Page 52 of A Wedding at The Cornish Garden Café
She had no idea what he wanted to tell her, but she could wait. She’d waited this long, so a few more hours wouldn’t hurt.
37
WYATT
When Wyatt and Edith joined the wedding party at the café, the staff had already laid out a spread of Cornish delicacies including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. There were crab sandwiches, buttery Cornish pasties, salmon, and cucumber sandwiches, mini cheese and onion quiches, griddled tender stem organic broccoli and asparagus, saffron buns, lemon drizzle cake, vibrant red strawberries, pots of golden crusted clotted cream and chocolates from the local confectionery shop. Coolers overflowed with champagne, local organic wines, elderflower cordial, and cider, while tea and coffee were available for those who desired them.
Wyatt took his seat at the top table beside Titus, while Edith slipped inside to check on a few last details. He accepted a glass of champagne from one of the servers and sipped slowly, enjoying the crisp cool drink. The hum of conversation rose and fell as people ate and drank, laughed and joked, and the afternoon drifted on by.
Wyatt was constantly aware of where Edith was throughout the afternoon, and every time their eyes met, something crackled inthe air between them. He knew she wanted to hear what he had to say now. The thought of telling her appealed — the idea of finally unburdening and making sure she knew it was no fault of hers that he’d behaved the way he had. However, he was also filled with trepidation about sharing the worst thing he had ever done with her. It could make her hate him, and that was a risk he was prepared to take.
When the food had been devoured and the tables cleared, the wedding cakes cut and served, and glasses filled once more, it was time for the speeches. Finn went first.
‘I’d like to thank our family and friends for coming today. Your presence at our marriage has meant so much to us. As you all know, it’s not my first time…’ He looked at Thora, who smiled fondly at him. ‘And I have this wonderful woman to thank for loving me and understanding me, for knowing when something was wrong, even before I could admit it myself. I will always love you, Thora, for your friendship and for the two beautiful children I have with you.’
Thora nodded her agreement, her hands clasped to her chest.
‘My children, Rosie, and Reggie,’ Finn continued, ‘I cannot put into words how much I love you and how proud I am of everything you do every day. You fill my heart, and I am so grateful to be your dad.’ At this point, he welled up and had to take a few moments to compose himself. When he was able to speak again, he said, ‘Thanks to Edith for your flawless planning and for making this a wedding to remember. Also, thanks to Wyatt for your help. You have been a fabulous best man to Titus. To Pearl and Ellie, thank you for the fantastic food and the beautiful wedding cake and for allowing us to hold our wedding here in this most perfect of places. It means the world. And finally…’ He turned to Titus and held out his hand. ‘To my… myw-wonderful husband. Thank you for choosing to spend your life with me. Your love is so precious to me. I am grateful for every hour of every day that we get to spend together. I loved you, Titus, and I always will.’
Wyatt had to blink the tears from his eyes as Finn finished. The love present in the gardens was so powerful he felt it throughout his entire body. It was a warmth that spread from his chest, causing his heart to beat a little faster, and his skin to prickle with goosebumps. He felt a light-headedness, a gentle pressure behind his eyes, and a deep, contentment permeating every cell.
As the applause faded, Wyatt swallowed hard. Watching Finn and Titus, he realised love could survive the truth — maybe that was what he needed to believe.
‘That’s one hell of a speech to follow,’ Titus said gruffly as Finn sat down and he pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Sorry about this, darling. I’m not watching YouTube, I promise. My notes are on here.’
Everyone laughed, and Finn shook his head. ‘Bloody YouTube! He’s always watching music videos,’ he said by way of explanation to their guests.
‘For me, love always seemed to be an elusive concept,’ Titus began. ‘It was something that happened to others but not to me. I couldn’t understand the idea of settling down with one person and making a promise to love them for life. But then… then I met Finn and everything changed.’
Murmurs ofAwwwandAhhhspread through the guests as Titus composed himself after sharing such raw emotion.
