«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 weeksI cant cancel last minute.»
«But its Lucys wedding!» Sophie set her teacdown with a clatter. «Your university best friend! Shell never forgive you if youre not there. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«Jamess sacred man-time,» Emily sighed. «He barely gets away without me. Hes been going on about it all springnew gear, the tent, everything. I cant let him down.»
«But Lucys fair game, then?» Sophie raised an eyebrow. «She 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 been gnawing at her for days. On one hand, Lucys weddinga friend since uni. On the other, Jamess long-awaited lads weekend. And of course, they had to fall on the same weekend.
«Maybe Ill just go alone?» she offered weakly. «Explain the situation. Lucyll understand.»
«Oh, shell understand alright,» Sophie snorted. «Right before holding a grudge till the end of time. Remember how she sulked when you missed her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different,» Emily protested. «I forgot. This is a proper reason.»
«Ah yes, fishing,» Sophie drawled. «Fine, your call. But dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left Emily unsettled. On the train home, she chewed over her options. Maybe she could talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But heʼd been so excited about this trip, counting down the days… Itd be selfish to ask him to cancel.
James met her in the hallway, helping her out of her coat. He smelled like fresh air and something delicious from the kitchen.
«Dinners ready,» he said, grinning. «Your favouriteprawn linguine. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Saw Sophie. She says hi.»
Over dinner, the weekend plans inevitably came up.
«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 forever. I get it.»
«Sure?» He still looked worried. «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 go to Lucys alonecant let her down. Ill just say youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to excitement for his trip.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked the tent, and rang Dave twice to confirm details.
«Dont forget the bait, Captain Ahab,» Emily teased as he hunted for a torch. «And may the fish be biting.»
«Cheers, love.» He pulled her into a bear hug. «Take care, dont miss me too much. Send Lucy our 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 said, kissing her forehead. «Right, Im off. Daves waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she asked, walking him to the door.
«Absolutely!» He winked. «Well feast like kings!»
When the door shut, the flat felt oddly empty. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were joint affairs. But itd fly by. Especially with the wedding tomorrow.
That evening, she rang Lucy, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, Lucy took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» she said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. James is a ghost at these things anywaywell survive.»
«See you tomorrow,» Emily smiled. «And congrats again. Youll be the most gorgeous bride!»
Saturday was a blur of prep: hair, makeup, finding the perfect dressa sleek navy number that hugged her just right. A final mirror check confirmed she looked polished and put-together.
James had texted early: «Made it safe. Setting up camp. Signals naff here. Love you, have a fab day!»
She replied: «Good luck! Love you too.»
The wedding was at a swanky London restaurant. Emily arrived slightly latetypical city traffic. The ceremony had just ended when she slipped into the hall.
«Em!» Lucy, radiant in white, engulfed her in a hug. «You made it! I was starting to think youd bailed too!»
«Like Id miss this?» Emily squeezed her tight. «You look stunning! Toms a lucky man.»
«Thanks, love.» Lucy beamed. «Shame about James. But men and their fishingsacred ritual, isnt it?»
«He sends his congratulations and apologies,» Emily said. «Promised to make it up to you.»
Lucy led her to their table, where uni friends were already seated: Sophie and her husband, Emma and her partner, Ollie with his new girlfriend. Catching up eased the sting of Jamess absence. Toasts flowed, laughter bubbledthe room was warm with joy.
«Wheres your better half?» Ollie leaned in. «Not skipping this, surely?»
«Fishing with mates,» Emily said. «Planned for ages. Couldnt back out.»
«Fishing in April?» Ollie frowned. «Bit early, no?»
«Is it?» Emily shrugged. «James reckons springs prime time. Not that Id know.»
«Anglers intuition, eh?» Ollie smirked, but his gaze lingered oddly.
The evening rolled on. After dinner came dancing, games, a live band. Emily, buoyed by champagne and good company, was relaxing when she noticed a crowd huddled around a phone.
«Kats doing an Insta live!» Sophie giggled. «Come say hi, Emwave at the poor sods who couldnt make it.»
Emily joined the group, where Kat aimed her camera.
«Say hello, everyone!» Kat chirped.
«Hiya,» Emily waved, flushing. «Weddings amazingwish you were here!»
«Lets show the vibe!» Kat panned across the roomguests dancing, the cake-cutting, then paused. «Wait, whos that? Is that James?»
Emily followed her gaze. Near the bar, a man who looked eerily like her husband was dancing. Same build, same mannerisms, even the crisp blue shirt he wore for special occasions.
«Thats not James,» Emily laughed nervously. «Hes fishing. Miles from here.»
«No, thats definitely him!» Kat zoomed in. «Look!»
The phone screen showed Jamesher James, who shouldve been knee-deep in riverwaterlaughing with a woman Emily didnt recognise. They looked… cosy.
Emilys stomach dropped. The room tilted. This had to be a mistake. A trick of the light.
«James!» Her voice cracked.
He turned. Their eyes locked. His face drained of colour. He muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily chased, deaf to friends calls. The corridor outside was empty save for James, who spun to face her.
«Em, I can explain»
«Explain what?» Her voice shook. «The fishing lie? Being here when you swore you couldnt come? Who was that?»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere quiet?»
«No. Now. Why did you lie?»
James exhaled. «No fishing trip. I lied, but not for the reason youre imagining.»
«Then why?»
«Surprise for our anniversary,» he admitted. «Next month. Ive been learning our first dance songwith that woman, shes a vocal coach. We were rehearsing tonight. Lucy and Tom were in on it.»
Emily gaped. «You lied… to serenade me?»
«Wanted it to be perfect,» he grimaced. «Clearly backfired.»
Lucy burst into the corridor. «There you are! James, weve got soundcheck in oh. Busted?»
«You knew?» Emily whirled.
«Guilty,» Lucy winced. «But isnt it sweet? Hes been practising for weeks!»
Emily stared at James, who looked equal parts sheepish and hopeful.
«I dont know whether to throttle you or kiss you,» she said finally.
«How about both?» he ventured.
«Deal. On one condition: I hear this song now. Surprise is ruined anyway.»
James paled. «Im not ready!»
«Tough,» Lucy grinned. «My wedding, my rules. But after, Ill kick you out so you can make up properly.»
Half an hour later, a scarlet-faced James stood mic-in-hand beside his coach as their song began. It was theirsthe one from their wedding day. His voice wavered, he flubbed lyrics, but the look he gave Emily melted her anger.
When he finished, the room erupted. Emily walked over and hugged him tight.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I adore you.»
«Even after the lie?»
«Because of it,» she smiled. «Only youd go full spy just to sing to me.»
Later, in their taxi home, James still looked guilty.
«Meant well,» he mumbled. «Bollocksed it up.»
«Now weve got a story for the grandkids,» Emily laughed. «‘How Grandpa went fishing, and Grandma caught him live at a wedding.'»
«Sounds like a rom-com,» he chuckled. «No more secrets, promise.»
«Oh no,» she teased. «Keep the surprises. Just pick better cover stories. April fishing? Even Ollie saw through that.»
«Noted,» he grinned. «Though… we could still go fishing. Daves invited you for ages.»
«On one condition,» Emily said slyly. «You sing to me by the campfire. Solo this time.»
James groaned but nodded.
«Anything for my wife. Even if I scare every fish in the Thames.»
They laughed, knowing this absurd mess had only made them closer.
