Did he really bail on his own wedding and then send a photo with someone else?
Are you serious? Pink? For a wedding? Ivy nearly spilled her latte when she saw Poppy.
Its not a big deal. I like it, Poppy twirled in front of the mirror in the fitting room, admiring the powderblue dress. Its romantic, isnt it?
Poppy, youre thirtytwo! Pink is for eighteenyearolds.
Who said that? Poppy turned to her friend. I want to feel like a princess. Im only getting married once, so I can have my say.
Ivy sighed, took a sip of her coffee.
Fine, its your wedding, your call. But if I were you, Id go for ivory it suits you better.
The shop assistant held up a third dress, waiting patiently.
Ladies, perhaps youd like to try this one? Very elegant, with a train.
Sure, Poppy nodded.
She changed and stepped out of the fitting room. The dress was indeed gorgeous sleek silhouette, offtheshoulder, long train. Ivory, just as Ivy had suggested.
Now were talking! Ivy circled Poppy, grinning. You look like a queen.
Poppy stared at her reflection. The dress fit like a glove.
James will love it?
Of course! Hows he doing? Is he nervous about the big day?
Poppy shrugged, tracing the embroidery on the bodice.
Im not sure. Hes been oddly quiet this past week, very withdrawn.
Men always get jittery before a wedding, Ivy reassured. Its normal theyre scared of the responsibility.
Probably.
Poppy bought the ivory dress. The assistant boxed it up, and the two friends left the boutique.
Everything ready on your end? Ivy asked when they sat in the café across the street. Venue booked, rings purchased?
Yep, all set. The wedding is the day after tomorrow, Saturday. The venue is booked, the menu approved, the band hired.
Guests confirmed?
Almost everyone. About eighty people.
Ivy whistled. Thats a proper shindig.
My mum insisted we go all out. She says, if Im getting married, I might as well do it with a splash. Shes actually more excited than I am.
What about Jamess parents?
Poppy grimaced.
His mum will be there. His dad refused says his son made his own decision, so hell take the consequences.
Odd.
Its a messy family thing, I dont want to get involved.
They finished their coffees, and Ivy went off to run her errands while Poppy headed home. The flat was quiet; mum was at work, dad was tinkering in the garage.
Poppy grabbed her phone and texted James: Got the dress, its stunning! Cant wait for Saturday.
His reply came twenty minutes later: Good. One word. Poppy frowned. James had never been chatty, but lately hed turned into a complete mute. She called him.
Hello? his voice sounded tired.
Hey, its me. How are you?
Fine.
James, whats up? Youve been off for a week.
Silence. Then a deep breath.
Listen, Poppy, I need to tell you something.
Her heart did a little flip.
What?
Not over the phone. Meet?
When?
Tomorrow. By the fountain in the park. Six oclock.
Alright, Poppy felt a cold shiver. See you then.
He hung up. Poppy sat on the sofa, phone clenched in her hand. What could he possibly want to say? Back out now? No, theyd been together three years, planned everything, bought the rings, booked the venue
That evening her mum called.
Poppy, did you buy the dress?
Bought it, Mum. Its gorgeous.
Will you show me?
Tomorrow, Ill have it on. Im exhausted, off to bed.
Alright, love. Rest up. The big day is in two days the most important one of your life!
Poppy hung up and lay down without even changing out of her pyjamas. The most important day. If James didnt change his mind.
The next morning she arrived at the park fifteen minutes early, perched on a bench by the fountain, watching the water ripple. People strolled, kids chased each other, couples rode bikes a typical summer evening.
James appeared right on the dot, tall, darkhaired, in jeans and a shirt, his face unusually serious.
Hey, he sat down beside her.
Hey. What did you want to say?
He stared at the fountain a moment, then turned to her.
Poppy, I dont know how to put this
Just say it.
Im not sure Im ready for the wedding.
Poppy felt the ground shift beneath her.
What?
I need time to think. Maybe we should postpone?
Postpone? Her voice trembled. The wedding is in two days! Guests are booked, the venue paid for!
I know, but
But what?! Poppy stood up, her anger flaring. James, what are you talking about? Weve been together three years! Weve planned everything!
He stood too, hands in his pockets.
Sorry. I just cant do it right now.
Why?
I cant explain. I just cant.
