Chapter 21
Oh God. What have I done? I’ve set us back to square one, that’s what. Matteo has a disbelieving expression on his face while we all stand here dumbstruck.
I don’t know what to say.
Other than I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to issue an ultimatum.
But the words are stuck in my throat.
I’m so mortified.
Even though he has opened this can of worms, Nacho also looks shell-shocked at my outburst. My phone pings with a message. It’s an escape route from this embarrassing fresh hell.
‘It’s Liam.’ I can barely get the words out.
‘He needs my help getting ready. Sorry, Dad. I’ll catch up with you later and explain properly.
I promise.’ I kiss him on the cheek but stop myself when it comes to kissing Matteo.
His jaw is set. His brow furrowed. He must be so disappointed with me.
‘See you all in the chapel,’ I mumble stiffly.
My heart is pounding as I race up the stairs and along the corridor to Liam’s bedroom and knock frantically on the door. I can hear Louis yipping inside.
‘Come in!’ bellows Liam.
I take a few calming breaths before going in. Today isn’t about me or my deeply embarrassing meltdown, it’s about my two best friends and getting them safely through the most important day of their lives.
His astute gaze travels the length of me as I try to contain myself. All it takes is for him to raise a questioning eyebrow.
‘I’m the worst wife in the world!’ I scream. ‘I’ve aired all our dirty laundry in public. I’ve ruined my marriage. My husband hates me and it’s all my fault!’
His eyes crinkle with mirth. ‘Of course it’s your fault, love. Mr Magnificent hasn’t put a foot wrong since the day you met him. Now, enough about you… I was rather hoping today would be all about me.’
The sight of him steals my heart. Liam is dressed in a mulberry-coloured three-piece suit with a cream shirt underneath, cream shoes and an elaborately embroidered waistcoat with swirls of mustard. He is breathtakingly handsome. Tears instantly prick at my eyes.
‘Oh, Liam,’ I whisper.
‘No, don’t. You’ll start me off,’ he croaks, the emotion getting the better of him. ‘I need help with my cufflinks and bow tie, please.’ He hands me the cufflinks. ‘I must say, you’re positively glowing. Maybe you should try losing the respect of your husband more often.’
That’ll be the enormous endorphin rush of the recent shag followed quickly by the surge of adrenaline that came hot on the heels of the huge falling-out. I’m a hormonal catastrophe waiting to happen.
‘Ignore me. I’m an idiot. But you… you look so amazing!
’ I throw my arms around him and catch sight of Louis on the bed, resplendent in his little doggie suit.
‘I still can’t believe you managed to get a suit to match.
He is insanely cute.’ Louis is wearing a mustard-coloured pinstriped waistcoat, shirt and bow tie.
There’s another knock at the door.
‘I’ll get it,’ I say, sliding the door open a crack just in case it’s Ged. ‘Oh, hi, Mr Nicholson. Come in. Liam’s almost ready.’
Liam’s dad kisses me on the cheek and strolls into the room with a proud air. ‘Your mother sent me up. Thought I’d have a quick word with you before the wedding, if that’s okay?’
A beaming smile spreads across Liam’s face. ‘Thank God you’re here, Dad. Connie’s just announced she’s wrecked her marriage. They’re having their first fight right before my nuptials. Can you believe it?’
Mr Nicholson chuckles. ‘You have to get it over with at some point,’ he tells me. ‘Might as well be sooner rather than later.’
‘But I yelled at Matteo in front of everyone. I issued an ultimatum. You don’t think I’ve ruined things?’
He smiles. ‘Not if you love each other. All couples fight about something. It would be weird if they didn’t, right?’
I sag inwardly with relief. ‘I’ll take Louis and check on Ged.
It’ll give you two some time to catch up.
’ I scoop Louis up while Liam grabs his puppy bag and hands it to me.
I blink at its sheer size and weight as he closes the door behind me.
I can hear Liam’s dad saying how dog-friendly the Australians are and how great the outdoors lifestyle is.
Luckily, Ged is staying in Tash’s room with Sister Kevin, which is only two doors down. I rap on the door with my free hand and am relieved when a completely made-up Tash answers.
‘Thank God, you’re here. I just heard the news,’ Tash gushes with a concerned frown.
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Apparently, everyone knows. It’s so upsetting, babes.
To be happening so soon. Isn’t it, Kev?’ Tash has obviously put her beef with Sister Kevin, who is hovering by the window, to one side for now.
Knowing her, it’ll be on a slow simmer. But it’s nice to know that we can all come together in a crisis.
‘Everyone? Everyone heard my meltdown?’ I can’t believe it. ‘I’m so embarrassed. I don’t know what came over me.’
Tash continues to stare.
