Tom had gone fishing with his mates, yet that evening I spotted him live at my best friends wedding.
«No, no, and absolutely not!» Emily threw her hands up in despair. «I cant go to this wedding, Sophie! You know James has had this fishing trip with Dave planned for ages. Theyve been prepping for a monthI cant cancel last minute.»
«But its Lucys wedding!» Sophie set her teacdown with a clatter. «Your uni bestie! Shell never forgive you if you dont show. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«James treats it like a sacred ritual,» Emily sighed. «He hardly ever goes anywhere without me. Hes been going on about it all springnew gear, the tent. I cant let him down.»
«But Lucys fine to let down, is she?» Sophie shook her head. «She specifically picked the date so you could come up from Bristol. Your seats are paid for, and youre both on the guest list!»
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This dilemma had haunted her all week. On one handLucys wedding, her closest friend since uni. On the otherJamess long-awaited lads weekend. And, naturally, both had to clash on the same weekend.
«Maybe Ill just go alone?» she offered weakly. «Explain the situationLucyll understand.»
«Oh, shell understand, alright,» Sophie snorted. «Right before holding a grudge till the end of time. Remember how she sulked for months when you forgot her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different,» Emily protested. «I just forgot. This is a proper reason!»
«Ah, yes. Fishing.» Sophie dragged the word out sarcastically. «Fine, your call. Just dont say I didnt warn you.»
The chat left a sour taste. On the drive home, Emily mulled it over. Maybe she ought to talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But hed been so chuffed about this trip, counting down the weekends It felt selfish to ask him to bail.
James met her at the door, helping her out of her coat. He smelled like fresh air and something delicious from the kitchen.
«Dinners ready,» he announced, grinning. «Your favouritepasta marinara. How was your day?»
«Fine.» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Caught up with Sophieshe says hi.»
Dinner inevitably led to the weekend plans.
«Youre really alright with me going fishing?» James studied her face. «If the weddings that important, I can stay.»
«No, no,» Emily said quickly. «Go, of course. You and the lads have been planning forever. I get it.»
«Positive?» He still looked uneasy. «Dave says signals patchy out there, so calls might drop. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» she assured him. «Have fun, catch loads. Ill probably still go to Lucyscant let her down. Just solo, Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to him being glad his trip wasnt ruined.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked the tent, and kept ringing Dave to confirm details.
«Dont forget the tackle, Captain Fisher,» Emily teased as he hunted for a torch. «And may the fish be biting.»
«Cheers, love.» He pulled her into a hug. «Be good, dont miss me too much. And pass on my congrats to Lucy.»
«Will do.» She buried her face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. «Though it wont be as fun without you.»
«Youll have a blast,» he said, kissing her head. «Right, Im off. Daves waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she asked, walking him to the door.
«Obviously!» He winked. «Feast of the century!»
The flat felt hollow after he left. Three days without Jamesthey rarely spent a night apart, even holidays were joint affairs. Still, the weekend would fly by. Especially with the wedding tomorrow.
That evening, she called Lucy, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, her friend took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» Lucy said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. We barely see James anywaywell survive.»
«See you tomorrow, then.» Emily smiled. «And congrats again. Youll be the most stunning bride!»
Saturday was a whirlwind of prephair, nails, gift-buying, picking the perfect dress. Emily chose a sleek navy number that hugged her just right, styled her hair, and did her makeup with extra care. One last mirror checkshe looked fresh, polished.
A text from James popped up: «Made it, setting up camp. Signals rubbish. Love you, have a fab day!»
She smiled, typing back: «Happy fishing! Love you more.»
The wedding was at a swanky London venue. Emily arrived slightly latetypical city trafficto find the ceremony over and guests milling with champagne.
«Em!» Lucy, radiant in white, rushed over. «You came! I was starting to think youd bailed too!»
«Wild horses couldnt keep me away,» Emily hugged her tight. «You look utterly magical! Olivers a lucky man.»
«Ta, darling.» Lucy beamed. «Shame about James, but men and their fishing tripssacred tradition, isnt it?»
«He sends his love and apologies,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Lucy led her to their table, where uni friends were already seatedSophie and her husband, Hannah and hers, Chris with his new girlfriend. Catching up eased the sting of Jamess absence. Toasts flowed, the room buzzed with laughter.
«Wheres the better half?» Chris leaned in. «Surely not missing this?»
«Fishing with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned ages agocouldnt back out.»
«Fishing in April?» Chris frowned. «Bit early, no?»
«Is it?» Emily shrugged. «James reckons springs prime time. Not that Id know.»
«Suppose the expert would know best,» Chris smirked, but his gaze held something odd.
The evening rolled ondinner, dancing, a live band. Emily, pleasantly fizzy from prosecco, was laughing when she noticed guests huddled around a phone.
