If I Were You

Chapter 69 Amy

The band are in place, the guests assembled and the air smells of freshly mown grass.

We’re stood behind the congregation waiting to emerge behind a wall of flowers, guests peering between foliage for their first glimpse of the wedding party. Reggie is resplendent in his little bow tie but keeps ruining things looking around for Flynn and growling up at me.

We hear a hush descend and the first bars of music fill the air. I step out with Reggie on a lead, but after every two steps he sits down in protest. Flynn and Laura, linking arms behind us, keep having to come to a grinding halt.

‘This could take a while,’ I say as the band continue, heads craning to wonder at the delay.

The back row of seats are peering round, taking in Laura, ethereal in her ivory silk Chantilly lace fishtail wedding dress, with its sweetheart neckline and beaded lace bodice. The scalloped-edge tulle train flares out from behind her and I’ve warned Flynn not to tread on it.

‘Oh no,’ Flynn says, clutching his leg under his bridesmaid dress. ‘Cramp,’ he says dramatically, looking around him with wide eyes.

I stuff a hand to my mouth and try to look alarmed. Reggie, sensing melodrama, starts barking. We cluster together as a foursome, loud enough for some of the guests to hear us as we deliver Flynn’s script.

‘Ow,’ Flynn adds, looking at me pointedly. He might as well have shouted ‘LINE’.

‘Do you want me to help you up the aisle, Laura?’ I ask, my delivery a little wooden.

‘That would be excellent, thank you for offering, Flynn,’ Laura says. The back of the congregation swap glances.

‘Poor me,’ Flynn adds loudly, limping exaggeratedly forward in his chiffon dress. He takes Reggie’s lead as I move between him and Laura to prop him up and link arms with her. Reggie immediately leaps up and skips off.

‘Sorted,’ Laura whispers with a giggly hiccup. I can feel her joyful jittery nerves and am glad I’m here with her in this moment.

I stare at her as we stand together, Pachelbel’s Canon in D swelling to fill the still air around us. Dad had a surprising love of classical music, our childhood spent begging him to change the radio from Classic FM. ‘Philistines,’ he’d shout and turn it up louder. This was one of his favourites; he could play it on the clunky upright piano in our front room and bring the whole thing to life.

Laura blinks at me and I know she is feeling the same. ‘Dad would be so bloody proud of you, Laura. You are thoughtful, kind, insanely efficient and you’ve been an amazing sister to me. And you look incredible FYI.’

‘Shut up,’ she says, nudging me. ‘My mascara isn’t waterproof.’

‘This is it,’ I whisper. ‘You sure? If not, I’ll get Flynn to distract them with some kind of broken leg while we make for the hills? Everyone will believe it – you know I bring the drama.’

Laura can’t stop a laugh at my admission and then swats my arm. ‘I’m sure. Let’s do this.’

‘Alright then. Love you.’

‘Love you too.’

From the front of the aisle Jay peers round, no doubt wondering at the delay.

Flynn has straightened up, pain obviously completely forgotten now our plan has been put into place. He starts the procession with Reggie, the congregation smiling as they pass.

Jay’s face changes as he sees me, or rather Flynn, arm in arm with his beloved future wife. He watches as Laura leans into me, completely relaxed and happy.

Ah.

We move down the aisle, whispers on either side, admiring glances at Laura’s dress, and Mum dabs at her eyes as she watches her daughter move past her. Jay, however, looks less than thrilled.

‘What’s up with Jay?’ I whisper out of the side of my mouth. ‘Oh, shit,’ Laura whispers. ‘One of us should probably have said something to him.’

I look at Jay’s stony face, as he meets my eyes. ‘Yup. Yup, that’s a thought.’

Both of us can’t stop shaking with giggles as we step forward once more.