Page 34 of It Was Always You

He smiled with glassy eyes. ‘You look how I feel.’ He wiped at his tears.

If only you knew. ‘Yeah, well, it’s not every day you get to marry off your best friend in the world, eh?’

He shook his head. ‘True… very true.’

She pondered for a second. ‘How come you chose the Cotswolds for your honeymoon? I expected you to go to New York seeing as you’re both obsessed with the place.’

Adam shrugged. ‘We’re going to save up a bit longer. Having to have a new boiler and a new car in the same year as the wedding didn’t help.’

Lily nodded. ‘Of course. And the Cotswolds will be so lovely.’ She couldn’t get over how handsome he looked. ‘Do you know I was expecting you to go all out tartan, Adders? Yet here you stand with only a tie to be seen.’

A grin spread across his face. ‘Erm… Well, I’ve not completely let you down there, Lil.’ He pulled up his trousers to show the bright Armstrong tartan socks he sported.

She laughed. ‘Ahhh, that’s more like it.’

‘But that’s not all.’ He dipped into the front of his trousers, and she wondered what on earth he was doing. Fumbling a little, he retrieved the waistband of his boxers.

She gaped at her friend. ‘Tartan knickers, Adders? Really?’

He continued grinning and bobbed his head rather like a nodding dog. The doorbell chimed and she looked out of the window before heading for the door. ‘Come on, Adders, the car’s here.’

He eagerly followed. ‘Oh, great! I’ve been waiting to see what you organised. I hope it’s not a tractor!’

She stopped in her tracks and turned. Adam almost barrelled into her. ‘Oh, Adders, you’ve spoiled it now!’ she said, her face deadpan.

Adam opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish. ‘You didn’t? No, tell me you didn’t get me a sodding tractor to transport me to my wedding.’

She burst out laughing. ‘Ha ha! You wee dafty! As if I’d hire a bloody tractor to take you to the church. Honestly, do you know me at all?’

He breathed a sigh of relief and followed her to the front door as she flung it open.

He gasped. ‘Fucking hell, Lil! You hired me a Bentley?’ His eyes were wide like a kid on Christmas morning. ‘I can’t believe you did this!’ He grabbed her and hugged her so tight she had to fight for air.

She gasped into his chest and patted his back. ‘Dead best-man-woman can’t breathe… dead best-man-woman…’

Evidently he realised he was almost suffocating her and released her with a laugh. ‘Shit, sorry, Lil. I’m just… I can’t believe… thank you so much!’ He grabbed her once again.

After an exhilarating drive to the pretty little church on the outskirts of Jedburgh where Adam and Lily’s parents still lived, Lily stood beside him at the front by the altar. Best friends. Suddenly the wedding march began, and everyone stood.

This is it.

This is goodbye.

This is forever.

Lily’s heart pounded in her chest, and she felt like her legs would buckle. Tears stung her eyes. Adam linked his hand with hers, making the pain in her chest so much worse.

He glanced at her with a beaming smile on his face and mouthed the words, ‘Thank you.’

She wasn’t sure what he was thanking her for. But she held on tight to his hand, trying her best not to cry.

Suddenly she heard Adam gasp and her eyes followed his. Eve was walking down the aisle, and she really was a vision. Her long blonde locks had been pinned up and curls cascaded down around her beautiful face.

Her dress was off-shoulder and fitted to the waist where it fanned out. Not huge… but just enough to be princess-like. Her bouquet of crimson red and cream hung before her and her arm was linked with her father’s. The look of pride on that man’s face was enough to make the hardest heart melt. It was clear why Adam loved her so very much. Not only was she stunning but she was the warmest, kindest person you could ever wish to meet. Once again, Lily was reminded that Eve was everything she wasn’t.

Seeing Adam look so adoringly into Eve’s eyes as they exchanged their vows was the most excruciating thing Lily had ever witnessed. The ache in her chest was so real and so painful she had to take deep breaths and clutch the pew behind her for support. What was to come would be harder still.

The speech.