‘Nah,’ Deb says. ‘I don’t think she really meant it. Just try to look less conspicuous. Put on a top hat or something.’
‘Well?’ Cherry calls. ‘Addie?’
‘One second!’ I shout, scrabbling through the suitcase.
I go still when I reach the blue dress. It’s not just a blue dress, it’s . . . art. Spaghetti straps, satin. There’s something a little nineties about the style – it reminds me of the dress Julia Stiles wears to prom in 10 Things I Hate About You.
I slip out of my white dress and slide into the blue gown. The sheath style would cling to Cherry’s curves, but it tumbles past mine without hardly noticing. I love that. It’s full length on me, too, where it’d be midi length on Cherry.
‘The barely-there silver heels!’ Cherry yells through the door, before I’ve even asked the question.
I pull them on with difficulty, trying not to tug with my injured hand. These shoes are too big for me and they’re going to hurt like hell, but right now I don’t care. I feel fierce and bright and beautiful. Obviously ideally I’d have had time for a shower, but still.
I open the bathroom door just as somebody knocks at the door to the bridal suite. We all freeze. Dylan’s eyes flick to mine, and the air goes hot between us. I remember how it felt that summer in France. I almost feel the Provence sun, hear the crickets. Dylan’s eyes are fiery. He’s not looking at me like he’s never seen me before – he’s looking at me like he’s never seen anyone else.
‘Cherry!’ Rodney calls through the door. ‘Cherry, please open the door!’
Dylan’s gaze snaps away from mine as Cherry stands and bundles everyone into the bathroom. I back in to give everyone space, and Deb carefully clicks the door closed behind her. My heart is beating too fast. I can’t tell if it’s the stalker outside the room, or Dylan being inside this one. I don’t need to look at him to feel that tug between us. The link that never really broke.
‘Talk to me, Cherry,’ Rodney begs through the door. ‘Please, let me in!’
We huddle by the door. Even Marcus looks serious. Deb and Kevin are between me and Dylan now, but I can still feel his gaze flicking towards me as we crouch, ears against the door.
Cherry lets Rodney into the room.
‘You really shouldn’t be here,’ she says.
‘How could I be anywhere else?’
Dylan’s hand is on the doorknob, ready for us to burst out.
‘I’m not going anywhere until you’ve realised this wedding is a mistake, Cherry!’
It’s so over the top, like he thinks he’s in a play. I’m not surprised to hear Cherry laugh.
‘Rodney. Please. How on earth can you think that?’
‘Does he really make you happy? Does he?’
‘Nobody has ever come close to making me as happy as Krishna makes me,’ Cherry says, more serious now. ‘He is everything to me. I have never been in love like this. And Rodney – I have never been in love with you.’
There’s movement. We brace. I think she’s moved towards him, holding the door open, maybe?
‘We belong together, Cherry!’ Rodney says, sounding more desperate than ever. ‘We’re like – we’re like Dylan and Addie!’
I startle. Everyone looks at me.
‘Dylan lost Addie, but he didn’t give up, and he got her back.’
The silence stretches for so long it hurts.
‘Dylan never really lost Addie, Rodney. And you really never had me. It’s not the same.’
‘I’m not letting you do it,’ Rodney says. ‘I’ll – I’ll – I’ll . . . stand here, in this doorway! For ever!’
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ Deb says, full volume. ‘We don’t have time for this shit.’
She opens the door and we all tumble through.
‘Hey!’ Rodney yells as we bear down on him. Dylan gets him by one arm, Kevin by the other.
‘Come on, Rodney, sit yourself down,’ Marcus says, reaching for the chair.
‘What are you doing!’
‘Tying you up,’ Deb says.
‘What!’
Rodney starts to struggle. He’s surprisingly strong. Me, Deb and Marcus all move in to help Dylan and Kevin. I’m not really adding much value. I feel a bit like the extra person trying to get involved in moving furniture: holding on to a side, not really taking any of the weight.
Somehow, with an awful lot of oofs and swear words and kicks and dodged fists, we get Rodney sat down and tied up.