'Eugh.' I groaned the next day when I woke up. My head was throbbing and I felt sick. I rolled over and looked at Leanne, who was squinting at her phone.

'What the hell happened last night?' She groaned and I knew I wasn't the only one with a headache.

'Well,' I replied, sitting up in my bed, 'we all did those crazy dares you came up with including the one where you had to get a guy's boxers... which you did by the way.' I said with a tut. 'And then we ended up in some karaoke place and you all made me perform.. thanks for that by the way.' I raised my eyebrow. 'Oh and then we ended up in some club playing only 80s and 90s music so we spent the rest of the night dancing and drinking.'

'Blimey.' My best friend said, looking down at her feet. 'No wonder my feet are sore.'

'I can't believe you're still fully dress.' I commented, looking at her outfit from the previous night and her smudged make-up.

'Wouldn't be the first time.' She shrugged. 'How on earth did you even get your pyjamas on?'

'With difficulty.' I replied with a smile. 'Eugh what time is it?'

'10am. Check out is in an hour.'

'Then I guess we'd better make ourselves look presentable.'

I was pleased that work went quickly that week and I was thankful when Friday rolled around; I was spending the day helping sort out the final pieces of decor and flower arrangements for Abby's wedding before heading in for a late shift that evening. Abby was spending the day being pampered by having her hair highlighted and her nails done, so I sat in my living room with Leanne and Adriana, arranging the flowers into pretty centerpieces. The colour scheme for the wedding was navy blue, turquoise and silver so the flowers corresponded with that as well as they could.

'So did you manage to nab a date for the wedding then?' Adriana asked Leanne as she poured fake snow into the bottom of an empty jam jar. I added the fake floral arrangement to it and then Leanne tied a ribbon around the jar.

'I wish.' Leanne said with a sigh. 'Looks like I'm dancing with an usher.'

'Or with me?' I asked, hopefully. I was still disappointed that Ed wasn't going to make it to the wedding.

'Nah babe, I'm alright thanks.'

'Charming.' I replied, pretending to be offended. 'So are you taking Ryan?' I asked Adriana. She had only been invited to the wedding reception in the evening, but I knew she had been told she could bring a plus one.

'Maybe.' She blushed, biting her lip. 'I know it's only been two weeks but things are going pretty well, you know?'

'I'm happy for you.' I smiled.

'Eugh, too much gushyness!' Leanne groaned from beside me. 'I really need to find myself a man.'

'Just wait and then one will come along when you least expect it.' Adriana smiled as she shared her words of wisdom.

'I've been waiting a while and so far my success rate is poor.'

The wedding ceremony was taking place at a manor just outside of the city, with beautiful grounds and gardens I knew would look wonderful in the wedding photographs. I was staying in a small hotel nearby, as I was intending to drink, so I checked in early to my double room and got ready alone, which felt kind of weird. An hour later and I was ready to leave for the venue; I was wearing a Coast dress (AN: See Coast Luma Duchess Satin dress on Google) I had picked up on eBay for a good price. The satin mint-coloured dress was a bodycon fit landing just above the knees. There was a sweetheart neckline and above this was mint lace covering the shoulders. The lace was also along the bottom of the dress and a small belt brought in my waist in the middle. I had pulled the front of my curls back into a half-updo and I had thrown on my white faux fur cropped jacket, silver stilettos and a silver clutchbag to match my outfit. I fixed the pearl necklace my late granddad had given me around my neck and added the matching earrings. Done.

The manor was even more beautiful than pictures with its grand, castle-like architecture, and it had been decorated with twinkling fairylights and white roses. I walked up the steps, watching my clumsy feet, towards the door where two ushers were greeting guests. I smiled at one in particular; Abby and Leanne's brother Liam. He had brunette hair which was shorter and the sides and longer on the top, kind of quirky, and I noticed he had some stubble on his chin and around his mouth. He was wearing his ushers outfit; a grey suit with silver waistcoat and tie.

'Long time no see!' He beamed, pulling me into a hug. 'How are you doing, Lucy?'

'Great thanks.' I replied, frowning when I realised I could see my breath. 'You?'

'Oh, I'm great too.' He smiled. 'We'll catch up later when we're somewhere warmer, okay?'

'Okay.'

