‘Oh, that.’ She shrugged casually.
‘Eleanor?’ he pressed, his heart aching with suspense.
‘It shouldn’t matter really …’ She laughed. ‘BecausetechnicallyI’m not thirty-five for another couple of months.’ She jabbed her finger at the piece of paper in his hand. ‘Those are the rules.’
‘Since when have we ever stuck to the rules?’ He didn’t know what was racing faster, his brain or his heart. Adrenaline was flooding his system and his entire body was on high alert.
‘I really have to go; I’m going to be late.’ She smirked.
‘Eleanor!’ he shouted. ‘Come back.’
‘I will.’ She turned to look over her shoulder, her legs still carrying her further and further away from him.
‘Do you promise?’
‘I promise.’ Eleanor stopped and placed one hand on her heart. ‘I’ll always come back for you, Fin.’
After: Aged 37
Eleanor
‘Is everyone ready to go?’ the harried-looking photographer whispered loudly.
Eleanor looked around at the group of people huddling together under the entrance to the church. It was just their luck that today, of all days, it had decided to rain.
It’s fine. Everything will still be fine.
She smoothed down the front of her dress and took a deep breath. ‘Ready,’ she confirmed, as right on cue the music switched and the entrance song began to play.
‘Ladies, remember: walk slowly, smile, and try not to look directly into the camera,’ the photographer instructed as the large wooden doors creaked open. ‘You all look beautiful,’ he added.
Eleanor took a step forward and felt her stomach knot at the sight of the congregation, their excited faces peering anxiously for the first hint of the bride. She relaxed her face and began to walk, trying to keep her eyes focused on the floor in front of her. Everyone had told her that she needed to walk at half her normal speed – it was an importantmoment, the crowd needed time to absorb it – but it was hard not to feel like a complete idiot as she edged her way down the aisle. She could hear the trademark sniffs and rustle of tissues rippling through the crowd and had to focus all her energy on trying to keep her own tears at bay. Her eyes locked with the sea of glistening faces. There was Laura, her not-so-new husband and their two children. There was Ben with his fiancée Millie, smiling as kindly as ever as she passed. And then there was Fin, smiling at her with his green eyes and red hair shining even brighter under the lights of the church.
No.
Don’t do it.
You will ruin your make-up if you cry.
She tore her eyes away from him and swallowed down her tears, forcing her attention on the other beaming faces looking at her. At last, after what felt like an age of walking, Eleanor reached the altar where a very nervous-looking Paul stood waiting for his bride. Eleanor gave him the most reassuring smile she could muster before turning to watch her friend make her grand entrance. The crowd gasped in unison as Sal stepped through the doors, a sight so beautiful that for a moment Eleanor forgot to stick to the rules and let the tears fall from her eyes.
She was on strict instructions not to cry. Sal had been very clear on that. It wasn’t going to be a day of crying. It was going to be a day of drinking and celebrating and laughing. Sal did not do emotions, even on her own wedding day.
*
‘There you are!’ Fin grabbed Eleanor’s hand and pulled her towards him. ‘Did I mention how incredibly beautiful youlook, even after bawling your eyes out for most of the ceremony?’ He kissed her delicately on the cheek.
‘Don’t.’ She shot him a warning look. ‘Sal’s already had the make-up lady touch me up twice.’ Eleanor took a large sip of champagne, looking anxiously around to make sure everything was running smoothly. Being maid of honour was a big task, but being maid of honour to Sal was a whole different ball game.
‘Relax, everyone is having a great time.’ Fin squeezed her hand, soothing her instantly. ‘I’ve also been eyeing up the photographer. He looks pretty great. Do you think he’d be interested in coming to help us?’
Eleanor finished her drink and reached out for another from a passing tray. ‘He’s busy! Don’t you dare bother him. If Sal catches you being a distraction you’ll be in big trouble.’
‘Me? A distraction?’ He grinned cheekily at her. ‘How very dare you.’
She narrowed her eyes in disapproval.
‘I’ll catch him on his break,’ Fin continued. ‘It will take less than five minutes, I promise. You know we need volunteers. Come on, Elles. We have to take every opportunity we can.’
