‘It sure is.’ Ed’s eyes glistened and he turned his head back towards the marquee. ‘A perfect day.’
‘Are you boys ready?’ Joe Steinmann boomed, striding into the room. ‘Our guests have already begun to arrive.’
Ed shared a look with Jake and Daniel, his nervous smile telling them all they needed to know about how much this day meant to him. ‘I’m ready. Let’s do this!’
Within minutes, the Steinmann family home became a jostling, laughing mass of bodies as guests were ushered into the garden room by polite waiters carrying silver trays of sparkling champagne flutes, a single raspberry resting in the bottom of each glass. The marquee and surrounding decorations were met with gasps of surprise and exclamations of admiration, every guest already in no doubt of the special nature of this wedding.
Jake circulated, sharing anecdotes and small talk with family and friends. He was enjoying the happy atmosphere and it was good to be with people he hadn’t seen for years. The inevitable questions and commiserations over Jessica prevailed but today they didn’t seem to hit him as deeply as they had in the past. He had made a decision in the spiced bourbon haze of the early hours of the morning that today was about focusing on the future. Memories of his own wedding and the questions that still remained over Jessica could wait for twenty-four hours. This was a day to be happy. He received the well wishes politely, his eyes drifting over the guests’ shoulders to the garden room door. There was only one person he wanted to see today, but as yet there was no sign of her.
‘And you’re looking so well, considering,’ the overdressed wife of one of Joe Steinmann’s practice partners said, her cheeks reddened by a little too much enjoyment of the free champagne.
‘Thank you, Nora, I appreciate that.’
‘My niece is newly divorced – I could hook the two of you up …’ Nora’s voice floated above the guests as Jake beat a hasty retreat.
Reaching the relative safety of the kitchen, he leaned against the central island and looked at his watch. Where was she? Their last meeting had been a little awkward after their tumble on the ice, but surely not embarrassing enough to cause her to think better of coming to the wedding? Bea had been quiet in the taxi as they returned home, but Jake assumed it was the result of a long day and bruises incurred in the fall. She’d hit her head when he pulled her over: could that have been the reason she didn’t speak much?
But then, there had been that moment: when he was lying across her and their faces were so close only one movement in the right direction would have resulted in a kiss. She had looked so beautiful, despite the tears of laughter and shock streaming from her eyes. Her red hair had settled across the ice and Jake had been struck by a sudden longing to know what it felt like. If the well-meaning couple from Maryland hadn’t intervened, would they have kissed? And would Bea have pulled away?
There was something else, too: something that concerned Jake more than he wanted to admit. His descent to the ice had given him more than an awkward moment of indecision and bruised pride: it had brought back a memory long hidden. One that called everything into question …
There had been another wintry night, ten years before, on the Wollman Rink. A different face had gazed up at him when they’d tumbled down: pale blue eyes and a riot of blonde curls beneath a dark grey beret. That time he hadn’t hesitated in kissing her, setting into action a course of events destined to shatter his heart and turn his life upside down. His fall had been accidental both times: so why had history repeated itself a decade later? Ten years ago, aching from the sudden fall to the ice, Jake had told Jessica he loved her for the very first time. A few days ago, he had been moments away from repeating himself in more ways than one.
In his apartment the half-unpacked possessions from his former life were beginning to find homes in his new rooms. Back there after his trip to the Wollman Rink with Bea, Jake had opened another box, looking for distraction, and had found the one memento from his time with Jess that he’d never been able to let go of. The small snow globe was a cheap tourist souvenir he and Jess had bought the day after he told her he loved her. Over the years its clear plastic surface had been scratched and dented, but the night-time scene of New York in the snow was still visible through the fog of its war wounds. As soon as he saw it, Jake was transported back to the time when Jess was all he could think of. And now she was in his city again, this time the one thinking of him. Had her presence and the coincidence of his return to the Wollman Rink clouded his judgement? Could he even trust the sudden emotion he’d experienced with Bea that night?
