«No, no, absolutely not!» Emily threw her hands up in despair. «I cant possibly go to this wedding, Sophie! You know James has had this fishing trip planned with Dave for ages. Theyve been prepping for weeksI cant cancel last minute.»
«But its Lucys wedding!» Sophie set her teacdown with a clatter, her voice sharp with indignation. «Your best friend since uni! Shell never forgive you if you dont turn up. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«Its sacred to James,» Emily sighed. «He hardly ever gets time away from me. Hes been talking about it all springnew gear, the tent. I cant let him down.»
«But Lucy, on the other handthats fine?» Sophie shook her head. «She picked the date specifically so you could come up from York. Your place is already paid for, and youre both on the guest list!»
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers restless. This dilemma had been gnawing at her for days. On one handLucys wedding, her closest friend since university. On the otherJamess long-awaited lads weekend. And of course, theyd both fallen on the same bloody weekend.
«Maybe I could go alone?» she offered weakly. «Explain the situationLucy would understand.»
«Oh, sure, shed understand,» Sophie snorted. «And then resent you for the rest of her life. Remember how she sulked when you missed her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different,» Emily protested. «I just forgot. This is a proper excuse.»
«Yeah, a fishing trip,» Sophie drawled, rolling her eyes. «Fine, do what you want. But dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left a bitter aftertaste. On the drive home, Emily chewed over the mess. Maybe she should talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But hed been so excited about this trip, counting down the days… It felt selfish to ask him to drop everything.
James met her in the hallway, helping her out of her coat. He smelled fresh, with a hint of something delicious from the kitchen.
«Dinners ready,» he said with a grin. «Your favouriteprawn linguine. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Caught up with Sophieshe sends her love.»
Dinner inevitably steered toward the weekend.
«Youre really okay 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 this for ages. I get it.»
«Absolutely sure?» His brow creased. «Dave says the signals spotty out there, so I might not get through. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» she reassured him. «Enjoy yourselfcatch loads. Ill probably still go to Lucys. Just alone. Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something flickered in his eyesrelief, maybe? Emily brushed it off as gladness he wouldnt have to cancel.
Friday morning was chaos. James double-checked rods, the tent, his sleeping bag, barking questions down the phone to Dave between gulps of coffee.
«Dont forget the bait, oh mighty angler,» Emily teased as he scrambled for his torch. «And mind you catch something decent.»
«Cheers, love,» he hugged her tight. «Take care. And pass on my congrats to Lucy.»
«Will do,» she buried her face in his shoulder, breathing him in. «Wont be the same without you, though.»
«Youll have a blast,» he kissed the top of her head. «Right, Im off. Daves waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she called as he headed out.
«Course!» He winked. «Feast fit for kings!»
The flat felt hollow once the door shut. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were shared. Still, the weekend would fly by. Especially with the wedding to distract her.
That evening, she rang Lucy, explaining Jamess absence. To her relief, her friend took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» Lucy said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. James is hopeless at these things anywayno loss.»
«See you tomorrow, then,» Emily smiled. «And seriouslyyoull be the most stunning bride.»
Saturday vanished in a whirl of primpinghair, nails, the right dress. She chose a sleek navy number that hugged her just right, spent an age on her makeup. One last glance in the mirrorfresh, glowing. Perfect.
A text from James buzzed mid-morning: *Made it ok. Setting up camp. Signals rubbish. Love you. Have a fab day.*
She grinned, thumbing back: *Good luck! Catch loads. Love you more.*
The wedding was at a gorgeous Mayfair venue. Emily arrived lateLondon traffic, predictably, was a nightmare. By the time she slipped in, the ceremony had wrapped, and guests were milling with champagne.
«Em!» Lucy, radiant in ivory lace, flung her arms around her. «You made it! I was starting to think youd bailed too!»
«Like Id miss this?» Emily squeezed her tight. «You look unbelievable. Olivers a lucky man.»
«Thanks, darling,» Lucy beamed. «Shame about James, but men and their fishingsacred tradition, isnt it?»
«He sends his love,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Lucy steered her to their table, where old uni friends were already deep in wine and gossipSophie with her husband, Hannah with hers, Tom with his new girlfriend. The reunion softened the sting of Jamess absence. Toasts flowed, laughter bubbledthe room hummed with joy.