The room the ceremony was taking place in was quite small and I understood why only family and closest friends had been invited. The room itself only seated around fifty guests and already a few were sat chatting and waiting for the wedding. The room had grand windows by the makeshift altar, which overlooked the beautiful grounds outside. Flowers matching the colourscheme hung like tinsel around the walls of the room, mixed with fairylights, and white rose petals decorated the stone floor where the aisle was. I greeted the groom with a kiss on the cheek and took a seat near the front.

The ceremony was beautiful and there was not a dry eye in the house; I was thankful I'd squeezed some make-up into my clutch bag. Abby looked like a princess in her white dress which was tight until the waist and then flowed out in a sea of tulle. She was wearing a veil and a small tiara and her necklace followed the 'something blue' rule. The two bridesmaids, Kat and Leanne, looked gorgeous in their strapless navy full-length bridesmaid dresses, which had a little sparkle around the waistband. When we went outside for photos, the bridesmaids and bride put on faux fur wraps, although I was sure they must have still been freezing. Despite being mid-November, the air was already very cold and the forecasts had said snow could arrive in the next few weeks. Then again, snow wasn't common in England so things could change. The bride and groom were taken off by the photographer for their own photoshoot so we climbed onto the vintage double-decker bus that had been provided to get us to the next venue.

'Well hello there dearest friend of mine.' Leanne grinned, sitting in the seat beside me.

'Hello there.' I replied with a laugh. 'Such a beautiful wedding.'

'Indeed it was. Hoping the rest of the day runs smoothly so that my sister doesn't unleash the Bridezilla that I know is resting inside of her.' She said, tucking a loose curl from her bun behind her ear.

'Your dress is lovely.'

'And so is yours... looks... expensive.' She eyeballed it, suspiciously.

'eBay.' I whispered. 'But if anyone asks, it's from Coast.'

'Deal.' She nodded. 'Where were we without eBay? Solves all of life's problems.'

'Well... most of them.'

'You're right there. I can't buy myself a boyfriend on there... yet.'

The wedding reception was taking place at Starmore House, an eighteenth century manor house in the South Downs National Park. It was cheaper for a reception here than the castle-like building that the ceremony had taken place in but it was still incredibly beautiful. There were expected to be around one hundred guests for the evening reception, so the room hired had to be big enough. The George IV room was where the meals and evening reception were taking place and it was breathtaking. There was a large banquet table at one end of it for the bride, groom, their parents, best man and head bridesmaid. Then there were round tables with white cloths and ribbon-tied chairs scattered around for the wedding 'breakfast' guests. I found my space and was relieved that I was sat with the girls from the hen party. I sat down and admired the fairylights around the pillars and columns, the centerpieces I had put together with my friends the day before, and the polaroids scattered around of the bride and groom. It was perfect. I looked over to the other side of the room where the dancefloor was, as well as a stage and a DJ booth. I walked over and put down my guitar by the stage, feeling nervous. It was an intimate venue and I'd performed to more people than this but I hadn't performed to a room where I knew a lot of the people. It was a lot of pressure.

'Lucy!' I looked up and saw that Lauren was waving me over so I headed over with a smile, hiding the nerves in my stomach.

The meal was pretty posh and I felt self-conscious eating it as I knew that I was clumsy enough to spill it over my beautiful dress. We had a pumpkin and butternut squash soup to start, with lovely, warm homemade bread. Then it was sea bass fillet or salmon for a main course before a delicious white chocolate and orange mousse for pudding. Drinking champagne for the toasts was tough after that and I was feeling glad I had worn high-waisted knickers as I knew it would hide my food baby. Sometimes Bridget Jones knew what she was talking about.

'Congratulations!' I said, giving Abby a hug as the evening guests started to arrive shortly after we had eaten dinner. 'You look incredible!'

'Thank you.' She smiled a genuine smile. 'And thank you so much for coming and agreeing to sing later.'

'It's not a problem.' I replied, even though my stomach was in knots. I spotted a few other guests waiting to pass on their congratulations. 'You're a wanted woman.'

'I know, it feels like I'm famous!' She beamed with a small laugh.

'I'll catch you later.' I said, with a nod.

'Enjoy!'

I scanned the room as I walked around the tables, desperately trying to find someone else I recognised who I could talk to. I spotted Leanne and Abby's parents drinking at the bar and engrossed in a conversation. Leanne was having an intense conversation with an usher. The hen party girls were nowhere to be seen, possibly having a cigarette... I was completely alone.

