Page 176 of An Unholy Affair
‘I want to leave it as is,’ she replied.
‘Fair enough.’ Estelle stepped back as the bells stopped. ‘Go knock ’em dead. I’ll be right behind you.’
Her father’s eyes glistened as he smiled. ‘Ready, love?’
Eveline nodded and linked her arm with his. ‘Absolutely.’
Organ music spilled joyously through the air as they walked into the packed church. Everyone was smiling, but no matter how much Eveline wanted to acknowledge each person in turn, she wanted to look at Jack more.
Standing at the altar, next to Henry, Finn and Connor, he was so handsome, she thought her heart might burst. He stared at her, his gaze full of love.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
Eveline tugged on her father’s arm to hurry him up. He was stepping as if he’d been in the military all his life and was now heading up the funeral procession for a head of state. His left foot went forward, then his right joined it and both feet paused. A beat later, his right foot went forward, then his left snapped smartly together next to it, followed by another pause. If they were racing a glacier and a snail, they were definitely going to come last.
A metre in, and already out of step, Eveline decided enough was enough. Dragging her father by the arm like a little boy who didn’t want to go to school, she marched up the aisle at a speed she hoped was merely brisk. However, judging by the look on Jack’s face, the laughter around them, and the fact her dad now appeared to be running, she had to concede it was more of a jog.
Even though Eveline wasn’t meant to hold Jack’s hand until her father formally ‘gave her away’, the moment she got to his side, they reached for each other.
Jack’s eyes were shining. ‘I love you. You’re so beautiful you take my breath away.’
‘I love you too,’ she replied, her own eyes tingling.
Everything around them faded into the background as she held his gaze, his perfect face blurring as her happiness overflowed.
Janice loudly cleared her throat, and Eveline remembered where she was.
Estelle held a handkerchief out to her, and Henry held one out to Jack, whilst some of the laughs from the congregation changed to happy sniffs.
‘Well,’ said Janice loudly. ‘What a wonderful expression of love. Although it does feel like we’ve skipped straight to theI-now-declare-them-man-and-wifepart!’
‘Fine by me,’ said Jack, wiping the corners of his eyes. ‘That’s the best bit.’
Eveline giggled, then thought about what would happen at the end of the night when they were finally alone.
As if reading her mind, his gaze darkened, sending a shiver of anticipation through her.
‘Shall we begin?’ Janice asked.
Still looking at Jack, Eveline nodded. ‘Yes, please…’
On the returnjourney down the aisle, Eveline walked slowly, revelling in the feel of her hand in Jack’s, the pride she felt at being his wife, and happiness that so many people she knew were there to witness it. They paused in the doorway for photos, then Jack led her in the direction of the Manor where everyone who’d attended the service was invited for tea and cake.
But instead of heading by the most direct route, he took her via the church hall.
‘Jack?’
‘Yes, wife?’
Eveline squealed inside. She was his wife! ‘Husband,’ she said, trying the word on for size and deciding it fitted perfectly. ‘Why are we here?’
‘Your wedding present,’ he replied.
‘But you’ve already given me so much!’
‘Fiddlesticks. All those appliances were for me.’
‘Fiddlesticks?’ She grinned. ‘Who evensaysthat?’
