**Diary Entry**
“No, no, absolutely not!” Emily threw her hands up in exasperation. “I cant go to the wedding, Sophie. You know James has had this fishing trip planned with Daniel for months. Theyve been preparing for agesI cant just cancel last minute.”
“But its Charlottes wedding!” Sophie set her teacup down with a clink. “Your best friend from uni! Shell never forgive you if you dont show up. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?”
“Its sacred to James,” Emily sighed. “He hardly ever gets time away without me. Hes been talking about it all springbought new gear, even a tent. I cant let him down.”
“So Charlottes the one who gets let down, then?” Sophie shook her head. “She picked the date specifically so you could come up from York. Your place is already paid for, and youre both on the guest list!”
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her stomach twisting. This dilemma had plagued her for days. On one handCharlottes wedding, her closest friend since uni. On the otherJamess long-awaited fishing trip. And of course, they had to fall on the same weekend.
“Maybe Ill just go alone?” she offered weakly. “Explain the situation. Im sure Charlotte would understand.”
“Oh, of course shed understand,” Sophie snorted. “And hold it over you for life. Remember how she sulked when you missed her birthday three years ago?”
“That was different,” Emily protested. “I completely forgot. This is a real reason.”
“Yeah. Fishing,” Sophie drawled. “Fine, suit yourself. But dont say I didnt warn you.”
The conversation left a sour taste in Emilys mouth. As she drove home, she mulled it over. Maybe she should speak to James again? Explain how much this wedding meant? But hed been so excited, counting down the days It felt selfish to ask him to cancel.
James greeted her at the door, helping her out of her coat. He smelled fresh, like hed just finished cooking something delicious.
“Dinners ready,” he said with a smile. “Your favouritepasta with prawns. How was your day?”
“Not bad,” Emily pecked his cheek gratefully. “Met up with Sophieshe says hi.”
Over dinner, the conversation inevitably turned to the weekend.
“Youre really okay with me going fishing?” James studied her face. “If the weddings that important, I can stay.”
“No, no,” Emily replied quickly. “Go, of course. You and the lads have planned this forever. I get it.”
“Sure?” He still looked uneasy. “Daniel says the signals patchy where were going, so I might not get through. But Ill text when I can.”
“Its fine,” Emily assured him. “Have a great time. Ill probably still go to Charlottescant let her down. Just me, though. Ill explain youre fishing.”
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to happiness that his trip was still on.
Friday morning was a whirlwind of packing. James checked rods, reels, and tents, calling Daniel every five minutes to confirm details.
“Dont forget your tackle, fisherman,” Emily teased as he scrambled for a torch. “Hope the fish are biting.”
“Cheers, love,” he hugged her tight. “Take care, and give Charlotte my best.”
“Will do,” she buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in his familiar scent. “Wont be the same without you.”
“Youll have a blast,” he kissed the top of her head. “Right, Im off. Daniels waiting downstairs.”
“Bring back a whopper?” she asked at the door.
“Absolutely!” He winked. “Feast for days!”
When the door closed, the flat felt too quiet. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were always together. But it was fine. The weekend would fly by, especially with the wedding to distract her.
That evening, she called Charlotte, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, her friend took it well.
“Just glad youre coming,” Charlotte said. “Wouldnt be the same without you. James is hardly around anywaywell survive.”
“See you tomorrow, then,” Emily smiled. “And congratulations again. Youll be the most stunning bride!”
Saturday passed in a blur of preparationshair, makeup, finding the perfect outfit. She chose a sleek navy dress, did her curls just right, and glanced in the mirror before leaving. Not bad.
A text from James buzzed earlier: “Made it fine, setting up camp. Signals dodgy. Love you, have fun today!”
She replied, “Good luck! Love you too.”
The wedding was at a posh London restaurant. Emily arrived slightly latetraffic was horrendous. The ceremony had just ended when she slipped into the hall.
“Em!” Charlotte, radiant in white, rushed over. “You made it! I was starting to think youd bailed too!”
“Like Id miss this?” Emily hugged her. “You look incredible! Olivers a lucky man.”
“Thanks, love,” Charlotte beamed. “Shame James couldnt come. But men and their fishingwhat can you do?”
“He sends his apologies,” Emily said. “Promised to make it up to you.”
Charlotte guided her to their table, where old uni friends were already seatedSophie and her husband, Lucy and her partner, Tom with his new girlfriend. Catching up softened the sting of Jamess absence. Toasts, laughter, nostalgiathe mood was warm and joyful.
