Never the Bride (Dilbury Village #1)

by Charlotte Fallowfield

  ‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing here,’ Miller mumbled as he swallowed another mouthful of coffee. ‘Are Brits normally so … open about their sexual practices?’

  ‘He means his plum tree, not his … can we just move on from the whole bush, plum, Heath thing? Please?’ I pleaded. ‘I’m with Miller and I’m very happy to have Heath as my gardener.’

  ‘Dear, it’s time to let it go,’ Daphne warned, shooting him a look when he opened his mouth to say something else that said she wasn’t going to take any more nonsense from him. It was obvious who wore the trousers in that relationship.

  ‘Just saying he’s a nice boy, that’s all,’ David grumbled.

  ‘Man,’ corrected Daphne. ‘And just because he’s your nephew, he doesn’t need you setting him up on dates. He needs some time to get over Rhiannon. Anyway, it’s time we were getting back. You need your afternoon sleep and I’m sure Abbie and Miller don’t want us oldies cramping their style all day.’

  ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like,’ I offered. I felt bad for upsetting our routine, even though I wanted to spend some time alone with Miller.

  ‘And that’s why you’re such a sweet girl, Abbie Carter,’ she beamed, gripping the oak table as she stood up. Miller strode around to take her arm when she wobbled on her feet. ‘But he’s come all the way to see you, not us. You’ll ring us as soon as you get any news on Mr. Sumo, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ My heart ached at the reminder.

  ‘I’ll walk them home,’ Miller offered. ‘Why don’t you call the vet and see if there’s any update?’

  We curled up on the sofa in front of the crackling fire, Miller spooning me as I reached down to pull another tissue from the box to wipe my tear-puffed eyes and honk my nose loudly. Sexy Abbie, or at least my best attempts to be her, had totally left the building. This was red-eyed, blotchy-faced, snotty-nosed, sobbing Abbie. Mr. Sumo had bowel cancer. I took in a juddery, chest-shaking gasp as I recalled the telephone conversation. It was in the early stages, but it was still cancer and there was a risk of it spreading, so they were keeping him in overnight to administer chemotherapy in the morning. Miller had driven us down in my car so that we could give Sumo some fuss and attention. Of course, I was virtually ignored, as Sumo was so excited to see his favourite man. And it had broken my heart all over again to have to drive away and leave him there.

  ‘Sssshhhh,’ soothed Miller, kissing the top of my head softly. ‘You’ll make yourself sick.’

  ‘I can’t help it,’ I whimpered. ‘I should have taken him sooner. I should have known, but in fairness, he’s always been flatulent and pooey. It wasn’t like there was that much of a change.’

  ‘You couldn’t know, Abbie. You heard the vet. You got him there sooner than most, thanks to Georgie suggesting he get checked over. You’ve done everything you can. And the chemo may work.’

  ‘He’s going to look awful. I mean, he’s ugly as it is, his gold and white coat is all he has going for him. How’s he going to look with no hair?’ I howled, giving my nose another unladylike honk. ‘He’ll be pink and wrinkly, like a really, really old penis!’

  ‘He won’t lose it all,’ Miller chuckled. ‘It will just thin a bit. And it’s not like he’s strutting around the village on a daily basis sniffing out a girlfriend and needs to look his best.’

  ‘I guess. But what about the poo if he has an upset tummy? It’s not like he has the best control as it is. Do they do doggie nappies? Will he have to waddle around in one and I’ll have to lift him up to sniff his butt to see if he’s filled it? I’ll end up needing surgery to my nose, his normal poos are toxic enough. And what about his walks to the village shop? He’s a laughing stock on his skateboard as it is. I don’t want people making fun of him when he’s wearing a nappy too.’

  ‘Turn around,’ Miller demanded, as I blew my nose again.

  ‘I look hideous,’ I moaned.

  ‘You love him, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Turn around and look at me.’

  ‘Promise not to laugh?’

  ‘I promise,’ he stated sincerely. I shuffled over, avoiding looking up at him, but he grasped my chin and tipped it up to his, then smiled. ‘You look as beautiful as ever, Abbie. You think you look hideous, but I don’t see that. I see someone who loves her dog with all of her heart and isn’t afraid to show it. If you get like this over a pet, imagine how you’ll get if we have children. Knowing that, seeing you like this now, just tells me that I made the right choice. I was going to wait until Valentine’s Day to say this, to try and be romantic, but screw it. I love you, Abbie Carter.’

