Then: Aged 15
Eleanor
‘Remind me why we have to go to this again?’
‘You have to go because it’s your dad’s wedding. And I have to come to supervise you.’
Fin ran his hands through his already wildly out of control hair and sighed. ‘And I’ll ask the question again … why? It’s not like it’s the romance story of the year, is it? He’s marrying the woman he cheated on my mum with.’
Eleanor stopped and pulled her friend in for a hug. She breathed in the smell of his brand-new suit mixed with the familiar scent of his warm skin. ‘No one is denying that this is beyond weird, and if I could make this less awkward and terrible for you, I would. But it’s important for your dad. You know we have to go. Plus, we get a free three-course meal. Not even you can say no to that.’
He squeezed her tightly and whispered in her ear, ‘Ever my voice of reason, hey, Elles?’
She smiled and held him out in front of her. ‘And you never know, Aneka’s friends might have some attractive daughters for you to hang out with.’
‘I would rather dateyouthan risk being even more closely tied to that witch.’
‘Wow. Jesus Christ, Fin, talk about insulting.’ Eleanor slapped him gently on the arm and carried on walking towards the church. She heard him running up behind her.
‘Oh, come on, Elles.’ He draped his arm across her shoulder. ‘You know what I mean. You’re like my sister.’ He nudged her gently.
‘Yes, I know.’ She shrugged his arm off her and rearranged her hair. ‘Now, just because you’re not remotely interested in me doesn’t mean that no one else will be. So quit ruining my hair and let’s get this over with.’
‘Right you are, captain.’ He grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. Eleanor looked at him and instantly saw the little boy she’d grown up with hidden, not so discreetly, under the layers of adolescent confidence.
‘Let’s do it! Let’s go watch your dad get hitched.’ She took his hand and led him into the church.
*
‘Congratulations, Brian. And thank you so much for inviting me.’ Eleanor held out her hand but Fin’s dad had already pulled her in for a hug. Brian Taylor was a huge bear of a man, loud and gruff, with a voice that could be heard from a mile off. Looking at Fin and his dad side by side, the only vague hint that the two men were related was the red hair they wore proudly on their heads. Brian squeezed Eleanor hard and she felt her lungs crumple in on themselves.
‘Don’t be silly, Eleanor! You’re practically family, you know that. Wouldn’t be the same without you.’ He lowered his voice to almost a whisper. ‘Now, where the hell is that son of mine?’
Eleanor’s heart sank. She’d been praying that Fin’s absence hadn’t been noticed, but clearly she’d been kidding herself.
‘I’ll go find him. I’m sure he’s just flirting with one of the waitresses somewhere.’ She tried to force a laugh but it came out like a stilted squawk.
‘Why on earth would he be doing that when he only has eyes for one girl?’ he teased, releasing her from his embrace.
‘Brian!’ The new Mrs Taylor was waving frantically at her husband with a look of impatience etched into her delicately made up face. ‘Brian, come and say hello to Francine, please.’
‘I’d better go. But I want to see that boy on the dance floor within the hour, OK? He promised me he’d behave today. Ineedhim to behave today.’ He flashed her a pleading smile, then joined Aneka and her gaggle of friends on the dance floor.
Where the hell are you, Fin?
Eleanor had been trying to subtly look for him ever since dessert. He’d been sitting opposite her at the meal – thankfully she was sandwiched between Fin’s two cousins who she’d met countless times before and so there were no awkward silences or forced conversations. What that did mean, however, was that she hadn’t been paying too much attention to Fin, who, according to his aunt, had said he was getting some fresh air but never returned.
‘You know what he’s like, darling. Probably made some new friends and lost track of the time. That boy will speak to anyone!’ his aunt had chortled, as Eleanor accosted her for the third time for more information.
Eleanor had tried to smile, but the fear had sunk its clawsinto her stomach and unease crept over her like a chilling frost.
‘You’re probably right, but I’ll just go and have another look. You know how much he loves dessert. He’ll kill me if he misses it.’
Nearly an hour later and Eleanor had searched everywhere, but there was simply no sign of Fin. She’d taken to hanging around outside the male toilets for a good ten minutes before having to embarrassedly ask one of Fin’s uncles whether he could check the stalls to see if he was locked in there. She’d even asked the hotel reception to keep an eye out. Until he was found, all she had to do was keep calm and act like everything was under control. Except now people were noticing and Eleanor’s anxiety was threatening to bubble over.
She’d decided to do one last loop of the venue when she saw him, half walking, half swaying across the dance floor. His suit jacket was hanging off his shoulder and he was holding a bottle of champagne in his hand.
This wasn’t good. This was not good at all. She tried to run and divert his path, but by the time she’d made it through the crowd of dancing guests he’d already reached his target.
