reached for Sarah’s arm. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘And, for what’s it worth, I’ve learned my lesson. I just never saw what this would do to you, and your family.’
‘I don’t blame you,’ Sarah replied. ‘I blame Ryan.’ She paused. ‘Still, that won’t be my problem soon. Okay, okay. I’m coming!’
As Sarah was dragged away by an impatient Amelia, Jess stood alone again. She wanted to cry but knew she needed to stay strong. This wasn’t the time or the place for self-pity. Besides, she didn’t want to stress herself out. She knew it wouldn’t be good for the baby.
She cradled her bump and looked around the room – grandmother, mother, sister, niece, auntie, all intent on making this day special. And she would be Nicci’s sister-in-law, despite trying to scupper the wedding when she’d come back to Hedworth.
If she changed, she had a loving family to bring her baby into. And she needed them. Bringing up a child on her own would be hard enough, she could do far worse than settle in Hedworth again, surrounded by family – and maybe even make some friends. She could make a fresh start.
She glanced at her own mother, Maureen, who was laughing at something Sandra had said to her. Maureen caught her eye, smiled and beckoned her over. Jess paused for a moment. She had two choices. Either she joined in and enjoyed the day or she sat back and sulked, causing an atmosphere.
She decided to choose the former.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
An hour later, the cars arrived to take them to the wedding. Amidst lots of chatter and laughter, they all took their places and set off. At the registry office, Nicci waited for Jay to arrive, nervously playing with the diamond pendant on the chain at her neck. But he was early, much to her surprise.
Terry Pellington walked his youngest daughter down the tiny aisle to where Jay was waiting to receive her. Matt and Ryan stood by Jay’s side, Ryan keeping his eyes ahead but Matt kept glancing over at Louise. Sam smiled when he caught her eyes and he grinned back at her.
Neither Nicci nor Jay fluffed up their lines, Louise and Sam failed to keep their tears in, laughing at each other when they spotted they were both crying. Both sets of parents smiled and cried too.
In what seemed to be no longer than a blink of an eye, Nicci became Mrs Worthington. Photo after photo was taken – Jay joked that his jaw was aching from posing for pictures. Then, with the formalities over, the bride and groom climbed into their wedding car and headed off to the reception. There was only Nicci who didn’t know where they were going.
‘Can’t you tell me, Jay?’ she pleaded as they sat in the back of the car, sharing a bottle of champagne. She giggled as the bubbles went up her nose. ‘I promise I won’t tell anyone and I can wear a surprised look.’
‘Certainly not,’ he admonished, sliding a hand up her leg. ‘I hear brides wear garters, let me see.’
‘Stop changing the subject.’ Nicci snapped his hand away playfully.
Jay grinned. Leaning in close to her, he kissed her on the nose. ‘I love you, Mrs Worthington,’ he said. ‘But I don’t know where we’re going either. All I know is that it will be very special. But first, we have to call in at the market.’
‘The market?’ Nicci wrinkled up her nose. ‘What on earth for?’
‘Sam has something for you but she doesn’t want everyone at the reception to see.’
‘You’d better not be planning me a party down the aisle,’ she cried, ‘or else I’ll be very cross.’
‘Don’t be daft.’ Jay held his nerve, trying not to give the game away. ‘Only the best for my wife.’
Nicci beamed and then her hand moved to cover her mouth. ‘I think I’m going to be sick.’
‘Thanks a bunch!’
‘No, it’s nothing to do with that. My stomach is churning over and over.’
‘You’re not actually going to be sick, are you?’ Jay looked a little concerned. ‘Because if you are, you’ll start me off too.’
‘I’m fine. Just a little nervous.’ Nicci glanced at him shyly.
‘What about me?’ said Jay. ‘What if I have a fit of giggles when I’m saying my speech or some squeaky voice comes out? Or worse than that, faint like they do on those clips on You’ve Been Framed.’
‘Which reminds me, I need to make sure I remember how to record a video on my phone, just in case,’ Nicci teased. ‘I can’t miss an opportunity to make £250.’
Jay’s eyes widened in disbelief. ‘Seriously?’ he asked.
‘Of course ... not!’ Nicci gave him a kiss this time. ‘It will all turn out okay,’ she reassured him.
‘They’re here!’ cried Ryan as he ran into the hall where everyone had rushed to after the service. ‘Take your places, and, remember kids, be quiet!’
‘You need to be quiet!’ Louise whispered loudly as she punched him in his arm. ‘She’ll be able to hear you shouting.’
‘Sorry!’
Louise turned to Sam and rolled her eyes. Then she frowned when she saw her friend’s worried face. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I’m so nervous,’ said Sam. ‘What if Nicci hates it?’
‘She won’t.’ Louise shook her head, her straightened hair in curls shaking about. ‘How could you not like it? You have the place looking beautiful. No one would recognise it.’
Sam turned back to see that it was indeed a sight to behold. All in all, everyone had made a tremendous effort. And now they were lined up either side of the doors. Family, and friends from the market stalls, who had given their time and their wares for free to make Nicci and Jay’s big day perfect.
Sam felt herself welling up again. But as the door handle went down, everyone in the room froze.
The door opened and there was a squeal.
‘Congratulations!’ rang out around the room.
‘This is amazing!’ Nicci turned to Jay wide-eyed, and when she saw him grinning, she clicked in. ‘You did know, didn’t you?’
When she got to Sam and Nicci, she pulled them both close. ‘I can’t believe you did all this for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!’
‘It is amazing,’ said Louise, giving Nicci’s hand a quick squeeze.
Once the wedding meal was served, and everyone’s glass had been filled, Sam realised she could finally relax. Only the evening to go and it had indeed all worked out perfectly on the day.
As usual, Matt and Ryan were like a double act with their pre-rehearsed routine as best men. They had the bride and groom’s family and friends roaring with laughter in no time as they relayed anecdote after anecdote about Jay – luckily, keeping them all clean. They even managed to remember to thank the bridesmaids as tradition expected them to. Ryan then went on to have the last word.
‘And finally, may I say a special thank you to my wife.’ He raised his glass in salute to Sarah. ‘Not only does she do a fantastic job of raising our daughters, she also looks after me – and that’s a hell of a thing to ask anyone to do.’
Everyone laughed.
‘To Sarah Pellington.’
As family and guests toasted her health, Sarah smiled, but inside she was fuming.
‘And what about you, Matt?’ Jay shouted up. ‘Any special lady in your life?’
‘Sure there is.’ Matt looked at the other end of the table to where Louise was sitting.
As all eyes in the room followed his gaze, Louise looked on in bewilderment. What did Matt mean by that?
When everyone had finished, and Nicci and Jay were doing the rounds chatting to their guests, Ryan joined Sarah at the end of the table where she’d sat with the twins. Sandra had taken them off her hands for a while, no doubt enjoying the opportunity to show the guests what beautiful grandchildren she had.