  ‘You love me?’ I whimpered, more tears battering at my eyes. He grinned and nodded, and I started sobbing again. ‘I … love … you … too,’ I wailed. ‘And now I’ve just snotted all over your shirt.’

  Friday

  ‘Ok, Chubbers, let’s say hello to Miller,’ I told Sumo as he lay forlorn on his armchair, which I’d covered with a huge waterproof pet pad, then a warm blanket. He was also wearing a purple and white doggie nappy, just in case, which he was none too happy about, but I was taking no chances. I’d been amazed at how normal he’d been when Miller and I picked him up on Monday afternoon after his first chemo session. He’d eaten more than his usual amount of dinner, and when my back had been turned as I put some milk in my coffee, he’d stuck his head in the fridge and trotted off with a trail of best butcher’s uncooked sausages streaming behind him. It had turned into a battle of wills, an all-out tug of war, me at one end of the sausage chain and Sumo the other. He’d won, and he’d even growled at me in warning not to follow him when he’d scurried off into the lounge with them. But I’d had the last laugh by grabbing a pair of scissors from the kitchen and chopping them so he was only left with the one he had in a death grip. The rest I’d cooked and chopped up into small pieces for him, offering them as treats from time to time.

  Miller had had to fly back to America on Tuesday afternoon, and Sumo had pined for him. But yesterday and today, he was really suffering. He was even more lethargic, he’d lost his appetite for the first time ever, and he’d growled and gave me a warning nip when I’d tried to pick him up to take him out on his skateboard for some fresh air. Even Georgie coming over to give him a massage wasn’t cheering him up in the slightest. His ears did prick up a little at the sound of Miller’s name, and I managed to plant a kiss on the top of his head as I waited for the call to connect.

  ‘Hey, you,’ I smiled, as Miller’s face appeared on screen.

  ‘Hey, how are things?’ Miller asked, reaching up to adjust his tie after angling the screen of his iPad. ‘This long-distance thing sucks. I wish–’

  ‘Sumo,’ I laughed, as he cut Miller off by climbing onto my shoulder and sliding down my chest to lick my iPad screen. I’d propped it up against my bent legs as I sat on the floor leaning back against his armchair. ‘Honestly, he’s been moping and miserable for two days, but one look at your face and he turns into an excited puppy,’ I called. I tried to move him so I could see Miller, but he dug in his stumpy front legs on the top of my thighs and refused to budge.

  ‘I wish I could be there,’ came Miller’s voice.

  ‘Me too. It looks like you’ll be having a long-distance relationship with my dog now instead of me, as he’s not going to let me get any screen time from now on.’

  ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can take some more time off work.’

  ‘Well, I’ve also got Annabelle’s wedding coming up in July.’

  ‘July’s months away, Abbie.’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry, but I can’t make a trip from March to May as it’s my peak time with end-of-year accounts. Plus with Sumo’s chemo for the next few months, I need to be here with him. You know I’d come if I could. Sumo, please move, I’d like to see Miller’s face. And having your bottom so close to my face, nappy clad or not, is making me nervous.’ I tried to lift him up, but he growled again and relaxed all of his muscles, making himself
a dead weight in my hands. I huffed and gave up.

  ‘I’ve got to go anyway, you just caught me on my way out of the door. I’ll try you at lunchtime if it’s not too hectic,’ Miller called. ‘Go easy on the little guy.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be calling him little if you had him slumped on you right now,’ I grumbled.

  We said our goodbyes, still unable to see each other’s faces, and Sumo refused to move until Miller terminated the call and his face disappeared. He let out a low whine and pawed at the screen, then wiggled and wriggled on me as he tried to get down, but he was stuck with his back legs stretched out over my shoulder. This time he didn’t object when I picked him up and settled him back down into his chair, gently stroking him while his face settled back into a miserable-looking one. He was missing Miller too.

  This long-distance thing sucked for us all.

