«No, no, and no again!» Emily threw up her hands in despair. «I can’t go to that wedding, Alice! You know James has had this fishing trip with old Thompson planned for ages. They’ve been preparing for weeksI can’t cancel it all at the last minute.»
«But it’s Lucy’s wedding!» Alice set her teacup down with a clatter. «Your best friend from university! Shell never forgive you if you dont come. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«To James, its sacred,» Emily sighed. «He barely ever goes anywhere without me. Hes been talking about it all springnew tackle, the tent, everything. I cant let him down.»
«So Lucy can be let down, then?» Alice shook her head. «She picked the date so you could come all the way from York. Your place at the tables paid for, and youre both on the guest list!»
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This dilemma had been gnawing at her for days. On one handLucys wedding, her closest friend since uni. On the otherJamess long-awaited lads fishing weekend. And of course, it all had to fall on the same weekend.
«Maybe Ill just go alone?» she suggested hesitantly. «Ill explainIm sure Lucy will understand.»
«Oh, shell understand all right,» Alice scoffed. «And 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 reason.»
«A fishing trip,» Alice drawled sarcastically. «Fine, suit yourself. But dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left a bitter taste. On the way home, Emily mulled it over. Maybe she should talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant to her? But hed been so excited about the trip, counting down the days It felt selfish to ask him to cancel.
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 smile. «Your favoriteseafood linguine. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Met Aliceshe sends her love.»
Over dinner, the weekend inevitably came up.
«Youre sure you dont mind me going fishing?» James asked, watching her carefully. «If the weddings that important, I could stay.»
«No, no,» Emily said quickly. «You go, of course. You and the lads have been planning this forever. I get it.»
«Absolutely sure?» He still looked concerned. «Thompson says the signals spotty out theremight not get through. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» Emily assured him. «Enjoy yourself. Catch something big. Ill go to Lucys alonecant let her down. Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something flickered in his eyesrelief, she thought. Just glad he wouldnt have to miss his trip.
Friday morning was a whirlwind. James packed rods, checked the tent, double-checked with Thompson on the phone.
«Dont forget your waders, fisherman,» Emily teased as he hunted for his torch. «And mind the fish dont laugh at you.»
«Cheers, love,» he hugged her tight. «Take care. And give Lucy my best.»
«Of course,» she buried her face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. «Though it wont be half as fun without you.»
«Youll have a great time,» he kissed the top of her head. «Right, Im off. Thompsons waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she asked, walking him to the door.
«Absolutely!» 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 always together. But itd fly by. Especially with the wedding tomorrow.
That evening, she called Lucy, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, her friend understood.
«Just glad youre coming,» Lucy said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. James is barely around anywaywell survive.»
«See you tomorrow, then,» Emily smiled. «And congratulations again. Youll be the most stunning bride!»
Saturday was a blur of preparations. Hair, makeup, the perfect dressa deep blue one that suited her beautifully. A final glance in the mirrorfresh, polished, ready.
A text from James that morning: «Got here safe, setting up camp. Signals rubbish. Love youhave a great day!»
She smiled and replied: «Good luck! Love you too.»
The wedding was at a grand London hotel. Emily was slightly latetraffic in the city never failed to disappoint. By the time she arrived, the ceremony was over, and guests were finding their seats.
«Em!» Lucy, radiant in white, rushed over. «You made it! I was starting to worry!»
«As if Id miss this!» Emily hugged her. «You look breathtaking! Olivers a lucky man.»
«Thanks, darling,» Lucy beamed. «Shame James couldnt come. But men and their fishingsacred tradition, isnt it?»
«He sends his apologies,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Lucy led her to their table, where old uni friends were already seatedAlice with her husband, Sophie with hers, Tom with his new girlfriend. Catching up with them softened Jamess absence. Toasts, laughter, speechesthe evening was warm and joyful.
«Wheres your better half?» Tom leaned in. «Not skipping this, surely?»
