‘Come on,’ she says. ‘We don’t want to be late, or Tash will never forgive us.’
‘I can’t believe they’re getting married,’ I say, feeling genuinely excited for them. ‘I hope she knows what she’s doing.’
Cherry stops in the doorway to raise an eyebrow at me.
Hah! Fair enough.
A small burst of laughter escapes my lips. ‘Point taken.’
We scurry down the corridors, busy with people. Considering it is almost midnight, most of them look like they are just beginning their evenings rather than going to bed. As we get out of the lift, Cherry checks her phone. ‘Shite. We’re late. They’ve gone without us.’
‘Oh, no!’
‘Not to worry,’ she says. ‘We’ll jump in a cab.’
‘But Matteo is meeting me at the love sign.’
I can’t miss another opportunity to be with him. I’m supposed to be flying back home tomorrow and I’ve barely seen him. Tears prick my eyes.
‘He’s gone with the others. They’ve said to hurry up,’ Cherry booms, half dragging me outside. Luckily, there’s a taxi waiting at the entrance and Cherry wastes no time.
‘Take us to The Little White Wedding Chapel. The one where all the celebrities get married,’ Cherry says. ‘Typical of Tash to want to get married there. She’ll be hoping for a passing Kardashian.’
‘I’m so happy for her,’ I say as Cherry squeezes my hand.
‘Yeah, me too. I hope Sister Kevin appreciates all that she is. I hope they end up as happy as you and Matteo seem to be.’
At the mention of his name, my heart swells. There’s a fluttering in my stomach as a feeling of emptiness grips me. ‘Did Matteo definitely say he went on ahead with the others? Because it seems a bit out of character.’
‘Why do you sound so nervous? You guys are happy, right?’
‘Yes. Yes, we are. It’s just…’
Cherry squeezes my hand, her expression full of empathy.
‘It’s just I haven’t had the chance to tell him I love him. With all of the chaos on our wedding day, then Birdie stealing him away, then Eddie and the party… I’ve had no time to tell him how I really feel.’
Cherry smiles at me. ‘Then tell him now.’
It’s a few seconds before I realise we have arrived at the chapel. I lean over to pay but the driver says, ‘It’s prepaid, ma’am.’
‘Okay, well, thank you.’
We clamber out to find Liberty is waiting in the vestibule. ‘Hurry,’ she says, waving us in. ‘You’re late. Everyone is inside.’
‘Is Tash here?’ I ask.
‘Yes, she’s inside.’
‘Inside? At the altar already?’
She shakes her head.
‘Then who’s getting married?’ I ask.
Liberty smiles and hands me a big bag. ‘You are.’
Oh, my word.
