Sorry if you've been waiting for this, I've been stupidly busy of late!
Izzie put the finishing touches to her make up. She was nervous, but was happy at the same time. She looked at the picture of Lorna on the table. She wished she could be here today. She wiped the corner of her eye. 'Mum, the car's here' she heard Mika shout from downstairs. She looked at herself once more in the mirror, and then went out onto the landing. As she made her way downstairs, she heard the gasps of everyone; she beamed as she made her way down stairs. 'You look great Izzie' Kim hugged her, and smiled. She looked over at Mika and Chlo. Brett had his arm around Mika's shoulder and Chlo had her arms crossed, but was smiling all the same. 'Let's get this show on the road then' Izzie said and everyone made their way outside into the sunshine.
Tom was at the alter. He had spent the night at a mate's house, bad luck to see the bride. He fidgeted with his hands, 'calm down there Tom' His brother placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently squeezed it. People were slowly filtering into the church. Not long now he thought.
Andrew took a seat in the church. He smiled in acknowledgement at Tom, who smiled nervously back. He looked around, he didn't recognise anyone, well, anyone apart from Kate, who was sat a few rows in front. She had turned as he had entered, and she kept looking back at him, but he just ignored her. He still hadn't forgiven her.
Jack stood at the entrance. Andrew was ignoring Kate. Jack sighed, why wouldn't they just talk to each other? He walked down the aisle, right past Andrew and sat down next to Kate.
Steph looked around. She could see Jack, sat next to Kate, no Davina in sight. Maybe they had had a fall out. She shrugged, the walked down the aisle, 'Jack, Kate. May I sit here?' She smiled, and plonked down next to Jack, 'No Davina today, Jack?'
'She was going to see her mum'
'Oh, right' Steph smiled as the organ began to play.
Izzie looked down the aisle in anticipation. She looked back at Mika and Chlo. They smiled; the she took a deep breath, and walked down the aisle. Tom looked back at Izzie. She was beautiful.
Andrew turned back, just like everyone else. Izzie looked lovely, but it was Kim that caught his eye. She looked so beautiful. He followed her with his eyes. She sat on the opposite side of the church to him, rows in front. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
Kim had seen Andrew watching her. She could feel his eyes watching her from behind, and she felt suddenly nervous.
Tom looked at Izzie in the eye, he felt so lucky to have her. They said their vows. He meant every word of them. He placed the ring on her finger. 'I now pronounce you husband and wife' the church broke out into applause, 'you may kiss the bride' Tom took Izzie in his arms, and they kissed. Mr and Mrs Clarkson, at last.
***********
Kate stepped out of the Church. Her and Jack had been some of the last to leave. She looked over at Izzie and Tom, smiling, having pictures taken with friends and family. Kim was in amongst them. Kate felt someone brush past her. It was Andrew. He walked briskly to a taxi, parked outside. She looked back at Kim. She was watching him, a sad look on her face. 'That'll be you soon' Jack nudged her. She smiled awkwardly. 'This isn't right Jack'
'What's not right?' He turned to face her. 'Kim and Andrew should be together by now'
'Kate'
'No, Jack, you know I'm right'
'They had their chance, and they blew it'
'No, we blew it Jack. If we'd just stayed out of it then maybe' Jack grabbed her arm, 'It's not your fault' Kate sighed, then it hit her. An idea. 'Jack, I've just had an idea.'
'What?'
'We are going to get Kim and Andrew together'
'Kate'
'Jack. We broke it, so we're going to fix it. Come on, I'll tell you all about it in the car'
Izzie looked around the room at everyone. All of them smiling, happy, and she brimmed with happiness to, but she couldn't help feel sad as well. Her hands were placed on the table. Tom was gently stoking her hand. His brother was making a speech. As he ended, the room broke into a small applause. Tom shook his hand, and stood up to make his speech.
Tom stood up. He looked at Izzie as he did. She was beautiful, and she was his. As the applause died down, he spoke. 'Well, I suppose first of all, I just want to say thanks to everyone for coming. Well, what can I say about me and Izzie? Not a lot really! We've had it tough, but we've got through it. Izzie's lucky to be here today, but you all know about that.' Tom looked down at Izzie. 'There's one person though that we wish could be here. Lorna. Lorna was our best mate, and she deserved so much better. We miss her. A toast, to Lorna'
'To Lorna' the entire room said in Unison. Tom nodded and sat down again. He looked at Izzie, and she held his hand.
Jack raised his glass. He was at a table with Kate, Andrew and Steph, as well as some members of Tom's family. He could feel Steph's leg brushing against his, but he was reluctant to say anything. Andrew was giving them cold indifference, and you would have to be daft not to notice that he was turning around to look behind him rather often.
