“Oh my God, are you the one who canceled the wedding photographer?” Pamela screeched.
“I bet she poisoned Craddock as well,” Ash called out from the pews.
At this, Lauren frowned. “No, that wasn’t me. I’ve done a lot of shitty things lately, but I’d never hurt an animal.”
“In fairness, she might be telling the truth there,” Phyllis said. “I think Craddock possibly ate a chocolate biscuit and poisoned himself.”
There were a few sniggers at this. Nova, who up until now had been watching proceedings unfold with a look of shocked horror on her face, suddenly spoke up.
“I thought you were my friend, Lauren. I trusted you.”
Lauren sniffed. “I’m sorry, but you’re not suited to being Craig’s wife, and deep down you know that too. And as his friend—and someone who’s been in love with him since I was eleven—I couldn’t stand by and watch you ruin his life.”
“You’re the one ruining my life!” Craig said, and in a sudden movement he launched himself toward Lauren.
“Craig, stop!” Nova screamed.
There was a flurry of activity around Phyllis. Both Ash and Dan leaped from their seats and jumped forward to protect Lauren, and at the same moment, her boyfriend also rushed toward Craig and grabbed his arms. Craddock, who had been in the process of stealing food out of someone’s handbag, also jumped into action and began barking loudly. For a moment, Craig and the other man struggled in the middle of the aisle, but Lauren’s boyfriend was much bigger and pulled Craig away from her.
“Right, this is getting out of hand,” the vicar said, his face scarlet and visibly sweaty. “Can someone please get this woman out of my church?”
“The police should be waiting outside,” Phyllis said with satisfaction, as a couple of guests stood up and walked toward Lauren.
The girl looked like she was about to put up a fight, but then she turned to the groom. “I love you, Craig. Please don’t do something you’ll end up regretting for the rest of your life.”
She lowered her head and allowed herself to be led away. Her boyfriend, or probably now ex-boyfriend, stormed after her.
“Nova, I’m so sorry about what Lauren’s done,” Craig said.
Phyllis turned her attention back to the front and saw him reach out and take Nova’s hand.
“I swear I had no idea she was in love with me, or how much she hated you. You do believe me, don’t you?”
Nova didn’t immediately answer, staring at her hand in Craig’s, and Phyllis found herself willing the girl to tell him to bugger off and run out of the church too.
“I do believe you,” she said eventually, and Phyllis’s heart sank. After all that, Nova wasn’t really going to marry this chump, was she?
“Thank you,” Craig said, smiling. He looked up at the altar. “I’m sorry about the disruption, vicar. Any chance we could carry on with the wedding now?”
The vicar, who looked utterly perplexed by the whole situation, shrugged. “I suppose so. Nova, are you happy to proceed?”
Chapter Forty-One
Nova
Nova’s heart was thumping in her chest. Craig was smiling at her, waiting for her to answer the vicar’s question, as the events of the past ten minutes flashed through her mind: Lauren’s confession, Craig yelling at Phyllis and launching himself at Lauren, the book club members jumping to her defense. She took a deep breath, aware everyone was hanging on her next words.
“I’m sorry, Craig.”
“What?” The smile disappeared from his face. “I told you; I had no idea what Lauren was doing.”
“This isn’t about Lauren.”
“Then what is it about?”
“It’s about us. Lauren was right on one thing: I won’t make you happy. You want a wife who’ll settle here in St. Tredock, give you babies and take part in the pub quiz with your parents every Wednesday. And I don’t think that’s me.”
He narrowed his eyes and took a step closer, lowering his voice so only Nova could hear. “And you’re only just realizing this now? As we literally stand here in front of our friends and family on our wedding day.”
