Masters And Lovers 1-4

Chapter 16

In the church, we wait, the congregation gathered. A baby wails. Paper rustles. The susurration of many people speaking whispers under the vaulted stone roof. Footsteps echo, and Ben’s voice carries as he guides the last of the guests to their pews.

Beth certainly made a good job of the flowers.

She has quite a talent for it….

Wonder if she intends to apply it to the spa centre?

Or if she’s mentioned it to Michael?

But I suppress the smile. My closest friend has enough to keep him occupied today.

Michael fidgets as I finger the ring….

…. the second ring….

…. Which lies in my pocket, this one in white gold.

Is he still upset about yesterday?

Or is it just normal Groom’s nerves?

“Calm down,” I murmur.

He’s facing forward, but his eyes slip sidelong to mine. “You don’t think she might….”

“No…. Now relax.”

“You’ve got the ring?”

“Yes, I’ve got the ring.” I give him a shoulder-slap. “You should have had that drink.”

“Mmmm. Perhaps I should.”

As we wait, my mind rambles back to the time, what? Thirty years ago? The last time I did this, but on that occasion, I was the groom.

And yet, my first marriage was a farce. At the time I never understood how much so. The bitterness of it ….

Georgie…

I’d have liked you to be here today….

How old are you now?

Older than Charlotte….

Perhaps not a good idea then….

Enough already!

Pull yourself together, man….

it

comes

minister looks beyond us.

as one man, turns to look rearward, and the organ breathes into life; Pachelbel’s Canon, one of Charlotte’s favourites. One of mine too. I don’t think Michael cared about the music. Everything he

the music that ripples along the aisle… To look… Then, he pauses, visibly restraining himself as he remembers the groom is not

His face….

Joy?

Wonderment?

Disbelief?

we finally made it

is nothing to restrain me. I turn to

Richard, who agreed to stand in for her murdered father, to give her away,

Oh, my God….

expected her to

she

I wasn’t prepared for

She looks astonishing….

design. Under the veil she wears her

…. pearls?

as she paces slowly down the aisle, one hand resting on Richard’s

the slight movement of Charlotte’s slow

I meet her eyes,

Oh, my Jade….

wanted this for

closer, I see the flowers;

trying to

looks… breath-taking….” I

be me exchanging vows with her

have only one vow

always be

Raising the brightest smile I know how, I murmur to Michael. My closest friend. My friend of years. The man I trust most in the world. “I don’t think

each other, his lips part and his eyes widen. And

leans close in, whispering something to her, then taking her hand, offers it to Michael. Bride

Beloved, we

*****

please.” says the

the small thing, so tiny a thing, to carry such meaning, from my pocket, wondering how the Minister will react. Perhaps he doesn’t notice as

the time when I too, so long

realise Charlotte is watching

I grin and

*****

you man and wife. You may kiss

This is exclusive content from Dramanovels.com. Please visit Dramanovels.com to support the author and the translation team!

Comments ()

0/255