Page 123 of Electric Kiss

“Neither. Miss Riley teaches me at the school. Luke was kind to me, but Miss Riley had a lot of influence over my attitude in school. All the Turners have,” he added.

“Come on, what’s the holdup, I’ve just seen the bride is on her way,” someone called out behind them.

Gwen looked to her left to see two ushers helping people. She wasn’t holding up the line.

“He’s always like that, ignore him,” the lad said.

“Hey,” she heard another voice.

This time, it was right in front of her, speaking in a hushed tone.

Gwen looked over the tall lad’s shoulder to see Keith. She felt her blush start at her neck and then spread all over her body in a flash.

She hadn’t spoken to him since he helped her home after getting hammered with the girls.

“I’ll take Gwen to her seat,” Keith said.

Gwen looked back to the lad, and she nodded at him. He grinned at her in reply and then spoke to the person behind her.

Keith hovered his hand at the base of her spine but didn’t touch her. The gentlemanly gesture eased her potential embarrassment of something she might have said. It wasn’t a case of her completely forgetting that night, but rather her uncertainty about how she interacted with him and the impression he formed of her.

“Do I need to apologise?” Gwen asked as they shuffled down the centre aisle.

Keith turned his head and looked down at her just as she turned her head and looked up. She saw the amused sparkle in his eyes.

“You were the perfect drunk, Gwen. Nothing to worry about.”

“Okay,” she replied and folded her lips in.

“You’re here behind the girls, they wanted you with them,” he said pointing to the third row back from the front.

The pew in front was empty and the front pew she assumed was the bride’s parents and grandparents.

“Okay,” she said. “Thank you, Keith.”

“See ya later,” he said and gave her a nod before he stalked down the centre aisle and away.

Gwen sat down and faced front gazing at the glorious wall of lavender. The lavender bushels were eight feet high and densely packed. It had the same width.

Bumblebees had found their way into the church and bounced around the flowers. The row she sat on was also empty. She felt a fraud at a wedding where she was neither bride nor groom, no plus one or a group of friends she knew.

It was like waking up from a coma where everyone knew her but she didn’t know them.

A few minutes later the loud bang signalled the inner doors were closed, and a hush fell over the congregation. Five lads appeared at the end of the pew and filed in next to her.

“I’m Kenny, head usher of the younger generation,” he said as he sat and plonked his order of service in the pouch attached the pew in front of her.

“Hello, Kenny. I’m Gwen.”

“Kenny, you’re in my seat. Lads shift up, make room,” a voice said.

By that point, Gwen had recognised Keith and directed her gaze towards him. The lads had stood and shuffled his way, into the aisle and then Keith came in and sat next to her. His thigh was flush with hers and she shifted as far to the left as she could until the tall side of the pew stopped her journey. The lads shifted back in and Keith shifted next to her tighter so they could all fit.

Where before he was wearing trousers, shirt, waistcoat and cravat, he now had a morning coat. Gwen considered persuading him to wear the outfit at all times, regardless of his job. She didn’t know a thing about him but sitting thigh to thigh with the handsome man, she wanted to know everything.

Gwen also knew she would not ask the questions. She’d learned to stay away from any romantic entanglements. She needed to concentrate on her new job.

“What’s your role today?” Gwen asked, instantly breaking her vow of not asking questions.

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