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‘Come on,’ he said, opening the front door. ‘Time to go.’
‘Just a moment,’ Dan said quickly. ‘There’s something—’
‘Stop panicking. I’ve got it.’
‘Got—?’
‘The ring. Look.’ Jackson reached into his pocket for a small box, which he opened to reveal a gold ring. ‘That’s what you were getting worked up about, wasn’t it?’
‘Of course. Of course.’
The tension in Dan’s voice made Jackson regard him kindly and clap him on the shoulder. ‘Everything’s all right,’ he said. ‘Nothing can go wrong now. Time to go.’
In moments they were downstairs, greeting the chauffeur, settling into the back seat of the car.
It wasn’t a long journey to the church but the traffic was heavy that morning. As they crawled along at a snail’s pace Jackson gave a sigh of frustration.
‘Come on,’ he groaned. ‘If it takes any longer, Dad and Freya will turn up before we do.’
‘Is Amos really giving her away? I can’t get my head round that.’
‘Why shouldn’t he? Oh, you mean because he wanted her to marry one of his own sons? When Leonid married Perdita there was only me left, and I told him to forget it. I like Freya, but not in that way.’
‘I guess that’s why you introduced me to her? Hoping I’d do what you wouldn’t?’
‘It wasn’t like that,’ Jackson said, shocked. ‘Of course I was glad for her to know as many other guys as possible, but I wasn’t making secret plans.’
‘Aw, come on. You were hoping the old man would admit defeat. No way. He moved heaven and earth to stop this wedding.’
‘What the devil do you mean by that?’
‘When I was going out with Freya he came to see me. He wanted to warn me off. Said I should leave her alone, and if I didn’t—well, there were a few hints about the damage he could do to me financially.’
‘But you told him to get stuffed?’
‘I didn’t say anything. No chance. He said his piece and walked out, slamming the door. I guess he just took it for granted that I’d do as he said.’
‘Yes,’ Jackson murmured. ‘He has a way of doing that. He scares people. But not you. You stood up to him and proposed to her. Good for you. She’s a lucky girl to have a guy who loves her so much.’
‘But I’m not in love with her,’ Dan said explosively. ‘I lost my temper, that’s all. I’m damned if I’ll let any man give me orders. Sorry, I know he’s your father—’
‘That’s all right,’ Jackson said hastily. ‘But are you telling me you only proposed to Freya because you were angry? I don’t believe it.’
‘Believe it. I just saw red. But then suddenly we were engaged and—hell, I don’t know. She’s a nice girl, but I’m not in love, and if Amos hadn’t tried to scare me out of proposing I’d never have done it.’
‘I don’t believe this,’ Jackson said frantically. ‘I was there at your engagement party, and if ever I saw two people in love—’
‘Yes, I played the devoted lover—and you know why? Because Amos was there, looking fit to do murder. Oh, brother, did I enjoy that!’
‘But he’s giving her away.’
‘I reckon his wife twisted his arm. Freya’s her daughter and she wouldn’t want him making trouble.’
Jackson tore at his hair.
‘Let me understand this,’ he said, aghast. ‘You’ve let things get this far, and you’re really saying you’re not in love with the girl you’re about to marry?’
‘That’s right. I’m not. But what can I do? She’s obviously in love with me and I’m trapped. I can feel the noose tightening around my neck with every moment.’
‘You should have been honest with her before this,’ Jackson said furiously. ‘Now you’ll hurt her a lot more if you marry her without love and let her down later.’
In his agitated state Jackson spoke instinctively. Afterwards he was to curse himself for a fool, but by then it was too late.
‘That’s true,’ Dan said, staring at him as though a light had suddenly dawned. ‘And there’s still time to put things right.’
As he spoke the car halted at traffic lights. Dan opened the door and began to ease himself out.
‘You go on to the church,’ he said. ‘Explain why I’m not with you. Make them realise I had no choice.’
‘What? Don’t be daft. You’ve got to go through with it now.’
‘I can’t. You’ve just made me understand that.’
‘Dan! Don’t you dare— Come back.’
But Dan had slammed the door and begun to run.
‘Wait here,’ Jackson told the chauffeur, scrambling out of the car. ‘Dan! Come back. Come back.’
But Dan was running fast, darting in and out of the traffic which had started to move again. He reached the other side of the road and vanished down an alley. Jackson raced after him as fast as he could, nearly being hit by a car. But when he reached the street it was empty.
‘Dan!’ he yelled. ‘You can’t do this. Please!’
There was no answer.
‘Where are you?’ he cried. ‘Don’t hide from me. Let’s talk.’
He tore along the road, searching everywhere but without result.
‘I didn’t mean it!’ he shouted. ‘Not the way it came out. I spoke without thinking but I never meant— Don’t do this.’
He ran up and down for a few more minutes before facing facts.
‘Oh, no!’ he groaned. ‘This can’t be happening. But it is, and I’m to blame. It’ll be my fault if— Oh, what have I done? What have I done?’
Windows were opening above him. He made a hasty exit, returning to the car and throwing himself into the back seat. ‘Go on to the chu
rch,’ he growled.
At last the building came in sight, and he groaned again as he saw the excited crowds and the cameras.
‘Not here,’ he said hastily. ‘Go around the back.’
He slid down low, hoping not to be seen, and didn’t sit up again until they reached the back of the church. He paid the chauffeur, adding a generous tip and putting his finger over his lips. Then he hurried through a rear door as fast as he could.
In seven years of making documentaries Jackson had many times had to screw up his courage. He’d faced lions, swum in dangerously deep water, and talked into cameras from great heights. But none of those things had made his stomach churn as much as the thought of the next few minutes.
He tried to tell himself that Freya would cope well. She was a trained nurse and a strong, efficient, determined young woman, not a wilting violet. But a voice in his mind wouldn’t let him get away with that.
You’re just telling yourself what you want to believe. This is going to devastate her, and it’s your fault, so stop trying to make it easy on yourself.
As he slipped quietly into the main body of the church he saw the family gathered in the front pews. Travis looked up and gestured for him to approach.
‘What’s up?’ he asked as Jackson neared. ‘Where’s the groom?’
‘He’s not coming. He changed his mind at the last minute and dashed out of the car. I tried to follow but I lost sight of him.’
‘What do you mean?’ demanded Janine. ‘He can’t just dump my daughter with the wedding about to start.’
‘I’m afraid that’s what he’s done. It seems he’s always had doubts and suddenly they crushed him.’
Before anyone could say more the organ burst into the melody of ‘Here Comes The Bride.’
‘Oh, no!’ Jackson groaned.
‘There they are,’ said Darius. ‘Oh, heavens. What a disaster!’
Everyone stared to the end of the aisle, where Amos could clearly be seen with Freya on his arm. Jackson cursed himself for his clumsiness. He should have waited outside for the car and told them the truth there. Then Freya could have returned home at once, without having to make the humiliating trip down the aisle.
