13) Saturday 7 Sept 2013 – Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

The wedding had gone off without a hitch. Of course, Hannah had been fashionably late to arrive at the church, and they'd all had a giggle seeing a fidgeting Gilly waiting at the alter with his father. Similarly, John Paul had thought the gleeful look on Suzanne's face had been priceless the moment the press photographer was waiting outside the door as the newly-weds stepped out of the church. The reception was taking place at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester. Nev had obviously wanted to have it in the Dog, and Hannah and Gilly had thought that was a great place, but Suzanne had put her foot down; it was totally unacceptable for people in their position to celebrate their only daughter's wedding in a pub, even if it was their own pub. She had even mentioned the possibility of having it in London, but New had fortunately managed to make her understand that the Dorchester ballroom was a little out of their league

The whole party had just taken their seats at their tables. The Ashworth's and the Roach's were sitting at high table, and the guests were sitting at round tables of eight spread around the room. John Paul was sitting with Rhys and the other groomsmen, and much to his 'delight', Hannah had placed Nancy on his right hand. Thankfully, Katy Fox was sitting on his left hand, so he didn't despair too much. Craig, on the other hand, was sitting at a table in the far right corner, near the door, with Darren, Zoe, Elliot, Steph and three of Gilly's cousins, two young women and one man, all in their late twenties. John Paul was certain it Craig would be having much more fun at that table and regretted agreeing to being his friend's best man.

The truce between Nancy and John Paul had held all morning and throughout the ceremony, but they both knew it was fragile so they tried to stay clear of direct interaction. It was therefore that John Paul turned his attention to his other old friend as soon as they sat down. Admittedly, he was a bit surprised to see Katy among the guests, let alone seated at the table with the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, since he wasn't aware of any great friendship between her and Hannah, but the joy of seeing his friend who he hadn't spoken to, or even thought about, in years before seeing her at his Welcome Home party was quick to push those thoughts aside.

"I know I didn't really get to ask you the other day at the party. So how come you moved back to Hollyoaks?" he took a sip of his champagne.

"Yeah, I know, it was a mad one! I had such a blast!" She toasted him, ignoring the question.

John Paul wasn't going to let her get away with that and pushed. "So, why you're back here? I thought you'd never set foot in this town again after Warren ..." His voice trailed off as he realised that he might be approaching a delicate subject.

Katy didn't seem phased by it, though. "I thought the same, but someone had to take care of the business. It's not like Spencer could do it, and after it all came out with Calvin, it would be over my dead body to allow the Valentine's to get anywhere near it."

"Yeah, so she appeared out of nowhere, took Spencer to court, had him declared incompetent and took control of the Fox empire." Nancy added sarcastically.

"You didn't?" John Paul looked open-mouthed at his friend who had a small smile around her lips.

"I certainly did! That junkie Sasha had completely turned Spencer's head, was sucking money out of the club, or should I say snorting it." Pressing one finger on her nostril, she saw the look of horror on both John Paul's and Nancy's faces. "Yeah, that's right! She may be fooling everyone in the village, you included, Nance, but you should have seen the books when I finally got hold of them, and she even forgot some of her stash in the office!"

She paused dramatically, before rising to her feet. "But excuse me! I see that I'm needed in the kitchen."

John Paul's eyes followed her in amazement as she walked through the room and disappeared out the door. "What does she mean? Why would she be needed in the kitchen?" He looked inquiringly at Nancy, but it was Rhys who replied

"Don't you know? She's the wedding planner."

"Oh! That explains it then," John Paul took his drink. "So, you ready with your Best Man's speech?"

"Of course! What do you take me for? It's been ready for days!" Rhys patted his right breast pocket indicating where he kept a written copy.

"So is mine!" John Paul smiled at the bride's brother and the groom's Best Man who glared at him in surprise. "Yeah, Hannah said that since she was breaking all traditions having a Best Man herself, we might as well go all the way and have me give a Best Man's speech, too." He took a sip of his drink. "Mine's up here, though," he said pointing at his head, "don't need a piece of paper to be funny!"

John Paul knew he'd scored a goal in his long-lasting rivalry with Rhys when he heard Nancy giggling at his snide remark, so he couldn't help but give his old friend a nudge with his elbow.

Nothing could have quenched the warm sensation spreading through his body when he felt a reciprocated nudge just above his right elbow.