Page 81 of The Christmas Express
I shake my head, my shoulders loosening a little at her reassuring tone, and Moglington uses this opportunity of weakness to make a break for it, leaping free into the snow, four deep little paw holes forming, and skitters indoors after the wedding cake maker.
‘Did Alex meet them? Did she like them? Did she say if they’re all still mad at each other, and at me?’
Ruby considers my questions, head tilted to the side, dark hair glistening under the low, winter afternoon sunshine. ‘Yes she met them, yes she likes them, no she hasn’t said anything about them other than that they’ll all be there this evening.’ She hands the flowers and candelabra to one of her cousins walking by. ‘How are you doing?’
‘Super nervous,’ I answer. I have swirls of anxiety rolling in my stomach, worst-case-scenarios playing out like pilot TV shows with bad scripts in my mind. ‘Wait, do you mean about seeing them or getting married?’
‘Seeing them.’ Ruby laughs.
‘Yes then, super nervous. Getting married in the morning will be a breeze.’ I check my watch. ‘I’d better get going soon. Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving the rest of this to you?’
I’m getting married tomorrow, and all my friends are coming to witness it, just like I always imagined. The forecast is for half rain, half sun, which is just fine with me. The decorations are up, the food is in the fridge, the cake is here, the guests are nestling into nearby lodges and hotels. One bride is cool and calm, even if the other is a garter full of nerves.
‘Of course not, we’ve got this. Go, get your friends, feed them, hug them, then get back here and marry me.’
‘Yes, boss,’ I tell her, and give her a final squeeze before grabbing my bag and jumping in the chauffeured van I’ve hired to collect my friends and bring them back here. I think they’re going to love Ruby, even if they still hate me. She’s great. And I always love having her sister to stay as well.
This is it.
The van boards the ferry and I climb out, grabbing a coffee from the kiosk inside and taking a seat beside one of the big windows. It’s overcast and cold and perfect out here on the water, and I let my thoughts drift about with the rocking of the boat.
That’s when I realise something. I am nervous, but I’m excited, thrilled even. Like that feeling you get when you finally pick that big scab just to see what happens, haha. At least now I’ll know what happens. And it’s already going to be a big, beautiful wedding so why not throw a few old friends and foes into the mix? Hell, maybe I should have flown some exes out too?
No, maybe not. A smile is crossing my mouth though, which I cover with the lip of my coffee cup.
I bet they were so mad when they got to Toronto Airport. I bet Joss, in particular, was furious and stomping her feet about. I bet Cali was trying to shine sunshine all over the plan. But Alex has done that trip enough times that I know it’s an incredible journey; they’d struggle not to fall for the beauty in their surroundings, even if they’re just admiring it between clawing at each other’s eyeballs. But I don’t think it will have come to that, not really. Because they came. They could have said no (some of them tried) but they came which means something is still there, something still makes the six of us us.
I can’t wait to hear all about it. I can’t wait to see them.
Chapter 43
Cali
‘We will shortly be arriving in Pacific Central Station, Vancouver. This is the final destination for this service. Please take all your belongings, family, friends and memories with you.’
The announcement was expected, of course, but I can’t help but feel a weird little flake of sadness that it’s over. This train has been my home for the past five days, the place where – yes, Bryn – we’ve come back together and are stronger and better for it. I think.
Be it due to hangovers, sleepiness or stubbornness, I’ve not seen much of the others today. We’ve all kept mostly quiet, to ourselves, watching the Canadian landscape drift by. We’ve rolled without drama – outside or inside the train – through the district of British Columbia, alongside rippling rivers, cutting through canyons, and, eventually, into the suburbs of the city.
My friends and I have greeted each other with minor-hangover friendliness. I’ve told them about Ember leaving and nobody scoffed or whooped or anything. Alex is picking up a hire car at the train station and making her own way over to Vancouver Island.
I’ve told Luke I need a little time. It’s cowardly to care what the others think, but I do. And, of course, I know they all know. Joe came back to his room last night when (thankfully) we were fast asleep, but there was no missing the fact we were snuggled together like a couple of Arctic foxes in Luke’s bunk. And Joss is being a little softer today. But I can’t help it . . . there’s still this horrid feeling deep in my stomach, like the ice our group friendship is on is so thin that he and I becoming a duo might just cause it to crack. Again.
I stand, and gather up all my crap – my bag, my coat, my tinsel bracelet, and go to meet the others at the exit nearest our cabins.
The station appears outside the window, benches and signs and waiting passengers coming into view.
‘Is anyone else nervous to see Bryn?’ Joss asks, chewing on her fingernails.
‘No more so than I was seeing the rest of you,’ Sara admits.
‘You never seemed nervous,’ I say, surprised.
‘I was bricking it,’ she says, laughing. ‘I thought you all hated me.’
‘Me too,’ says Luke.
‘Me too,’ chorus Joe and Joss.
