Chapter Thirty-Seven Dolly
brEAKING: Exclusive interview with Lina Chen and Cobey Worthing on their unique Wedded Bliss journey
They say the true course of love never did run smooth, but today we have an exclusive interview with Wedded Bliss’s most unusual couple, Lina Chen and Corbey Worthing, reunited and eloping after Lina rejected Cobey’s proposal…
[continues below]
‘We are literally racing to beat someone down the aisle. Time is of the essence,’ I say, trying to sound light.
‘You’re stressing me. Find something to do or we’ll never get there.’
We’ve been driving for about an hour, and so far, I’ve started and stopped about three podcasts, skipped through several albums, and turned Magic FM on and off.
My phone buzzes and I jump in my skin. I’m going to burst out this dress if I’m not careful – it was not designed to sit in for hours while on a mission.
It’s a photo of Whit and Malachi, blowing a kiss. Underneath it reads, ‘Wishing you both the best wedding’.
It’s a bit shite that we aren’t supposed to attend each other’s weddings if there’s no clash, which probably makes what I’m about to do even more taboo.
I turn my phone to show Warren.
‘Dolly, I literally cannot look at that.’
‘Sorry, I always forget the rules for cars. It’s just Whit wishing us luck.’
His eyebrows shoot up. ‘You haven’t told her?’
‘About our daring escapade? No.’
‘Or any of it?’
‘… No.’
Warren swipes away yet another call from Not So Posh John.
‘Can I say something maybe a little harsh?’
‘Of course.’
‘No matter what happens, you need someone to talk to about this who isn’t me. No hurt feelings, obviously, but you know.’
My stomach aches. ‘I get it. It’s complicated. Thank you for being honest about your needs while you’re driving me to… you know.’
He smiles. ‘Perfect husband material, remember.’
‘Oh, trust me, I know.’
Whit answers almost immediately, her black silk bonnet still covering her hair. ‘What happened?’
‘Why do you think something happened?’
‘You’re in a car and look stressed. Look, Malachi, doesn’t Dolly have that stressed look she gets?’
Malachi squishes into the screen. ‘She does, babe.’
‘Thanks, guys,’ I groan. ‘Warren’s here.’
I turn the camera to him. ‘Affirmative.’
‘Are you guys eloping?’ Whit asks, her eyebrows meeting.
‘Erm. No.’
It takes quite a long time to explain everything to her, and to their credit, Whit and Malachi stay silent. For a second I wonder if the signal has been lost.
‘Wow. That’s a lot,’ Whit says eventually.
‘I’m sorry I lied to you,’ I say, feeling a lump catch in my throat.
Whit shakes her head hurriedly. ‘Nope. I get it. It’ll take a minute for me to adjust, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I am a bit gutted I won’t get to drop-kick Bridget until the reunion.’
‘I think there might be a queue for that.’
‘I did think you were really pressed by her for no reason. But I guess that’s kind of a big reason. Did anyone else know?’
‘Not officially, but this annoying thing keeps happening where it turns out I’m not actually mysterious and covert and people cottoned on.’
‘I still think you’re mysterious,’ Whit reassures me.
‘So you’re in a wedding dress going to break up another wedding and if that doesn’t work you’ll go back to your own wedding and get married?’ Malachi recounts.
‘Yeah, pretty much. We’ve got the Conservatory booked for the whole day and night so there’s time.’
My phone buzzes with another call from Posh Louise that I ignore. ‘Production are looking for us.’
‘What do you want us to say, just in case they call?’ Whit asks.
‘Just pretend you haven’t heard from us and are busy with your own shtick.’
‘Will do. Listen, Dolly, I can’t imagine how things are going to go for you but you know we’re always by your side, right?’
I bite my lip to stop myself from crying, which makes me think of how often I’d see Carys do the same. ‘I love you.’
‘Love you too. Go get your girl!’
‘Have the best wedding ever. Send me all the pics. And most of all, make sure you win this.’
Whit cackles. ‘Bridget and Jackson are toast, babe.’