You could hear a pin drop in the church as Richard spoke.

 

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you,’ he stammered.

 

‘Jeez,’ Kris muttering under her breath, as Nathan stifled a laugh.

 

People began to look at each other in horror. Even Josie briefly stopped giving Ros evil looks and was open-mouthed.

 

‘What?’ Rachel went scarlet with fury, realising that her big moment was being ruined.

 

‘What on Earth?’ Ray said, turning to Val.

 

Just at that moment, Rachel slapped Richard round the face, the sound echoing around the church. She stormed up the aisle, closely followed by her bridesmaids.

 

‘Rach?’ Her sister Deborah cried.

 

‘Just get me the hell out of here!’ She was already crying.

 

‘Well really! There’s no need for language like that in a church!’ Lil Johnson added, her cronies nodding in agreement.

 

The church was suddenly buzzing with activity as the congregation started chattering amongst themselves about what was happening. Richard stepped forward.

 

‘Ladies and,’ but struggled to be heard above the talking,’ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! As you’ve probably guessed, there won’t be a wedding, but if you’d all like to go to The Headless Pint and enjoy the food that Jack’s provided, you’re very welcome.’

 

 

‘Excellent, let’s get down there,’ Nathan said a bit too loudly, attracting Richard’s attention.

 

‘Yes, well, I don’t suppose some of you came today for anything else, so off you go, Nathan.’

 

‘Well done you,’ Kris hissed.

 

‘Can’t you keep your boyfriend muzzled?’ Laura snapped, giving Nathan a half smile.

 

‘Well, I can only see one dog around here, Laura!’

 

 

***

 

 

As the bickering in church continued and people made their way out, Richard was walking through the graveyard with his brother, Steve.

 

‘You’d better go and see her, she must be so upset,’ said Steve, lightly his brother’s cigarette.

 

‘Well, I will soon, just need this to calm my nerves first I think.’

 

They walked around in silence for a while.

 

‘Why didn’t you go through with it? You still haven’t told me.’

 

‘It’s complicated. I just don’t feel the same way about marriage that I once did….and they say women are complicated! Ha, not in this relationship! Rachel was the reluctant bride at first, the tables have completely turned now, haven’t they?’

 

 

 

At The Headless Pint, the wedding guests were mainly partying as though nothing had gone wrong.

 

‘Look at ‘em, people often come to weddings for the free feed, not because they give a damn about the bride and groom,’ said Jack, handing Max a pint.

 

‘You’re right, I wonder what caused it all. Do you think Richard’s playing away?’

 

‘Nah, well I’d be shocked if he was, never struck me as the type.’

 

‘Here you go, son,’ Don handed Max a plate of food.

 

‘Great spread, Jack, haven’t had sausage rolls as good as these before!’ Don cried.

 

‘What was I saying?’ Jack looked at Max, both of them laughing.

 

On the other side of the pub, Gary and Jo were chatting.

 

‘You’ve been a bit quiet,’ mentioned Jo.

 

‘Yeah, well I think it’s sad, don’t you? A wedding not going ahead like that.’

 

‘Of course, but it’s not affecting you directly is it?’

 

‘No, but it makes me sad to see things not working out, reminds me of my family. I just want people to be happy.’ Gary finished his whisky.

 

‘You should concentrate on being happy yourself too, Gary. Can I get you another?’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the graveyard, Steve wasn’t convinced that Richard’s change of heart was the only reason.

 

‘Are you sure there isn’t more to it?’ He asked.

 

‘What do you mean?’

 

‘Well, a change of heart is one thing, but you seem to be hiding something to me. Have you been seeing someone else?’

 

Richard stayed quiet for what seemed like ages.

 

‘Well, something did happen recently, yes.’

 

‘Have you cheated on her?’

 

‘Well, something did happen recently…’

 

 

***

 

‘What the hell’s going on?! Why doesn’t he want to marry me?’ Rachel was crying uncontrollably back at Number Four, pulling off her veil, mascara running down her face.

 

‘I wish I knew,’ Ros replied.

 

‘One thing’s for sure, we’ll make sure you do find out!’ Deborah was furious, already casting Richard in the role of dastardly villain.

 

‘We’re going to be parents soon for God’s sake! How could he do this to me and our baby? I should have known it was too good to be true,’ she buried her head in her

 

Hands, Ros and Deborah feeling unable to console her.

 

 

***

 

 

Back at the church, Richard and Steve began to leave the graveyard, but bumped into Peter Watson—Rachel’s father– who was only just leaving the building.

 

‘Oi, Curtis, do you mind telling me what’s going on?’

 

Richard wasn’t in the mood for dealing with questions from anyone but Rachel.

 

‘Look Peter, the only person I want to talk to is Rachel.’

 

‘And make sure you do! My little girl must be heartbroken right now, all thanks to you and your cold feet!’

 

‘Yes, and I intend to sort things out with her, Peter,’ Richard had lit another cigarette and exhaled almost into his face.

 

‘If I find out there’s more to this than meets the eye, you’d better start running!’ Peter Watson had never seemed a particularly strong man before now, but Richard started to feel a bit afraid of him. Protecting his daughters was something that brought out the tough guy in him…

 

 

 

 

***

 

The party continued in the pub, Sam Reynolds was drunk and talking to his brother.

 

‘She must still be with Rachel, why can’t she come here?’

 

‘Well, they’re best mates, she’s helping her.’ replied Max.

 

‘Y’know, I think I love her, Max, I want to see her all the time.’

 

Max suddenly felt very worried about his brother’s lovelife.

 

***

 

 

Richard made his way home with Steve, the church bell sounding again down the road for evensong.

 

He nervously knocked on the door and Ros answered.

 

‘Let me see her.’

© 2010 Danny Alborough / DJA Publications
All characters, names and situations are fictitious.
Any similarities to places or people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.