‘Poor Matteo. He didn’t deserve that outburst. What must he think of me?’
Tash blinks at me. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Me being horrible to Matteo in front of my dad, Madge and Nacho.’ I pause. ‘Why? What are you talking about?’
Tash puts a hand on her hip. ‘We’ve run out of Lovington.’
I take a beat to process the crossed wires.
We are distracted by the bathroom door clicking as Ged slowly opens it. Louis yowls affectionately for his daddy. ‘Is that my little fella? Did you miss me? Did you?’
I hold him out so that Ged can ruffle his fur and kiss his head.
‘I’m trying to get my moustache right. Is it big enough?
’ He smooths the edges. He has waxed them to curl upwards.
‘I want it to be perfect.’ He is wearing a three-piece suit like Liam’s but in a dark mustard check.
His embroidered waistcoat has swirls of mulberry. The whole effect is stunning.
‘Liam finds you perfect no matter what,’ I say from experience. ‘He’s besotted with you.’ I help straighten his collar.
‘Even when I’m at my worst.’ Ged chuckles. ‘The man’s a saint. That’s why I need to marry him quickly, before he comes to his senses. So, what’s this about you embarrassing yourself in front of Mr Magnificent? Please don’t ruin him. We love him too much.’
‘So do I,’ I wail. ‘I… I just… Christ, I don’t even know why I blurted it all out like that. If I’d just been honest. If I’d trusted him in the first place… and if he’d trusted me then none of this would have happened.’
‘Communication, hun. Communication is always the key.’ Ged lifts my chin. ‘Remember that when you’re apologising and promising to always be open and honest with him from now on.’
Tash and Sister Kevin are glued to every word Ged is saying.
Sister Kevin walks towards Tash and whispers something in her ear. Tash stares deep into his eyes and does something none of us have heard her do before. ‘No, it’s me. It was my fault. I’m the one who should be saying sorry.’
‘I guess I could have handled things a bit better. My mother can be a bit over the top. She’s got a reputation for being bossy and always wanting her own way. She barely listens to a word anyone has to—’
‘Poor you. Poor, poor you,’ Tash croons, pulling his face to hers. ‘She sounds like a right nightmare.’
‘He definitely has a type,’ mutters Ged under his breath while Tash and Sister Kevin actively make up.
We politely try to ignore the squelching sounds of lip on overfilled lip.
‘Nice weather we’re having,’ says Ged.
‘Lovely day to get married, don’t you think?’
‘If only people would give me some space to finish getting ready.’
After I cough loudly several times, they break free.
‘Let us take the pooch. You two follow us over,’ Tash instructs. ‘Kev and I have some serious making up to do.’
Looking sheepish, Sister Kevin takes Louis while Tash lifts up the puppy bag, grabs her own silver purse that matches her gorgeous midnight-blue silk backless dress with silver sparkling straps and high silver sandals.
Her dark hair is swept to one side and is cascading down her shoulder.
She is staggeringly beautiful. No wonder Sister Kevin is infatuated with her.
‘How’s Liam?’ Ged asks as I fiddle with his bow tie.
‘Very happy. His dad’s just taken over from me. We’ll see them in the chapel. You ready?’
He nods. His eyes are full of emotion. ‘Thank you for always being there for us.’
‘It’s me who should be thanking you. You’ve seen me through my darkest moments.’ I take his hands. ‘I’m so glad we’re family.’
‘And wherever we are in the world, we’ll always be there for each other. Promise me, Connie.’ A wistful shadow crosses his face. ‘Even if we end up on opposite sides of the planet.’
I nod. A single tear trickles down my face. I wonder if on some level he knows. ‘I can’t believe the three of us… that we’re not going to be living together in our poky flat.’ I wipe my cheek.
‘I think it’s probably time for us to try new things. Married life. Parenthood.’ Ged smirks. ‘Can you believe I’m a father now? It sounds so grown-up.’
‘You’ll make a great dad. And a great husband.’
‘Just like you make a great wife.’ He kisses me lightly on the forehead.
‘I’m not doing such a great job on that front. He’s probably contacting the divorce lawyers as we speak.’
Ged grins. ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Honey, you have nothing to worry about there.’
My smile falters. ‘I hope so.’ I need to make things right. But for now, I need to get my two best friends married. ‘Okay, enough about me…’
‘That’ll be a first.’ Ged winks at me, making me giggle.
‘Let’s go find you a husband.’
I can’t believe the moment has finally arrived. I stand next to Ged at the altar. The drag queen celebrant is looming over us, perhaps due to his six-inch platform boots. I scoured the seats when we came in looking for Matteo but couldn’t see him. I really hope he hasn’t taken my outburst to heart.