Only one thing would settle the warring factions of his brain: the sight of Bea, today, at his brother’s wedding. Here he couldn’t compare the experience with any of his memories of Jess: only then could he be sure of how he felt about Bea.
But if she didn’t arrive, how could he be certain of anything?
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
The Steinmann family home, Hampton Bays, Long Island
Bea ran up the drive to the elegant coastal property, cursing her luck again for finding the only taxi driver in New York with no sense of direction. He had made four wrong turns during her journey to Long Island and, with his cab sat-nav broken, Bea had resorted to bringing up directions on her mobile phone and directing him to the Steinmann house herself. By all accounts, he should have paid her for the privilege, but when they eventually pulled up outside the correct address she had been so relieved to arrive that she’d thrust a handful of notes into his hand and scrambled out onto the frosted driveway.
This was not how she wanted to arrive at Rosie and Ed’s wedding – red-faced, out of breath and her hair turning frizzy in the freezing winter temperature. But she was here – and that was all she cared about.
Handing over her coat at the door and receiving a glass of champagne, Bea hurried through to the garden room just as the master of ceremonies called for the guests to take their seats in the gorgeously decorated marquee. She found a seat and only then allowed herself to take in the full view of the wedding venue.
It was beautiful, in sight, sound and scent: every detail a delight. It was evident in the reaction of the assembled guests, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the ceremony as they talked in hushed voices. Outside the light had begun to fade into the early evening, bringing the tiny lights and candles along the length of the pure-white aisle into full effect. A string quartet began to play as the remaining conversations fell silent and a sense of expectation filled the space.
Bea felt her heartbeat quicken when she saw Jake walk briskly down the aisle, accompanying the celebrant and registrar. He looked so handsome in his dark grey morning suit, pale green cravat and silver waistcoat, so different from the casual wear she had always seen him in. From her seat towards the back of the wedding marquee, Bea watched as Jake laughed with the celebrant, occasionally bringing his hand up to his cheekbone, which she had learned he did when he was nervous. He kept looking back across the guests as if he was scanning their faces.
Could he be looking for me?
She dismissed the thought the moment it arrived. Jake was best man at his brother’s wedding. He had far more important things on his mind today …
The portly celebrant looked towards the garden room and nodded, stepping in front of the altar.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, we’re ready to begin. Can I ask you all to rise?’
Bea followed the guests as the string quartet began to play ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’, the lilting tune bringing tears to her eyes. She turned towards the back of the marquee to see two little flowergirls dressed in white with silver and pale green sashes, scattering handfuls of white rose petals and silver sequins along the aisle runner. Marnie, Celia and Harri followed, their simple pale green sleeveless dresses elegant as they walked past holding bouquets of white roses, freesias and trails of deep green ivy. Bea looked to the altar: where was Ed? Alarmed, she turned back as a gasp went up from the wedding guests. Holding hands with the woman he had loved for many year
s, Ed Steinmann was leading his own bride up the aisle towards Jake, two groomsmen and the celebrant as the strings swelled to herald their arrival.
Bea had never seen this happen before, but it was a beautiful gesture that seemed to resonate with the guests who broke into spontaneous applause as Rosie and Ed reached the altar. Laughing, they turned to acknowledge the guests’ reaction. Rosie was every inch the radiant bride: dressed in a long, slim-fitting silk gown decorated with fine strands of silver embroidery across the bodice and a line of delicate silver ivy leaf shapes which tumbled down the centre back seam to the bottom of her flowing train. Her dark hair had been scooped into a loose bun with a single white rose at the back, a simple sparkling silver chain around her elegant neck. In her hands she held a stunning bouquet of white gardenia flowers, pale green and shell pink roses with frosted eucalyptus sprigs surrounded by deep green leaves. She appeared to glide along the aisle beside Ed and now, as she stood facing him by the altar, it was as if her face shone brighter than any of the candles or lights illuminating the space.
The celebrant smiled at the guests. ‘Welcome, everyone, to this very special day.’ She turned to Rosie and Ed. ‘So – shall we begin?’
