Page 87 of Wish You Were Here
By the time I finish, I have tears streaming down my face, and Mum gives me a hug until I finally stop. Mum and I don’t have to say anything because we both know. Instead, after a few minutes, we head back into the venue together where Ben is talking with Simon, and they’re both cracking up laughing about something. Will is dancing with Cousin Hannah, and it’s clear their relationship is going somewhere. I see heavily pregnant Jess talking with Brian, and he’s probably giving her some breastfeeding advice involving goat’s milk from Nepal or something equally ridiculous. Ben’s mum is holding baby Elsie, while Poppy is falling asleep in a chair, and I see Aaron doing shots with Hugh, which is a strange sight to behold. Abigail is talking to one of my aunts from Brisbane, and then the DJ starts playing Y.M.C.A and suddenly the night that was sinking into tiredness is alive again, and everyone floods the dancefloor. Even Poppy is awake again, and I’m in the middle of all our family and friends, next to Ben, and we’re dancing and singing our hearts out. I feel so wonderfully lucky to be here right now with all these people.
It’s crazy to think that all of this happened, all these people are here right now, jumping up and down and singing at the top of their voices in Sydney, all because Ben misspelled an email address. I mean, seriously, what were the chances that this worked out? That email could have gone anywhere. On another day perhaps I don’t reply, but somehow over the last year, thishas become the story of how we got together. It’s our origin story, and it’s a bloody good one.
37
Ben
Because we aren’t technically having a honeymoon, I decided to splash out on a fancy hotel for the night of our wedding and for the next couple of days. We are staying at the Crown Towers, Sydney, and it is spectacular. From our bathroom, we can sit together in the huge soaking tub with views over the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House – unlike the bath at our flat in London, which we can only squeeze into together if we have our knees pressed firmly against our chests with views over next-door’s back garden.
It’s the morning after our wedding, and as I slowly begin to wake up, I feel the beginnings of a potential hangover, although I made sure not to drink too much last night because we have plans today. The bed is huge, so Saskia and I could literally be a few feet away from each other, but as I open my eyes, I see she is right next to me and looking straight at me.
‘Good morning, sleepyhead.’
‘How long have you been awake?’
‘Not long.’
‘Good morning, Mrs Conway-Armstrong. Are you sure about the double-barrelled name?’
‘I am. You don’t like it?’
‘No, I think it’s great. It gives you a certain gravitas.’
‘And is that sexy?’ says Saskia, moving slightly closer to me, her hand reaching across my hip, and pulling me closer.
‘Very,’ I reply, leaning across and kissing her. Last night we didn’t get in until late and we were both exhausted, so we didn’t have sex. We both wanted to, but it wasn’t going to happen. ‘You know, this will be the first time we’ve had sex as husband and wife.’
‘What are you saying? It should be somewhere memorable, like, I don’t know, the bathtub with views over Sydney Harbour?’
‘If you insist,’ I say, feeling her body in my hands, but she slips out of bed, and walks towards the bathroom. I’m about to join her when my phone rumbles with a message. I turn over and reach for my phone that’s been charging on the nightstand. I pick up my phone and go to Messages. There is one from Will.
Mate! I am in serious trouble! Hannah is spectacular. We had the most incredible night together, and she has invited me to Brisbane. What should I do???
Will is asking me for advice on love! I can’t believe it. I am about to reply when Saskia walks back into the room, completely naked.
‘Ready, husband?’
Will will have to wait for my advice because I have to have sex with my wife in a soaking tub overlooking Sydney Harbour! Now, that is a sentence I never thought I would say. I don’t say a word and instead I get out of bed, take off my underwear and walk towards my wife. It still feels surreal to be here, to be married and so happy. When we return to London, I know we have so much to sort out. I want to buy a house, and we have spoken about children – we want two. Then there’s the prospect of one day moving to Sydney. It isn’t off the table, and whoknows, maybe Will might be joining me if things with Hannah go well.
The soaking tub is full of bubbles, Saskia is already sitting waiting for me, and I have one last look out of the window before I join her.
‘We should do the Harbour Bridge climb before we leave,’ I say.
‘Maybe, although I don’t love heights. We should definitely give kayaking a miss.’
‘Yeah, probably best,’ I say with a smile.
The tub is so big we can both lie down, our legs crossed over each other. I take one of her feet and start giving it a gentle rub.
‘That feels good, Beno. Keep doing that.’
‘Okay,’ I reply, and I keep rubbing her foot and then I take the other one and do the same. ‘Do you ever think about what would have happened if I hadn’t sent you that email by mistake, or you hadn’t replied?’
‘All the time.’
‘And?’
‘You know, I didn’t always believe it, but I think that sometimes in life, things do happen for a reason. I think we would have found a way to each other. We’re like magnets. What about you?’
