The Runaway Groom - Chapter 4

After seeing the words leave Bobby’s lips, Sue stood in shock.

“Gone? What do you mean he’s gone?” Sue asked.
“I don’t know luv. I went back to the vestry to see if he was okay and he wasn’t there.”

Sue looked at Bobby as he spoke. Why would Jack vanish on his wedding day? He’d been planning for this day for months. He and Allie had been childhood sweethearts. Why would he run out on her now?

“Someone has to tell her Bobby. She will be devastated if she walks in here and he isn’t here waiting for her.”

She could see Bobby begin to talk but turned away and headed down the aisle. She could see all eyes on her as she threw apologetic and reassuring smiles in the direction of the guests, most of whom she knew from the bureau. She reached the door and slowly pushed it open.

She watched as Allie and her father posed for photographs, happiness written across her face. She really was a beautiful bride. Part of her was jealous that she was getting the big day that she could only dream of having one day. She found herself unable to move away as she just watched them, the photographer snapping many pictures, some of which would end up in the final album.

She smiled as she imagined herself standing there with her own father, a day that she hoped would come around someday.

As the photographer moved away, Allie’s father adjusted her veil and then she saw him turn to look behind him. Following his line of sight, she took a deep breath when she saw Jack standing just a few feet from them. Her heart almost stopped at the sight of him.

Unable to break her eyes from him, she watched as he continued to look at Allie. She hadn’t anticipated how much seeing him in this situation would affect her. Seeing Allie in her dress and Jack in his tuxedo made her realise something that she’d known deep down for many years. She was in love with Jack Hudson.

She’d had feelings for him for almost four years but had never told him. She’d had chance upon chance with all the dinners and lunches they’d shared but something had always gotten in the way or she’d think up some reason why she should keep her feelings too herself.

She knew that there was every chance that Jack wouldn’t return her feelings, but something deep down told her that he felt the same way. He’d never said anything to her, but there was something in the way he looked at her that told her all she needed to know. They had an unspoken communication that spoke volumes.

She watched as Allie approached him and her eyes locked with his for a brief second before she quickly closed the door and hurried back down the aisle.

“He’s outside with Allie. They’re talking.”

After telling Bobby, Sue returned to her seat next to Lucy, avoiding her friends gaze, knowing that Lucy could read her like a book and her emotions were already too close to the surface for her to be able to hide them.