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She left the distillery and walked out to the main road and began winding her way along the street. She wondered if she should walk past his flat which was nearby. Would that be weird? Would he think she was stalking him? Could she really say that she had just been passing and thought she’d call in to check all was okay? As she tried to decide what to do, she kicked a stone along the pavement for a few metres then looked up and gasped.
James was walking towards her, arm in arm with Amanda, the woman who had been at the distillery that first day Amy was there. She felt a jolt of jealousy, watching as they stopped next to a parked car and James embraced the woman who wiped her eyes, stared at him lovingly and then got into the car and drove away. Not wanting him to see her, she quickly darted across the road and ran up a side street.
Amy stopped on a bench to catch her breath and process the emotional impact seeing James with someone else was having on her. Amy was completely deflated. She had clearly misjudged him and their situation. He hadn’t been flirting with her, he had just been friendly. It was then she realized the time and ran home to get ready for the wedding.
Now, as Steve swept into the car park of the distillery, she had to remind herself to hold things together for the sake of Emma. Today was about her sister and not about her and the crush that she had on James.
Amy, Kirsty and Becky were clambering out of the car, ready to help the bride get out, when Amy felt a light touch on her shoulder.
‘Hey, you,’ said James, his eyes widening as she turned round, and he saw how she looked in her dress. ‘You’ve scrubbed up well,’ he said with a grin.
‘Thanks,’ she said with a shrug and turned away.
‘Hey . . . Is everything okay?’ he said hesitantly.
She was silent for a moment. This was not the place to start discussing what she had seen earlier. It wasn’t even any of her business. ‘Yes,’ she said, decisively. ‘We just need to get the bride out of the car and ready to walk down that aisle.’ She knew there were questions in his eyes but ever the professional, he smiled kindly then indicated to the party that he would escort them inside where their father was waiting for them.
‘Emma, you look absolutely stunning,’ James said, swivelling round to compliment Kirsty and Becky too. His gaze lingered on Amy, but she looked away, refusing to look back at him. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
Amy was confused at his reaction to her. He seemed genuinely pleased to see her which she was strangely and secretly pleased by. Amy also sensed that connection between them. But how could he look at her in the way that he was when he was clearly with Amanda? Had he turned into some kind of player? She reminded herself that she hadn’t been in his life for years and didn’t really know him. Why was she even wasting time thinking about this!
She beamed as widely as she could, took Emma’s hand in hers and looked towards the reception area where their dad was standing waiting in his kilt. His face lit up when he saw his three daughters and granddaughter walking toward him. Right now, her family was all that mattered.
Chapter Forty
As they followed James towards the door to the terrace, the haunting sounds of a lone piper began to echo around them.
Emma stopped and looked at her sisters in disbelief. ‘I don’t believe it,’ she whispered.
Kirsty wasn’t quite sure what to make of her reaction and whether she was pleased or not. Judging by the look of shock on her face it was the latter which was not good at all. Emma was always so tough, and Kirsty wasn’t yet used to this new, softer version which they had been exposed to these last few days.
‘It’s okay, Emma. Seriously, this is all my fault,’ said Kirsty, putting her hands up. ‘I am so sorry. I know you said you wanted everything to be low-key and simple, but we forgot to talk about the music for when you arrived and . . . well, I thought I would arrange this as a surprise. But it’s fine, we don’t have to have it.’
‘Shall I go and ask him to stop?’ asked James, discreetly.
‘No!’ exclaimed Emma. ‘No, please don’t. Oh, girls. I can’t believe you organized all of this for me . . . This is just the icing on the cake. I couldn’t have planned this any better. You remembered how much I love the sound of a lone piper.’
Kirsty allowed herself to breathe again. So, she had got this right after all?
‘What is it about bagpipes?’ said Amy with a sniff, her eyes glistening. ‘They get me every time. Whenever I heard the sound of bagpipes in Canada . . . well, let’s just say there were tears. The sound always stirs something deep inside. It’s the sound of . . .’
‘It’s the sound of home and family,’ Emma said with a huge smile. ‘And I love it. Thank you, Kirsty.’ Emma threw her arms around her sister’s neck.
‘You are very welcome. The piper is one of Tom’s friends from school. He’s excellent and actually quite hard to get so we are lucky to have him. I’m so glad you’re happy.’
Emma grinned at her. ‘I’m over the moon. It was so thoughtful of you.’
Kirsty smiled gratefully at James who in turn glanced across at his colleagues to give them a reassuring smile.
‘Group hug,’ demanded Amy. ‘Though a quick one. Otherwise, Max will think you’re not coming.’
‘Honestly you lot,’ said Becky. ‘Even I feel teary. But Amy’s right, Max will think you’ve done a runner at this rate. Let’s compose ourselves or there won’t be a wedding. They’ll all think we’ve called it off.’
They all laughed, and Kirsty glanced over at their dad, aware that he might be feeling very vulnerable with all of his daughter’s emotions running amok. He was staring out of the window to the sea, while listening quietly to the music.
‘Dad,’ she said, touching his arm gently. ‘It’s time to go down the aisle. Are you ready?’
He looked at her, his face relaxed. ‘Oh there you are. Look at you. Look at all of you,’ he said, turning to look at the girls. ‘You are all beautiful, and I am so proud of you. Your mum would love this,’ he said. ‘She loved you all so much.’ He walked towards Emma. ‘Emma, my darling, you are stunning. You make a very pretty bride.’ He reached for his hankie and dabbed at his eyes. ‘Shall we?’ he said, offering his arm.
