I’d never imagined what my wedding would be like, but if I had, it wouldn’t have been like this. It was a small room in a fancy hotel, kitted out for intimate weddings, which this definitely was. Stew, Dave and Fallon were there for me, Stew as best man and Fallon as a witness. Laurie’s grandfather had spared a couple of hours out of his diary to attend as another meeting had been arranged that started ninety minutes after the wedding would be over; her brother was in attendance and her father, although he wasn’t giving her away. There was also her grandfather’s acquaintance, who’d been at the book launch, and he was by far the friendliest.
We’d opted out of all traditions. She didn’t wear white, and I wore a suit rather than a tux. We walked into the room together, meaning there was no anticipation for me waiting for my bride to walk down an aisle. Laurie didn’t wear anything borrowed, and she avoided blue. Our vows were standard, short and as savoury as we could make them, the kiss at the end brief and convincing enough for the American guests who were barely paying attention anyway.
For the next twenty-four hours, I’d have a wife. Laurie’s solicitor filed for annulment sixty minutes after receiving thewedding certificate, which Dave kindly dropped off at the office, although four of our attendees were completely oblivious.
“Congratulations, young man. I hope this brings you more joy than my first wife brought me.” The acquaintance was called Roger and was very affable, if rather bonkers.
“How many wives have you had?”
He thought for a second, bending his fingers. “Currently on wife number six, although number two only lasted forty-eight hours. That was a drunken Las Vegas thing. But anyway, a wedding’s always a lovely thing. I noticed you didn’t have a photographer?”
“My friend took some photos. No point squandering money when something can be done for free.” I’d already figured out that Roger appreciated frugalities. He’d pointed out enough expenses that Laurie had gone through for the opening event at Silversmiths to make us aware that he despised anything that didn’t turn an immediate profit.
“True, young man, very sensible. And having a small affair too, although very classy place. The way to do it. I do have a wedding gift for you, a bit of a splurge, well, not really. Here’s a voucher for a night at the Ritz. I know you’re not having a honeymoon, but every married couple deserves a night of non-stop shagging, even if it was in Las Vegas.”
I accepted the envelope, wondering what the hell we were going to do with this. “This is very generous of you.”
“Actually, it’s not. I complained the last time I stayed there so they gave me a free night, which I’m passing on to you. And there’s a tip to help you save money too. Congratulations, young man, if the wife doesn’t last – and they never do – at least you have some helpful information.” He slapped me several times on the back, although I doubted he even remembered what my name was, given he’d only referred to me as ‘young man’.
He got bored of me and drifted back over to Laurie’s grandfather and father, her brother having already nipped off.
“We’ve got a honeymoon night at the Ritz.” I handed the card to her. “That’ll be lovely for us, won’t it?”
She smothered a laugh. “Let me guess, a regift?”
“Spot on. I need to head off. Are you okay me leaving you?” I had an evening operation booked in, one that was delicate and touch and go. We’d scheduled it late as it meant we could have more specialists on hand and was why I’d spent the morning taking it really easy and stayed away from the alcohol. Luckily, Laurie’s family liked the idea of a hero going back to work after getting married, so the smooth exit plan had worked.
“I’ll be fine. My accountant’s just texted me to say the trust money has been transferred into my accounts, so we’re done. Seriously, if you want me to buy you a sports car as a thank you, just say.”
She'd whispered the words as you’d imagine a new wife would whisper to her husband. I was trying not to laugh.
“I live in London, it’d never move.”
“I’ll put an extra hundred k into my literacy project in your name then.” She put her hand on my back and ushered me to the door. “Thank you for doing this. I’ll get the paperwork sent over to you as soon as everything’s signed and sorted.”
“You owe me one.”
“I do. Have a good shift.”
I gave her a nod. “Enjoy your date with Jay.” Because of all the ways Laurie’s day could end, she was going for a meal with the crime author she was struck by.
I headed over to the hospital via my house, changing out of the suit I’d worn into something less formal. I grabbed a grilled cheese sandwich from Borough Market to line my stomach for what would be a long night, my thoughts completely interrupted when I saw Rose leaving the hospital as I entered.
I could’ve sworn she saw me, but no recognition lingered. She walked right by, in a hurry, her hair loose and free after her shift.
“Rose!” I called her.
She didn’t turn around. Didn’t look at me. I didn’t know whether she’d heard me or whether she was pretending I wasn’t there.
CHAPTER 21
Carter
“It’s here. The paperwork so far. Annulment filed on grounds of non-consummation of marriage.” Laurie sat down at the table in the back of Silversmiths, boxes everywhere to be posted out with their exclusive book of the month.
I looked over the legal documents, summing up what knowledge I possessed to work out what they meant. “So socially we’re not seen as being married, but we are until it’s officially signed off by a judge, which is going to take how long?”
“Hopefully no more than a few weeks. You can’t whisk Rose off and marry her next week, but you’re free to date. If my grandfather finds out – which he will in a few months when I tell him that it didn’t work out – it makes no difference with the trust or anything like that. The only thing is neither of us can marry someone else until it’s officially annulled.” She picked up one of the boxes and checked its contents. “How is Rose?”