  Chapter Six

  Dress Eleven

  July

  I LOOKED AT THE pictures Georgie had sent of Sumo. She was taking care of him for me while I was in New York for the next couple of weeks. I was tying in some time with Miller with my bridesmaid duties for Annabelle, who’d moved out here after finishing university. Sumo had received a number of courses of chemo, and while the vet had sadly confirmed that his cancer was incurable, the treatment he’d had should extend his life. As long as he wasn’t suffering, I was happy. And other than when he lost his appetite a few days after his treatment, he was his usual miserable, farting, gluttonous self. He was obviously in doggie heaven living at Georgie’s, and he was virtually smiling in every picture. I would be too if I was getting multiple massages a day. He wasn’t going to want to come home to me when I returned.

  ‘Ok, everyone to the elevator,’ called Martine, the super-organised wedding planner at The New York Domville. The actual ceremony and following sit-down reception were being held at the luxurious and iconic six-star hotel, up on the huge roof terrace, complete with patio areas, swimming pool, and lush, manicured garden sections. I turned off my phone, tucked it into my clutch, and stood up, smoothing down my elegant black Grecian-style, one-shouldered dress. The whole theme was black and white elegance, and nothing was over the top. Annabelle had admitted she was thrilled when most of the school clan had said they were unable to attend as the wedding was being held in New York. So she just had myself, Rachel, Fi-Fi, and her own best friend as bridesmaids. I was going to be on my best behaviour, again. Ten weddings ticked off so far, and I’d only screwed up Rachel’s. I planned to keep it that way.

  ‘I hear you’re seeing Miller Davis,’ Fi-Fi stated as we all followed Martine from one of the Signature suite bedrooms that had been used as the dressing area.

  ‘I am,’ I confirmed, my heart warming at the reminder. It had been so good to see him waiting for me at JFK when I’d landed yesterday morning, then to feel his strong arms around me and to breathe him in. We’d come straight to a suite here and hadn’t left it until I’d come to Annabelle’s to get ready, both of us eager to make up for lost time. And we had. I was amazed I wasn’t walking with a cowboy-like strut this afternoon.

  ‘Huh.’ Fi-Fi let out a squeaky huff of surprise, which immediately irritated me. ‘Lasted longer than I’d expected. I don’t know what he sees in you, you were always a bit of a plain Jane,’ she sneered, making me take a deep breath as I tried to stay calm. She’d grated on me from the moment we’d met as kids at school, and she still did now.

  ‘Well, luckily for me, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I’d much rather be plain than a bitch.’

  ‘What are you trying to say?’

  ‘I’m not trying, I just said it,’ I retorted, turning to give her my full-on glare. I was sick of being nice all of the time, and she’d just worn down all of my years of restraint with her. ‘In case I wasn’t clear enough for you, Fi-Fi, I’ll repeat myself. You’re a bitch. You always were at school, and you always will be.’

  ‘Well, look who finally grew a pair. Let’s see if you’re so full of it when I’ve convinced your boyfriend that he’s wasting his time with you. You’re beneath a man like Miller.’

  ‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I’ve been beneath him on a regular basis. He just can’t get enough of me.’ I gave her a smug smile, hating that I’d resorted to lowering myself to her level. ‘Now please drop it. I’m remaining dignified because I refuse to ruin Annabelle’s day,’ I warned her, poking her chest forcibly. ‘But if you so much as look at Miller the wrong way, or make any nasty comments to me again, all bets are off from tomorrow.’

  ‘Ooooh, colour me scared,’ she taunted. ‘What are you going to do? Sit on me with that fat arse of yours?’

  ‘Grow up, Fi. We’re twenty-eight, not eleven anymore.’ I gritted my teeth, trying to let her continuing catty remarks fade to white noise in the background.

  ‘Well, you wouldn’t know it from the way you–’

  ‘For God’s sake, Fi-Fi, just shut up!’ snapped Rachel as she forced her way between us in the elevator. ‘Abbie’s right. We’re grown women, there’s no need for this playground mentality anymore. Just because you went on a date with Miller years ago and he dumped you straight after doesn’t mean you need to take it out on her. You’ve got Dave now. Move on and let it go.’

