Liberty and Cherry unzip the bag and carefully unfold my pristine wedding dress. While Liberty yanks my baggy shift dress from my body, Cherry is pinning flowers and a tiara in my hair.
‘You all knew?’
‘Uh-huh,’ Cherry mumbles, her mouth full of clips.
‘But the invite? None of us knew who it was for.’ My mind is spinning. ‘Unless… Matteo organised… while I was busy… and you all pretended…’
‘Yes, Sherlock.’ Cherry spins me round to do the back of my hair. ‘We all deserve Oscars. Now, hold still.’
They were all in on it. All of them. No wonder they were so keen to get me here. I draw in deep breaths as the magnitude of what is happening unfolds. I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. I love them. I absolutely, totally and completely love them.
‘Okay, Mrs Grande. It’s time for you to renew your wedding vows.’ Liberty and Cherry help ease me into my wedding dress, smoothing it down and deftly buttoning up the back. They step back to admire their handiwork. ‘Stunning. Simply stunning.’
Cherry roots around in her bag and pulls out an iPad. She fiddles with it while I stand in a daze. ‘Just one more thing. Smile for the camera.’
‘Is this really happening?’ I ask. ‘Oh my God, Dad!’ I squeal as his lovely, kind face appears on the screen. I can tell he has been crying. His voice is croaky and his eyes are puffy. It immediately sets me off.
‘No,’ warns Cherry. ‘All the happy tears can wait until after the ceremony. See you in there.’ She leans over, says, ‘Hi, Mr C,’ to my dad, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. She disappears through a heavy wooden door.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask him.
He chuckles. ‘I could ask you the same thing.’
‘I’m so sorry I’m doing this without you,’ I gush. ‘It all happened by accident.’
‘Hey, hey. Connie, love, Matteo has explained everything. I’m very happy for you.’
‘You’ve spoken to Matteo?’
This is getting more bizarre by the second. They’ve never even met. I’ve never even mentioned him.
My dad smiles. ‘I really like him.’
An overwhelming feeling of gratitude floods my body. I feel my shoulders drop as the tension eases from me.
‘You look beautiful, darling. Your mother would be so proud of you. And I can’t wait to meet your new husband in real life. She would have loved him. I think you’ll both be very happy together.’
‘I can’t believe you’re not disappointed in me.’
His eyes fill with tears. ‘How could I be? Look at you. Bursting with joy. You’re full of life and love and adventure. Your mother would have totally approved. In fact, I’m sure she’s with you right now, giving you her blessing.’
‘I love you, Dad.’
‘I love you too, sweetheart. See you soon.’
After he ends the call, Liberty takes the iPad from me. ‘Ready?’
I take in a deep, calming breath. ‘Ready.’
The doors sweep open, thanks to Ged and Liam. I take in the chapel, adorned with swathes of white fabric, green and white flowers tumbling from the huge arch, which stretches over a golden table, laden with an open Bible and a golden vase overflowing with the same beautiful flowers. It is floor-to-ceiling white, only the stained-glass windows either side adding a splash of colour. My best friends take an arm each as Liberty scuttles to the top of the aisle. They are dressed in white suits with matching flowers in the buttonholes.
How is this possible?
‘May we?’ says Ged, tenderly. Liam has already broken the seal and has tears flooding down his face. Ged hands him a tissue while I give him a hug. Liam sniffs up his tears.
‘You better not cry like this when it’s my turn,’ Liam says, dabbing at his eyes with a wonky smile.
I let out a giggle. ‘I won’t. I promise.’
