Page 119 of The Last Saturday In July
Jess looked past the photographers, to the tiny church. Her father and Simon’s mother both stood like statues in the doorway. In front of them, a horrified expression on his face, was Simon.
Jess pointed shakily. ‘Him.’
Chapter 49
JESS slowly became aware that Simon hadn’t moved. He seemed frozen to the spot. Still shaking, she managed to step back into her shoes, dimly aware of the photographers leaving.
‘Jess?’
She turned and saw the question in her sister’s eyes. ‘I need a minute, Zoe.’
‘Solid.’ Zoe brushed herself down. ‘I’ll wait at the back of the church for you.’ Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to the entrance and after a brief exchange with their dad, stepped inside.
With as much dignity as she could manage, Jess walked up to the others. Tom reached towards her and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. ‘We’ll leave you to get sorted. I’ll wait at the back of the church, and I’ll come to get you when Simon comes in.’ He held her hand a bit longer. ‘Take your time, pet.’
Jess felt a rush of emotion. ‘Thanks, Dad.’
Tom turned and spoke gently to Úna. ‘Why don’t I walk you back to your seat, Úna? I’m sure Edward is wondering what’s happening.’
Jess held her breath, but Úna just nodded.
Once she and Simon were alone, Jess tried to shake out her dress, as she searched for the right words. ‘I know I’m late,’ she said finally, ‘and I’m a bit of a mess. I just need five minutes and …’
‘Please don’t.’ Simon met her eyes and Jess almost crumpled at the hurt she saw. ‘David and I went to wait in the sacristy. I couldn’t bear to stand there, wondering if you were going to show up.’
‘Simon, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you…’
‘David had his phone, so we saw the chase. I didn’t know it was you until I recognised Zoe’s car.’ He pushed his hand through his hair. ‘This is our wedding day, Jess.’
‘Simon.’ Jess closed her eyes briefly. ‘I know, I had to go to Linford.’ There was no point trying to explain everything now. ‘It’s complicated.’
‘I’m not interested, to be honest.’ Simon’s voice was so low Jess had to strain to hear him.
Jess swallowed. ‘For what’s it’s worth, I didn’t think I’d be delayed like that.’
‘Now’s not the time.’ He pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘We shouldn’t keep our guests waiting any longer. So, are you ready or do you need a minute?’
Jess glanced down at her dress. The bodice seemed fine, except for the faintest trace of makeup, and she could probably wipe the worst of the dirt off the bottom of the skirt. There wasn’t much she could do about her shoes. But she doubted Simon had noticed any of that: it wasn’t what he meant. She looked at him now: handsome in his tuxedo, his freshly washed hair flopping across his forehead. Right inside the door, her dad was waiting to walk her up the aisle. It was time.
‘I’ll see you in there.’ Shoulders slightly hunched, Simon turned to walk back towards the church.
‘Stop.’
Simon turned to face her. ‘What is it, Jess?’
Her mouth had dried and when she spoke, her voice was little more than a whisper. ‘I’m so very sorry, Simon. I don’t think I can marry you.’
Chapter 50
SIMON didn’t speak for so long, Jess wondered if he’d heard her properly. Finally, he nodded. ‘Are you sure?’
Jess could feel a pulse beating hard at her throat. He sounded ... resigned. Definitely not shocked. ‘I know my timing is terrible.’ She forced herself to go on. ‘But I think it’d be a mistake.’
‘I agree.’
She swallowed hard. Not resignation, then. More relief.
‘Things haven’t been right for a while, have they, Jess?’
