White Satin Shoes

On the happiest day of her life, her thoughts kept straying to RobÉ

One look into Rob’s big, pleading

eyes, and she couldn’t say no…

You look pretty as a princess!’ Aunt Grace exclaimed as Catriona came downstairs in her silk wedding dress.

Catriona smiled at her. But then her aunt frowned.

‘White satin shoes?’ she queried. ‘Not a good idea!’

‘It’s not bad luck, is it?’ asked Catriona, staring at her feet.

‘Not bad luck, no, but they get damaged so easily.’

Catriona smiled. ‘Don’t worry, my dress will hide them.’

If only that was all she had to worry about…

She wondered how Greg was feeling. Happy and excited, she hoped. But what about Rob? Her heart sank. How she loved him and felt for him today. If only the day that would make her so happy was not going to cause him so much pain…

Everything ran like clockwork. The flowers, bridesmaids and cars arrived on time and, before she knew it, Catriona was walking down the aisle to meet Greg, hardly able to contain her excitement.

He turned and smiled – a great big, welcoming smile – and she knew everything was going to be all right, as far as he was concerned, anyway.

The sun shone on them as they stepped back out of the church and Greg squeezed her arm excitedly.

‘This is the happiest moment of my life,’ he said.

Catriona smiled at him. ‘And it goes on getting better from here,’ she said. She hoped.

After the first few photographs had been taken, the guests all came spilling out of the church behind them. Catriona looked around for Rob. Unable to see him, she felt anxious. Surely he’d come?

Finally, she caught sight of him, standing at the back. She smiled at him encouragingly, but he quickly looked away. To Catriona, it was as though the sun had gone behind a cloud.

‘Come on, you’re meant to be happy!’ the photographer called jovially. ‘Let’s have a big smile from the bride, please!’ And Catriona duly obliged. The reception marquee was beautiful – exactly as she’d planned. It was festooned with very pale yellow ribbons to match the bridesmaids’ dresses, and every table had a beautiful centrepiece of yellow roses. Over in the corner, the cake looked too wonderful to cut.

‘Happy, darling wife?’ asked Greg.

‘Of course!’ she replied, squeezing his hand.

Soon the marquee filled with laughter and chatter. Sitting next to

Greg, Catriona was almost too excited to eat. It was like a dream to see their friends and relatives gathered together to celebrate their happiness.

Greg made a wonderful speech, recounting in moving detail how, after the death of his first wife, he thought he’d never be happy again. Finding Catriona, he could hardly believe his luck. Catriona wiped away a tear.

Her father was equally complimentary, and, even though he insisted on telling his awful jokes, everyone laughed. All apart from Rob, who’d followed from the church well behind everyone else.

Catriona looked around for him. He’d been there a moment ago, sitting sullenly a few feet away. And now he’d gone. But where to?

The speeches had ended, so she got up and made her way out of the tent, smiling at guests as she passed. Catriona walked into the hotel just as her brother was coming out.

‘Not lost your husband already?’ he joked.

‘No,’ she sighed. ‘Someone else. Oh, I think I’ve found him.’

Rob was pretending to read a noticeboard. Her satin shoes were soundless on the carpet. ‘Rob?’ she whispered. He turned, surprised.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked. ‘The band’s starting, and I wondered if you’d do me the honour of dancing with me? Bride’s prerogative.’

‘No, thanks,’ he said.

Catriona frowned.

‘I’d rather go outside,’ he said. ‘Into the car park.’

‘Why?’ She stared at him. ‘I can’t do what I want to do with you in here,’ he said.

Catriona looked around her, expecting to see approaching guests, calling her back to the party. But they were alone. Maybe she could?

‘OK, then,’ she said.

Hand in hand, they slipped out through the back door.

‘I brought it,’ he said, his face beginning to redden.

‘Brought what?’ she asked. ‘What you gave me.’

‘Oh!’ Catriona smiled. ‘Did you? Do you like it?’

He nodded. ‘Could we do it now? No-one will see.’

A million objections ran through her head. I’m in my wedding dress, for heaven’s sake. People will wonder what I’m up to, she thought. But one look into Rob’s big, pleading eyes, and she couldn’t say no.

‘Of course!’ she smiled back at him. ‘I’d love to!’

‘OK,’ he said, running to a flowerpot and producing his new football, which he kicked to Catriona. Lifting her skirts, she ran after it and kicked it hard. And, as she did, she let out a yelp of triumph – not because she’d managed to boot it despite wearing satin shoes, but because, for the first time ever, her stepson had actually asked her to do something with him. Now, Catriona thought happily as he kicked the ball back to her, this day really is perfect.

THE END

© Jane Coggins, 2018