Page 40 of Forever Mr Black

“I can’t wait to make this beautiful woman mine, and we’re looking forward to celebrating our special day with you all.”

It’s not until Art looks at me with a great big grin on his face that I realise I’m grinning too. He kisses me, and the guests break out into whoops of excitement and applause. The annoyance I felt ten minutes ago about the whole wedding-venue saga fades as he pulls away and gazes into my eyes. How does he do this?

We turn back to the guests, and for a few seconds, I think I’m hallucinating. I must be. Because what I saw … who I thought I saw weaving through the guests wouldn’t be here today. There’s no way she’d have been invited. But I’m wrong. My bubble of happiness bursts at the sight of auburn hair.

Aisling stands towards the back of the guests, clutching a glass of champagne. I’ve no idea how long she’s been here, but her downturned mouth tells me she heard Art’s little speech. I keep a smile plastered across my face. I don’t know what to think or where to look …

What the fuck is she doing here?

If Art’s noticed her, he doesn’t show it, as he carries on effortlessly, but I barely hear him because I’m reeling.

“Mum, thank you for organising tonight, and thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. There’s plenty of food and drink left, so eat, drink, and have a good time.”

The music turns back up, and the guests begin to disperse.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” I snap, unable to stop myself.

Art frowns and shakes his head. “Who?”

“Aisling.”

He glances around the garden, his eyes narrowing slightly as he hones in on her.

“What’s she doing here?” I push.

“She’s here with her mum,” he says calmly, as if it were all perfectly normal.

I steal a glance across the garden to see her standing, talking to an older lady with short grey hair.

My eyes swing to Art as an unnerving thought hits me. “Tell me you didn’t invite her.”

His eyebrows draw into a frown. “Of course not. My mum and hers are school friends. I guess Mum invited them. Ash is here for the same reason as everyone else. To congratulate us.”

I doubt that. Yet his tone suggests I’m overreacting.

I spot movement over his shoulder and watch in horror as Barbara introduces Aisling and her mum to my parents. “Oh great. She’s being introduced to Mum and Martin now.” I take a swig of champagne to try and extinguish the bitterness building inside me. “This just gets better and better, doesn’t it?”

Art rakes his fingers through his hair and looks awkward. “Mum … doesn’t know.”

I narrow my eyes. “What? That her friend’s therapist daughter fucked her son when she should have been supporting him? No, I bet she fucking doesn’t.”

Art glances around worriedly, checking the other guests are out of earshot, before fixing me with a firm look. “No, and I want to keep it that way.”

He’s asking me not to make a scene even though she’s turned up at our engagement party. Knowing exactly what reaction she’s going to get. Red-hot anger ignites in my blood. She’s got a bloody nerve.

“Are you serious?”

“Sophie dear, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Barbara’s voice cuts me off.

Art turns round to reveal Barbara, Aisling, and her mother behind us.

Barbara is smiling from ear to ear, totally oblivious to the shitstorm brewing. “This is Cecilia, one of my good friends.”

Cecilia gives me a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophie.”

Being face-to-face with Barbara squashes some of my anger. She’s pulled tonight together for us. I can’t kick off and ruin things.

“You, too.”

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