«No, no, and 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 with his mates planned for ages. Theyve been prepping for weeksI cant just cancel last minute.»
«But its Charlottes wedding!» Sophie set her teacdown with a clatter. «Your uni bestie! Shell never forgive you if you dont show. What could possibly be more important than that?»
«Jamess sacred fishing weekend,» Emily sighed. «He barely gets time away from me as it is. Hes been banging on about this all springnew tackle, a fancy tent. I cant let him down.»
«But Charlottes fair game, then?» Sophie raised an eyebrow. «She specifically picked the date so you could come up from Brighton. Your seats are paid for, and youre both on the guest list!»
Emily tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. This dilemma had been gnawing at her for days. On one hand: Charlottes wedding, her closest friend since uni. On the other: Jamess long-awaited lads fishing trip. And of course, both had to land on the same weekend.
«Maybe I could go alone?» she suggested weakly. «Explain the situation. Charlottell understand.»
«Oh, shell understand, all right,» Sophie snorted. «Right before she holds a grudge for the next decade. Remember how she sulked for months when you missed her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different!» Emily protested. «I just forgot. This is a proper conflict.»
«Ah yes, fishing. The noblest of conflicts,» Sophie drawled. «Fine, suit yourself. But dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left a sour taste. On the train home, Emily stewed over the mess. Maybe she could talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But hed been so excited about the trip, counting down the days It felt selfish to ask him to drop everything.
James greeted her in the hallway, helping her out of her coat. He smelled like crisp air and something delicious from the kitchen.
«Dinners ready,» he announced with a grin. «Your favouritepasta with prawns. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Met up with Sophie. She says hi.»
Over dinner, the weekend inevitably came up.
«Youre sure youre alright with me going fishing?» James studied her face. «If the weddings that important, I can stay.»
«No, no,» Emily said quickly. «Go, honestly. You and the lads have had this planned forever. I get it.»
«Positive?» He still looked uneasy. «Tom says signals rubbish out there, so I might not get through. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» she assured him. «Enjoy yourself. Catch loads. Ill pop along to Charlottescant let her down. Just me, though. Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to joy at not having to cancel.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked the tent, and phoned Tom repeatedly to confirm details.
«Dont forget your tackle, Captain Ahab,» Emily teased as he hunted for a torch. «And may the fish be biting.»
«Cheers, love.» He pulled her into a hug. «Take care. Dont miss me too much. And give Charlotte my best.»
«Will do.» She buried her face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. «Though it wont be half as fun without you.»
«Youll have a blast,» he kissed the top of her head. «Right, Im off. Toms waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she asked, walking him to the door.
«Obviously!» He winked. «Feast of the century!»
When the door closed, the flat felt oddly empty. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were joint affairs. But itd fly by. Besides, tomorrow was the weddingplenty to keep her busy.
That evening, she called Charlotte, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, her friend took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» Charlotte said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. James is practically a ghost 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 shopping, outfit fussing. Emily chose a sleek navy dress that hugged her just right, styled her hair, and applied makeup with extra care. One last mirror checkfresh, polished, wedding-ready.
A text from James arrived mid-morning: «Made it. Setting up camp. Signals naff. Love you. Have fun!»
She smiled and replied: «Happy fishing! Love you more.»
The wedding was at a posh London hotel. Emily arrived slightly latetypical Tube delaysto find the ceremony over and guests mingling.
«Em!» Charlotte, radiant in white, rushed over. «You came! I was starting to think youd bailed too!»
«Like Id miss this?» Emily hugged her tight. «You look absolutely magical. Olivers a lucky man.»
«Thanks, love.» Charlotte beamed. «Shame about James. But men and their fishingsacred tradition, isnt it?»
«He sends his apologies,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Charlotte led her to their table, where uni friendsSophie and her husband, Lucy and her partner, Ben with his new girlfriendwere already seated. Catching up eased Jamess absence. Toasts flowed, laughter bubbledthe room fizzed with joy.
«Wheres the better half?» Ben leaned in. «Not skipping this, surely?»
«Fishing with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned ages ago. Couldnt back out.»
«Fishing in March?» Ben frowned. «Bit early, no?»
«Is it?» Emily shrugged. «James says springs prime time. Though I wouldnt know a cod from a carp.»
«Anglers intuition, I suppose,» Ben smirked, but his expression flickered oddly.
The evening rolled on. After dinner came dancing, games, a live band. Emily, loosened by champagne and good company, was chuckling at a terrible best man joke when she noticed a group huddled around a phone.
«Oi, its Zoes Instagram Live!» Sophie called. «Come say hi, Emgive the nosy parkers a wave.»