‘For me… falling in love with Finn was so easy. He has brought such calm and balance to my life. I was always rushing around,keeping busy as if I was afraid of slowing down and facing up to life and reality. Finn has taught me it’s OK to slow down, it’s OK to sleep in and take time to drink my coffee, it’s OK to soak in the bath for an hour if I want. He’s taught me so much about taking things at a slower pace, and for that I am grateful. My thanks today go to Finn. I love you, my husband. Also to Thora for being such a fabulous friend to us both, to Rosie and Reggie for accepting me into your lives, to Big Barry for not biting me when we first met…’ More laughter came from the guests. ‘And to everyone Finn has already thanked for making this day so special. I love living here in Porthpenny with my husband — I love that word! — and our family, and being a part of this wonderful community. I want to grow old here with Finn and with you all, because I know now that there is nowhere else I’d rather be.’ He raised his glass. ‘Finn, my love, here’s to always and forever.’
The guests repeated his toast and clinked their glasses together, then they drank champagne. Rosie and Reggie said a few words, and so did Thora, and they echoed the sentiments expressed by Finn and Titus about family being not just about blood relatives but also those they chose to have in their lives.
Then it was Wyatt’s turn to make his speech. He cleared his throat and stood up. He sipped his drink, suddenly feeling nervous.
He was used to public speaking as he did it all the time for work, but this was different. This was about congratulating his dear friends and about letting them know how happy he was for them. He really, really didn’t want to mess it up…
38
EDITH
As Wyatt stood up, Edith knew instantly that he was nervous. The way he held his phone, the way he kept clearing his throat and the way he rubbed at the back of his neck all told her that this was a big deal for him. She sent out a wave of positive vibes, hoping it would help him stay calm as he spoke.
‘Hello everyone!’ Wyatt said, smiling. ‘When I was first asked to be best man, I was delighted. I thought, I’d get to come to Cornwall, arrange a stag do, drink champagne and wear a nice suit. Then Titus reminded me I’d have to make a speech, and suddenly I was wishing I’d taken standup comedy at university.’
Laughter rippled through the guests. Edith laughed too, watching as Wyatt’s shoulders lowered now that he’d broken the ice with his audience.
‘I met Titus years ago, and I knew straight away that he was a good man. He has a steady presence that really suits the work he does and that also makes him a brilliant friend. He’s the kind of guy we all need in our corner because he will always have your back. I was so happy for Titus when he told me he’d metsomeone and was falling for him. When Finn walked into Titus' life, he lit up with love. Their joy is, I’m sure you’ll all agree with me, infectious. How can anyone not be happy when they see how much love these two men share?’
He took a sip of his drink before continuing.
‘Being here today is a reminder that love can bring so much joy, but it’s not just about the happy times; it’s about standing strong together through the tough times too.’ His eyes wandered over the gathering and finally they met Edith’s, and her heart jolted. ‘True love doesn’t demand that a partner be flawless or faultless. In life, we all make mistakes, and we all cause hurt at times, but it’s not always intentional. It’s not… it’s not reversible as much as we might wish it was. But true love… it waits, it forgives, and it offers you a chance to come home again. I have seen this in Titus and Finn as they’ve negotiated their way through some challenges and become even closer. They have been brave to make this wonderful commitment to each other, and I, for one, admire them for it. I also, as I am sure you will agree, want to wish them a long and happy life together surrounded by the love of their family and friends. Please raise your glasses to the happy couple for reminding us that the best love stories aren’t about perfection but persistence, about showing up day after day and choosing to be together. To Titus and Finn!’
Glasses were raised and champagne was sipped, and then the band hired for the evening started to play. As music filled the air, Edith looked over at the top table. Wyatt’s words circled in her mind like gulls over the sea. While he was talking about Finn and Titus and their love story, a lot of what he said rang true for her. Loving someone was about being brave because you had to choose to trust them and to put your faith in them every day. But his other references to not being flawless, faultless and aboutforgiveness — were they in some way directed at her? Before he told her whatever he had to share, did he want her to know that he wanted her forgiveness? To know that he believed he was flawed and had faults but that he had loved her, regardless?
She picked up her glass and finished her champagne and then stood up. She would do the rounds and check on everyone and then help Pearl and Ellie tidy things up for the evening party.
