Reception

The reception was winding down when a call came through from Phoebe. Back in New York, she had been wondering how the wedding had gone, what had happened when Rachel turned up — and what that disturbing girl with the cold had done.

She spoke first to Ross and then to Emily. She was relieved to hear that they both sounded relaxed and happy. Clearly, nothing had spoiled their day. She decided not to ask either of them about Rachel and instead, when she had fielded questions from Emily about herself, asked to be put on to Monica.

Hello!' Monica said cheerfully. She had a lot to be cheerful about. She'd been able to get some secret moments with Chandler, and the champagne had been very good indeed.

Hi Monica,' Phoebe said, How was the wedding?'

It was great,' Monica said, We're having a really good time. Joey's having a great time with his bridesmaid, and I'm having a great time with — with someone I met.' For the first time in hours, Chandler wasn't by her side but she expected him back soon.

Is Rachel there?' Phoebe asked.

Rachel? She's with you,' Monica said.

No, she's with you. She wanted to come to the wedding.'

She changed her mind?' Monica looked around as if Rachel would suddenly turned up. She flew over here? Why?'

She — Oh Monica, she wanted to stop the wedding.'

Oh my God!' Monica was now completely sober and looking around the room again to see if Rachel was there.

She was just feeling so bad about Ross, thinking that she'd missed her chance and that they could have given things another try. She thought that if she got there before the wedding she'd be able to tell him how she really felt, that it wouldn't be too late.'

Well she's too late now,' Monica said. She could see Ross and Emily kissing without a care in the world. But when did she leave?'

As soon as possible. She should have gotten there by now.'

She's not here Phoebe,' Monica said. Maybe she changed her mind. I can't imagine what trouble there would have been if she'd — no, I don't even want to think about it. But then where could she be?'

She didn't call me to say she was coming back. Maybe she's found a hotel. Maybe she's waiting at your hotel. Or she's waiting outside and doesn't want to come in. Poor Rach.'

I'll go and see,' Monica said, feeling worried. Look Phoebe, please call me back at the hotel in an hour so that we can talk about this. I'm going to go back there and wait for her.'

Sure,' Phoebe said, and rang off.

Monica frowned and Chandler, who had returned in the meantime, said,

Go back to your hotel? What's the matter?'

Rachel's missing. She should be here.' Monica told him briefly what Rachel's plan had been.

This place is pretty easy to find,' Chandler said, Even if she forgot and went to the wrong venue first, it wouldn't have taken her long to get here.' Like Monica, he looked around, as though Rachel might suddenly appear from behind a pot plant.

Where's Joey? Maybe he's seen her,' Monica said.

I don't think he's seen anything except that bridesmaid,' Chandler said. Look, Ross and Emily are about to leave, let's say goodbye and get back to the hotel. Rachel may be there, waiting for us.'

Do you think we should tell Ross?' Monica asked.

It's his wedding day,' Chandler said. We don't want to worry him.'

We'll have to tell him if Rachel is missing,' Monica said.

Let's wait until we know for sure.' Chandler looked over at the Newlyweds, who were getting up to go. Monica nodded reluctantly and they joined the farewells.

To their surprise, Joey joined them and tagged along with them to the hotel. His bridesmaid was due to catch a train to Scotland and although she talked about Joey coming along for the ride, he baulked at going so far at short notice. Like them, he was shocked by the possibility that Rachel was missing.

When Phoebe rang, there was no news on either side.

I'm really worried,' she said, I spoke to Emily's sister, her stepsister, and she said that she'd take care of things.' Chandler was the one to take the phone this time, and he asked,

What does, "take care of things" mean?'

I don't know,' Phoebe said. She wasn't happy that Rachel was coming, I know that.'

After Phoebe rang off, Chandler gave Monica and Joey the gist of the conversation.

Emily's stepsister?' Monica asked. Oh yeah, I forgot she had a stepsister. She was supposed to be at the wedding but she was ill.'

Oh,' Joey said, Yeah she was at the wedding.'

Huh?' Chandler asked.

Yeah,' Joey said, She was dressed in purple.'

Oh that girl,' Monica said, I remember seeing her. She was hanging around at the back of the room but she didn't come to the reception.'

Did you know Emily's had plastic surgery?' Joey said.

What?' Monica asked, not sure this had anything to do with their current problem.

Yeah, to her nose.'

Her nose?' Chandler asked.

Yeah. So that they won't look the same.'

They're stepsisters, Joey,' Monica said. Not related.'

Oh. Then why did Emily have plastic surgery?' Joey asked. Oh — Oh I get it,' he said as Monica and Chandler watched.

Rachel,' Monica said with emphasis. When you saw this girl Joey, did she say anything about Rachel?'

No, nothing.'

What about Emily?'

Well there was the plastic surgery thing. Which I guess wasn't true.'

Anything else?'

No. We didn't talk long — I talked to Felicity after that and then it got busy.'

Where and when did you speak to this stepsister Joey?' Chandler said.

Out the front, just before the wedding.'

So if Rachel had come along, this stepsister might have seen her,' Chandler said.

You're right,' Monica said. What if the step sister did something?'

Like what?' Joey asked. She was pretty thin and small.'

Tricked her,' Chandler said. We need to talk to this stepsister.'