Page 13 of The Forever Match

“We both want you to feel good on our day, so go ahead and invite her.” Victoria paused. “So long as she’s not going to be too overawed? She’ll meet the whole family, including Mother, Father, and Gran. That’s a lot in a short space of time.”

“I’ve floated the idea and she didn’t run screaming. I’ll leave it up to her, but she said a tentative maybe.” Michael glanced at the floor, before looking back at them.

Had his cheeks got a little flushed? Ash would swear they had.

“We’ve been on a couple of dates. We’re taking it slow. But she’s refreshing. And hot.” He shrugged. “I want to have what you’ve got. Even half of that would do for me.”

Victoria put down her beer, walked over and drew him into a hug. “You deserve it all. I’ll look forward to meeting her on my wedding day.” Then she held him at arm’s length. “My little brother, finally taking his love life seriously.”

“Being sober makes me so tedious, doesn’t it?” he told her with a smile, before walking back to the now-boiled kettle to make a cup of tea. “By the way, Mother told me you’re not allowed to see each other the night before the wedding. As I’m in charge, I have to guard the front door, apparently. Nice to see some traditions are being upheld.” He gave them a wink.

Ash laughed. “I’ll be at a hotel with my best mate. Victoria is going to be at the Palace with Astrid and Sofia. We’ll be miles apart, no guard needed.”

He gave an exaggerated pout. “Shame, I was looking forward to barging in and kicking you out.”

“I hope you’ll be too busy sorting out the weather and this incessant rain to worry about us.”

They all stared out the windows as the rain fell in hard lines outside. “By the way, I heard a priest on the radio this morning saying that your marriage was the cause of all this rain. That it was a sign of god’s wrath at this crime against the laws of nature.”

Ash shook her head. “Who knew we had such power? But just in case we do, I think the sun’s coming out on Friday, and I’m putting money on a rainbow over London.”

Chapter 6

Days Until The Royal Wedding: 2.

Truffle pooped out the ring the following morning, after a sympathetic vet gave the pooch something to speed up the process. The royal butler, Desmond, was the lucky recipient of her gift. He made sure it was spotless before handing it back to Victoria wrapped in a silk handkerchief.

“Honestly, Ma’am, you’d never even know. If anything, it’s cleaner than it was; the staff polished until it shone. Better than when it left the jeweller if you ask me.”

Victoria appreciated him trying to talk up what had happened, even if she didn’t believe a word of it. The problem was that the Queen treated those dogs with more affection than her actual children. If either she or Michael had wolfed down someone’s wedding ring, they’d never have heard the end of it.

However, the ring was back, and the story had a happy ending. Just like hers was about to. Now, she just had to persuade Ash to give notice on her flat. She’d been living with Victoria part-time, keeping on her St Albans flat for the nights when she needed to be closer for training, or when she saw her family.

Victoria understood it was the last piece of independence she was reluctant to give up. The Palace security team did not.

The front door slamming shook her from her reverie.

“Hi honey, I’m home!”

Ash. Victoria’s heart did a backflip. Still did, even after all this time.

She poked her head out of the kitchen, where Ash hung up her jacket in the hallway cupboard. “I’m in here, and I’m making one of your favourites.”

Ash smiled at her, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders. “I know, I can smell it.” She grinned. “Also, you messaged me earlier to tell me, which was somewhat of a giveaway. You need to work on your mystery. Especially now we’re nearly married.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” But Victoria didn’t move. She simply waited, as Ash walked towards her, knowing that in a moment, their lips would meet. Sure enough, in seconds, Ash’s lips connected with her own, and pure, glittery bliss surged through her.

Kissing Ash had always been her favourite thing, but lately, with the football season over and Ash spending every night with her, this ritual had come to be a favourite part of her day. Ash coming home to her, kissing her, sharing their everyday life together. She was starting to glimpse what marriage would feel like, and she wanted more.

After so long worrying she’d never find the one, she was certain now that she had. What she hadn’t anticipated was it feeling so right — so at peace with love. This part was still new enough to be an absolute thrill.

Ash pulled her lips away, but wrapped an arm around Victoria’s waist as she did, anchoring them close.

“I would have stopped to pick up some wine, but Alex said it wasn’t worth the hassle because of the press tailing us.”

Ash kissed her again, and Victoria’s head swam.

“Plus, as you keep reminding me, you have a cellar with tons of wine.”