'Hey, look a bit warmer now.'

I turned in the direction of Liam's voice. 'Hey. Yeah it's nice and cosy in here.' I commented. I was sure it was a mixture of heat and of nerves for my upcoming performance.

'You look lovely as always.' He said with a shy smile. 'Are you having a good day?'

'It's wonderful. The perfect wedding.' I replied.

'It really is. I hope one day I meet my soulmate and it's just as perfect.' His voice sounded sad as he looked at the couples mingling around us.

'It will be.' I told him. 'And she's out there somewhere just waiting to be found.'

'Er... hey Liam.' Kat said, awkwardly as she appeared at my side. 'Lucy, are you nearly ready to perform? First dance is in two minutes.'

'I'd better go and set up my guitar.' I said to Liam, apologetically, as Kat disappeared. 'I'll catch you later?'

'Sure.' He replied with a small smile.

I quickly tested my guitar was still tuned as the chilled-out music played in the background underneath the many conversations taking place in the room. I decided it was fine and I took a deep breath before announcing into the microphone. 'Mr and Mrs Jones will now have their first dance.'

Guests moved towards the edge of the dancefloor and I noticed that Adriana had now arrived with her date, her full-length dress a lovely shade of gold. She gave me a wave as Leanne appeared beside her, fiddling with material of her bridesmaid dress. Abby and her husband made their way to the dancefloor and smiled up at me, ready for me to start.

I took a deep breath and played the opening chords as they wrapped their arms around each other and started to dance.

'Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave?

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

But watching you stand alone,

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

One step closer

I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more.'

It was a beautiful dance and by the end, the parents had joined in. I started up the next song, which was 'I'm yours' by Jason Mraz and a few people cheered as they pulled their dance partners onto the floor. I winked as Leanne was asked to dance by a good-looking blonde usher. She smiled and nodded, accepting his invitation. My body had relaxed by the time the second song was over and I knew there was just one left on my set; one which put me under a lot of pressure because my boyfriend owned it. I'd practised the others on Skype with him but this one I'd been too embarassed to do so. There was something cringe-worthy about covering your boyfriend's songs, especially when they'd been in the charts for weeks and had won awards. I sucked in a deep breath as I started to play the chords and then it was time to sing.

'When your legs don't work like they used to before

And I can't sweep you off of your feet

Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?

Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?

And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're 70

And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23

And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways

Maybe just the touch of a hand

Well, me - I fall in love with you every single day

And I just wanna tell you I am

So honey now

Take me into your loving arms

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Place your head on my beating heart

I'm thinking out loud

Maybe we found love right where we are.

When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades-'

I paused and looked up, my eyes wide because someone else had joined in with the song. I looked across the room in surprise when I saw Ed stood there in a suit at the back of the crowd, a microphone in his hand. Unable to continue singing from shock, I let him continue as he walked through the crowd. It had to be a set up.

'And the crowds don't remember my name

When my hands don't play the strings the same way (mmm...)

I know you will still love me the same

'Cause honey your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen

And, baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory

I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways

Maybe it's all part of a plan

Well, I'll just keep on making the same mistakes

Hoping that you'll understand

That, baby, now'

He reached me onstage and shot me a lopsided smile of encouragement, telling me in my head to join him for the chorus.

'Take me into your loving arms

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Place your head on my beating heart

Thinking out loud

Maybe we found love right where we are (oh ohh).'

I played the chord bridge and looked at him in disbelief as the crowd cheered.

'La la la la la la la la lo-ud.'

He was supposed to still be in America. Wasn't he flying home tomorrow?

'So, baby, now

Take me into your loving arms

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart

I'm thinking out loud

But maybe we found love right where we are

Oh, baby, we found love right where we are

And we found love right where we are.'

The guests stopped dancing and applauded and cheered. Ed squeezed my waist and I put my guitar back on the stand, making my way off the stage with him closely behind me. 'Aren't you supposed to still be in America?'

'Surprise.' He replied with a lopsided smile.

'That was freakin' awesome!' Leanne cheered, appearing at my side. 'Sweet timing too.'

I looked at my friend, suspiciously. 'Did you know this was going to happen?'

'Well Ed wanted to surprise you so I sent him the details... he was supposed to have arrived before the song started though. What kept you?' She looked at my boyfriend with a puzzled expression.

