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 will be

the rear comes

minister looks beyond us.

into life; Pachelbel’s Canon, one of Charlotte’s favourites. One of mine too. I don’t think

semi-turns to follow the music that ripples along the aisle… To look… Then, he pauses,

His face….

Joy?

Wonderment?

Disbelief?

we finally made it to

to restrain me. I turn to

stand in for her murdered father, to give her

Oh, my God….

her to

hoped she would wear

prepared for

She looks astonishing….

is white: full-length and of a simple design. Under the veil she wears her hair long and loose, laced

…. pearls?

pearls, it sways with her movement as she paces slowly down the aisle, one hand resting on Richard’s arm, the other

Even with the slight movement

between us, I

Oh, my Jade….

I wanted

I see the flowers; violets. Small, unassuming

nudges my elbow, trying to

breath-taking….”

will not be me

I have only

always

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

his view, as Charlotte and Michael see each other, his lips part and his eyes widen. And she

something to her, then taking her hand, offers it

Beloved, we are

*****

“The ring, please.” says

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

part of me dwells on the time when I too, so long ago, placed a ring on a woman’s

I realise Charlotte is watching

So, I

*****

and wife. You may kiss

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