‘You alright?’ I whisper, leaning in. ‘If it’s too—’
She swiftly wipes her cheek and shakes her head. ‘I’m fine. Just wobbled. She looks so happy.’
Greta reaches the top of the aisle and kisses her dad, who then steps aside to let Will take his place. As he looks at her like she’s the only woman alive, a lump appears in my throat.Good for you, Greta, I think to myself.Matt was right. Our girl did well.
‘Dear friends and family. We have come together today to celebrate the love of Greta and William, who have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. . .’
Chapter Twenty-Six
After a whirlwind of cheering, group photos, mingling and drinking, we make our way to the next part of the wedding, where Greta and Dr William Cashflow have hired out the ballroom for the meal. We’re greeted in the ballroom reception area by a harpist, more champagne, and the cerise pink-clad mother of the bride who looks like she’s about to implode with joy.
‘Well, you look splendid, Mrs Lang!’ I say as she hugs me. ‘It was such a nice ceremony.’
‘Wonderful, wasn’t it, Nick? I’m so glad you could come! I hear Matthew is otherwise engaged; such a pity, really.’
‘I know; he’s gutted not to be here. This is Sarah, by the way. Sarah, this is Greta’s mum.’
‘Ivy,’ she informs her. ‘Pleased to meet you, dear, your dress is wonderful. Grab a drink, seating chart is just inside the door.’
We enter the ballroom, scooping up champagne flutes as we go, and are met with a sea of white linen tablecloths, fresh flowers and a black starlit dance floor which has probably been installed by God himself.
‘This just gets better and better,’ Sarah remarks as she gazes in wonder. ‘My reception was nowhere near as grand as this – but then again, we were twenty-five and skint. Where are we sitting?’
I wonder what Sarah looked like in a wedding dress, imagining her walking up the aisle towards me. Gathering myself, I scan the list of twelve tables, eventually finding our names.
‘Table four,’ I inform her. ‘You ready for some scintillating small talk?’
‘Always,’ she replies. ‘And by always, I mean never.’
We find our place cards, nodding politely to the other couples already seated at the table, vaguely recognising two of them as Will’s guests at the engagement party. ‘Nick,’ I say, introducing myself. ‘This my friend Sarah.’
Sarah gives them a little wave and takes her seat.
‘Kelvin,’ replies the man wearing a far nicer suit than mine, ‘and my wife, Shondra.’
The other couples are both from Will’s side of the family: cousin James and his wife Lynne plus his Gen-Z niece Emma with her boyfriend Louis. Without a doubt one of them has a YouTube channel.
‘Have you seen Greta yet?’ I ask, scanning the room again. ‘I wanted to say hello before she gets swamped by everyone. I barely got a chance to say hi during the photos.’
‘They’ll probably do the grand entrance in a moment,’ Shondra replies. ‘We couldn’t make it to the ceremony so I’m dying to see her dress.’
Sarah quietly sips her champagne, taking it all in. I’ve been a plus-one to several weddings, and it’s always awkward as hell at first, but I get the feeling she’s still a little upset after the ceremony.
‘You sure you’re alright with all of this?’ I ask quietly. ‘I mean. . . at the ceremony you seemed. . .’
She smiles warmly. ‘I am. . . I haven’t been to a wedding since, well, my own. It all kind of just. . . hit me. . . y’know?’
I nod. I’m more than aware of how grief can just blitz-attack when you least expect it.
‘Ah, of course. Listen, if it’s too much we don’t have to—’
‘I’m good,’ she interrupts, placing her hand on mine. ‘But it’s kind of you to offer. I’m not overly sad, just maybe a little sentimental.’
‘Understandable,’ I reply, secretly hoping she will just leave her hand on mine for the rest of the evening. ‘Sometimes life is just a great big boot in the balls. Weddings remind me that I’m probably the only single man on earth.’
‘Jesus, now who’s being glum. You need to cheer up, Nick; who knows, your future wife might be here tonight, but she is hardly going to approach you if you’re the weirdo crying in the corner!’
Her eyes dart around the room while my gaze stays firmly on her.
