Page 76 of The Wedding Cake Wish
But lately, I’ve been wishing I’d tried again. Because Imiss him. Until he was no longer there to chat to and laugh with over the silliestof things, I didn’t realise how big a part of my life Hudson had become.
A little skip of excitement makes me throw back the covers.
At least, today, I’ll get a chance to make things all rightbetween us. I can’t wait to see him later. But before then, I need to scrub upbetter than I’ve ever done before!
I dive into the shower, wash and dry my hair, put on mymake-up with a smile – all the time, imagining being with Hudson again.Chatting about everything and nothing. Being teased by him and slipping intoour old banter again. Seeing his gorgeous smile.
I’ve planned my outfit with extra care because today is aday for happiness and new beginnings, and I’m determined to enjoy every second...
It’s Fen and Rob’s wedding day.
*****
I’m watching out of the window for the car, feeling quiteelegant in my new powder blue dress with the pretty pin-tucked bodice andmatching heels, and at last it’s here.
I wave to Madison as she winds down the window and peersout, and she waves back at me. Then I grab my coat and bag, and I run down thestairs and into the back seat of the waiting car.
When she knew I’d be going to the wedding on my own, Madisonkindly offered me a lift with her and her boyfriend, Jack, and I was surprisedbut really grateful. I’d hopefully chat to Hudson when I got there, but Ididn’t feel like arriving at the beautiful forest wedding venue on my own.
Fen called at the flat yesterday to collect her chocolatefudge wedding cake, which I’d carefully packed into several large boxes, allready to be assembled at the venue. She was buzzing with excitement and nerves,so happy that the wedding hadn’t needed to be postponed after all. Switchingthe venue just a few weeks before the wedding – to such a gloriously romanticand rustic forest location – hadn’t been straightforward, but for the energeticand supremely well-organised mother of the bride, it was all in a day’s work!
‘She’s been brilliant,’ said Fen. ‘She insisted I decide onevery little detail this time. To a point where it actually got a little bittiresome.’ She grins. ‘I let her keep the ice sculpture. It’s going to be ondisplay in the hall at Brambleberry Manor when we welcome guests to the eveningparty in the ballroom.’
‘Oh, that’s good.’ I laughed. ‘Everyone was secretly hopingyou wouldn’t ditch it. We can’t wait to see this amazing work of art.’
Arriving at the venue, Madison and I are full of vocalappreciation.
‘Oh, my God, how gorgeous is this?’ I breathe as we enterthe grounds and drive along a winding road lined with trees glowing in allshades of deep red, burnt orange and the occasional evergreen.
‘It’s a proper fairy-tale setting,’ agrees Madison, as wedrive into the parking area. ‘I might even have my own wedding here.’ She castsa mischievous glance at Jack, who pretends to be greatly alarmed. ‘No pressure,Hun.’
‘What if it rains?’ he asks.
‘If the weather turns, we all troop into the barn, which isutterly gorgeous,’ says Madison. ‘Fen showed me pictures.’ She shakes her headat him. ‘Honestly, Jack, you’ve got no romance in your soul.’
We get out of the car and a member of staff is there towelcome us and direct us along a wooded path and through a wildflower meadow tothe Wedding Bower, which turns out to be a beautiful, heart-shaped structuremade from wood and intricately woven branches, strung with lilac, pink andwhite ribbons and festooned with flowers.
It’s going to be the small, intimate wedding that Fen alwayswanted, and most of the thirty-odd guests are already assembled, sitting onbenches fashioned from fallen trees, pretty lilac and pink throws protectingtheir wedding outfits.
Rob and his best man, Rory, are standing beneath theheart-shaped structure, with the female wedding celebrant, and Rob keepsglancing nervously back, checking to see when Fen is arriving.
My heart is banging against my ribcage, searching forHudson. And as we take our seats in the back row, I suddenly spot his dark headand broad shoulders among the guests. He’s sitting in the centre, a few rows infront of us and my insides leap with anticipation.
And then I see who’s sitting beside him and my heart gives asickening lurch.
Amelia.
My throat closes up.
So Hudson’s brought Amelia as his ‘plus one’.
They look cosy, chatting away and laughing. At one point,Hudson turns, his eyes raking the rows behind him. His gaze lands on me but Ilook away, not wanting to be caught staring at them.
They’ve obviously been seeing a lot of each other since I’vebeen off the scene. They look good together. Maybe Amelia isn’t the sly witch Isuspected she was, in my jealousy. Perhaps I need to accept that I might havebeen wrong about her, and just be happy for them.
Tears fill my eyes and I panic, not wanting to break down ata wedding, of all places.
I dig my nails into the back of my hand so that the physicalpain takes over.
