Page 83 of The Day After Christmas
And with that, she took Bex’s arm and led her across the street to her waiting car. Behind them, guests were pouring out of the church doors, their voices raised in excited discussion, and Felicity guessed the vicar had finally managed to call it a day.
When Bex had gone, Sophie, James and Felicity looked at each other, their faces grim.
‘Well, that went well,’ said James after a moment.
‘Perfect,’ said Felicity. She was shaking with what? Shock? Relief? Some combination of the two?
‘Swimmingly,’ said Sophie, with a light laugh. Then she stopped and ran a despairing hand down her face. ‘What a bloody mess,’ she said.
‘At least we’ve given this lot something to talk about,’ said Felicity, nodding to the heavy wooden doors. Wedding guests were still pouring through, blinking in the afternoon sun like giant moles, even though they’d only been inside the building for less than thirty minutes.
‘What now?’ said James.
‘Pub?’ said Felicity.
‘Pub,’ said Sophie, nodding. ‘I’ll drive.’
‘How are you feeling?’ said James, passing Felicity her drink and slipping into the booth beside her.
Felicity pondered this for a second or two, pulling at her corset. Her dress was made of cheap fabric that still itched whenever she moved. She couldn’t wait to get it off. How was she feeling? This was the outcome she had wanted, deep down. She wanted Bex to know the truth about Adam and now she did and she supposed she should be happy but all she could think of was those little dark tear-stains on Bex’s beautiful cream dress. Her heart, torn in two. Felicity had been through break-ups herself, of course, always with Adam incidentally, but to be so humiliated in front of all those people like that. Felicity couldn’t even imagine how Bex must be feeling right now.
‘I’m fine,’ she said, coming back into the moment.
‘Yes, me too,’ said Sophie.
‘Me three,’ said James lamely, and they attempted a polite laugh, which died swiftly on their lips.
‘Good, glad we’re all fine,’ said Sophie.
‘Poor Bex though,’ said James.
Felicity put her head in her hands and gave an anguished groan. ‘That poor girl. I should have tried harder. I should have done more. Hell, I should have locked her in her house so she never even had the chance to get there. So he never had the chance to do that to her.’
James rubbed her back absent-mindedly.
‘To be fair to the guy, even he couldn’t have predicted that would happen.’
‘Talk about your past catching up with you. Literally,’ said Sophie.
‘Your very attractive past,’ said Felicity. ‘That Tabitha was stunning. Did you see her? Wow. Those boobs, my goodness.’
‘I’m glad you’re the one who said that,’ said James.
Felicity leant her head on his shoulder. ‘Thanks for pretending not to notice them,’ she said, with a feeble attempt at a smile. He turned and placed a kiss on top of her head. It sent a warm shiver down her spine despite the circumstances. ‘You’re welcome.’
‘Gross,’ said Sophie.
‘Anyway,’ said James, ‘what happens now do you think?’
‘We have to see if Bex is okay. What if she’s not okay? How can we just sit here drinking, when she’s in all that pain?’
Felicity half stood as if to go right that very second but Sophie reached out and put a hand on her arm. Her honey-coloured hair was still bound up in its bridesmaid’s plait but her make-up had slipped. She looked tired.
‘Do you think you’re the best person to go to her?’ she said to Felicity, gently.
Felicity sat down again. ‘I suppose you’re right.’
James nodded his agreement. ‘She doesn’t need to be reminded of you right now, I expect.’