Kim was sat at a table with Grantly and his wife, diagonal to where Andrew was sitting. He kept turning to look at her. She ignored him. She couldn't forgive him. As the plates were cleared away, Grantly poked her, 'I think that Mr Treneman is after your attention'
'Well, Mr Treneman can….'
'Would everyone like to make their way to the dance floor now please!' Kim stood up and made her way to the bar.
'Ready for this Jack' Kate said as they got up, 'you tackle Andrew, I'll get Kim. Remember, wait for the signal' Jack sighed. He hoped this worked. 'Fancy a dance, Jack?' Steph ran up behind him, glass of wine in her hand. He stopped. Kate carried on walking, but turned around after a while, 'Steph,'
'Yes Jack'
'They say love is blind, but in your case, love is obviously deaf too. Leave me alone' Kate covered her mouth, to stifle her laugh. Jack raised his eyebrows and went to talk to Andrew. As he walked away, Steph slumped a little, fuming. A waiter walked past, and she grabbed more wine. This was going to be a long night.
Kim sat at the bar, and downed the last of her drink. She felt someone next to her. She prayed that it wasn't Andrew. Though deep down, her heart leapt at the thought that it was him. But it wasn't. It was Kate. 'Kim, can we talk'
'What about?' she turned in her chair to face her. Kate handed her another drink, 'To Izzie and Tom?' She raised her glass, 'To Izzie and Tom' Kate took a sip. 'I'm sorry Kim'
'What for?'
'You know what for. I should never have got involved'
'No, you shouldn't have' Kim got up to leave, but Kate grabbed her arm, 'can we at least talk Kim?' She sighed and nodded, 'Come to the toilets then, it's quiet in there.' Kim nodded, and followed her.
Jack and Andrew sat in silence. Jack had been trying to gain his confidence again. 'Andrew, I think that you need to talk to Kate and Kim'
'Jack'
'Come on Andrew, you know you want to' Andrew sighed, he was thinking about it. Break through. Jack looked over Andrews shoulder; Kate was giving him the signal. 'Erm, it's a bit loud in here, let's talk in that corridor over there' Jack grabbed Andrews arm, and led him through some double doors that led to the toilets.
Kim leaned against the sink. Kate had a point, she couldn't stay mad at Andrew forever, but she could try. 'I need the loo' she went into the nearest cubicle.
Kate paced quietly up and down. Where was Jack? Then she heard a knock on the door that had to be him. She went over and opened the door. In one swift movement she pulled Andrew inside, and managed to get out. Jack held the door shut as Kate fumbled with the lock. She heard it click, and Andrew banging his fist on the door, 'Let me out, Kim, Jack!'
'No! Not until you two sort this out!' Kim leaned back on the door; 'we can stay here all night if we have to!' She could hear him moving away from the door, 'I think this could be a long night Jack, go get a drink'
Kim stood at the cubicle door. She was locked in with Andrew. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Andrew was rubbing his head. He leaned on the door, 'we're locked in' he said, 'yeah, I can see that' she leaned against the sinks. Andrew looked away. They stood in silence. 'Kim'
'Andrew' they said at the same time, 'You go first Andrew'
'No you first Kim'
'No, you'
'You'
'Andrew.' she said. She hated it when he was like this. Why didn't he just speak? Andrew moved away from the door. Him stood up and walked over to the door.
Andrew left the door. He loved Kim; he just wished that she could see that. She was the only one for him. She was walking towards the door. Something took over him, something primitive and out of character. He found himself walking up behind her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her around.
Andrew was kissing her. At first she resisted, but she soon melted into his arms. He pulled away, but she pulled him back. They were leaning against the door. Andrew wasn't just kissing her lips now. He was kissing her neck, running his hands up and down her back. She had her arms around his neck, but moved them around until they were placed on his chest. She pushed him a little, and they moved away from the door, moving as one.
Kate jumped as something hit the door. 'What was that?' Jack asked. 'Don't know'
'Open the door then'
'What is it's a trick?'
'Just open it' Kate fumbled with the lock and opened the door, but closed it again instantly. 'I think Kim and Andrew want to be alone!'
Kate and Jack sat at the end of the corridor, stopping people from using the toilets. After about an hour, Andrew emerged, looking a little dishevelled. He walked over to the bar in a daze, followed by a similarly dishevelled looking Kim. 'Fancy a walk, Jack? It's a bit hot in here'
'Yeah sure' Jack followed Kate outside into the gardens. After a while Kate turned to face him. 'We did it Jack, we got Kim and Andrew together, High Five!' Kate lifted her hand above her head, and Jack hit it. Kate stumbled forward into Jack. The ended up in a heap on the floor, laughing. Jack got up and helped Kate to her feet. The laughter died out after a while, and Jack looked at Kate. Kate looked at Jack. Then they locked into a passionate embrace.
