Page 79 of Before You Say I Do
“I’ve stepped back and let this play out, but I can’t sit back and watch you make the worst mistake of your life. And believe me, this is nothing to do with Marcus. I love Marcus. Everybody loves Marcus. But that’s not a reason to marry him. You have to follow your heart, Abby. Always follow your heart. I don’t know whether or not you love Jordan. Or whether what’s between you could become something else. Only you know that.
“But this is about you and Marcus. If you don’t love him, don’t marry him. Whatever you decide, you have my full support.” Gloria paused. “Does he suspect anything at all?”
Abby’s chest heaved. “I don’t think so.”
Gloria let a few moments go by. “Did something happen between you?”
Abby’s breathing quickened, then she nodded. “Yes.” It came out in a whisper. Underlined with shame and longing.
“Could it be something more?”
Abby sighed. “I don’t know. Yes. Maybe. If she’ll have anything to do with me after I treated her so badly.” If she could turn back time, Abby would. Did she have the guts to make a change now, though?
“Just say the word, Abby.” Mum took her hand again. “Today can be whatever you want it to be. The start of a new life. Whether that’s being married to Marcus or not. Your dad and I love you, and will stand by you whatever you decide.”
Chapter 30
“I still can’t quite believewe’re doing this. It’s like we’re in a Richard Curtis movie. Or a revival ofCarry On Wedding. Was that even a film?”
Jordan gripped her knees as Karen’s car screeched to a halt at the traffic lights. She checked her watch. It was nearly 1.40pm. The wedding was due to take place at 2pm. They were cutting it fine.
“If it wasn’t, it should have been. If Barbara Windsor shows up, then we’ll know it definitely was.”
Jordan had woken up this morning with a tight stomach and an ache in her heart. She’d pushed some toast around her plate, stared at her coffee, and then Karen had forced her to face up to what she may or may not want. Did she want Abby? Because if she did, she really didn’t have a choice. Sure, this wasn’t Jordan’s normal way of doing things, of taking life by the scruff of the neck and declaring her feelings. However, her past dealings with women hadn’t come to much success, so maybe a change of tactics was due.
Karen had offered to drive, and Jordan had agreed. She was going after what she wanted. She needed to know beyond doubt they were done. She didn’t want any what-ifs. However, what she was going to find when she saw Abby, she had no idea. Would she listen? Or would she slap her across the face? Either would prove there was something between them.
The traffic lights turned green. Something fluttered inside Jordan’s chest. She swallowed down, staring at her phone. According to the sat nav, they were two minutes away from the church. St Christopher’s. The patron saint of travellers. Would Abby take the road less travelled?
“You ready? We’re getting pretty close.”
Jordan nodded, her denim-clad knee jigging up and down. She’d considered wearing her bridesmaid dress, to finish the job no matter what. But then Karen had reminded her she wasn’t a masochist and there were no prizes for being so. So clean jeans, brogues, a white shirt and a navy blazer had won the day. Because she had to look like an option Abby wanted to ditch her wedding for.
Jordan flipped down the car’s visor mirror. Her make-up still looked good. Her hair was held in place. Now, she just needed the happy ending she so craved. Or at least the possibility of a happy ending, at least. Was she doing the right thing? She had no idea. But she couldn’t ignore the thump of her heart every time she thought about Abby.
This wasn’t just her doing. Abby had played her part, too. Now it was time to find out if she wanted to take up her leading role for good.
“Do you know what wedding car she’s got?” Karen glanced in her rear-view mirror. “It’s not a white Jaguar, is it?”
Jordan nodded. “Yep, vintage. I booked it.”
Karen indicated with her thumb. “Like the one behind us?”
Jordan twisted, then her heart burst.
Instinctively, she sank down in her seat. “Shit. I think it’s them.”
Karen glanced left, then she indicated and pulled up in front of the church, where the last stragglers were milling about outside.
She cut the engine, then turned, gripping Jordan’s hand in hers. “Showtime. You ready?”
Jordan gave a definite nod that belied the butterflies in her stomach. “Let’s do it.” As she looked up, Delta and Taran were walking down the church path towards her. She had to ignore them and concentrate on what she had to do.
Jordan jumped out of the car, just as the Jaguar pulled up behind them. In her head, their wheels screeched. Warm June air caressed her face. Church bells rang. Across the street, a small boy kicked a football on a green with his mum. It was just a normal day for them. Not for Jordan. This was the most important day of her life.
The driver of the wedding car walked around the car and opened the passenger door.
Gloria stepped down first, a pensive look on her face.
