Cruel Sanctuary

Chapter 29

The date is growing closer, therefore my nerves are growing increasingly more intense. This was clearly displayed in my outburst at our wedding dinner rehearsal last night. Jeremy soothed me for a while, calmed me down and I eventually felt the courage to return to the room once again.

When we went in, Owen sensed something was wrong and came straight over. Jeremy informed him of what his Grandma had said to me and he was blaspheming. Instead of making it more of a drama, however, he just got everybody to move down a seat and I was sat with him for the rest of the night, no questions asked. A few times, he even surprised me with an encouraging smile and a comforting arm around the shoulder! The warmth that lit up Tina's face was everything that I needed to shove myself through the terrible night.

After the dinner had ended, we waved everybody off, paid the restaurant and then left together. For the whole journey home, Owen was ranting and rambling about how out of line Grandma Edith was, until I told him that I was fine and Clara had helped me. To say that he was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. It was nice to see that I'd done something right for a change.

Tonight is the night of the parties. The bachelor and bachelorette parties, to be precise. Initially, I had informed Tina and Emma that I didn't wish to attend a bachelorette party. However, when have they ever listened to me? Although, the idea of a party intended for my pure happiness doesn't sound like such a bad idea. It's a novelty, now that I think about it.

Knowing Tina and Emma the way that I do informs me that I will, indeed, need a day of intense relaxation in order to survive the night. So, rationally, that is what I intend to do today. In simple words; I will become a potato for a while.

Much to my dismay, the only knowledge that I have gained about my party is that the only attendees are Emma, Emily, Isabella and myself. Apparently, Emma thought it would be nice for my closest girls to come together for the party rather than stringing along people like Clara. Whilst I greatly appreciate Clara's warm efforts at the dinner last night, I don't think she would be as pleasant at a party that isn't revolving around herself.

Tina is staying in with my mum. Since my mum has barely gotten a word in about how this wedding will plan out, we were intending for her to attend my bachelorette night. However, her nurse has informed us that, in her current state, it seems unfit for her to be going to such a 'wild night', her words not mine, which fills me with the upmost confidence, note the sarcasm.

However, despite my disappointment in my mother's inability to attend my last party as an unwed woman, I am very pleased with the fact that she is going to spend a peaceful night in the comfort of my old family residence watching movies and eating greasy takeout food with Tina, her best friend. It is hard to place Tina in a situation where she is relaxed, vegged out on the sofa, eating greasy pre-made food. For my mum, I can picture it.

Swinging my legs out of bed, my knees buckle under the sudden pressure placed upon them and I go hurtling to the ground with a large bump, "Fuck, stupid pissing knees...you have one fucking job," I blaspheme under my breath as I clamber to my feet, regaining balance. Forgiving my knees for their betrayal, I shuffle towards my closet and rip out an old worn but oversized hoodie to place over my cycling shorts and vest top that I chose to wear to bed after the atrocious night.

Suddenly feeling thirsty, I trudge my way down the stairs, rubbing away at my eyes, willing myself to wake up properly. However, it is to no avail since I am already aware that it will take me until I've finished my morning hot drink to be sufficiently conscious enough to make reasonable life decisions.

Owen isn't awake yet, the lazy buggar, so I decide to head into the kitchen and stick the kettle on; placing four heaped teaspoons of ovaltine into a mug, pouring in the boiling water with a dash of milk to cool it down. Eagerly, I take a sip out of the mug, soon regretting the decision as the scolding water hits the back of my throat.