By half-past-eleven, the guests began filing into the church. Crowds of islanders gathered outside under white and navy-blue bunting swaying in the breeze.
Gabriel, gorgeous in a midnight blue Armani suit, moved quietly around the church, taking pictures as guests took their seats. Even though she did her best not to look at him, there was no missing the tired, unhappy look, the complete absence of his smile.
Pierre turned away and found her seat. Laura, sitting next to her in a pew near the front, was a bundle of nerves, waiting for Millie’s arrival.
“Stop fidgeting. It’ll all be wonderful,” Pierre said, filling her voice with optimism she didn’t feel.
At 12 o’clock, the music started, a haunting, sweet hymn chosen by Millie and George. Everyone stood. This was it. All of Pierre’s other worries and thoughts faded as she watched a radiant Millie walk down the aisle to exchange vows with George.
She and Laura clutched each other while the poem was read.How do I love thee, let me count the ways.
People were supposed to cry at weddings, weren’t they?
She wiped and wiped at her tears, not hearing all the words but enough.
I love thee freely,
I love thee purely,
With passion,
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose—
Someone moved next to her, swapping places. Laura had gone but Liam was suddenly at her side.
I love thee with smiles, tears and ideal grace.
I love thee by sun and candle-light
And all my life…
When it was all over, the bells rang to signal the end of the ceremony. Liam took her outside where hundreds of people were cheering, and a blizzard of confetti swirled in the air.
“Do you want to stay for the pictures?” he asked.
Did she?Heck no.
She shook her head vigorously, making her icy blue waves swing.
“Okay, then let’s find somewhere to sit away from the crowds.”
Wooden picnic benches had been placed everywhere, under trees, in grassy meadows, in front of the church, around the catering marquees. She and Liam got two cups of tea and plates of cucumber and basil sandwiches.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Liam said when they’d found a secluded picnic table under a tree and sat down.
She sighed. “Not really. I’ve already cried away all my makeup that Laura spent an hour helping me with.”
Liam flinched. A very small flinch but she saw it. He tried to turn his face away, but it was too late to pretend.
“You too?” she asked.
He dropped his head and tried to hide his face by drinking from his tea.
She waited until finally he met her gaze. In his eyes, she saw the same pain that she felt, the same heartbreak.
It wasn’t just an attraction; he must have fallen hard. “I’m sorry, Liam. I’ve been so selfish and self-obsessed. I should have realised.”