“Wheres your better half?” Tom leaned in. “Not skipping this, surely?”
“Fishing trip with mates,” Emily said. “Planned for agescouldnt back out.”
“Fishing in April?” Tom frowned. “Bit early, no?”
“Apparently not,” Emily shrugged. “Springs prime time, James says. Not that Id know.”
“Well, the fisherman knows best,” Tom smirked, but his expression was odd.
The evening rolled on. After dinner came dancing, games, a live band. Emily relaxed, champagne smoothing the edges, until she noticed a group huddled around a phone.
“Oh, its Jess doing an Instagram live!” Sophie tugged her over. “Come say hi!”
Emily obliged, waving at the camera. “Hi everyone! Weddings amazingwish you were here!”
“Lets show the vibe!” Jess panned across the roomguests dancing, the cake cutting. “Wait, whos that? James?!”
Emily followed her gaze. Near the bar, a man who looked exactly like her husband was dancingsame build, same easy movements, even the same pale blue shirt he wore for special occasions.
“Thats not James,” she laughed nervously. “Hes fishing. Miles from here.”
“No, thats definitely him!” Jess zoomed in. “Look!”
On the screen, clear as day, was Jameslaughing, chatting with a woman Emily didnt know. Her stomach dropped. This wasnt happening.
“James!” Her voice cracked.
He turned. Their eyes locked. For a second, he frozethen bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring murmurs from friends.
“Em, wait” He caught her in the hallway. “I can explain.”
“Explain what? That you lied? That youre here, at Charlottes wedding, where you supposedly couldnt come because of fishing? Who is that woman?”
“Its not what you think,” he ran a hand through his hair. “Can we talk somewhere quiet?”
“No. Tell me now. Why did you lie?”
He glanced around. The corridor was empty, but music pulsed from the hall.
“Fine. There was no fishing trip. I lied, but not for the reason youre imagining.”
“Then why?”
“It was a surprise,” he admitted. “For our anniversary next month.”
Her breath hitched. “A surprise? At my best friends wedding?”
“Charlotte and Oliver helped. Ive been learning to singthat womans a vocal coach. We were rehearsing a song for our anniversary. I wanted to perform it for you properly.”
Emily stared. “So you invented a fishing trip? Instead of just telling me?”
“If Id said I was coming without you, youd have guessed!” He grimaced. “I wanted it to be special. Imagine if Id just stood up and sung for you out of nowhere?”
She covered her face. “You lied for a surprise?”
“I know. Stupid.” He touched her shoulders. “Forgive me?”
Just then, Charlotte appeared. “There you are! James, weve got to rehearse!”
“You knew?” Emily gaped.
“Of course!” Charlotte grinned. “Its romantic! Youre not mad, are you?”
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were pleading.
“I dont know if Im mad or just stunned,” she admitted. “All this for a song?”
“Not just any song,” James said softly. “Our first dance. At our wedding.”
Her anger melted. “Youre an awful liar. But its sweet.”
“Does that mean Im forgiven?”
“On one condition,” she smirked. “I hear it now. No waiting.”
“Im not ready!”
“Too bad,” Charlotte interjected. “My wedding, my rules. Then you two can talk properly.”
Half an hour later, Jamesflushed and nervousstood before a microphone. The vocal coach beside him cued the music. Their song. Emilys eyes welled up.
He wasnt perfect. He missed notes, flubbed lyrics. But his voice, his eyes fixed on herit was everything.
When he finished, applause erupted. Emily walked over and hugged him tightly.
“Youre ridiculous,” she whispered. “And I love you.”
“Even after the lie?”
“Because of it,” she smiled. “You went full secret agent just to make me happy.”
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
“I really thought I was being clever,” he muttered.
“Well have quite the story for the grandkids,” she laughed. “‘How Grandpa went fishing, and Grandma caught him on live at a wedding.'”
“Sounds like a rom-com,” he grinned. “No more secrets, promise.”
“Keep the surprises,” she said. “Just pick a better cover next time. Fishing in April? Even Tom said it was dodgy.”
“Noted,” he kissed her hand. “Though we could still go on a real fishing trip. Daniel keeps inviting us both.”
“One condition,” she teased. “You sing for me by the fire. No professionals this time.”
He groaned but nodded. “Anything for you. Even if I scare every fish in the lake.”
They laughed, knowing this ridiculous mess had only brought them closer.
