Page 77 of The Wedding Cake Wish
And then, in a daze, I’m aware of music playing and Fenwalking up the aisle on her dad’s arm, followed by her bridesmaids, Ellie andJaz.
Fen’s dress is breathtaking. Simple and elegant and utterlyher.
‘It’s a shame you and Hudson had that falling out,’ whispersMadison, interrupting my reverie. ‘You and he seemed such a great couple. Idon’t know what he sees inher.’ She turns her nose up in Amelia’sdirection. ‘Well, except the glorious long hair, perfect features and amazingbody, of course.’
I try to smile but it’s an effort.
‘Fen was chatting to Hudson in the café the other day, andAmelia was with himas usual.’ She flicks her eyes to the sky. ‘So Fenheard about Amelia having been Myles’s girlfriend. And having such a softheart, she insisted that Amelia come to the wedding as well.’
‘Really?’So Myles didn’t invite her as his ‘plus one’,then...
She nods. ‘Fen told her to come along to the evening partyas well. I heard Amelia say she’d bring that skinny blonde friend of hers asher plus one.’
I nod. ‘Kat.’
Great. So I’m not going to get the chance to speak toHudson on his own...
I try to rally my spirits during the ceremony, concentratingon how happy Fen and Rob look, and I try my best to force down some of thedelicious food at the wedding reception afterwards in the simply decoratedrustic barn.
But every so often, in the middle of chatting to Primrose orMadison on either side of me, I hear a burst of laughter and I know it’s Amelia...enjoyingHudson’s company and growing ever closer to him with each flirty conversation...
I force myself to smile later when they cut the cake and Fenmakes me stand up and take a bow, thanking me wholeheartedly for saving the dayand making them the wedding cake of her dreams. I’m so happy for them. But it’sbitter-sweet, knowing that on this most romantic of days, all my hopes anddreams for the future have been crushed underfoot by my own stupid jealousy.And by Amelia...
After we’ve all had cake, Fen comes over to where we’resitting, with Marjery, and we talk about Rory and how he and Marjery had a goodchat together about the fire and what happened, and how he felt so guilty forbursting in and wrongly accusing Marjery of arson that night.
‘I just wish Rachel would talk to me,’ says Marjery sadly,the smile slipping from her face.
‘It’s good that the trial isn’t going ahead, after all,’says Fen. ‘At least Rachel won’t have to testify against Brendan Myers.’
‘The trial’s not going ahead?’ I frown. ‘Why not?’
Fen purses her lips. ‘Some more witnesses came forward,prepared to grass up Brendan Myers. And knowing he was likely to be jailed thistime, he ended up pleading guilty to the jewellery robbery so he’d get ashorter jail sentence.’
‘I’m pleased for Rachel,’ says Marjery. ‘That she doesn’thave to go up in court against him. That would have been awful for her.’ She sigh,looking so sad that Fen reaches for her hand.
‘Maybe Rachel will come round,’ she says, and Marjery turnsand smiles at her.
‘Maybe. But I’m certainly not going to let it spoil thiswonderful day.’ She stands up and addresses the whole table. ‘We’ll see you allback at Brambleberry Manor later, ladies and gents!’
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
The ballroom at Brambleberry Manor is lookingincredible. Marjery really has pushed the boat out and done a wonderful job.
The ice sculpture of Fen and Rob is the first thing I see asI enter and I gasp with amazement. It’s lifesize and actually really tastefuland it’s certainly going down a storm. People can’t seem to decide whether toexclaim at its genius or burst out laughing.
I turn to Madison, who’s clearly in the creasing-up-laughingcategory. ‘Marjery was right. It’s definitely a talking point.’
She snorts. ‘It would be even funnier if they were naked.’
Still laughing, we move into the ballroom.
There’s a long buffet table along the far wall, flanked byelegant candelabras, and the candles on the little tables surrounding the dancefloor cast a romantic glow on the faces of the guests.
I’m heading over to a table with Madison and Jack, whensomeone taps me on the shoulder. When I turn, it’s Hudson.
He smiles a little stiffly. ‘Ruby. Hi. Are you actuallygoing tolookat me any time soon?’
‘What do you mean?’ I laugh, while knowingexactlywhat he means. ‘You’re obviously busy chatting to Amelia and I didn’t want todisturb you.’
