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Brad chose that moment to sneak away to visit Jim’s grave. ‘I hope I did you proud today, Dad,’ he said softly. ‘Ruby looks so happy. I wish you were here with us, but I’ll raise a glass to you later.’
Once the photographer was happy she’d got the shots she wanted, everyone headed to the big gorgeous hotel on the edge of town, which had once been the local mansion. The reception was being held in the former ballroom; the places were all immaculately set with silver and fine china and crystal glasses, and there were fresh flowers on every table.
Ruby’s table arrangements were a little unconventional, though Brad was relieved he wasn’t sitting near Abby—or anywhere near where he could see her and be distracted. Right now, he was focusing on making his sister’s day as perfect as it could be, and he knew that Abby was doing the same. Having to face each other would complicate things.
His was the first speech after the meal, in the place of the bride’s father. ‘I’d like to thank everyone for coming and to welcome you to Ruby and Colin’s wedding,’ he said. ‘And I’d also like to make a toast to our dad, who I’m sure is with us in spirit. I have to admit, I’m finding his shoes pretty hard to fill and I’m not going to do the kind of witty speech that he would’ve done—I’m going to keep it short and simple. But what I do know is that Dad would’ve been so proud of the wonderful woman my sister has become, just as I am. I’d like to welcome Colin to our family and it’s good to have a new brother. In fact, it’s rather nice to have another Y chromosome around to even things up a little in our family.’
Everyone duly laughed, and he relaxed. ‘I give you the bride and groom, Ruby and Colin.’
‘Ruby and Colin,’ everyone echoed.
Colin made a speech about how much he loved his new wife that had a lump in everyone’s throat; and then Richard, his brother, lightened things up again by telling the traditional best man’s funny stories about the groom.
Then Ruby stood up. ‘I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for coming,’ she said. ‘And to my twin, Brad, for standing in for Dad today—and Dad would’ve been just as proud of our brilliant scientist, too. To Colin, for making me happier than I’ve ever known. To Mum, for being the best support ever. To Izzy, for being the greatest flower girl. And especially to Abby, because I could never have organised this without my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were toddlers and I love her like a sister. Please raise your glasses to my chief bridesmaid and ice cream maker extraordinaire, the woman behind the ice creams you’ll all be eating in the garden this afternoon, Abigail Scott.’
Guilt flickered through Brad. Abby had been Ruby’s sister—well, sister-in-law—until he’d messed everything up. But he was glad their friendship hadn’t become collateral damage in the divorce.
Somehow he and Abby were both too busy with wedding details to speak to each other for the rest of the afternoon; she was supporting her staff at the old-fashioned ice cream cart and checking if there was anything they needed, and he was making sure that everyone had a drink.
Finally, it was time for the evening reception and the DJ announced the first dance; Ruby and Colin walked onto the dance floor together to George Michael’s cover of ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and began a slow, sweet waltz.
The words of the song were so perfect; and they made Brad think of Abby. Unable to help himself, he glanced over the other side of the ballroom at her—to see that she was looking right back at him.
Was she thinking the same that he was?
Polite and civil, he reminded himself. That was the order of the day. Polite and civil. He could absolutely not be a troglodyte and scoop up the chief bridesmaid, haul her over his shoulder and carry her off to his lair. Particularly as his cottage was a couple of miles down the road. And particularly as lots of their family and friends were there to witness everything and he was very aware of the speculative glances.
Plus it was time for the traditional father-daughter dance. He couldn’t help smiling as the music Ruby had chosen came on: ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’. It was the song she and Abby claimed would get anyone up on a wedding dance floor. Colin was dancing with his mother, Frances. Then they swapped round and Colin danced with his new mother-in-law, Rosie, while Ruby danced with Jeremy, Colin’s dad; and Richard, Colin’s brother, was dancing with Abby.
