‘If only all brides were this easy,’ Fred joked before winking at Lucy. ‘You never know, your future Mr Right could be in this very barn right now.’
‘I doubt it,’ she laughed. ‘And I’m not even looking.’
‘Come on, this place is synonymous with romance,’ Fred insisted.
‘Not always,’ Harvey meddled. ‘Remember Clara and Michael?’
Fred’s brow furrowed. ‘The couple who met bellringing at the chapel and had their wedding there?’
‘The very same. They had a huge row right in this very barn, ended things once and for all when she admitted she was seeing someone else.’
Lucy laughed. ‘Come on, Fred, you can look out for me,’ she said. ‘I’m not after meeting anyone just yet, friendship is all I need.’
‘You’re on,’ he said, leading the way.
When they went inside and more people flocked the same way Harvey began to get restless. He was starting to wonder if Melissa would ever turn up when a voice behind him had him turning around. Melissa had come through the front gate when he’d been expecting her to arrive via the lane and the courtyard.
He couldn’t stop a smile from forming. ‘You took your time.’ But you were worth the wait, he almost added out loud.
She passed between the juniper trees and came over to him. The gown looked completely different from when it was being fitted against her body in the lounge, his focus torn between her, and Barney’s revelations. Now, it fit her like a glove, finishing just above the knees. A pair of white heels added more shape to her legs than he thought possible and when she turned to show him the full effect his eyes couldn’t help following her silhouette up and down. Her auburn hair fanned across her shoulders, left loose, curling into big waves.
He’d need a cold shower at this rate. ‘You look beautiful,’ he stammered.
‘You look pretty good yourself.’ Hazel eyes sparkled across at him. ‘Nice tux.’
‘Bet you say that to all the boys.’ His gaze fell to lips covered in a glossy pink he knew he could kiss away in seconds.
A couple of guys from work chose that moment to turn up. Harvey introduced each of them to Melissa and with one look he conveyed that she was out of bounds.
When the catering van pulled up Melissa’s focus altered and she leapt into action. She took them inside where they could get organised and prepare to run the service from there. Harvey knew Melissa’s instructions would ensure the event was seamless.
Harvey was soon swallowed up by the next crowd to arrive. They’d come by minibus from a town twenty miles away after reading about the ball in the newspaper last year, and after he’d directed a couple of them to the portaloos around the back of the barn, he got talking to a patron of a similar charity to White Clover who wanted to know the intricacies of organising a wedding dress ball. Harvey filled him in the best he could with his limited knowledge and introduced him to Barney. The band had everyone moving already. Harvey swore it was busier than any other year, a sea of white, cream, ivory and pale colours mixed with the darkness of tuxedos and suits filling the barn. Some guests danced, others sat on hay bales, a few huddled at the edges gossiping, some had already snagged places at the chairs and tables. A couple of teenagers were kissing in the corner until their parents pulled them apart and it reminded Harvey of all the times he’d wanted to kiss Melissa and couldn’t.
He grabbed himself a beer and watched Barney dance with Lois. The odd word passed between them, a tender glance whenever they could, and the special night that had been on Barney’s social calendar for a long time had suddenly found its way onto hers too.
Ashley came to stand with him as she fanned her face with her hand. ‘It’s hot in here, but what a wonderful turn-out.’
‘Indeed it is. Best yet, I suspect.’ He knew she’d caught him looking over at Melissa, who’d finally come inside.
‘Go and ask her.’
‘Ask her what?’
‘To dance, of course.’
He couldn’t, because if he held her he wasn’t sure he’d ever want to let her go.
Lois came over next in search of a glass of water and Harvey found a jug and filled one for her, handing it over, welcoming a distraction. And by the time he turned back he saw that Barney hadn’t sat down or come for a refreshment like Lois, instead, he was dancing with Melissa.
‘Missed your chance,’ Ashley whispered.
‘Yeah, story of my life.’ He hung back to let the women talk, but was soon commandeered by Celeste to join her on the dancefloor.
‘If you’re sure you can keep up with me,’ he laughed.
‘I’m fuelled by baked goods, course I can keep up.’ And she did, even when the band switched to a faster number. She had hold of the bottom of her dress, she gave it her all and beckoned the youngsters to join her, and as she mingled with them, loving every minute of it, he saw Melissa looking over.
Barney was back with Lois and suddenly it was as though everyone else had fallen away, leaving just the two of them in the room.
