As the date of Laura’s wedding grew closer, Eleanor couldn’t stop the onslaught of anxious questions from invading her thoughts.
Should she have asked Ben if he minded her taking someone else?
No. He’s not your boyfriend.
Should she have just gone by herself?
And sat next to an empty place like a loser? No.
Would it be weird spending so much time with Fin? They were most definitely over their awkward silent phase; in fact, the last couple of times they’d been together she’d actually had a lot of fun … but this was different. What if they ran out of conversation?
It’s a wedding. There are loads of people to talk to.
Even as she stood waiting in the hotel reception for his arrival, Eleanor’s mind was ablaze with nervous energy.
‘It will be fine,’ she reassured herself. ‘You’ll be fine.’
She glanced anxiously at the clock hanging over thereception desk. ‘What won’t be fine is if you turn up late, Fin,’ she hissed.
With Fin being such a last-minute addition, he’d been forced to stay in a bed and breakfast slightly further out of town. There was no way Eleanor was offering to share her room; they may have become more friends than strangers over the past few weeks but that was definitely a step too far! Besides, what on earth would Ben have said about that?
Oh God. Ben.
She reached for her phone and typed out a quick message, trying to avoid the ticking clock at the top of her screen, teasing her with every passing minute.
Hey, sorry, was caught up in getting ready! I’m here safe and sound, waiting for Fin who is unsurprisingly late! I’ll call you tomorrow when I’m back in London? Maybe we could grab dinner? xx
Eleanor was still getting used to the idea that someone else cared about her whereabouts. It was a nice feeling knowing that there was another human being thinking about her, worrying about her, missing her. She stowed her phone back in her bag and sighed. Any minute now and the coach would arrive.
I’ll get on it with or without you, Fin.
She turned to take one last look in the large gilded mirror behind her. Eleanor felt a bloom of pride. At last, she could look at her reflection and recognize herself. Her cheeks were no longer hollowed, her eyes no longer dull and sad. Her previous withering frame had more or less been restored to its strong former self and so this time, when it came to wedding outfits, she’d had the pick of her old dresses to recycle.This was a particular favourite of hers, a green flowing slip dress. It hugged her in all the right places and was soft as butter to wear.
‘Eleanor!’ A cry from outside made her jump. She turned to see a beacon of red hair running towards the hotel reception. ‘Please don’t kill me, it wasn’t my fault, there was a problem in my room and they had to move me which took ages, and then I needed to change and … wow.’ The wild, chaotic figure of her friend stopped in front of her. His eyes were wide, taking her in slowly.
‘All right. You don’t need to look so surprised. It’s not like you’ve never seen me in a dress before,’ she joked awkwardly, feeling the areas where his gaze lingered flush with heat.
‘Sorry,’ he apologized, looking rather flustered. She hadn’t meant to embarrass him, but she could see his cheeks blushing.
Good start, Eleanor.
‘It’s fine. At least we match, hey?’ She smiled, nodding towards his green tie and pocket square. ‘I was worried we were going to have a repeat of prom.’
Fin’s face instantly turned a deeper shade of red. ‘Look, how was I to know that when someone says to match the colour of their dress, they only mean your tie?’
‘Who would assume it was the entire suit?’ Eleanor exclaimed, remembering the moment Fin arrived at her doorstep in a hideous lilac suit he’d somehow managed to find.
‘Yeah, well, we had a good night in the end, didn’t we? No harm done!’ he murmured bashfully. ‘Have we missed the coach?’ He craned his neck to check the time behind her.
‘No, it should be here any minute.’
‘Phew.’ He looked at her seriously. ‘I am sorry I’m late. And you really do look beautiful.’ He offered his arm, adopting an exceptionally posh accent. ‘Shall we wait outside for the carriage, madam?’
She looped her arm through his and sighed. ‘Fine.’
‘My undeniable charm still works, then.’ He laughed loudly. ‘All of my dates seem to exude a similar level of extreme enthusiasm.’
‘Firstly. This is not a date,’ she stated firmly, feeling another surge of warmth radiate through her.
