Chapter Twenty Nine
I immediately woke up and said "Err, hi!" What the hell was about to happen?
"Hi" she said and smiled at me. She really was incredibly pretty. "Alex, do you mind if I talk to you?"
"Erm, no, of course not" I replied though really I couldn't think of anything I would rather do less right then.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy for you and Harry and although I'm obviously gutted about what happened between us, there's no hard feelings. Harry and I have talked about it and we've decided to stay friends but I just wanted you to know that although I'm still going to be around, I'm not going to try and cause any problems for you two".
"Err, ok" I replied, a bit hesitantly. "That's good to know". God, this was so awkward.
"It's my fault we broke up" she said, looking down at the ground. "I put too much pressure on him to take the next step with our relationship - I knew he wasn't ready, and I shouldn't have tried to force him"
Why was she telling ME this? I didn't actually want to know. Harry had already said the same to me, but not in so many words and I was happy with that. I didn't need to know the ins and outs of why their relationship ended, but I was glad for her reassurance that she wasn't going to make life difficult for us. I had been on the receiving end of a vexed ex before and it was not a pleasant experience.
"Uh OK" I said again, then "Look, Izzy, I kind of feel awkward about this whole situation and I'm sure it will get easier, but if it helps at all, I know exactly how you feel but..." at this point, Harry rejoined me.
"Ladies!" he said, looking a bit anxious. "Everything all right?"
"Yes fine!" said Izzy standing up. "Just saying hi!" She walked off to join some other guests on the other side of the room.
"You OK?" asked Harry, kissing me on the cheek as he watched Izzy disappear off.
"Umm, yeah" I replied, watching Harry watch Izzy. "That was a bit, erm, weird!"
"What did she say to you?" he asked. Should I tell him or not?
"She just basically said she was happy for us" – partial truth.
"Oh...good" said Harry. "I thought she might have been being difficult!"
"No, not at all" I replied.
I was saved from having to discuss it any more by the Wedding Host announcing that Tom and Gi were leaving and the traditional "bouquet toss" was about to take place.
The last time I had been at a wedding where that had happened, my ex had asked me to hold his drink while he "re-tied his shoelace", so I had both hands full and was unable to attempt to catch it! Not that I was particularly bothered anyhow!
"C'mon" said Harry, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. "Let's go say goodbye!"
We went out into the lobby; Gi was standing halfway up the main staircase, bouquet in hand. There was quite a crowd gathered at the bottom of the stairs, in anticipation.
Harry and I stood to one side. Gi shouted "Ready ladies?" then she turned to face away from us all.
Everyone gave her a countdown, "Three...two...one!" then she threw the bouquet over her right shoulder.
It was a reflex action for me to catch it to save it from hitting me square in the face! I was very tired and still quite drunk, so the sudden movement caused me to lose my balance and I started to fall backwards.
Luckily, Harry was standing right behind me and caught me as I fell. "Woah girl! Steady on! You all right?"
I looked up at him and then around at everyone else. They were all looking at us, clapping and cheering. In the confusion and my embarrassment about nearly hitting the deck, I'd forgotten that I'd caught the bouquet!
I could feel my cheeks reddening as Harry put me back on my feet. He kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear "Good reactions! Great save!"
"Well done Alex!" shouted Gi and she ran down the stairs and embraced me. I looked at everyone who was standing applauding me for catching the bouquet. Gi turned to leave, but as she did, she put a hand on Harry's arm: "No pressure, Harry!" she winked at him and walked away.
We all went out the front of the house to wave the happy couple off on their honeymoon. I already knew they weren't leaving for a couple of days, but they were heading home for some peace and quiet after all the excitement.
We all threw confetti and rice over Tom and Gi as they walked out to their car. Tom's mini was resplendent with ribbons tied all over it, tin cans tied to the bumper and "Just Married" written in silly string on the rear window.
Harry stood with him arm around my shoulders as we waved them off. It was approaching one o'clock in the morning and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep my eyes open much longer.
He turned to look at me. "You look shattered!" he said.
"I am!" I replied, stifling a yawn. "Take me to bed, Mr Judd!"
He grinned at me, "With pleasure, Miss Jones!" and with that we linked arms and walked up the staircase back to our room.
