Sun Ray Filigree

Tiny rays of precious sun Escape the veil of leaves; A filigree is left behind – An intricate gold weave.

Beneath the trees this shadow world Lies on the forest floor,

All lace and thread but made of sun: A sight to make hearts soar.

Lily Christie.

pleasantries with the groom’s father when Alex edged closer to her and leaned towards her ear.

“I don’t mean to alarm you,” he murmured, “but I think you’re being watched.” “What?”

“Chap at the bar, darkhaired guy. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

It was impossible not to glance across.

When she did, her heart leapt. It was Dominic. And he looked terrible.

Whatever he’d been up to in the year since she’d seen him, it wasn’t doing him good. His face was drawn and there were dark shadows under his eyes.

Would he come over? Did she want him to?

Despite his confidence, Kiri doubted Dominic would approach her when she was seated at the centre of such a large group of people.

She was right. He stayed at the bar a few minutes more, but then he was gone.

Five minutes later a bar steward came to the table, asking for Kiri.

“There’s a telephone call for you,” he told her.

Kiri couldn’t imagine who needed her so urgently that they’d phone her at the River Inn.

Only as she followed the steward to the lobby did she realise what was happening.

“Kiri.” Dominic was standing there.

“Dominic.”

“How are you?”

“Fine. You know . . . fine.” “No, I don’t know. I’m not. Most definitely not fine.”

“Dominic, I’m here with a wedding party.”

“Not your wedding?” He looked aghast.

Kiri gave a grim laugh. “No, not mine. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride – that’s me in a nutshell.”

“Then it’s not too late! I’m not too late.”

“Too late for what, Dom?” “Not yet, please. I have to tell you, Kiri – I’m sorry. More sorry than you could possibly know.

“I was an idiot, ending things between us. It was the way I was back then – one minute I’d be crazy about a girl, the next I’d be looking for a way out.

“I thought it would be the same with you and that I’d get over you in a week, or a month. But I didn’t. I still haven’t.”

“So why didn’t you call me and say so?” Kiri demanded. “I’d have forgiven you. I loved you.”

“Because I’d treated you badly for absolutely no good reason. You deserved better.” She scowled. “Yes. I did.” “I know I have no right to ask you for anything, but once upon a time we were happy and I believe we could be again.”

“Once upon a time? You always were good at telling stories, Dominic.

“You told me such fine tales of what was supposed to be our happy ever after, and I believed them.

“I thought we would spend our lives together, building a home, raising a family.

“But it was just another sales pitch, wasn’t it, Dom? Do you give the people who buy your cars a second thought when they drive away?

“I doubt you care about them, like you didn’t care about me.

“Now, leave me alone.” He ran his fingers through his dark hair.

“I deserve every word of what you say, but I wish I could convince you that I’m truly sorry,” he replied.

“I meant it when I shared my dreams of a future together. I got cold feet, like I always have done.

“The difference this time was that I really loved you. I’ve never stopped thinking about you. Never stopped regretting how I behaved.

“I’m so sure we’re right for each other, Kiri.

“I wish you’d give me a chance to prove that I’ve changed.”

Dominic’s face was grey, his dark eyes beseeching.

How easy it would be to take him back, be held in his arms and fall in love all over again.

She stiffened her resolve. “I can’t. You broke my heart! I won’t go through that again.”

“I’d not put you through it again. I promise.”

“How can you ask me to trust you?” Kiri asked.

“Then don’t trust me – treat me with suspicion, if you have to. I’m not asking you to run away with me.

“I just want you to let me into the smallest part of your life so I can prove to you that I’ve changed.

“I’ve grown up, Kiri.”

****

“Was that Dom at the bar?” Laura asked when Kiri returned to the group. “Yes,” Kiri replied.

“He looked rather ill – do you know if he’s all right?”

“I’m not sure,” Kiri told her. “Let’s not talk about him – how are you feeling? Is it like Christmas Eve?” Laura grinned.

“I can’t stop looking at Ross and thinking that tomorrow we’ll be married. He’ll be my husband. For ever.”

For ever was a long time, Kiri mused. Things happened; feelings changed.

Nothing was certain. Everything came with an element of risk.

She was nervous about having agreed to go for a country walk with Dominic the following weekend, but she knew that if she didn’t give him one chance, then she might regret it always.

He’d been the love of her life and, if he was sincere, then it was an opportunity for happiness she couldn’t bear to throw away.

This time, though, she was determined to take things slowly.

“I’ll wait for you until the end of time, if that’s what it takes,” he’d whispered before she left him.

If only she could be sure he meant it.

****

“Here it comes!”

Kiri turned her back to the crowd, raised her bouquet over her head and flung it high in the air.

There were squeals of excitement as her friends scrambled to catch it.

“Bring back memories?” Alex was smiling in his pristine suit.

“Too many!” Kiri replied with a laugh. “Did I ever tell you I was a bridesmaid on no fewer than five occasions?”

“Several times.”

She gave his hand a squeeze.

“Thanks for everything. Sometimes I thought I’d never get here.”

“Who, you? But you’re beautiful – sweet and kind, talented and wise; who wouldn’t want to marry you?”

“I’m so glad we met at Laura’s wedding. I had no idea then that you’d choose to move back here, nor how much you were going to mean to me.”

“We’ve had three great years,” Alex agreed.

“You’ve been my rock.” “And you’ve been mine.” Kiri laughed.

“I think everyone’s finally got used to my having a bridesman rather than a bridesmaid!”

“And I’ve enjoyed being one – but only because it was for you.”

“Without you in my corner, these past years, I don’t know if I’d have been brave enough to try again with Dom,” Kiri admitted.

“You made me feel sufficiently secure to give him and me another chance.

“And if it had all gone horribly wrong, I knew you’d be there for me.”

Alex smiled.

“But it didn’t go wrong. He’s devoted to you, Kiri – anyone can see that. The guy has more than proved himself by now.”

Kiri glowed.

“I know. He’s been amazing. I can hardly bear to think what we’d have lost if I’d walked away.”

Dominic came striding over, looking flustered.

“The band’s ready.

They’re calling for us to have our first dance.”

He’d offered to get his hair cut for the wedding, but Kiri had urged him not to.

“Coming?” he asked, then took her left hand, raised it to his lips and kissed the wedding ring.

“Coming,” Kiri agreed. They ducked under the fairy lights and into the village hall.

The End.