Page 1 of Snow Going Back

ONE

There was a very specific smell that belonged to old church porches, Kate deduced as she stared at the centuries-old yellow stone walls either side of her. It was a mixture of the incense they burned inside, old wood and something else, something… damp. Yes, it was definitely damp. Though that wasn’t surprising. The outer archway had no door, and the narrow windows on either side were glassless, leaving little protection against the wet British weather.

She barely registered the low excited chatter behind her, shivering as the cold October air bit at her bare arms. Folding them tightly, she wished – not for the first time – that they’d chosen a date in the summer. Or spring. Or early autumn. Any time of the year that was warmer than this.

The first bars of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D wafted out from the organ inside. That was her cue. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and pulled her shoulders back, trying to ignore the nerves that jittered around her stomach.

‘Ready?’

She turned to see Amy, her best friend in the world, smiling at her.

Kate nodded, touching her dark hair one more time to check it was still in place as the heavy wooden door opened. Light and warmth spilled out, and she stepped forward into its inviting embrace.

Her bluey-green eyes softened as she walked to the top of the aisle and looked around. The light from the tall wrought-iron candelabras dotting each side of the room turned the yellow stone walls to a shimmering gold and warmed the dark wood of the pews. Clusters of white roses wrapped with trailing ivy hung on the end of each pew, matching the bouquet in her hands and the sprays on each side of the altar. She’d seen it all before, of course – she’d finished off the last little touches just hours before – but the effect was truly magical, now it had all come together.

A sea of smiling faces stared back at her as she forced herself onward, one step at a time, to the music. The planning had been the fun bit.Thiswas the part she hadn’t been looking forward to. Her long walk down the plank, with everyone watching.Aisle, she corrected. As naturally confident as Kate was, being at the centre of such pointed attention made her feel like a zoo attraction.

People craned their necks to see around wide-brimmed hats and feathery fascinators, and the clicks and flashes of the cameras began. Ignoring it all, she focused instead on just one familiar face ahead of her. The face of the man standing beside the vicar. A face that instantly warmed her heart and widened her smile. The face that belonged to Lance.

He smiled back at her, the action lighting up his handsome face. Lance looked incredible in the tailored dark grey morning suit, silver waistcoat and white cravat. Then again, with his athletic figure and preppy-yet-devilish good looks, Lance looked good in pretty much anything. Despite the fact it was October, he still retained a summery sun-kissed glow, whichwas complimented by his wavy flop of sandy hair and warm hazel eyes. Eyes which twinkled at her from behind round tortoiseshell glasses as she finally reached him.

‘And here you are,’ he said quietly. He looked down to her dress and back up. ‘You look sensational.’

‘As do you,’ Kate replied warmly. ‘Both of you,’ she added, to include the man beside him.

‘Thanks,’ Rick said, hooking his fingers under his shirt collar. ‘Is yours tight?’ He glanced at Lance. ‘Mine feels tight.Tootight. I can’t breathe.’

‘You need to relax, old boy,’ Lance replied. He placed a reassuring hand on Rick’s back and leaned in towards his ear as Kate moved to the other side of the vicar. ‘This is your wedding, not a colonic.’

Kate decided she’d probably prefer the colonic, given that choice, but luckily for Amy, Rick was not of the same opinion. She hid a grin and then looked back down the aisle with anticipation as the other bridesmaids filed in beside her. As maid of honour and lifelong best friend, it had been Kate’s job to make sure today was everything Amy had ever wanted, and she was pretty confident that she’d pulled it off. The church was perfect. The reception venue was ready, down to the very last detail. Everyone was where they were supposed to be – the guests, the suppliers – and if some disaster did occur, she was confident that she was prepared for absolutely anything.

TWO

The melodic sounds of the string quartet filled the grand ballroom, where everyone was thoroughly enjoying the wedding reception, and Kate leaned back against the bar, sipping the ice-cold champagne she’d just been handed by one of the waiters.

‘It really is a fabulous wedding,’ Lance said, joining her.

‘It is,’ Kate agreed. Across the room, Rick leaned in to kiss Amy’s cheek for the hundredth time since they’d left the church, and Kate smiled fondly. ‘It’s everything she’s ever wanted. She’s always hadveryspecific ideas.’

‘Well, of course. Doesn’t every woman have their wedding planned out in their head?’ Lance asked, tipping his head back to finish the last of his champagne.

‘Noteverywoman,’ Kate replied.

Lance’s eyebrows rose, and the corner of his mouth tugged upwards, but as he opened it to reply, a high-pitched indignant voice suddenly cut through the air.

‘Thereyou are!’

Kate turned with a resigned smile. ‘Hello, Mother.’

‘Where have youbeen, Katherine?’ Her mother’s expression was as indignant as her tone. ‘I’ve been looking alloverfor you.’

‘Right here,’ Kate replied brightly.

‘Can I get you a drink, Eleanor?’ Lance asked.

‘Oh, go on then,’ she said, immediately more cheerful. ‘I’ll have a gin and tonic, thank you, Lance.’

‘A double gin and tonic and a Laphroaig on the rocks,’ Lance said to the barman. ‘Have I mentioned how lovely you look today, Eleanor?’

---