1
EDITH WHITLOCK
‘What do you think?’ Titus Pinnock emerged from the changing rooms of the small wedding boutique with a broad smile on his handsome face. Holding out his muscular arms, he turned slowly.
Edith Whitlock folded her arms and waited for Titus’ fiancé, Finn Mason, to pass judgement. She was trying to give the happy couple space to make their own decisions while also being supportive.
‘Hmmmm…’ Finn rubbed his chin with thumb and forefinger. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘I kind of like it,’ Finn’s ex-wife, Thora Mason, said with a smile.
‘But is beige really the colour we want for our suits?’ Finn asked.
Titus strode over to the full-length mirror and studied his reflection. The beige suit complemented his warm brown skin, the floral waistcoat adding a touch of elegance. The material of the suit had a sheen that caught the light as Titus moved, and Edith thought it might work well for a summer wedding.But both of the soon-to-be newlyweds had to love it. Otherwise, they’d have to find something else.
‘May I make a suggestion?’ Edith asked.
‘Please do!’ Finn nodded.
‘How about trying a few different colours and styles and then narrowing it down? You don’t have to decide today anyway, do you?’
Finn wrinkled his nose. ‘We don’t, but the idea of coming all the way to London several times to look for suits isn’t that appealing.’
‘It’s fine,’ Titus rolled his eyes. ‘It does us good to get out and about.’
‘You love London, but it’s not for me… I find it far too busy. You know how I like the space and freedom of being near the sea.’ Finn went to Titus and placed a hand on his shoulder then met his eyes in the mirror.
Titus covered Finn’s hand with his own. ‘I do, my darling, but I also want this to be right. We’re only getting married once and I want to make sure we have the perfect suits.’ He turned his head to look at Finn, who leant in and kissed his fiancé’s cheek. ‘We probably should have come suit shopping sooner, but I thought we’d find something off the peg no problem at all.’
‘I know you, so did I. And we probably still can.’ Finn turned to Edith. ‘I think you’re right, Edith. Let’s try a variety and take it from there. But I want lunch after this, OK?’ He nudged Titus. ‘Man’s got to keep his strength up, right?’
‘Of course. I have the perfect place in mind.’ Titus flashed him a grin.
While Finn and Titus tried on more suits, Edith sat on a damask velvet chaise longue in the airy changing rooms and checked her phone. She had a few emails from other clients, so she responded to them quickly and then put her phone away. Today, her time belonged to Finn and Titus. She didn’t always help with choosing wedding attire, but Finn was an old friend and he’d asked her to accompany them.
Following a Christmas proposal at The Cornish Garden Café in the village of Porthpenny, where they all lived, the happy couple had decided to marry this July. Finn had asked Edith to help with the planning, and she’d been delighted to accept. She loved her job as a wedding planner, but whenever she got the chance to work with friends, it was even better.
Next to her on the chaise, Thora sipped from the flute of champagne she’d accepted. ‘Isn’t this lovely?’
Thora, a pretty woman with brown eyes, curly brown hair, and a cute dusting of freckles, smiled. Like Finn, she was in her forties. She worked at the café in Porthpenny and walked dogs for locals. Edith thought being out in the fresh air and so active all the time benefited Thora because her skin glowed with health and vitality.
‘It’s wonderful.’ Edith nodded. ‘I’m so happy the boys are going to tie the knot.’
‘Me too,’ Thora agreed. ‘They’re perfectly matched.’
Watching Finn, Titus and Thora interact with the easy warmth of old friends, Edith felt a niggle of envy under her ribs. Her own family life had never been noisy or full of laughter. Her mother, Marianne, had worked long hours at the care home, coming home bone-tired and smelling faintly of antiseptic and lavender.There’d been no father to share the load — he’d left when Edith was small — and her grandparents were already gone by then. Marianne never complained, but she also never talked about love, as if it were something best not trusted. Edith had learned early to fill the quiet with her own plans and to depend on no one but herself. Until she’d methim… the one man who’d taught her how dangerous falling in love could be.
‘How’s Lucas?’ Edith referred to Thora’s partner, keen to put her own past from her mind. Lucas Grant had returned to Porthpenny the previous winter to take care of his father’s affairs. Edith knew from what Finn had told her that Thora and Lucas used to date when they were younger and that they’d realised old feelings still simmered. It was clear to everyone that Thora and Lucas were madly in love and belonged together.
‘Oh he’s a dream.’ Thora blushed, and her eyes closed for a moment longer than a blink as if she was picturing him. ‘It’s so lovely being with Lucas again.’
‘You’re glowing with happiness,’ Edith said. ‘Where is he today?’
‘At my place with Barry and the twins.’
Barry was Thora’s rescue chihuahua. People knew him as Big Barry because he thought he was much bigger than he was, and he had a BIG personality.
‘He’s dog-sitting then?’ Edith said.