Emily joined the circle as Zoe aimed her camera.
«And heres Emily, brides uni mate,» Zoe narrated. «Say hello to the peasants at home!»
«Hello, peasants,» Emily laughed, waving. «Weddings fabwish you were here!»
«Lets show em the vibe!» Zoe panned across the roomguests dancing, cake-cutting, general merriment. «Blimey, whos that by the bar? Is that James?»
Emily followed her gaze. Near the bar stood a man who looked eerily like her husband. Even in the dim light, she recognised his posture, that crisp blue shirt he saved for special occasions.
«Cant be,» Emily forced a laugh. «James is fishing. Miles from here.»
«Nah, thats definitely him!» Zoe zoomed in. «Look!»
The phone screen showed Jamesher James, who shouldve been knee-deep in riverwaterlaughing with a woman Emily didnt recognise, their body language easy, familiar.
The floor tilted. A roar filled her ears. This had to be a mistake, a champagne-fuelled hallucination.
«James!» Her voice came out shrill.
He turned. Their eyes met across the room. His face drained of colour. Mumbling to the woman, he bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring murmurs from friends. This couldnt be real.
«I can explain,» James caught her in the corridor, breathless.
«Explain what?» Her voice shook. «The fictional fishing trip? You being hereat Charlottes weddingwhere you couldnt possibly come? And who the hell was that?»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere quiet?»
«Try right here.» Her anger surged. «Why did you lie?»
James glanced aroundthey were alone, but music seeped from the ballroom.
«Fine,» he exhaled. «There was no fishing. I lied, but not not how it looks.»
«Then how?» She crossed her arms.
«I was planning a surprise,» he admitted. «For our anniversary next month.»
«A surprise.» She deadpanned. «At my best friends wedding. Where you couldnt attend?»
«Exactly,» he nodded. «Charlotte and Oliver were in on it. That woman? A singershes been helping me learn a song. I wanted to perform it for you at our anniversary. Tonight was a dry run.»
«And the fishing story?»
«If Id said I was coming here without you, youd have smelled a rat,» he grimaced. «I wanted it to be perfect. Imagine your face if I suddenly serenaded you next month!»
«Oh my God.» Emily covered her face. «You lied to surprise me?»
«Stupid, I know,» he touched her shoulders gently. «Forgive me? I panicked when Charlotte said you were coming. Didnt know whether to bail or risk it.»
«And the photos? The ones of you grinning with Mystery Woman?»
«Didnt think that far,» he admitted. «Conspiracy isnt my strong suit.»
The ballroom door swung open. Charlotte emerged.
«There you are!» she exclaimed. «James, weve got to rehearse!»
«You knew?» Emily gaped.
«Obviously!» Charlotte grinned. «Its adorable! James wanted to do something special, and we helped. Youre not cross, are you?»
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were pleading.
«I dont know if Im cross or stunned,» she admitted. «All this cloak-and-dagger for a song?»
«Not just any song,» James said softly. «Our song. The one we danced to at our wedding.»
Emilys anger melted. «Youre a terrible liar. But thats actually sweet.»
«So you forgive me?»
«On one condition,» she narrowed her eyes. «I want to hear it now. Surprise is ruined anyway.»
«But Im not ready!» James paled. «Weve only practised!»
«Tough,» Emily smiled. «Ill go easy on you.»
«Seconded!» Charlotte declared. «My wedding, my rules. But then Im kicking you out so you can talk properly.»
Half an hour later, a crimson-faced James stood at a microphone, the mystery womana professional vocalist, it turned outbeside him. Their wedding song began, and Emilys eyes pricked.
James wasnt perfect. He flubbed a line, missed a note. But the way he looked at herlike she was the only person in the roommade it better than any polished performance.
When he finished, the room erupted. Emily walked over and hugged him tight.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I love you.»
«Even after the lies?»
«Because of them,» she smiled. «Only youd concoct a fishing alibi to serenade me.»
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
«I genuinely meant well,» he said, squeezing her hand. «Nearly botched it, though.»
«Now weve got a story for the grandkids,» Emily laughed. «‘How Grandpa went fishing, and Grandma spotted him on Instagram at a wedding.'»
«Sounds like a rubbish rom-com,» he chuckled. «No more secrets. Promise.»
«Oh, keep surprising me,» she nudged him. «Just pick a better cover next time. Fishing in March? Even Ben thought that was dodgy.»
«Noted,» he grinned. «Speaking ofwe could still go fishing, if you fancy. Toms invited us both.»
«One condition,» Emily smirked. «You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
James groaned but nodded.
«Anything for you. Even if I scare every fish in the Thames.»
They laughed, the absurdity of the night binding them closer than ever.