Bea held her breath as Rosie and Ed made their promises to each other. Ed stopped halfway through his vows as emotion overwhelmed him and Rosie raised her hand to wipe a tear from his cheek.
‘I do love you,’ she giggled, as the wedding guests dabbed their eyes and smiled at one another.
‘I love you too,’ Ed replied, shrugging apologetically at the celebrant. ‘I’m sorry – she just looks so incredible.’
The celebrant laughed. ‘I don’t think anyone here will argue with you.’
A ripple of laughter passed through the marquee.
‘Are you ready now?’ Rosie asked, her face full of love for her bridegroom.
Ed nodded. ‘Sure.’ He looked out at the guests. ‘It’s Rosie’s fault for being so beautiful.’
Bea could see Rosie’s eyes filling with tears. ‘Get on with it!’
In the presence of their assembled friends and family, Ed and Rosie promised to love and cherish one another for life and nobody present doubted their ability to fulfil these vows. Bea was swept away by the intensely personal ceremony she was privileged to witness as she watched her new friends begin the next chapter of their lives together.
When the vows had been made, Ed barely waited for the celebrant to pronounce them husband and wife before gathering Rosie into his arms for a long, passionate kiss which elicited whoops of delight and wild applause from their wedding guests who spontaneously stood to welcome the brand new Mr and Mrs Steinmann into married life.
After the ceremony, Ed and Rosie headed out to the snow-covered jetty at the front of the house where a photographer worked quickly to capture special images of the couple before they froze. Bea watched them from the warmth of the Ocean Room as the guests milled around, the waiting staff furnishing them with delicate canapés and mulled wine.
‘They’re braver than I am.’ Celia appeared beside Bea. ‘I’d last two seconds in the snow.’
Bea smiled. ‘How did you ever come to be born a New Yorker if you hate the snow?’
‘Honey, we have warm apartments and heated cabs,’ Celia replied. ‘There’s no need to be out in these temperatures any longer than is absolutely necessary. Besides, I like the winter parties.’ She sipped her mulled wine. ‘They look so happy, don’t they?’
Rosie and Ed were trying their best to control their giggles as the winter wind whipped snow flurries around them. It was an intensely private kind of happiness that Bea wondered if she would ever find.
‘Yes, they do.’ She turned to Celia, a question from the ceremony springing to mind. ‘I meant to ask you, was there a reason Ed walked Rosie down the aisle?’
Celia’s expression grew serious. ‘A very personal one. It was Ed’s idea. He said he wanted to do it so Rosie knew, without a doubt, that he was going to be there.’
It was a lovely thought, but Bea was still confused. ‘The wedding’s at his family’s house, though: was there ever any chance he would miss his own wedding?’
‘Trust me, honey, that one thoughtful gesture will have meant more to Rosie than she could ever explain.’ She glanced over the heads of the gathered guests. ‘I wonder how long they’ll be setting up the marquee for the food? I’m so hungry.’
‘Didn’t you eat earlier?’
Celia stared at Bea. ‘Are you kidding me? In this dress? I needed to look good standing up: once we sit to eat it’s every woman for herself.’
The master of ceremonies put Celia out of her misery twenty minutes later when he announced the marquee was ready for guests to be seated for the wedding breakfast. Bea was checking the seating plan when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
‘I found you.’ Jake’s blue eyes seemed to call her closer. Instinctively, Bea looked back at the plan.
‘I can’t seem to find my place,’ she said, nerves evident in her voice.
‘You’re here,’ Jake replied softly, leaning across Bea to indicate a table near the top table. ‘Next to me.’
Of course. Why didn’t I work that out?
Bea was here as Jake’s guest: where else would she have been seated? ‘Ah. Only two singles at the wedding, right?’
Jake grinned. ‘Enduring the shame together.’ He offered her his arm. ‘Shall we, fellow singleton?’