Poppy stared, unable to process.
Are you joking? Is this a prank?
No.
Then whats happening? Explain!
James shook his head.
Not now. I need to sort myself out.
He turned and walked away. Poppy stood rooted, feeling like shed walked into a nightmare.
She fumbled for her phone and dialed Ivy.
Ivy, hes calling off the wedding!
Who? James?! Ivy cursed. Where are you?
At the fountain.
Im on my way.
Ivy arrived half an hour later, hugging Poppy until she sobbed.
What do I do? The wedding is in two days!
Cancel it, Ivy said firmly. Call the venue, pull the plug.
But the guests
Ill send a message to everyone: Wedding cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
What about the parents?
Tell them the truth. The groom ran off it happens.
They sat on the bench until dark fell, then Ivy drove Poppy home.
Mum opened the door, saw Poppys tearstreaked face, and instantly understood.
What happened?
James called off the wedding.
Mum went pale.
How?
He said he wasnt sure, needed time.
Dad popped out of the garage.
What do you mean called off? The day before the wedding?
Exactly, Dad.
He swore, a rare sight.
Where is he? Ill talk to him!
Dont. I just want to crawl into bed.
Poppy retreated to her room, lay down, and the tears finally stopped, leaving a hollow quiet.
The next morning Mum brought tea.
Poppy, you have to call the guests, cancel everything.
I cant.
You can. Im with you.
Together they phoned each guest, one after another, explaining the cancellation. Some were sympathetic, some angry, some simply hung up.
Dad went to the venue, found out the deposit was nonrefundable.
How much have we lost? Mum asked.
Two thousand pounds.
Poppy covered her face with her hands. Two thousand pounds the family had saved for a year.
Im sorry, she whispered.
Its alright, Dad patted her head. Youre safe and healthy. Money isnt everything.
Saturday arrived the day that should have been the wedding. Poppy woke early, stared at the ivory dress hanging in the wardrobe, tears threatening again. Her phone buzzed. A message from James.
She opened it, heart thudding, and saw a photo. James in a tux, standing next to a woman in a white dress, both holding a red wedding folder and grinning.
The caption read: Sorry, I got married. I love her. Always have. Couldnt bring myself to say it. Forgive me.
Poppy stared, stunned. Hed married someone else on the very day they were supposed to say I do.
She bolted to the bathroom, a wave of nausea hitting her. Mum burst in, alarmed.
Whats wrong?
Poppy handed over the phone. Mums face twisted with fury.
This this
Dont say anything, Poppy muttered, sitting on the floor, trying not to speak.
Mum, he married someone else on our wedding day! she managed.
Mum sank onto the floor beside her, hugging her tightly.
Its not your fault. Hes a scoundrel, thats all.
Poppy stayed silent, the emptiness inside now a flat, numb void.
Ivy arrived an hour later, eyes widening at the photo.
Ill kill him! Where does he live?
I dont know, Poppy said, pulling the blanket tighter. He rented a flat, never gave an address.
How could he? You were together three years!
He said the flat was under renovation, too awkward for guests. We always met at my place or cafés.
Ivy sat down.
Did you ever meet his friends?
No. He claimed he had none, that everyone was scattered.
What about his mum?
One time. She was odd, always watching him like a hawk.
Ivy shook her head. Sounds like he kept a secret girlfriend the whole time. Why bother with you?
Poppy closed her eyes, thinking of three years wasted on a man who loved someone else all along.
A week passed. Poppy barely ate, hardly left the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Mum kept urging her to eat, but Poppy just shook her head.
Ivy visited daily, bringing fruit, trying to cheer her up, with limited success.
On the eighth day an unfamiliar woman called.
Poppy?
Yes?
My name is Lydia. Im Jamess mother.
Poppy sat up.
Go on.
I need to meet you. Theres something I must tell you.
Why?
Its important. Please.
They met at the same fountain. Lydia turned out to be a short, plump woman in her sixties, weary eyes, a handkerchief tucked in her pocket.
Thank you for coming, she said, sitting beside Poppy.
What do you want to say?
Lydia dabbed her eyes.
I want you to know the truth. James isnt who he pretends to be.
I already know.
No, you dont. Hes a professional liar. He courts women, plans weddings, then marries someone else and pockets the money.
