Chapter 29
29
It’s finally here – the day of the wedding!
Well, the first wedding, that is, because I’m attending no less than two weddings this week now.
First is the turn of Lucia and Dario, who have just had their ceremony in the stunning Bari Cathedral. Honestly, it was like something out of a fairytale, and while I have no idea what was actually being said, I somehow just know that it was perfect.
The day has barely got going and I’m exhausted, but a lot has gone on.
I got up early, to get ready, so that Andrea could pick me up. He said that Lucia was getting ready at his parents’ place, and Dario was getting ready with his family, which left him at a bit of a loose end, so he suggested we arrive slightly early so that I could squeeze in a peep at Old Bari before the ceremony.
I thought it was so sweet that Andrea told me how beautiful I looked when he picked me up, because there was no one around to hear it, so he must have really meant it. I’m wearing a long, silky green dress – the one that I packed for Rick’s wedding. Yes, obviously I only packed one dress, for one wedding, but how on earth could I have guessed that I would end up here? I’ll just need to be really careful in it, that’s all, so that I can wear it again in a couple of days.
As for Andrea, wow, he looks incredible in his black suit. He doesn’t look like he’s dressed for a wedding, he looks like he should be gracing an Armani billboard.
So he looked and acted like a gentleman as he gave me a brief tour of Old Bari. He held my hand as we walked down cobbled streets, along alleyways and across hidden courtyards. I feel like you could so easily get lost here, if you didn’t know the place, and if I didn’t have somewhere to be I don’t think I would mind.
There is just something about the morning light, the gentle heat, the smell of coffee almost everywhere. Vendors are setting up stalls, selling all sorts of things, and once again, if I didn’t have somewhere to be, I would have shopped until I dropped.
More beautiful than the sunshine or the old buildings, though, has to be Andrea. I would keep stealing these little glances at him, looking away quickly if he returned my stare. He just looks so, so good in his suit, and he seems so happy for his sister, so excited for the day ahead, and he’s been such a good tour guide – I feel like I’m in a perfect date simulator. This man is just too good to be true.
Then we got the call, that the bride and groom were arriving – in sports cars, no less – so we hurried to the cathedral for the service. I was worried it was going to seem like it went on forever but, honestly, I was captivated by every moment of it.
Now we’re outside, in the square in front of the cathedral, where the bride and groom are having photos taken, alone first, then with their families. There is a drone buzzing around, capturing photos and videos.
I feel my phone ringing in my clutch so I take it out. It’s Priya.
‘Oh, it’s my friend from work,’ I tell Andrea.
‘Speak to her,’ he insists. ‘I need to go to pose for photos anyway.’
‘Thanks,’ I tell him with a smile.
I find the nearest bench, carefully sit down, and answer.
‘Hello,’ I say brightly.
‘Hello,’ she replies. ‘I just thought I would see how you are doing.’
Priya and I have been messaging each other ever since I arrived, her making sure I’m okay, me asking her how her foot is. However, I still haven’t told her exactly what is going on here, because I don’t really know how to explain it, I am slightly embarrassed, and I don’t want her to worry about me.
‘I’m doing great, thanks,’ I reply. ‘I’m just… er… I’m at a wedding.’
‘But I thought Rick’s wedding wasn’t for another couple of days,’ she replies. ‘Unless my painkillers are super strong.’
I laugh.
‘No, not Rick’s wedding,’ I reply. ‘A different one.’
‘What, you’re just like at some random person’s wedding?’ she replies.
I laugh, because I know it must sound weird.
That said, given that Bari Cathedral is a tourist attraction, there are people absolutely everywhere, mingling in with the wedding party – even taking photos of the happy couple. It’s kind of strange but, then again, it might make Lucia and Dario feel like movie stars, which is pretty cool.
‘There’s… a lot going on,’ I say simply. ‘I don’t know if I have time to fill you in now.’
‘Give me the quick version,’ she insists.
I guess I’m coming clean then. I take a deep breath.
‘I decided to meet up with An-dree-a, my Italian pen-friend from school, but when I arrived, it turned out that she was a he, An-dre-a, and through a series of strange events and misunderstandings, his family assumed I was his fiancée, and then through a separate series of strange events and misunderstandings, everyone from work assumed he was my fiancé. So we decided to pretend, to help each other out, and Rick roped him into being the translator for the trip, and now I’m at his sister’s wedding, and… it’s been a lot, but it’s all good. Work is going well, Liz isn’t happy that I’m getting attention, and, Priya, you’re not going to believe it – James wants me. I guess, I don’t know, seeing me taken, it’s woken him up. So, yeah, a lot going on.’
The phone is silent.
‘Priya?’ I prompt her.
‘Yeah, I’m here, I’m just… wow,’ she replies.
‘Yeah, it’s a lot, right?’
‘It’s…’
I don’t think she knows what to say.
‘Robin, are you okay?’ she asks me simply.
‘I’m great,’ I reply.
‘You sound great,’ she points out. ‘It’s weird.’
I laugh.
‘I’ll explain properly, when I have more time,’ I tell her. ‘But, not to make you too jealous, I’m having a great time.’
‘I was calling to see if you needed help with your pitch,’ she replies.
‘Andrea has been helping me,’ I say. ‘Giving me the scoop on all things Italian. I’ve been keeping my cards close to my chest with the others, and working on my pitch while I’ve been in my room alone on a night. I’m really proud of it.’
‘You are still sleeping alone then?’ she checks with a chuckle.
‘Yes,’ I say – that will do for now.
‘Well, I’ll let you get back to your fiancé’s sister’s wedding then,’ she says. ‘But before you go, come on then, what’s this Andrea like?’
‘He’s amazing,’ I tell her honestly.
I glance over at him, watching him pose for a photo in between Lucia and Dario. He looks so happy for them and it only makes him even more attractive.
‘He’s so kind, funny, handsome, intelligent, talented,’ I continue. ‘He’s the whole package.’
Priya laughs.
‘James who, hey?’ she jokes.
Her words stop me in my tracks.
‘Robin,’ a voice calls out.
‘Robin,’ another joins in.
I glance over and see Andrea, Lucia, Dario, Leonardo and Antonia all standing in front of the photographer.
‘Priya, I’d better go,’ I tell her.
‘Okay,’ she says. ‘I look forward to hearing the long version of this story later.’
I head over to join Andrea and his family.
‘Hello,’ I say. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Good,’ Lucia tells me. ‘We’re having a photo of the immediate family.’
‘Nice,’ I say with a smile.
‘That means you too,’ she tells me.
‘Me?’ I reply, taken aback. ‘Really?’
‘ Sì ,’ she replies. ‘You’re going to be Andrea’s wife. You should be in the photos.’
I look to Andrea. Obviously I’m not going to be his wife, so I’m sure he won’t want me in the photo.
‘Come on,’ he prompts me, holding out an arm, ready to wrap it around me. ‘Be in the photo, it would mean a lot to my family.’
‘Okay,’ I say, already grinning.
I take my place, next to Andrea, for the photo.
It’s so sweet how his family has been so instantly warm towards me and accepting of me.
You know what? I think I’m going to miss all of this.