Part Three – The Wedding

It was finally the wedding day. Jodi was up at the crack of dawn rushing around with a hair straightener and threatening my mother not to come anywhere near her. Meg was unusually quiet, and until Terry arrived she barely said two words to anyone.

Aunty Tess was off in fantasy land again, and Nick was teasing her. It seemed my mother was the only one at a loss for something to do. That is, until Alex arrived. Then she made herself extremely busy with the cutlery.

Marion and I greeted Alex enthusiastically, and I noticed Mum coming in and out of the room frequently for no particular purpose, other than to pretend she wasn't spying on Alex.

Alex helped Marion with her dress and then got out the Polaroid and took a few snaps of the two of us. Mum was still hovering in the background, and Uncle Nick was daring enough to remark

'Oh look, the Best Man and the Best Woman.' He smirked at Alex, who was shaking his head at him, telling him to stop. Tess laughed, but she was the only one. She's the only one that ever laughs at Uncle Nick's jokes. Anyway, the rest of the room was in an awkward silence.

'Not funny mate.' Alex said under his breath. Mum was glaring at him too. Seemed like World War III was on the brink of eruption. I was getting out of there. Besides, the wedding was about to start.

Tess managed to calm my mother down enough to put on her dress and a touch of make-up. Marion and I thought she looked stunning, but she brushed our compliments off. The four of us trooped outside to collect Jodi, who was getting ready with Meg.

The music started, and I could see the boys were waiting at the alter. Jodi looked radiantly at her husband to be.

Marion was first to go, carelessly tossing petals about the place. Alex was beaming at her from the alter, but his face changed as soon as Mum started to move.

My mother led the bridal party down the aisle, smiling at the guests and oblivious to the fact that Alex was staring at her as if he'd just laid eyes on her for the first time. Obviously the heels and makeup made an impression.

Tess had trouble walking down the aisle, and Nick was always close by just in case anything happened. She too was glowing.

And then it was my turn. I kissed Jodi on the cheek and wished her luck, and set out down the aisle. It was so much fun! It made me feel so grown-up.

The wedding was beautiful, and I couldn't help but notice Alex making eyes at Mum throughout the ceremony. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction though, just stared straight ahead at Jodi and Luke.

I had to bite back a laugh when we walked back down the aisle, following the happy new couple. Tess and Nick linked arms, leading the way, and I joined with one of the workers from the truck stop. Mum had no choice but to be led away by Alex and put on a forced smile for the guests.

'Claire, I need to go into town to get some more ice and the food for tonight. Do you mind if I borrow the Ute? Ours is on the blink.' Alex asked.

'Oh…' Mum hesitated. 'Well, I need to pick up the cake at Shirley Steven's house later on. I can get it for you if you like.'

'No, that won't work. I'll have to come with you then.' Alex said. Mum just looked at him.

'Whatever. I don't see the problem, but if you're set on coming, I can't do much about it, can I?' She turned to me.

'Charlotte, are you coming too?' Mum said, almost desperately, as if being alone in the same space as Alex Ryan would be worst than death itself.

'No thanks.' I smiled sweetly. 'I'm having fun here.' The look on her face could have killed me, and I guessed I'd cop it later. Aunty Tess was giving me an approving thumbs up from across the room.

'See you later, Bom.' Alex winked at me. I winked back.

Not long after they left, the dancing started. My boyfriend Tim had come down from town for the night, so we occupied ourselves for the remainder of the evening. Nick and Marion were twirling around the dance floor trying to do Jive, but even their amusing performances couldn't beat the extremely contented looks on the faces of the bride and the groom. Jodi and Luke were clearly having the time of their lives.

'So, come on, Mum. What happened?' I asked my mother the following morning.

'I've told you already, Charlotte, nothing.'

'You didn't even talk?' I said, crestfallen. 'Come on, tell me. You always used to talk to me.' I gave her The Look.

'Well…' she hesitated. 'We did talk. Alex wants us to be friends again. I suppose I see his point, it's hardly feasible for us to go on hating each other. It's no good for the properties.' She added hastily, to justify herself. A slow grin spread across my face and I poked her.

'You want to be more than friends again, don't you?'

'No, no.' She stopped me. 'No, I just think it's better for you and Marion. It's hardly a nice place for you two to grow up, with both of your parents hating each other.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Oh, come on, Mum. You still love him and you know it. I know it. Come on, if your fourteen year old daughter can sense something then it's pretty obvious, right?'

'Stop it, Charlotte.' She said sharply. 'No, I mean it. I don't want to talk about it anymore.'

Well, if she wasn't ready to admit it yet, fine.

But being 'friends' was a start. It was bloody well better than nothing.