Page 21 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Hello, beautiful,’ he whispered when she reached his side.
Instantly, Sarah’s wedding-day jitters dissipated. Being around James, even in front of a whole church of people, felt like being home.
The wedding service flew by in a blur of readings, hymns, incense and confetti. Afterwards, they returned to Merricourt Manor, for a photo shoot among the rhododendrons.
‘I’m actually tying the knot myself soon,’ Charles said, as she and James posed for a photo flanked by both of her parents. ‘I’ve asked Tiffany to marry me.’
Really, Dad?thought Sarah.This couldn’t have waited?
She could feel her mother’s body stiffen next to her and sensed storm signals, despite the clear blue skies.
‘Is that legal? Are you sure she’s old enough?’ said Geraldine caustically.
Sarah kept a grin plastered on her face for the photographer as James squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Photos over, they went inside the manor’s restaurant for the wedding breakfast.
Once the plates had been cleared away, it was time for the speeches. Sarah’s dad reminisced about how Sarah used to re-enact the wedding scene fromThe Sound of Music, using a white bed sheet as her veil. ‘Marriage is a beautiful, sacred bond.’
‘Not to you, it wasn’t!’ shouted Geraldine. She had been drinking steadily all day and looked worse for wear, her fascinator listing precariously.
‘I know James will be a wonderful husband and cherish my darling daughter,’ said Charles.
‘It won’t be hard to be a better husband thanyouwere,’ heckled Geraldine.
‘Mum!’ hissed Sarah, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
‘I wish Sarah and James a lifetime of wedded bliss,’ continued Charles, glaring at his ex-wife.
‘Ha!’ snorted Geraldine, standing up and swaying towards the toilets.
Meg got up and waddled after her. Sarah watched them go anxiously.
James’s best man, his best friend from uni, gave a speech that compared Sarah and James’s relationship to an ionic bond.
‘Um, is that supposed to be a compliment?’ whispered Sarah.
‘Very much so,’ answered James, stroking her arm reassuringly. ‘He’s calling us a pair of electrons who have a strong bond.’
Pari delivered her maid-of-honour speech as if it were the voiceover for a romcom trailer. ‘From a chance first meeting at a cinema to a wedding in the Cotswolds, this is the romance of the year, sure to win every award going. When an engineer meets a writer, sparks fly in …’ Pari paused for dramatic effect, ‘Sarah and James – A Love Story.’
Finally, it was time for the groom’s speech. Sarah knew James had been nervous about it, as public speaking wasn’t his forte. To Sarah’s surprise, a screen was wheeled out.
‘Before I met Sarah, I didn’t believe in love at first sight,’ began James. ‘I thought that was something that only happened in the movies. But my wife’ – he paused as the guests whooped and cheered – ‘taught me that itcanhappen in real life.’ He turned to Sarah and smiled,his eyes full of love. ‘Sarah is the wordsmith, not me. So I thought I wouldshoweveryone how she makes me feel.’
James gestured to someone to dim the lights and a video began to play on the screen.
It was a montage of famous kisses from some of their favourite movies, fromGone with the WindtoBreakfast at Tiffany’s. Tears rolled down Sarah’s cheeks, smudging her wedding make-up, as it ended with Lady and Tramp’s iconic smooch over a plate of spaghetti.
James raised a glass to his new wife. ‘Sarah, we met at the movies and I will love you until the final credits roll.’
Everyone applauded and clinked their forks against their glasses. ‘Kiss, Kiss!’
Sarah was happy to oblige.
‘How was that?’ James whispered nervously as they took to the dance floor for their first dance. They had chosen the theme song from the classic French musicalThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
‘It’s my new favourite movie,’ said Sarah.
