Sofia sighed.
‘Grace’s bossy mother insisted that she only had small children as bridesmaids. No adults allowed. Parents had a lot more say in those days.’
Charlotte nodded.
‘That’s so true. I’m not sure I made any of the decisions about my own wedding. My parents were desperate to get me down the aisle as soon as possible after the engagement was announced in case I let the “oh-so-suitable” Doug escape.’
Sofia patted her friend’s leg. This wasn’t getting them anywhere.
‘I’m sure you made a stunning bride, Char. And I know Grace felt bad about not defying her mother too. Which is why she made the promise. I’m so excited for them… and for me.’
Maddie took another swig of beer.
‘Let’s hope that Grace says yes tomorrow then…’
‘Stop it, grumpy pants.’
‘I am honestly thrilled for Grace if that is what she wants. And for you, Sof, getting the chance to be a bridesmaid after all these years.’
Sofia’s smile was as wide as a Cheshire cat.
Maddie couldn’t stop her mind going back to what Grace had said about strengthening ties after loss. She’d done the exact opposite and alienated a big chunk of her already tiny family. She couldn’t keep it to herself any longer. There wouldn’t be a better opportunity, and she’d drunk enough to be able to say it out loud.
‘But… if we’re talking secrets, I think the time has finally come to tell you mine.’
She could get through this without breaking down, of course she could. Two instantly serious faces stared back at her.
‘I told you that my son was angry with me after Tony’s death, about feeding him the wrong food and all that, and that things had been tricky.’
Maddie took a deep breath.
‘It was actually worse than that, a lot worse. There was one humungous row at their house when we’d all been drinking. I’m not proud of this, but I called his wife a vicious controlling cow and accused her of stopping him from coming to see me since Tony’s death.’
Charlotte’s gasp was easily heard above the music.
‘I know. It was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done it. I felt pushed into a corner… The upshot of all this is that I’ve beenbanned from their home. I haven’t seen Elsie for three months… and I miss her so much.’
The tears when they came were hard and fast. Both women had rushed to her side and were stroking her back. At least it was out there now. She hadn’t deliberately wanted to keep it from them, but the whole thing was a sorry mess.
Sofia had tears in her eyes too.
‘Oh Mads. We knew something was horribly wrong. That’s so sad.’
‘Sad… and stupid. I’ve been such an idiot.’
Sofia knelt down in front of her and took her hands.
‘Stop that. You’re not an idiot. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were an angry, grieving widow who let her tongue get the better of her.’
‘And it sounds like your son had had a right go at you as well.’ Charlotte attempted a smile. ‘Vicious controlling cow is probably not what you’d want to hear your wife called, but he kicked the whole thing off with his accusations about too many bacon sandwiches.’
‘Full Englishes, if we’re being accurate.’
Maddie’s heart rate returned to something approaching normal, as the relief of finally telling the truth kicked in. It didn’t show her in a good light, but at least she’d been honest.
Sofia pulled her up to a standing position.
‘We’ve all had enough. Let’s grab a taxi and go back for a quiet chat at the hotel.’
