Page 2 of The Wife
‘Do you feel nauseous at all?’ Celia asks.
‘A little. Not too much. I’ve got an evil headache though.’
My mother-in-law-to-be rummages in her handbag and pulls out a packet of paracetamol. ‘Take a couple of these.’
I put the pills in my mouth one at a time, knocking each one back with a slug of water.
‘Maybe we should get you checked out?’ Malcolm runs a hand through his sparse grey hair. He turns to Toby. ‘She looks decidedly peaky, son.’
‘I know, but Mum said she’ll be okay,’ Toby replies uncertainly.
‘I know what your mum said, but it can’t hurt to—’
‘Thanks, Malcolm,’ I interrupt, ‘but I don’t want to miss my wedding because of a bump on the head. If I still feel bad, I’ll go to the doctor’s later.’
‘Well, okay. But perhaps I should let Guy know. You might be unsteady on your feet as he walks you down the aisle.’ Malcolm turns to leave.
Toby stands and puts a hand on his father’s shoulder. ‘Wait…’
‘Toby’s right. Don’t tell my dad. He’ll only worry.’ I stagger to my feet and find to my dismay that I have to lean on a chair to steady myself. My legs are so shaky. What if I’m not strong enough to stand and say my vows? I think of all the people in the little chapel next to the hotel who have come to see us get married. All the weeks of planning. My utter joy and excitement at the thought of becoming Mrs Zoe Johnson. I can’t not get married, no matter how shaky I feel. I let go of the chair and square my shoulders. ‘Do you know what? Celia’s right, I’m absolutely fine. Honestly, I already feel so much better. I think it must have been nerves that made me faint. Or maybe hunger. Thinking about it, I did skip breakfast.’
‘Well, that’ll be it,’ Celia declares. ‘Let me call room service and get you something sugary. A piece of cake maybe. In the meantime, you should sit down, love. Rest a while.’
‘No, I’m fine, honestly. Lou and Becky will be back soon.’ My bridesmaids must still be downstairs. As my sister couldn’t be here, I asked my two best friends to step in. I went to school with Lou and I work at the salon with Becky.
Celia picks up the phone on the bedside table. ‘I’ll have the kitchen send tea and cake – enough for the three of you.’
‘Four of us,’ I amend. ‘You should stay too.’
‘No, I’ll let you three have some time to yourselves. You don’t want an oldie cramping your style.’
‘Don’t be daft. Of course I want you with us.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure.’ She gives me a soft smile.
Celia is the closest I’ve got to a mum. My mother died when I was thirteen after a two-year struggle with cancer. And my younger sister Dina left home to go travelling when she hit sixteen. I’ve only spoken to her sporadically since then. Dad was devastated after Mum died. He never really got over it and was rarely there for me and Dina. Well, not emotionally anyway. He made sure we were fed and clothed, but he wouldn’t talk about Mum, or about anything really. Our household was a sad place. I tried to fill the void Mum left as best I could, but I don’t think I did a particularly good job. No wonder Dina got the hell out as soon as she could.
I stuck around in Shaftesbury, as I couldn’t see myself living anywhere other than the small Dorset town where I grew up. But when I met Toby and his family, my world finally developed some colour. Some warmth. Ever since the two of us got together three years ago, his mum has treated me like the daughter she never had. We chat daily, meet for lunch, go on spa days, and tell one another pretty much everything. And Malcolm is a soft-hearted sweetie who would do anything for his wife. Don’t get me wrong, I love my dad. It’s just… difficult.
‘I hope I haven’t jinxed things.’ I turn to Toby. ‘It’s supposed to be bad luck for us to see one another before the wedding.’
‘You don’t really believe that.’ He gives me an indulgent smile.
‘No, but I wanted to do things the right way. I didn’t want any drama. And I wanted to wait until I reached the chapel to see you. Now I’ve ruined it.’
‘You haven’t ruined anything.’ He puts his arms around me, and I lean into him. I’m only a couple of inches over five feet so my cheek rests comfortably against his chest. ‘I know you wanted everything to be just so. It’s what I love about you, Zoe. You love family. You love tradition.’
‘Even though I fainted and now have a giant egg-shaped lump on my head?’ I give him a wry look. ‘That’s not exactly traditional.’
‘Zoe, it’s all going to be perfect. You’re perfect.’
My heart lifts at his words and for a moment my head clears, and the pain disappears. Until I remember… ‘I’m not perfect,’ I murmur. ‘No one is.’
‘Okay, well you’re perfect for me.’
I inhale deeply and push out the knowledge that this isn’t exactly true. I try to focus on the day ahead. To ignore the tiny bead of worry in my chest. Today is a day for fairy tales and happy ever afters. What’s past is past. All that matters is that I’m about to become the person I’ve always wanted to be, with the man I love.
Two