'I couldn't get a cab.' He replied with a shrug.

'If you couldn't get a cab then there's no hope for the rest of us!' She said, dramatically.

Abby appeared at my side and pulled me into a hug. 'Thank you so much, Luce!' She pulled back and looked at my boyfriend before pulling him into a hug. 'And thank you Ed! That was so cool!'

'No problem... Abby.' He said with a smile. 'And congratulations.'

'Thank you! Eek this really is the best day ever!' She grabbed Leanne's arm. 'But I really need to pee so sister duties call!'

'Catch you later.' I smiled as they both disappeared.

'Hope you didn't mind me crashing your set.' Ed said, wrapping both of his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him when we were alone.

'Crash my set? It's your song.' I cringed and he laughed. 'That's the second time you've heard me cover one of your songs, damn it.'

'You were great.' He whispered, kissing my forehead. 'And it made a pretty sweet duet.' He tilted my chin up so that I was looking at him and then he kissed my lips softly. 'Mmm I've missed that.'

'Me too.' I replied, kissing him again.

'Do, do, do, do-do-do,' I smiled at the introduction to the Mcfly song the DJ had put on. Abby, Leanne and I had been to see them at least once a year since I met Leanne. Guilty pleasures and all. I looked over at Abby, who was dragging her husband onto the dancefloor and I laughed when I realised Leanne was grabbing the usher, trying to get him to dance with her.

'Do, do, do, do-do-do, Do, do, do, do-do-do,'

Ed reached out for my hand and I looked up at him in surpise. 'You're going to dance with me to this?'

'Maybe I like this song.' He replied, his voice serious. 'Or maybe I just want to lose my street cred.'

'Today,

I'm laughing the clouds away,

I hear what the flowers say,

And drink every drop of rain,

And I see,

Places that I have been,

In ways that I've never seen,

My side of the grass is green,

Ooh I can't believe that it's so simple,

It feels so natural to me.'

I smiled as he placed a hand on the small of my back and took my right hand in his left. I placed my free hand on his shoulder and he pulled me closer.

'If this is love,

Then love is easy,

It's the easiest thing to do,

If this is love,

Then love completes me,

Cause it feels like I've been missing you,

A simple equation,

With no complications,

To leave you confused,

If this is love, love, love,

Hmm it's the easiest thing to do.'

'Did you have a good day?' Ed asked as we walked into the hotel. He carried an overnight bag over his shoulder and held my hand with his free one. The hotel was a small tudor one with wooden beams and white walls. It only had six guestrooms, one of which I had hired out, so it suited us fine.

'It was a wonderful wedding.' I smiled up at him as we greeted the receptionist.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Ed beside me and she just managed to choke out, 'Good evening.'

My room was on the first floor and it was simple but quaint; polished wooden flooring, cream walls, a wooden dresser and a wooden four-poster bed. There was an ensuite too, which was ideal.

'Nice bed.' Ed commented, a smile playing on his lips, as he put down his bag.

'It was the only one left.' I replied. 'Not that I mind, it's quite princessy, don't you think? I've always wanted a four-poster bed.'

'What time is check out?' He asked as I hung my faux fur jacket on the side of the dresser.

'Eleven thirty and breakfast is served until eleven.' I said as I kicked off my shoes, which had started to make my feet sore. It wasn't easy being a woman, that was for sure.

'Bit of a lie-in then.' He replied with a smile, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. 'By the way, did I tell you yet how beautiful you are?'

I blushed and bit my lip. 'Don't be ridiculous.'

'It's true.' He said with a smile, pressing his lips to mine before I could argue again. I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck and made the kiss deeper, allowing his tongue to gently trace my lips. His hands moved along my back as he continued to kiss me and our breathing quickened. Was this it? A disturbing memory of being forced against a wall and hands wandering up my skirts despite my pleads filled my head and I flinched, moving back from Ed.

His eyes turned filled with concern. 'Are you okay?'

'I'm going to get ready for bed.' I replied, faking a smile. I grabbed my pyjamas and headed into the bathroom. I locked the door behind me and sank against it onto the floor, my hands shaking. It had been a year but why did Rich still haunt me? Was he always going to fill my mind with horrible images I couldn't shake away or was it just because Ed was the first guy I'd let myself be with since? I needed to get over this sooner or later. The past was the past and I couldn't let it affect my future.