Page 38 of Finding Jacob
My mother’s mouth fell open and she looked over to me. “Oh, well. You better get in. I’m sure there are a couple of seats reserved at the front with the family.”
“Wherever Anna wishes to sit is fine by me,” he said.
I was sure it took an effort for him to remove his hand and once he did, he reached into his pocket for a handkerchief. He wiped his hand before taking mine. Again, he raised my hand and kissed my knuckles.
“Shall we?” he asked.
I tilted my head slightly and pouted. “Yes, let’s,” I replied.
We walked into the cool church, and I could hear Jacob murmur, it sounded like a prayer. People were sitting, waiting, the old aunts had, no doubt, rushed to the front to bag the best seats. They turned to look at me and a ‘rumble’ of whispers greeted us.
“Let’s sit here,” I said, not opting to sit at the front but nearer the back. I couldn’t care less about greeting the distant relatives and even less for Aimee’s friends. Most of whom agreed with my parents that I should have ‘gotten over it.’
Well, I thought,I have.I flashed a smile at Jacob, who dipped his head to my ear.
“So, we’ve started the play now?” he whispered, kissing my temple.
“I guess so, but carry on doing that because I like it,” I whispered back.
Jules staggered past, not seeing me, and just by the red eyes and less than perfect makeup, I knew she was already drunk.
“Remember the model I had to rush off to sort out? That’s her and she still isn’t sober,” I told him quietly.
“The one dating the prince?” he asked, and I guessed he’d seen the news reports.
I nodded. “Not sure if they still are. He hit her,” I said.
Jacob looked at me sharply. “What did she do about that?” he asked.
“Nothing, I don’t think. What can she do?”
He was interrupted from answering by my mother rushing down the aisle. “She’s here, everyone,” she screeched.
It was only then I saw Harry stand and take his place. I wanted to chuckle at how rough he looked. He was positively haggard. His hair was shaggy and uncut, he had lost weight, his suit jacket didn’t fit, it was hanging off his shoulders, and he showed about as much enthusiasm for seeing his impending wife as a horse would greeting the slaughterhouse.
We were asked to stand, and music sounded out. I knew the song, of course, it was the one I had chosen for my wedding.
The bridesmaids entered first led by a youngster, a flower girl, someone I didn’t know. One by one, they paraded up the aisle and off to one side. Then came my sister and father. Although my sister beamed, nodding at everyone, initially. Her smile faded just a little as she caught my eye. I openly laughed and received a frown from my father.
“Are you okay?” Jacob whispered.
“That was my wedding dress.”
My sister was walking down the aisle to my song and wearing my dress to marry my ex-fiancé.
“Your dress?”
“Yes. It’s been at my parents since I’d kicked him out. I never bothered to collect it.”
What was utterly ridiculous was the obvious sewn in panels down the sides to allow for her expanding stomach. She had to be at least eight months pregnant at that point. I had no idea why they didn’t just wait until she’d given birth or bought a new dress that fit.
She raised her chin and walked on past. Eventually, we were asked to sit.
We sat through hymns and prayers, readings and vows. There was one moment of breath holding when my ex dropped the ring and he, and the best man, were on their knees trying to find it. My mother clapped her hands over her mouth in horror, of course.
Soon enough, it was over. The bells tolled and the not so happy couple walked back down the aisle. Neither looked at me and Jacob. Harry didn’t smile at anyone, only nodded to a couple, and I began to wonder what was going on. That wasn’t him at all. He looked wretched. I didn’t feel sorry for him, but curiosity had me staring at him.
Guests filed out after, and we waited our turn. Outside there were the obligatory photographs and while we waited for the group one—I appear to have been missed from the family one, despite my mother calling me and my sister telling her to be quiet—we chatted to some guests.
