“I’ve been married before, and so has Aidan. We’ve been there, done that. We just want to make the commitment to each other to spend our lives together. We love each other, but we don’t want a big fuss. It didn’t help me the first time around, and it won’t help now. All I care about is for Aidan and I vow to spend our lives together followed by a fun party. That’s it.”
Charmaine took notes, her face serious.
“I don’t want to spend a tonne of money. We have better things to do with our cash, like travel or invest. And I don’t like the idea of having a band. But I suppose we’ll have to hire someone to play music for us.”
“Maybe a DJ?” Charmaine suggested.
Bea grinned. “Yes, a DJ. I love the nineties classics and want to be able to dance without being deafened by a drum kit.”
“I think we can find someone you’ll be happy with.”
Bea rubbed her hands down her skirt. “I really appreciate you doing this. I know you’re busy. How is the cat?”
“Watson is as good as new.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Charmaine put her pencil down on the table and met Bea’s gaze. “It seems like you’re a bit nervous about the wedding.”
“I am,” Bea admitted. “I’ve been here before, and it didn’t end well. I love Aidan, but what if it doesn’t work out? I know you can’t answer that. I’m sorry.” She shook her head slowly.
Charmaine smiled. “Don’t apologise—I understand. It’s a big step to take. I think it must be normal to be anxious about it, at least a little bit. I’ve never been married myself, so I really can’t say for sure. But since you’re divorced, it makes sense you’d be hesitant to dive in again.”
“The thing is — it feels fast, but it’s not. We’ve known each other forever, and we were in love for a long time. If I’m being completely honest, I never lost that love for Aidan, and he’s told me the same. So, the wedding has been a long time coming. Still, I’m starting to wonder if the proposal was rushed. We had a wonderful day together, and it was so romantic. He’s so thoughtful and caring—it warmed my heart. I’m still not used to it, since Preston was never like that with me. And we got caught up in the moment.”
“You don’t think he planned the proposal?” Charmaine asked.
“I suppose he must’ve planned it, since he had the ring in his pocket.” Bea’s eyes narrowed as she thought it through. It might’ve been a surprise to her, but clearly it hadn’t been unexpected for Aidan.
“It doesn’t sound as though he was caught up in the moment, then,” Charmaine said. “But if you have doubts…”
Bea drummed her fingertips on the table. Did she? Were the thoughts and feelings racing around inside her in that moment doubts or simply anxiety over the unknown future that lay before her? It would be so much easier to go through the rest of her life taking no chances, making no changes and simply existing in her cottage and working at the café. But how much of a life would that be?
“I don’t have doubts. Aidan is the man I want to spend my life with.”
Charmaine grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. You’re a little anxious about the wedding, and it’s my job to help alleviate that as much as possible.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Your instinct is to have a small, intimate and simple wedding. I think we should go with that. Let’s not try to make it into something more.”
Bea sighed with relief. “Yes, that’s exactly what I need.”
“I suggest you invite the minimum number of people, perhaps hold the ceremony outdoors — maybe on the beach. And have the reception at a restaurant where everything’s already in place and you don’t have to put in a lot of work to bring it all together.”
“I like the sound of that. Thanks, Chaz.”
Charmaine packed up her things and waved goodbye. Bea got back to work, already feeling the weight of her anxiety lifting. Marrying Aidan should be the best day of her life — she’d waited for this moment for decades. The last thing they both needed was to put too much pressure on themselves in order to have a perfect ceremony.
The first thing she should do was call Dani to ask her to be the maid of honour. She’d already decided not to have any other bridesmaids besides Aidan’s daughter. Instead, her friends would be her only guests outside of her family. Aidan, too, planned only to invite his family and closest friends. He’d said he would ask Harry to be his best man, which warmed Bea’s heart. She knew Harry would be thrilled. And she loved the idea of having both of her children involved in the ceremony.
She tugged her mobile phone from her skirt pocket and dialled Dani’s number. Her daughter answered quickly.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Hello, sweetie. I hope you’re having a good day.”
“Not too bad. Have you ever made an Indian dal?” Something crackled in the background.