«Fishing trip with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned for agescouldnt back out.»
«Fishing in April?» Tom raised an eyebrow. «Bit early, no?»
«Apparently not,» Emily shrugged. «Springs the best time, James says. Not that Id know.»
«Well, the angler knows best,» Tom smirked, but his glance was oddly knowing.
The evening flowed. After dinner came dancing, games, a live band. Emily, buoyed by champagne and good company, was relaxing when she noticed a group crowding around someones phone.
«Livestream for Instagram!» Alice called. «Come on, Emsay hi to everyone who couldnt make it!»
Emily joined them as a girl angled the camera.
«Heres Emily, uni mate of the bride!» the girl narrated. «Wave to the followers!»
«Hello everyone,» Emily smiled awkwardly. «Weddings gorgeouswish you were here!»
«Lets show the vibe!» The girl panned across the roomdancing, laughing, the cake cutting. «Waitwhos that over there? James?!»
Emilys gaze snapped to where the phone pointed. Near the bar, a man who looked exactly like her husband was dancing. Even in the dim light, she knew his frame, his movements, the crisp shirt he wore on special occasions.
«That cant be James,» she laughed nervously. «Hes fishing. Miles from here.»
«No, thats definitely him!» The girl zoomed in. «Look!»
On the screen, clear as dayher husband, who shouldve been knee-deep in a lake, laughing with a woman Emily didnt know, their ease speaking volumes.
Her stomach dropped. The room spun. This had to be a mistake, a trick of the light.
«James!» she called, voice sharp.
He turned. Their eyes locked. For a second, he frozethen panic flashed across his face. He muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring startled looks. This couldnt be real.
«I can explain,» James caught her in the corridor.
«Explain what? That you lied? That youre hereat Lucys weddingwhere you supposedly couldnt come because of fishing? And who was that woman?»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere quiet?»
«Now. Here.»
He sighed. «There was no fishing trip. I liedbut not for the reason youre imagining.»
«Then why?»
«Surprise,» he said softly. «For our anniversary next month.»
Her anger wavered. «A surprise. At my best friends wedding?»
«Exactly. I arranged it with Lucy and Oliver. That woman? A singerhelping me with a song. I wanted to perform for you on our anniversary. Tonight was a rehearsal.»
Emily stared. «You lied to surprise me with a song?»
«I knew if I said I was coming here without you, youd suspect something,» he admitted. «I wanted it to be perfect.»
She pressed her hands to her face. «Youre an awful liar. But thats sweet.»
Just then, Lucy appeared. «There you are! James, weve got the music sortedoh. She knows, doesnt she?»
«You were in on this?» Emily asked.
«Course!» Lucy grinned. «Its romantic! Are you cross?»
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were pleading.
«I dont know if Im angry,» she said truthfully. «But Im definitely stunned.»
Half an hour later, a flustered James stood by the microphone, the singer beside him. The opening notes of their first dance songtheir songfilled the room.
He wasnt perfect. He missed notes, forgot lyrics. But the look in his eyesjust for hermade her chest ache.
When he finished, the room erupted. Emily walked over and hugged him tight.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I love you.»
«Even after the lie?»
«Because of it,» she smiled. «Youd do anything to make me happy.»
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
«I wanted it to be special,» he said, holding her hand. «Nearly ruined it.»
«Now weve got a story for the grandkids,» she laughed. «‘How Grandpa went fishing, and Grandma spotted him on a livestream at a wedding.'»
«Sounds like a rom-com,» he chuckled. «No more secrets, I promise.»
«Oh, keep the surprises,» she said. «Just pick a better cover story next time. Fishing in April? Even Tom saw through that.»
James nodded. «Deal. And we could still go fishing, if you like. Thompsons invited us both.»
«One condition,» she smirked. «You sing for me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
He groaned but agreed.
«Anything for my wife. Even if I scare every fish in the lake.»
They laughed, the absurdity of it all only drawing them closer.
