My husband went fishing with his mates, and that evening I saw him live at my best friends wedding.
«No, no, 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 preparing for a monthI cant cancel last minute.»
«But its Lucys wedding!» Sophie set her coffee cup down with a clatter. «Your uni best friend! Shell never forgive you if you dont turn up. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«Its sacred to James,» Emily sighed. «He barely ever does anything without me. Hes been going on about it all springbought new gear, a tent. I cant let him down.»
«But Lucys fine, then?» Sophie shook her head. «She specifically picked the date so you could come up from York. Your place at the tables already paid foryoure both on the guest list!»
Emily nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This dilemma had been gnawing at her all week. On one hand, Lucys weddingher closest friend since uni. On the other, Jamess long-awaited lads trip. And of course, they had to fall on the same weekend.
«Maybe Ill just go alone?» she offered hesitantly. «Explain the situationIm sure Lucy will understand.»
«Oh, shell understand alright,» Sophie scoffed. «And hold a grudge for life. Remember how she sulked when you missed her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different,» Emily protested. «I just forgotthis is a proper reason.»
«Yeah, fishing,» Sophie drawled sarcastically. «Fine, suit yourself. Dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left a sour taste. On the drive home, Emily weighed her options. Maybe she should talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But hed been so excited about this trip, counting down the weekends 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 favouriteseafood pasta. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Caught up with Sophieshe says hi.»
Over dinner, the weekend plans inevitably came up.
«Youre sure you dont mind me going fishing?» James searched her face. «If the weddings really important, I can stay.»
«No, no,» Emily said quickly. «Go, of course. You and the lads have been planning this forever. I get it.»
«Positive?» He still looked uneasy. «Dave says the signals rubbish out theremight not get through. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» she assured him. «Enjoy yourself, catch loads. Ill probably still go to Lucyscant let her down. Just alone, Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to him being glad he didnt have to cancel.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked the tent, rang Dave twice to confirm details.
«Dont forget your tackle, fisherman,» Emily teased as he hunted for a torch. «Hope the fish are biting.»
«Cheers, love.» He hugged her tight. «Take care, dont miss me too much. And pass on my congrats to Lucy.»
«Will do.» She buried her face in his neck, breathing him in. «Wont be the same without you, though.»
«Youll have a blast,» he kissed her head. «Rightbetter go. Daves waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a catch?» 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 took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» Lucy said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. James is a ghost at these things anywaywell survive!»
«See you tomorrow, then,» Emily smiled. «And congrats again. Youll be the most stunning bride!»
Saturday was a whirlwind of preparationshair, makeup, picking out the perfect dress. Emily settled on an elegant navy blue one, did her hair, touched up her makeup. A final glance in the mirrorshe looked fresh, put together.
A text from James came early: «Made it OK, setting up camp. Signals dodgy. Love you, have a great day!»
She smiled, texting back: «Good luck! Love you too.»
The wedding was at a posh central London venue. Emily was slightly latetraffic, as always, was horrendous. By the time she arrived, the ceremony had finished, and guests were finding their seats.
«Em!» Lucy, 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 incredible! Toms so lucky.»
«Thanks, darling,» Lucy beamed. «Shame James couldnt make it. But men and their fishingsacred tradition, right?»
«He sends his congratulations,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Lucy guided her to their table, where uni friends were already seatedSophie with her husband, Hannah with hers, Ollie with his new girlfriend. Catching up eased Jamess absence slightly. Toasts, laughter, old jokesthe mood was warm, joyful.
«Wheres the better half?» Ollie leaned in. «Cant let you fly solo at a do like this!»
«Fishing with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned for agescouldnt back out.»
«Fishing in April?» Ollie raised an eyebrow. «Bit early, isnt it?»
«Is it?» Emily shrugged. «James says springs the best time. Not that Id know.»
«Well, the fisherman knows best,» Ollie smirked, but his expression was odd.
The evening rolled on. After the meal came dancing, games, a live band. Emily, pleasantly buzzed from champagne, was relaxing when she noticed a crowd huddled around someones phone.
«Oh, its Zoes Instagram live!» Sophie exclaimed. «Come on, Emsay hi to everyone who couldnt come!»
Emily joined the group where Zoe was filming.
«And heres Emily, uni bestie of the bride!» Zoe aimed the camera at her. «Wave to the followers!»
