At the sound of his name, Tom turned around. Carole saw the astonished look on his face when he saw her, his gaze moving swiftly across the bridal gown before returning to her face, his eyes impossibly wide.
The stunned look on Tom’s face could only matched by the stunned look on her own as she saw what he was wearing.The groom’s suit was exquisite, a sublimely tailored morning suit comprising a black coat, grey striped trousers, white shirt, grey waistcoat, silk tie, pocket square and ivory rose buttonhole. A sleek black top hat completed the ensemble. The vintage groom’s suit was completely stunning.
And Tom looked absolutely amazing in it, like a handsome actor from some old 1950s movie, or a groom from the Kennedy dynasty all dressed up on his wedding day. Just the sight of him made Carole’s breath catch. She thought he’d looked handsome in the suits he’d worn to the weddings they’d gone to, but this… this was old style Hollywood and Tom looked every part the leading man.
“Carole,” he said. “You look… you look amazing.”
“Thanks. So do you. The top hat suits you.”
It seemed to take him a moment to understand what she’d said, his gaze still raking across her dress before finally resting on her face. His hand moved to the top hat perched on his head.
“I’ve never worn one of these before,” he said.
“You’re in good company then,” Carole laughed and lifted the edges of the wedding dress. “Because I’ve never worn one of these before, either.”
“It’s gorgeous.You’regorgeous.”
His expression was soft, his eyes fixed on hers, and the depth of the look he gave her mixed with the words he’d just uttered sent a rush of heat to Carole’s cheeks. Between the tight bodice of the dress and the whirlwind rush of the last fifteen minutes and the intensity of Tom’s gaze, Carole wondered how she didn’t pass out.
“Okay everyone, we’re ready to go!” a woman called out from the front of the small group assembled at the main doors. “Follow the cue of the volunteer who’s assigned to dispatch you to the runway. And good luck!”
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road!” Olive said to Carole and ushered her and Tom closer to the main doors. “You two are the last models on the runway, so make sure you close the show with style!”
Ahead of them, there was a rush of movement as the models filed out towards the marquee. Carole’s heart was hammering inside her chest, thanks to the crazy occasion she’d found herself in the middle of, but mostly thanks to the devastatingly handsome man at her side.
When their turn came to exit the doors and walk out to the marquee, Tom held out his arm and Carole slipped her hand into place in the crook of his elbow. The smile he gave her lit her up inside and gave her the courage she needed to see this through to the end.
“Ready?” Tom asked.
“Nope, but let’s do it anyway.”
Tom laughed, and when Olive gave the signal, he led her out towards the marquee and to the crowds waiting to watch them walk the runway together. Sunshine beamed down from a bright blue sky as they cross the road and entered the market square, the eye of every passerby on them as they were greeted with smiles and whoops of encouragement.
Tom squeezed her hand where it rested in his arm. She met his gaze as they stepped into the marquee, and she felt a suddenwhooshof… déjà vu?
The swirling sensation gripped her, impossible though it was, because she’d never done anything like this before, never appeared in a fashion show, never worn a wedding dress, never done any of this.
But that feeling of déjà vu remained for a long beat, and Carole’s mind filled with thoughts not of the past, but of…the future.
Before she could grasp the strange and tantalising thought and understand it better, it vanished as Olive tapped Carole’s arm and waved for her to start walking down the runway.
To applause and cheers, Carole and Tom set off into the marquee to showcase the beautiful wedding outfits and give the spectators a sight to remember.
