Chapter 7
'What about this one?' Martha asked. Jack looked up to see her holding a light pink dress against her body. He stared at it for a while, before laughing. 'You in pink?' he said, raising his eyebrow. Martha curved her lip in a half smile and placed the dress back on the rack. 'This dress hunting thing is hard work' she sighed. Jack nodded. 'How about we get some lunch? Have a break' he suggested.
Martha smiled. 'Yes. That sounds good. I'm starving' she laughed. Jack held his arm out and placed it around her shoulder as they walked from the shop.
---------
'So, what about you?' Martha asked as she placed a forkful of salad in her mouth. Jack looked at her confused. 'What about me?' he laughed.
'Well, I'm here, planning my wedding. But what about you? Any girls on the scene?'
Yeh. you Jack thought to himself. He felt his face turn red, and shook his head. 'No. There's no one' he said. Martha tilted her head. 'There is isn't there?' she laughed. 'Jack Holden, I know you well enough to know when you're lying. Come on, tell me. Who is she?'
Jack took a deep breath. This was his chance to tell her how he really felt. Just the two of them. Alone.' It's erm... It's...a girl from the bar last week' he said. You idiot, why didn't you tell her?
Martha smiled. 'Yeh? What's she like?'
'She's great. She's beautiful. She knows how to make me laugh. She has the most amazing smile. She's...Well, she's perfect' he said, getting lost in his own thoughts of Martha. Suddenly he lifted his head to notice Martha grinning at him.
'But it's nothing. She's of limits. She's getting married'
'Jack, I'm so sorry' Martha spoke, sympathetically. 'If I was her, I'd run to you with open arms' she said. Jack felt his heart breaking. 'But then again,' she continued. 'I'm getting married too, so I really shouldn't say that' she laughed.
-----------------------
'Thanks again for today' Martha said as she opened the door of Jacks car. 'I'll phone you later' carefully, she moved towards Jack and kissed his cheek. Jack smiled and nodded. He watched as she opened the front door of her house and walked in. Then, when she was safely out of view, he wiped a falling tear and drove away, his heart breaking...