Drinks 'n Dares

Something Old Something New

Chapter Twenty-Two – Something Old Something New

Claire's POV

Mrs Claire Winters. Mrs Claire Jackson-Winters. Mrs Claire Nicola Winters.

That's what I was going to be if Jon and I didn't do something about this situation quickly. It had only just hit me that we were seriously in this situation. Two months could fly by like that and if we didn't do something soon – like getting the ring off – we were going to be marching down the aisle as man and wife. I stared up at All Hope's Church with a sense of dread. To my right Jon surveyed the building with a similar expression of alarm. The rest of my family were milling around discussing things or were already inside. All my bridesmaids and Jon's best men were there too. Next to me Carla started humming Mendelssohn's wedding march.

"Cut it out." I muttered. "It's not my wedding day."

"Yet." She whispered gleefully and trotted away.

Jon's hand reached out to hold mine. "Don't worry." He said. "We'll figure something out."

I glanced up at him with an unconvincing smile. "I don't know if I believe that. Everyone seems to have everything worked out."

"Except us."

"Mmm." I glanced down at the splendid sapphire ring on my finger. The ring that was still refusing to budge.

"At least we're a little better than that." I smiled, pointing over at Carla and Harvey.

Harvey was teasing and rambling to her, about what I could not hear. Carla was taking it in turn and surprisingly being very civil without slapping him. Still watching Harvey I saw him touch her arm gently and whisper something to her. Neither Jon nor I could hear him but I could guess that he was asking her out. Again. Carla's response I could hear.

"I may be 'desperate' and 'pathetic' Harvey but I'm notthat desperate." Carla snarled. I took it as a good sign however when she didn't spill a drink on him or go stomping off. Jon and I shared an amused look.

Harvey shot her the puppy dog look.

"He's way too good at that." Jon muttered.

"Please." Harvey intoned. "It could be my birthday present."

Carla rolled her eyes. "Your birthday isn't until the thirtieth."

"Hmm, already knows his birthday too." I smiled.

Harvey shook his head in mock defeat and entrapped a passing Rachel into the conversation. Rachel looked happy to help and soon enough Carla wandered over to us again. "Ugh. Why are we here again?"

"Because my mum and my gran think it's a good idea to check out the space of the place early on. Make sure everyone fits and so on." I said patiently.

Her grouchy mood continued as she asked, "I can't believe your mum made you ask Stephanie to be one of your bridesmaids." She glanced at Jon. "No offense."

He held his hands up. "None taken."

"Well she said it would be best to have four plus me because five was a nice round number. So after you two of course and Rachel I couldn't think of any more. Hence…Stephanie."

"Why didn't you just overrule her? It is your wedding afterall." Carla said.

"Oh believe me I'm going to be calling the shots." I said. "But I figured I might as well let her have this one thing. How often does a mum get to help plan her daughter's wedding afterall? And we're not even having a wedding."

"Don't tell her that." Jon muttered as my mum approached.

"Hello dear," my mum said, giving me a quick hug. "And hello you two. What do you think of the venue? Isn't it beautiful?"