«Hi everyone,» Emily waved awkwardly. «Weddings amazingshame youre not here!»
«Lets show them the vibe!» Zoe panned across the roomguests dancing, the cake cutting. «Wait, whos that over there? Is that James?»
Emily automatically looked. Near the bar, a man who looked exactly like her husband was dancing. Even in the dim light, she recognised his frame, his mannerisms, the crisp shirt he wore for special occasions.
«That cant be James,» she laughed nervously. «Hes fishing. Miles from here.»
«No, thats definitely him!» Zoe zoomed in. «Look!»
The phone screen showed Jamesher husband, who was supposed to be by a lake right nowlaughing, chatting with a woman Emily didnt know, their body language familiar, comfortable.
The floor tilted. Her breath caught. This had to be a mistake, a trick of the light.
«James!» Her voice came out shrill.
He turned, their eyes locking across the room. His face went from shock to panic. He muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring confused stares. This couldnt be real.
«I can explain,» James caught her in the corridor, voice low.
«Explain what?» Her hands shook. «The fishing lie? You being here, at Lucys wedding, where you supposedly couldnt come because of said fishing? 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 glanced aroundthey were alone, but music and chatter spilled from the hall.
«Fine,» he exhaled. «There was no fishing. I lied, but not for the reason youre thinking.»
«Then why?»
«I was planning a surprise,» he admitted. «For our anniversary next month.»
«A surprise?» she echoed. «At my best friends wedding?»
«Exactly,» he nodded. «I arranged it with Lucy and Tom. That womans a singershes been helping me rehearse. I wanted to perform our first dance song for our anniversary. Tonight was meant to be a practice run, see if I could handle an audience.»
«And the fishing story was easier than the truth?»
«If Id said I was coming without you, youd have been suspicious,» he grimaced. «I wanted it to be a proper surprise. Imagine your face if I just started singing at our anniversary!»
«*Oh my god*,» she covered her face. «You lied to surprise me?»
«Stupid, I know,» he rubbed her arms. «I panicked when Lucy said you were coming. I didnt know whether to bail or risk it.»
«And the photos? The ones of you dancing?»
«Hadnt thought that far,» he admitted. «Conspiracys not my strong suit.»
The door swung openLucy appeared.
«There you are! James, weve got sound check in five minutesOh.» She winced. «You told her, then?»
«You were in on this?» Emily gaped.
«Obviously!» Lucy grinned. «Its romantic! James wanted to do something special, and we helped. Youre not mad, are you?»
Emily looked between them. Jamess expression was equal parts guilt and hope.
«I dont know if Im mad or not,» she said truthfully. «But Im definitely stunned. All this for a song?»
«*Our* song,» James corrected. «The one from our wedding.»
«*Oh*,» her anger dissolved into warmth. «Youre terrible at secrets but thats actually sweet.»
«So you forgive me?»
«On one condition,» she narrowed her eyes. «I want to hear it now. Since the surprise is ruined anyway.»
«But Im not ready!»
«Too bad,» Emily smirked. «Ill be a very forgiving audience.»
«*And* I insist!» Lucy clapped. «My wedding, my rules. Then you two can talk properly.»
Half an hour later, a flushed James stood by the mic, the mystery womannow revealed as a professional singerbeside him. Their wedding song began, and Emilys eyes welled up.
James wasnt perfecthe fumbled lyrics, missed a notebut the look he gave her, full of love, was better than any flawless performance.
When it ended, the room erupted in applause. Emily just hugged him tight.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I love you.»
«Even after the stupid lie?»
«*Because* of it,» she smiled. «It proves youll go to absurd lengths to make me happy.»
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
«I really thought I was being clever,» he said.
«And now weve got a story for the grandkids,» Emily laughed. «*How Grandad Went Fishing and Grandma Saw Him on Instagram at a Wedding*.»
«Sounds like a rom-com,» he chuckled. «No more secrets, I promise.»
«Keep the surprises,» she squeezed his hand. «Just better cover stories next time. April fishing? Even Ollie thought that was dodgy.»
«Noted,» James grinned. «Though we could still go fishing for real? Daves invited us both.»
«One condition,» she smirked. «You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
He groaned but nodded.
«Anything for you. Even if I scare every fish in the lake.»
They both laughed, knowing this ridiculous mess had only brought them closer.