Bea felt as if all eyes were upon her as she and Jake walked through the middle of the seated guests. She could smell the fresh green scent of his cologne mingling with the newness of his suit jacket and had to resist the urge to lean into it. When they reached their table, she busied herself with arranging her napkin in her lap, not wanting to look directly at Jake in case he saw the battle within her. How could he be so attentively flirtatious now when he’d made it clear at the Wollman Rink that The Pact was alive and well?
The master of ceremonies announced the arrival of Mr and Mrs Steinmann, and Rosie and Ed entered to hearty cheers from the guests.
Over dinner, Bea and Jake stuck to safe ground, sharing anecdotes from their respective businesses. Bea was glad of this: she loved spending time with Jake and didn’t want questions from the other night hanging over their heads. Their conversation was aided considerably by course upon course of delicious food: scallops in dill and apple coulis; delicate apricot sorbet; spicy beef paprikash with buttered winter vegetables; a trio of white chocolate desserts with silver leaf-covered sugar tuile biscuits; and frost-like peppermint wafers that melted in the mouth served with smoky espresso.
‘Can you believe this menu?’ Jake asked, clutching his stomach. ‘I won’t need to eat for a week.’
‘It’s wonderful. Like everything else at this wedding.’
‘Even the strictly single company?’
There was the mention of The Pact again. And yet, Jake’s closeness to Bea and occasional touch of his fingers on her arm as they talked were at odds with this. More confused than ever, Bea returned Jake’s smile. ‘Even that.’
When it was time for the speeches, Bea welcomed the opportunity to look away from Jake, although she still felt the warmth of his gaze on her as Rosie’s mother stood nervously at the master of ceremonies’ invitation.
‘I’m not one for public speaking,’ she began, jumping when Ed gently moved the microphone she was waving in her hand back towards her face. ‘Oh, thank you, Edward, I hate these things … As Rosie’s father isn’t part of our lives now, I just wanted to say how proud I am of my little girl. It’s been many years since Rosie left England to start her new life here and when I see what she’s achieved I’m blown away. And Edward, I wanted to thank you because you’ve always been there for Rosie. I thank heaven that in you my little girl has found a man truly worthy of her. Love like yours doesn’t happen very often in life: I know this better than most.’ She raised her glass. ‘To Rosie and Ed!’
Rosemary Duncan’s speech brought tissues out of guests’
handbags and jacket pockets once more, the atmosphere charged again with shared raw emotion. Then, Jake joined his brother Daniel for a double-act roasting of the groom, causing laughter to break out at every table.
‘We love Ed,’ Daniel said as the bridegroom shot him a wary look. ‘We do, bro. But it has to be said that the day he found the nerve to declare his love to Rosie, the collected single women of New York could finally breathe a sigh of relief …’
‘Because, as we’re all aware, our brother was the terror of the Manhattan dating scene for many years,’ Jake added.
‘As psychiatrists we observed this phenomenon carefully,’ Dan smiled as he and Jake donned stethoscopes and produced notepads. ‘What would you call it, Dr Steinmann?’
‘Classic denial, Doctor,’ Jake nodded.
‘Indeed, Doctor. I made some observational notes of each of his dates to support our findings …’ To raucous laughter, he unfurled an enormously long roll of paper, which spilled over the top table and down onto the carpet. ‘As you can see, Ed Steinmann the Serial Dater was rather busy …’
Bea was struck by how much love she could see between the Steinmann brothers as they entertained the crowd and embarrassed Ed. She found it impossible to stop looking at Jake as he and Daniel chuckled their way through the speech, her own eyes misting when Jake brought it to an emotional close.
‘Edward, Rosie, you’re wonderful. You deserve the very best that life can offer you and we both wish you every happiness in the world. We love you!’
Ed’s speech almost didn’t happen when emotion overwhelmed him again, but when he was able to speak he charmed the guests with his unconstrained love for his new wife. ‘She’s my every waking moment, my deepest dreams and all the best things I hope for the future. Rosie Steinmann, you’re perfect and I love you.’
As music drifted through the marquee, Jake returned to his seat next to Bea. ‘Man, am I glad we don’t have too many weddings like that in the year. I don’t think my delicate emotional state could take it.’
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