Kate pulled into the hotel's parking lot just as the florist was carrying in the last of the flowers for the wedding from her van. She felt instantly relieved by the thought that there would be others moving about in the ballroom; she was hoping for a buffer in case Caroline was there.

She took a deep breath as she moved from her car and stepped into the reception area. She was trying her darnedest not to think about the one and only other time she had been there; so happy walking in with Caroline, full of promise for the weekend that lay ahead of them. She walked past the reception desk and headed for the hall where the wedding would be held, thankful she hadn't spent any time in that part of the hotel on her last visit.

She scanned the ballroom as soon as she entered and felt her butterflies further settle when Caroline was nowhere to be seen. She quickly set up her sheet music and began to practice, pleased to find that the action on the keyboard was fast and light and the tuning was more than acceptable.

She had spent the last few weeks getting to know both the processional and recessional pieces from memory but kept the music with her as a safeguard in case her nerves got the better of her. Fear of flop sweat was a new concept for her and one that was magnified by the thought of Celia and Caroline watching her. Only the night before she had discussed her concerns with Beverley.

"I'm heading out for the weekend and thought I'd see how you're feeling about tomorrow," the bedraggled secretary began. She was grateful Beverley stopped by her classroom on her way home. She was already a bundle of nerves and Beverley was often a calming balm.

"That was kind of you," responded Kate who could only manage a weak smile in appreciation. Beverley stood silent, awaiting more of a response. Realizing there was no hiding from Beverley's watchful eyes, Kate finally replied, "Nervous as all get out, if I'm honest."

"You look like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, if you don't mind my saying so." Kate's expression turned inscrutable and, suddenly, Beverley feared Kate was about to burst into tears. "You can't be nervous about the playing so it has to be about something more. Is it the reception? If so, I'm sure it will be alright."

Kate simply nodded her head in response, struggling to keep her emotions in check.

"What's the worst thing that can happen? Her whole family will be there so you know she'll be on her best behaviour," Beverley offered by way of comfort.

"I assume you mean Caroline and not Celia," Kate said in an effort to make a joke that fell flat with the always-serious secretary. Something about her tone made Beverley understand Kate was nervous about being around both Caroline and Celia.

"Kate, Celia must be comfortable with you or she wouldn't have invited you to the reception too," Beverley reasoned as she placed her purse on the desk in front of her, ready to settle in for a longer chat than she intended when she stopped in. "Seriously, what concerns you the most?"

"Well, one day Celia would be friendly enough and the next she would make snide comments behind my back. But I can't see her causing a scene at her own party. I'm afraid I'm going to see the Caroline I fell in love with and feel my resolve crumble," Kate admitted, relieved to finally say the words out loud.

Kate moved from behind her desk and perched on the edge of a desk closer to where Beverley was standing. "Ah. I thought it might be something like that," Beverley said in relief. "Would that be so bad?"

"Of course, I'll bet she'd never acknowledge me as anything more than a friend in front of her extended family and Celia's friends. I can't go back to feeling like I'm just her hidden bit on the side," Kate confessed.

Having spent the last few months watching Caroline pine for Kate, Beverley knew Caroline would jump at a second chance. Any doubt she might have had evaporated the second she saw the fearful expression on Caroline's face when she told her about the bleed a few weeks before; she just worried about Caroline getting hurt again. She took a seat in an effort to buy time to measure her words before responding.

"I can see the wheels turning, Beverley," Kate said quietly. "Just say what you're thinking. It's okay, I can take it."

"I feel like I'm betraying her confidence," she responded hesitantly, but knew she had to say more than perhaps she should to push Kate in Caroline's direction.

"Now you have my full attention," Kate said as she rose and closed her classroom door to give them more privacy.

"Ok, here goes," Beverley started with a quieter voice, despite the privacy. "About two weeks ago, she was over for a dinner one night while my husband Gerry was away. It was after your bleed and I was trying to cheer her up. We got tight on some wine and naturally the subject turned to you. She was a couple of glasses in."

