40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
N ate pulled at his tie as he waited at the altar. Whose idea was it to wear a full morning suit at the height of the blistering summer? Rebecca. Her plans for this wedding had begun in her childhood and these outfits had been on display in the wedding magazines cluttering his flat for months. The open pages sending subliminal messages of her expectations of her perfect day. He loosened his tie that felt more claustrophobic than those he wore at the office, and they were bad enough. But not long now, soon he would relegate the ridiculous pieces of fabric to the bin. What purpose did they have? Nothing, a bit like the top hat he held. What was he supposed to do with it? He shifted uncomfortably under the watch of the congregation. Some he recognised, many he didn’t. They’d invited how many people? His mum stood in the first pew dressed in the outfit he knew she bought while Rebecca chose her wedding dress. As soon as the engagement was announced, the pair announced a giddy shopping trip. His parents were gaining the daughter they always wanted. Rebecca got on better with them than he did. Reaching into his pocket, he rechecked his phone. The screen was blank. No messages. No missed calls. Since his return to London, he’d tried to contact Willow with no luck. The uneasy silence hung over him. Had she changed her mind about his feelings for him? His latest messages were unread. He should never have come back. He should have contacted Jamie and made his excuses, reneged on the deal he’d made in the shellshocked days after Christmas, he should have—
Jamie nudged him with his elbow.
‘For God’s sake, Nate. Stop fidgeting and put that away. Rebecca said strictly no phones in the church. She’ll kill you. Besides, there’s no time.’
The church organ sprang into life with Wagner, and the door opened. His mum grabbed the hat Nate still held, shaking her head at his incompetence. Jamie mouthed, ‘Are you ready?’ and he nodded. Rebecca glided down the aisle towards him, looking radiant in the elegant ivory fitted dress. He smiled at her glowing happiness as she was moments away from marrying the man she loved and gaining the Reynolds name.
***
Nate held Rebecca in his arms as they danced. Live music played in the background, and chat and laughter filled the exquisite ballroom decorated to her high expectations. Like the rest of the day, the venue was perfect.
‘Thank you,’ she said, her eyes sparkling as they spun.
‘What for? Dancing with you? I’ve danced with you many times,’ Nate said.
‘Reluctantly, yes. You know what I mean. Today mustn’t have been easy for you. I’m aware of what you gave up. Jamie told me.’
Shrugging, he bit back his anxiety over Willow’s continued silence. ‘Are you happy?’
Without hesitation, she answered, ‘Yes. Yes, I’m very happy.’
‘Then that’s all that matters.’
Rebecca reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
‘May I have a dance with my bride?’ Jamie approached them as the music slowed into a romantic ballad.
‘She’s all yours.’ Nate slipped out of Rebecca’s embrace, patted Jamie on his shoulder, and strode towards the bar. He needed a drink. Or two.
‘Are you all right?’ Henry stood next to him at the bar looking worse for wear. His eyes glazed, his tie skew-whiff, and his words slurred, his brother was drunk. He must be to be bothered to talk to him. Unlike with Jamie, Nate’s relationship with his middle brother was uneasy, a one-sided sibling rivalry he never understood. They actively avoided one another at every opportunity. Nate nodded, flinging back another shot of whisky, and ordered another.
‘Of course. Rebecca’s had her perfect day. Mum has got the daughter-in-law she wanted, to a different son than planned, but hey, the result’s the same. So, all’s good.’
‘Exactly. Everyone thought it would be you walking down the aisle with her, not Jamie. He’s only been home five minutes.’
‘Exactly. It only takes five minutes to know when you have fallen in love,’ Nate explained. Henry looked no wiser, making Nate sad for him and his wife. They were coming up to their tenth wedding anniversary without feeling that spark. No secret smiles or caresses exchanged between them. ‘Look at the pair of them,’ Nate pointed to Jamie laughing at something his new wife said. ‘They’re made for each other. Rebecca and I just took a while to realise it wasn’t working. And our hearts lay elsewhere. Now excuse me, I need to make a phone call.’
***
‘God, you look rough.’ Jamie bounded over as Nate stirred his black coffee in the hotel dining room. Many other guests were doing the same, all suffering from the wedding reception continuing until the early hours of the morning. Hangovers shaded their faces a tinge of green.
‘Whereas you’re bouncing like bloody Tigger. Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else with your new bride?’ Nate said as his brother dragged a chair out and flopped down. He stole a slice of Nate’s toast.
‘Becky and I are leaving for the airport soon. Just wanted to say bye. And thanks. None of this would have happened without you.’
‘Sure, it would. You’d just have had a more low-key event at Gretna Green or Vegas.’
‘Becky would have hated that. All this finery and show was important to her. Still no news?’
‘Nothing.’
‘I still don’t understand why you didn’t bring her. All chicks like getting dressed up.’
‘I don’t think she would appreciate being called a chick, and I only rekindled our relationship a couple of days ago. And bizarrely you weren’t high on the agenda of conversation. Besides, it would’ve been like bringing her into the lion’s den with Dad, Henry, and everyone commenting about my ex walking down the aisle with my brother.’
‘Her appearance would’ve helped me. I’m seen as the evil one breaking up you and Becky’s relationship. Christ, the lecture I got from Gran. But, if you’re worried about Willow, why are you here? Just go. There’s nothing stopping you now, Henry’s got his backside firmly under your desk and I’m married to my beautiful bride.’ Jamie’s phone buzzed and he leapt up from the table. ‘Becky’s waiting at reception. And you’ve gotta go to Whitby. Let me know how you get on. I’ll send you a postcard.’
Nate shook his head at his brother’s retreating form. Throughout their entire five-year relationship, Nate had never called Rebecca ‘Becky’. Despite the shock revelation about Jamie’s and her relationship, he was glad she’d found someone to calm her edges so she could relax. Nate picked up his phone and dialled a number. ‘George. May I speak with your wife?’