  Fi-Fi muttered something under her breath as I mouthed, “Thank you” at Rachel. She smiled back at me. I’d sent her and her mother an apology gift after the debacle at her wedding, and she’d accepted it was just an unfortunate mishap. Fi-Fi, though, obviously wasn’t one to let things go. I’d been devastated when Miller had confessed he’d asked her out when he’d met her on one of his trips over to the UK. He’d admitted he’d been shallow back then, easily impressed by looks, but he’d soon realised how toxic she was. Plus, he said, after five minutes the high-pitched whining voice was enough to put him off. He’d assured me that they hadn’t even kissed. But I still hated her.

  With a passion.

  ‘Ok, Annabelle?’ I asked the bride, as I noticed her hands shaking when the lift started to glide upstairs.

  ‘I’m terrified,’ she admitted. ‘Months and months of planning and it’s here. I just want it all to be perfect, it has to be perfect.’

  ‘Take a deep breath. It doesn’t have to be perfect, because your wedding isn’t the important thing, Annabelle. Your marriage is. Today is the day you start a new chapter with the love of your life. That’s what you need to focus on, all the days you’ll get to spend together now, not just this one day.’

  ‘Oh, Abbie, that’s so sweet, and so typically you,’ she smiled, reaching out to take my hand. ‘But you’ve never been engaged. You’ve no idea how much my parents have spent on this event. The rest we can muddle through, but this has to be perfect,’ she repeated, letting go of my hand as she faced the doors, the lift settling into position. Well, that told me, didn’t it? Was I stupid to think that the relationship was more important than the day? The more time I spent with some of my ex-school friends, the more shallow they seemed to become. I was so grateful that Georgie was my best friend. She’d never be like some of these girls.

  ‘Right, Juliet, you’re first, then Rachel, followed by Abbie, then Fi-Fi. Keep close, a step or two behind. Annabelle and her father will bring up the rear. Remember, shoulders back, heads up, and smile,’ Martine ordered as she shuffled us into position.

  The doors parted, sunlight filling the space as we were presented with the most breathtaking view of Manhattan. Polished marble steps led from the lift down to the roof terrace, where rows and rows of guests were seated under billowing muslin sails, protecting them from the glare of a relentless New York summer sun. The swimming pool, a crystalline turquoise, shimmered in front of them, cutting the roof terrace in half. A narrow wooden bridge spanned it, leading to a lush green lawn on the other side, surrounded by potted bay trees interspersed with black and white rose bushes. A muslin gazebo stood at the top, with a celebrant waiting with the groom and his best man and ushers, while a string quartet played in the background. V
ery classy, very Annabelle.

  Juliet stepped forwards, gliding down the steps with poise, and we all followed suit. I kept my eyes firmly ahead of me, not wanting to be distracted by Miller, who was sitting somewhere in the congregation. Was I pathetic to be missing him already, I wondered. The sound of our high heels clip-clopped along the marble floor, then dulled as one by one, we stepped onto the wooden bridge. I took a deep breath, clutching my white rose bouquet tightly. It was hard to breathe out here, it was so hot and humid. Miller had warned me that New York suffered extremes of temperature in summer and winter, but I’d really had no idea. What I’d give to just go and change into my bikini, then dive head first into that pool and frolic with Miller and some cocktails.

  ‘What the–’ I gasped as I went to step forwards and was yanked backwards by my dress tightening around my chest. I staggered, flashbacks to Rachel’s wedding rushing into my mind, forcing me to cling to my bouquet for dear life instead of flinging it. I tried to find my centre of gravity, but without my arms to balance me, I was useless. I felt myself tipping, Annabelle’s last words of “It has to be perfect” ringing in my ears, along with that damn annoying song of the same title.

  I could have sworn I heard Fi-Fi’s squeaky snigger as my wish for a swim came true. I landed on my side in the cold water with a shrill scream, then quickly went under, the weight of my dress and small train pulling me down. I finally let go of my bouquet and opened my eyes, then struck out for the surface as I heard a muffled noise and saw the water churn above me. The bridge was just visible, with distorted faces peering down at me, as I felt someone’s arms wrap around my waist. We shot to the surface, both gasping for air.

  ‘Are you ok, baby?’ came Miller’s concerned voice as he let go of me.

  ‘What the hell just happened?’ I spluttered, treading water as I tried to wipe the water and hair out of my eyes.