«Katies doing an Insta live!» Sophie squealed. «Come on, Emwave at the absentees!»
Emily joined the group as Katie aimed the camera her way.
«And heres Emily, uni bestie of the bride!» Katie chirped. «Say hi to the followers!»
«Hi, everyone,» Emily waved awkwardly. «Weddings amazingwish you were here!»
«Lets show the vibe!» Katie panned across the roomguests twirling, the cake cutthen froze. «Wait, is that James?!»
Emily followed her gaze. Near the bar, a man who looked unnervingly like her husband was dancing. Even in the dim light, she knew his frame, his moves, the crisp shirt he saved for special occasions.
«That cant be James,» she laughed nervously. «Hes fishing. Miles away.»
«No, thats definitely him!» Katie zoomed in. «Look!»
The phone screen showed Jamesher James, who shouldve been knee-deep in river waterlaughing with a woman Emily didnt recognise, their ease suggesting familiarity.
The floor tilted. Blood roared in her ears. This had to be a mistake, a trick of the light.
«James!» Her voice came out shrill.
He turned. Their eyes locked across the room. His face drained of colour. He muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, oblivious to stares. This wasnt happening.
«I can explain,» James caught her in the corridor, voice strained.
«Explain what?» Her hands trembled. «The fishing lie? You being hereat Lucys weddingwhere you supposedly couldnt come? And who was that?!»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere quiet?»
«I want answers now. Why did you lie?»
James sighed. «There was no fishing trip. I fibbed, but not for the reason youre imagining.»
«Then why?!»
«I was planning a surprise. For our anniversary next month.»
«A surprise.» She deadpanned. «At my best friends wedding?»
«Exactly,» he nodded. «Lucy and Oliver helped. That woman? A singershes been coaching me. I was going to perform our first dance song for you at the anniversary. Tonight was a rehearsal, testing my nerve in front of people.»
«And the fishing story was?»
«If Id said I was coming here without you, youd have been suspicious,» he admitted. «I wanted it to be a proper surprise. Imagine me suddenly serenading you!»
«Christ,» Emily covered her face. «You lied to surprise me?»
«Stupid, I know,» he winced. «I never thought youd come alone. When Lucy told me, I panickedstay away or risk crossing paths?»
«And photos of you here? Howd you explain those?»
«Dunno,» he admitted. «Didnt think that far. Rubbish secret-keeper, me.»
Just then, Lucy burst in. «There you are! James, weve got the band readyoh. She knows, doesnt she?»
«You were in on this?» Emily whirled.
«Guilty,» Lucy grinned. «Its sweet! Hes been practising for weeks. Youre not cross, are you?»
Emily looked between them. Jamess face was pure remorse.
«I dont know if Im angry or not,» she said finally. «But Im definitely stunned. All this for a song?»
«Not just any song,» James said softly. «Our song. The one we danced to at our wedding.»
Emilys anger wavered. «Youre a terrible liar. But its oddly touching.»
«So forgiven?»
«On one condition,» she narrowed her eyes. «I hear it now. Surprise is ruined anyway.»
«But Im not ready!» James yelped. «Weve only rehearsed once!»
«Tough,» Emily smirked. «Ill be a generous audience.»
«Seconded!» Lucy clapped. «My wedding, my rules! Though Ill shoo everyone off after so you two can talk.»
Half an hour later, a scarlet-faced James stood by the mic, the mystery womannow revealed as a professional vocalistbeside him. Their song began, and Emilys eyes pricked.
He flubbed a few lines, voice wobbling, but the look he gave herpure adorationmade it perfect.
The room erupted in applause. Emily hugged him tight.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I love you.»
«Even after the lie?»
«Because of it,» she smiled. «Only youd go this far to make me happy.»
Later, in the taxi, James still looked guilty.
«I botched it, didnt I?»
«Weve got a killer story for the grandkids,» Emily laughed. «How Grandpa went fishing, but Granny spotted him live at a wedding.»
«Sounds like a rom-com,» he chuckled. «No more secrets, I swear.»
«Oh, keep the surprises,» she nudged him. «Just pick a better cover story next time. April fishing? Even Chris thought that was dodgy.»
«Noted,» he grinned. «Though we could still go fishing for real? Daves asked about you.»
«One condition,» Emilys eyes sparkled. «You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
James groaned but nodded.
«Anything for my wife. Even if I scare every fish in the Thames.»
They laughed, the absurdity knitting them closer than ever.
[End. They laughed, the absurdity knitting them closer than ever. As the taxi wound through the quiet streets, Emily rested her head on Jamess shoulder, his arm warm around her. The city lights blurred past, and for the first time all weekend, everything felt perfectly in placemessy, unexpected, and utterly theirs.
