‘Thank you for listening to me the other day. I was being spoilt and?—’
‘Oh, Rosie, not at all spoilt. Your feelings were understandable. Never feel the need to deny your feelings or to think they’re less important than anyone else’s. You matter. Remember that.’
Rosie nodded. ‘OK. I’ll try. But thank you again. You helped me to accept that it’s perfectly normal to have mixed feelings. I see so many people on Instagram and Snapchat always boasting about how great their lives are and how they have all this inner peace. They post perfect photographs and inspiring quotes and make out they have perfect families. It makes me feel a bit rubbish about things now and then, you know?’
‘I do!’ Edith nodded. ‘Social media sites do that, though. You can see people living these perfect lives and looking like they have it all together all the time, but in reality, no one has it that together.Not ever.’
‘It just looks like they do.’ Rosie rubbed a hand against her breastbone.
‘It often does seem that way but it’s all or show. People argue. People have low times. People lose loved ones. It’s the harsh reality of life, and that’s why it’s important not to judge yourself by impossible standards. People are just people at the end of the day, and we all need to be a bit more supportive of one another.’
‘I agree with that.’ Rosie tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear. ‘I hope I can be more like you as I get older.’
Edith laughed. ‘Believe me, lovely, I’m struggling too. Not all the time, but a lot of the time, I battle to keep my head above water. I think all we can do is try.’
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Rosie asked, concern in her pretty eyes.
Edith’s heart squeezed with affection for the teenager. She would grow up to be an amazing person. Perhaps she’d even change the world with her kindness and compassion.
‘That’s so kind of you. Maybe at some point. I’m still trying to work out what’s going on in my own head, to be honest.’ Edith gave a resigned shrug.
‘Can I do anything to help here today?’ Rosie gestured at the marquee.
‘You could just monitor people to make sure they know where they’re going. If anyone looks lost, that is. But also, it’s really important for you to have fun and to enjoy spending time with your family before the wedding. I want you all to enjoy it together so you can look back on it in years to come and have happy memories to treasure.’
‘I can do that!’ Rosie flashed a smile.
‘Thank you.’ Edith felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out and checked the screen. ‘Ooh! The ice-cream van has just arrived.’
‘Ice-cream van?’ Rosie laughed.
‘We can’t have a beach party without an ice-cream van, now can we?’
‘Absolutely not!’ Rosie gave Edith a quick cherry blossom scented hug. ‘See you later.’
‘See you.’
Rosie jogged over to the marquee where Reggie was talking to some boys their age and Edith smiled at how their heads turned when they spotted Rosie. She had no idea how beautiful she was.
Edith walked over to the road next to the beach. The driver of the ice-cream van had parked up and opened the window. She went to say hello and to ensure he had catered for the dairy allergies and gluten intolerances too.
Ten minutes later, she had ticked off all the jobs on her list, and so she wandered down to the marquee. The sun was sinking in the sky and everything seemed to shimmer in its rich golden glow.
Children who’d noticed the arrival of the ice-cream van were hurrying towards it, their excited chatter drifting on the balmy air. Families gathered in and around the marquee, and music drifted across the beach. Lanterns hanging from the poles of the marquee swayed in the breeze, and white and pink bunting fluttered around the edges of the roof.
Cheering and applause erupted as a horse and carriage drew up behind the ice-cream van and Finn and Titus waved at everyone like royalty. Dressed in matching white outfits, they descended to the beach, where their friends and family greeted them. The photographer hired for the event — who had been discreetly taking photographs of the guests — flitted around them, capturing the moment, and Edith smiled as she watched.
So far, everything was going to plan, so she could relax and let the evening take its course. She would still be available ifneeded, but she had already finished most of her work for the day because everything was going well. Now, she could watch as the grooms enjoyed their party.
She wandered over to the marquee and accepted a glass of Pimm’s from a passing waiter. She leant against the bar, sipping the refreshing drink filled with orange slices, cucumber, mint, and strawberries, and allowed herself to savour the moment.
But then she saw Wyatt, and all thoughts of relaxing ebbed away as the old anxiety crept back in. Of course she’d known he would be here this evening, but even so, seeing him and thinking about seeing him were two different things. There he was… handsome in jeans and a white linen shirt with his dark hair flopping over his forehead, his face dusted with a few days of stubble.
As he walked towards the grooms, she saw a few other women noticing him, and her stomach gave a jealous twist. They could appreciate him without the pain of knowing how it felt to love him and be rejected by him. How good would it feel to be in a position where she could admire him without the pain of their association? Without knowing how incredible it was to be held in those muscular arms and kissed by that beautiful mouth, to feel his body pressed against hers as he made love to her and her whole body tingled?
She took a gulp of her drink and turned to gaze out at the sea, wishing she could run into it and swim until she was far from the shore. But if she did that, someone would likely dive in after her, and knowing her luck, it would be Rosie or even Wyatt himself. That was drama she did not need. Better to fade quietly into the background tonight and let the beautiful people enjoy their beautiful evening.
And so she sipped her drink and wandered back inside the marquee to find people to talk to who would distract her from the pain in her heart.