Kate tried to be patient and let Beverley spill the beans at her own pace but the anticipation was killing her.

"We were talking about true love and I was sharing with her how I met my husband and knew at first sight we'd always be together. I told her the minute I saw Gerry I knew I was going to marry him. I didn't even know his name but somehow I just knew. I asked her if she ever had ever fallen in love at first sight and she admitted that she did with you but she had to push those feelings aside because she was still married to that twat."

"What are you saying?" Kate inquired, not wanting to assume anything.

"Once she was shut of him and you started dating, she said she thought you two were soul mates and would be together forever. She admitted that she didn't ever feel that way deep down inside about anyone before, not even John."

"She really said forever?"

"Yes, as well as calling you her truest love. Mind you she was a couple of glasses in but said she'd never forgive herself for blowing your relationship. I got the impression there's nothing she wouldn't do for a second chance."

"Do you think she can really forgive me for being so cold and callous the last few months?" Something about the way Kate asked the question made Beverley think the wedding reception might be just the thing to get them back together.

They talked a little longer until Beverley noticed the time on the wall clock and announced she'd be late to meet her husband if she didn't leave right then. In parting, she said, "Weddings are about love, Kate. If you want to try again, then go with it. The wedding could be the perfect occasion to start over for you both. I really think you'll find she's different than the Caroline you walked out on all those months ago. I just wish you both could work it out as I know she's miserable without you and dare I say you seem miserable too. Call me tomorrow anytime if you need to talk. Night."

Trying to shake off the exchange with Beverley and concentrate on the job at hand, Kate began playing the processional for about the third time. Just as she was finishing, Gillian entered the ballroom. Although they had never met, she realized it was Gillian as soon as she over-heard her refer to the groom as her father to one of the worker bees.

Seeing Kate stand to stretch her back, Gillian took it as her cue to introduce herself. "It's Kate, right," she began. "I'm Gillian."

Kate would have tried to shake her hand but Gillian's arms were full of the wedding programs she was going to place on the chairs. "Can I help you with those?"

"That would be great," she responded with a thankful smile as she handed her a stack of programs. Gillian started to lay one on each of the seats in the first row. "Thanks for agreeing to play today, I know it means a lot to me dad."

Kate moved to do the same on the seats on the other side of the aisle. Not knowing what else to say, Kate remarked, "It's my pleasure. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise. I can just imagine what you've heard about me," Gillian remorselessly said with a laugh as she moved to the second row.

"Likewise as well," Kate said flatly as she looked at the chairs rather than meeting Gillian's crinkly blue eyes; she knew she needed to keep her emotions in check if she were going to make it through the day. She certainly didn't want to lose it so early or in front of Gillian. In and effort to move the conversation on, she said, "I have to tell you that I've always enjoyed Alan. He reminds me a bit of mine, very gentle, very accepting, very patient."

"Yeah. He's one of the good ones; he thinks a lot of you, too." They made fast work of distributing the programs and Kate met her at the end of the aisle to hand her the extra programs, keeping one for herself, which she promptly carried to the piano. She returned to her seat on the bench as the bright Yorkshire sunlight was streaming in the nearby window. It served to light up Kate, making her flawless skin glow even more. Gillian followed Kate with her eyes; she couldn't help but see how truly beautiful she was which only served to underscore Caroline's sadness for her even more.

Kate was preparing to give the recessional song one more run through when Gillian mustered up her courage and walked over to stand beside the piano bench. Looking down at her with kind eyes, she said, "I know we've just met and it's not my place, but can I just put in a plug for you and Caroline to reconcile? I've never seen someone as smitten or as heart-broken as she has been."

"Gillian," was all Kate managed to say before Alan entered the ballroom.

"Kate! So glad you're here and looking so well. Glad you can stay for the do as I've missed you," Alan said as he gave her a hug. Feeling pressed for time, he turned to his daughter. "Gillian, come give us a hand with our buttoners."