What money?
The cash his families spend on the weddings. He strikes deals with venues, gets half the deposit back.
Poppys stomach turned cold.
Youre joking?
No. He did this three times before you. Youre the fourth.
The lady in the photo?
An actress he hired for a fake ceremony. No real marriage.
Poppy could hardly breathe.
Why tell me?
Because Im tired of keeping silent. Youre a good girl, and Im ashamed of my son.
Poppy stood.
Thanks, but I need to go.
Wait, Lydia handed her a piece of paper. These are the contact details of the other women he duped. Maybe you can do something together.
Poppy tucked the list into her bag and left without looking back.
At home she told her parents everything. Dads face reddened with rage.
Im going to the police!
Dad, hold on. What evidence do we have? His word against ours.
Its fraud!
Exactly, but what now?
Mum lifted the list.
What about these other women? Maybe they want justice too?
Poppy dialed the first number.
Hello? a woman answered.
This is Poppy. Did you date James Saville?
Silence.
How do you know?
His mother gave me your number. I was also his fiancée.
Me too? the voice hardened. Im not alone.
Four of us, actually. Can we meet?
Of course. Come over.
Poppy met the three others: Marina, Lena and Oksana. Each had been stood up at the altar or received a lastminute cancellation, losing money on the venue.
Marina: My parents lost £1,500.
Lena: We lost £2,000.
Oksana: £1,800 gone.
Poppy: £2,000 for us.
They sat in a café, four jilted brides, puzzling over their next move.
Marina: I went to the police, they said theres no crime. He never took the cash directly.
Lena: Maybe we write to the paper?
Oksana: Hell just change his name and continue.
Poppy thought, then said, What if we all confront him together? Demand the money back, or we go public.
The others exchanged looks.
Marina: It might work.
Lydia gave them the address of the flat James was renting. That evening the four women knocked on his door.
James opened, eyes wide.
What?
May we come in? Marina stepped forward. Or do you want the neighbours to hear what youre up to?
He let them in, muttering apologies.
Marina began, We know what youre doing. We have evidence.
What evidence? James tried a smirk, which fell flat.
Your mothers testimony, Poppy said. Shes ready to give a statement to the police.
James went pale.
She wont dare, Marina retorted. Shes fed up.
James sank onto the sofa, covering his face.
What do you want?
Your money, Marina said simply. Return what you stole from the four of us.
I dont have it!
Youll find it. Or well plaster your face all over the tabloids and the internet. See how many more brides you get after that.
James was silent, then asked, How much time?
A month, Poppy replied. A month to repay £7,300 total.
Its impossible! he protested.
Its possible. Youve already taken that much over the years.
He stared, a mix of anger and fear.
Fine. One month, he finally said.
The women left, and on the street Poppy whispered, Do you think hell actually pay?
Marina answered confidently, Hell pay. Hes terrified of being exposed.
A month passed. James sent weekly updates, claiming he was gathering the cash. At the end of the month he called them to meet.
He handed each a sealed envelope.
Heres what I owe. Count it yourself.
They opened the envelopes, counted, and the sums matched.
Marina snapped the envelope shut. Now disappear. Never pull a stunt like this again, or well really make headlines.
James nodded, eyes downcast.
Poppy returned home with a stack of cash and gave it to her parents.
Heres what we lost on the wedding, she said.
Mum examined the envelope. How did you manage this?
We banded together. All of us exfiancées.
Dad hugged her. Well done, love. Im proud of you.
For the first time in weeks Poppy truly smiled.
Six months later Poppy landed a new job, made new friends, and the sting of Jamess betrayal dulled, though it never fully vanished.
One evening her mothers phone rang.
Its Lydia. I just wanted to say thank you.
For what?
For what you did. James got a proper job now, a decent one. He says hell never cheat again.
Really?
Yes. You gave him a lesson. He finally understands that trickery doesnt pay.
Poppy hung up, thinking maybe the whole mess wasnt entirely pointless. Perhaps shed saved future brides from heartache.
She never wore the ivory dress. Instead she gave it to a friend who was actually getting married, and cheered at that wedding, happy for someone elses joy.
As Mum always said, her own happiness was still ahead just had to stay a bit wiser about people and not trust pretty words without solid deeds.