«Wheres the other half?» Tom leaned in, nodding at Jamess empty chair.
«Fishing with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned for agescouldnt back out.»
«Fishing? In March?» Tom frowned. «Bit early, isnt it?»
Emily shrugged. «Springs the best time, apparently. Not that Id know.»
«Anglers wisdom, eh?» Tom smirked, but his eyes held something odd.
The evening soared. After dinner, the dancefloor erupted. Emily, pleasantly fizzy from prosecco, was laughing at Toms terrible moves when she noticed a cluster of guests huddled around a phone.
«Katies doing an Instagram live!» Sophie squealed, dragging her over. «Come on, say hi to everyone who couldnt make it!»
Emily obliged, waving at the camera. «Hi all! Weddings gorgeouswish you were here!»
«Lets show the vibe!» Katie panned across the roomguests twirling, the cake cutting. «Ooh, whos that dancing? Is that James?!»
Emilys head snapped toward the bar. A manjawline, stance, even the bloody shirt shed bought him last Christmaswas laughing with a woman she didnt recognise. Close. Familiar.
«Thats not James,» she laughed, too high. «Hes fishing. Miles from here.»
«No, thats definitely him!» Katie zoomed in. «Look!»
The screen showed Jamesher Jamesgrinning at the woman, his hand resting lightly on her waist.
The room tilted. Blood roared in her ears. This wasnt happening.
«James!» Her voice cracked across the room.
He turned. Saw her. Panic flashed across his face. He muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily followed, deaf to Sophies calls. The corridor outside was dim, quiet.
«Em, wait» James caught her arm. «I can explain.»
«Explain what?» Her voice shook. «The fishing lie? You being here, at Lucys wedding, where you couldnt possibly come? Who the hell was that?»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere»
«Now. Here.»
He exhaled. «Fine. There was no fishing trip. I lied. But not for the reason youre imagining.»
«Then why?»
«I was planning a surprise,» he said quietly. «For our anniversary next month.»
Her laugh was brittle. «A surprise. At my best friends wedding. Where you couldnt be?»
«Exactly,» he nodded. «Lucy and Oliver helped. That woman? Shes a singercoaching me. I wanted to perform our first dance song for you. We were rehearsing tonighttesting it in front of people.»
She stared. «You concocted a fishing lie… to serenade me?»
«If Id said I was coming here without you, youd have suspected something,» he admitted. «I wanted it to be perfect. Imagine me just… bursting into song at the anniversary dinner?»
«Christ,» she covered her face. «You lied… for a grand gesture?»
«Stupid, I know,» he winced. «When Lucy said you were coming alone, I panicked. Didnt know whether to bail or risk it.»
«And the photos? Videos? What then?»
«Dunno,» he shrugged. «Didnt think that far.»
The door burst open. Lucy.
«There you are!» she hissed. «James, weve got soundcheck inoh. She knows, doesnt she?»
«You were in on this?» Emily gaped.
«Guilty,» Lucy grinned. «Romantic, isnt it? Dont be cross.»
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were wide, hopeful.
«I dont know whether to throttle you or kiss you,» she muttered.
«How about both?» he offered.
She sighed. «Fine. But I want that song. Now.»
«Em, Im not ready»
«Tough.»
Half an hour later, a scarlet-faced James stood by the piano, the mystery womana professional vocalist, apparentlybeside him. The opening chords of their wedding song floated through the room.
He wasnt perfect. Missed a note, flubbed a lyric. But the way he looked at herlike she was the only person in the worldunraveled her completely.
When he finished, the room erupted. Emily walked over and pulled him into a crushing hug.
«You ridiculous man,» she whispered. «I love you.»
«Even after the stupid lie?»
«Especially because of it,» she kissed him.
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked sheepish.
«Meant well,» he mumbled, lacing his fingers through hers.
«Next time,» she smirked, «pick a better cover story. March fishing? Even Tom saw through that.»
«Lesson learned,» he laughed. «Though… we could still go fishing for real? Daves invited us both.»
«On one condition,» she narrowed her eyes. «You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
He groaned. «Deal. Even if I scare every fish in the lake.»
And as the cab rolled through Londons glittering streets, they laughedbecause sometimes, the messiest surprises turn out to be the best ones.
