Saturday 3rd Feb

Clara took immense pleasure in re-booking an appointment with me at the pub.

Hugh says he’s forgiven me and given me my job back, but I know he’s still pissed. Florence managed to talk him down to a certain extent and I think the fact that the wedding is still going ahead stands somewhat in my favour.

But it’s made me realise I can’t stay working here long term. I’ve seen what I’m worth to him now; not much. I can’t stay working for someone like that, regardless of who he’s married to.

I made sure Flo and Hugh were at my first appointment with Clara, so she couldn’t openly attack me. She smugly told me that the wedding was back on and to carry on with the previous arrangements.

I can’t lie and say it didn’t gut me that he went back to her. Of course, I told him to, but a large part of me hoped he was so in love with me that he couldn’t even entertain the idea of seeing her again, let alone marrying her.

So, the last few days I’ve been hiding my heartache and splitting my time working my arse off to make sure it’s the best wedding I can make it and helping Anna settle in at home.

I owe Clara that much. I’ve done every gory design detail Clara’s requested and against my better judgement, I have to admit that it looks amazing. Even the life-size ice sculptures look beautiful and not tacky.

It’s all set up and I’m just sneaking out the door when Flo grabs me. ‘Where the hell are you going?’

‘I’m leaving,’ I say, stating the obvious. ‘Jill's in charge. I can’t stay and witness him marrying her.’

Her eyes soften. ‘Don’t you think he deserves to see you one last time? To be given his full options?’

I scoff. She’s ridiculous. ‘Flo, you know I’m not one of his options. I can’t be.’

‘You can!’ she shouts, taking my hand tenderly. ‘For God's sake, Nadine. You’re always doing what’s best for everyone else. Don’t listen to Hugh. Don’t fuck this up over the fear of a job. Something that could replace you within a week.’

I snort. ‘Gee, thanks.’

She raises her eyebrows. ‘This could be your happy ending. Your one true love. Don’t let any loyalty towards me or Hugh stop you.’

I scoff. ‘Flo, you watch far too many Disney movies.’

She snorts a laugh. ‘Yeah, well I’m glad I do. Look at how it worked out for me and Hugh.’

She’s so far out of reality it’s unreal.

‘We’re not all you and Hugh. Some of us aren’t so lucky.’

‘But you could be,’ she insists, pleading with her eyes. ‘Just stay and talk to him before he goes to that altar.’

I think about it for a moment. I suppose I could give myself this. It’s not like I’m planning on objecting to the ceremony. I could just be there and see his reaction. He’s sure to shoot me down with how we left things anyway.

‘But how can I do that to Clara? She deserves better than the woman that tried to steal her man attending her wedding.’

‘She deserves nothing!’ she shrieks in outrage. ‘Do you know that woman told me I looked bloated the other day? What kind of dickhead tells a pregnant woman they look bloated?’

I smile. God, I love her. I pull her into a hug, appreciating for a moment every little thing about my bestie.

‘Okay. I’ll go wait with the registrar. Call me when he arrives.’

* * *

He’s twenty minutes late for his own wedding. Everyone knows I hate tardiness. This is taking the piss though. Flo is sitting with the guests, shrugging in confusion. Could he really not turn up?

The back doors of the barn suddenly fling open. All of us turn, expecting to see Hartley, but instead we’re met with a furious looking Clara. She looks stunning in a huge princess gown, so big she has to turn sideways to get in the door.

‘Where is she?’ she screams.

Uh-oh, she can’t be looking for me. Can she? ‘Where is that little whore?’

Oops. She’s definitely looking for me.

Our eyes meet across the room, her face turning thunderous. ‘What the hell did you say to him? Huh? What on earth did you do?’

‘I... I...’

Everyone in the room is staring at me.

Florence suddenly throws up, splashing the guests sat next to her. They rush to get out of her way.

‘Jesus, Flo, are you okay?’ I ask across the room, trying to get to her.

‘Don’t look at her, whore!’ Clara shouts, barrelling down the aisle, almost in my face already. ‘Look at me. Tell me what you did with your magic vagina to stop my fiancé from marrying me!’

Everyone in the crowd gasps. Well, this is humiliating. Florence stands up to come over towards me but stops to throw up on another guest. Jesus, woman! It’s like she’s possessed!

‘I’ve done nothing. I haven’t spoken to Hartley since I broke it off with him.’

Everyone in the crowd starts whispering amongst themselves. Clara had obviously held back this bit of information.

The doors suddenly burst open again. The whole crowd turns, expecting Hartley. Instead there’s some other guy in a suit. Who the hell is this and why is he making such a dramatic entrance?

‘Stop the wedding!’ he shouts theatrically, waving his hands in the air.

The guests gasp again. Jesus, this really is turning into a shit show. We should have been recording this.

‘Edward?’ Clara gasps. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’

‘Don’t marry him,’ he pleads, running towards her. ‘You know it’s really me that you love.’

She glances around at everyone, her cheeks pink. ‘Shut up, Edward!’ she hisses.

‘No, I won’t shut up anymore,’ he declares strongly, taking her hand. ‘I love you and I know that you love me too.’

‘It was just sex!’ she screams, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone takes a collective gasp.

Her father stands up, a vein in his neck protruding. ‘Edward. You mean to tell me you’ve been having an affair with my daughter?’

Oh my God. He must work with them. The plot thickens.

‘I have, Sir,’ he nods, squaring his shoulders. ‘And I love her more than life itself.’

Her dad sits down, his eyes closed. ‘Jesus, I need a drink.’

‘For fuck's sake, Edward,’ Clara snaps, before turning on her heel and flouncing out. He follows on behind her like a little lap puppy.

Florence is suddenly at my side, still looking green. ‘So, Hartley never even turned up. Doesn’t that tell you something?’ she says with a knowing smile.

She’s right. And there I have been feeling bad about Clara and the whole time she’s been sleeping with Edward! That two-faced little bitch. Not that I can talk.

‘I agree,’ Hugh says, suddenly behind me.

I stare at him aghast. What the hell is happening here? He’s been warning me to stay away from the beginning.

‘Nadine, I have a big apology to make.’ He looks towards the doors that Clara just flounced out of. ‘I can’t believe I’ve been such an arse to you when Clara was fucking that guy all along.’

‘And…’ Florence says encouragingly.

He swallows. ‘And I was wrong to judge you in the first place. I know you well enough to know that you’re always putting other people first. The one time you think about your own happiness and I treat you appallingly. Forgive me?’

I smile weakly back at him. He has far more grovelling to do before I can ever start to trust him again, but for the sake of Florence I nod.

‘I have to see him,’ I admit to her.

She smiles. ‘You go, girl.’ And then she vomits on my shoes.