‘Shall we dance?’ Paul asked, noticing his wife’s expression. Although she wasn’t particularly romantic by nature, on occasion he’d catch her looking starry-eyed, like now, and it melted his heart.
‘I’m not sure I could, love. My leg’s—’
‘I don’t care,’ he said, holding out his hand. ‘We’ll make it work. I’ll hold you up if I have to. Just dance with me.’
Beth took his hand and slowly made her way to the floor. Erin spotted her and smiled. ‘She’s amazing,’ she said to Graeme. ‘I’m not sure how I’d cope if something like that happened to me. Having to wake up every day, knowing that it’s going to be a struggle. Not being able to walk properly or dance—’
‘I know. And yet she does it. Millions of people struggle.’
‘Yes, but millions of people are not my friend.’
He kissed her on the cheek. ‘I didn’t mean to sound dismissive. I meant that it’s inspiring. And you’d cope because life is worth more than our struggles. And because I would be with you every step of the way.’
‘Do you think they’ll ever get married?’ Alex asked Aiden as she spotted Graeme kiss Erin on the cheek. ‘They practically live together anyway.’
‘Who knows,’ he replied. ‘It’s 2032. He’s divorced, she’s widowed, maybe they’re done with the whole marriage thing.’
‘I think they should,’ Alex said. ‘Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but I personally think it’s a beautiful thing.’
‘So can we tell everyone that we got married last week, then?’
Alex quickly scanned the room and shushed Aiden, who laughed. ‘No,’ she mouthed. Not yet!’
After a three-day holiday in Las Vegas, the S in Alexandra’s name no longer only stood for Siobhan. It also stood for Smith. Alexandra Smith Moran. She got butterflies every time she said it to herself.
She knew that Aiden understood why she wanted to keep things quiet. Getting hitched abroad during the run-up to one of your best friend’s wedding? Tara’s wedding? First you steal her boyfriend, then you steal her thunder.Fuck no, Alex thought. Today wasn’t about them. This was Tara’s time; God knows she deserved it.
