The Accidental Wedding
The summer was scorching, and Eleanor lounged around her flat in a swimsuit. Why not? She lived alonefree as a bird. Her long-awaited holiday had finally arrived, and if her two best mates could wrangle a week off from their boss, theyd dash straight to the coast.
One morning, Eleanor shuffled into the kitchen to boil the kettle when she felt eyes on her. Glancing out the window, she spotted a middle-aged man across the street, perched on his balcony, watching her with keen interest. Though not entirely exposed, she clutched a towel to her chest. From that moment, he tracked her every move. So much for her carefree daysnow she had to wear a dressing gown in the stifling heat, her kitchen lacking even a fan.
One afternoon, she stormed outside and glared up at the fifth-floor flat opposite. There he was, right on cue. She beckoned him with a sharp wave. He pointed at himself*Me?* She nodded. Who else?
He arrived quicklystocky, with a mop of unruly curls and a shiny bald patch gleaming on his crown.
*”Blimey,”* Eleanor thought. *”Hes even worse up close.”*
“Alright?” He dipped his head in greeting, flashing an awkward smile.
“Alright?” she echoed. “Whyve you been staring at me?”
“Bit forward, arent we?” He flushed, caught off guard.
“After seeing me like that, you owe me a wedding ring.”
“Wouldnt say no,” he shot back, deadpan.
“When shall we file the paperwork?” she teased.
“Right now. Got my ID.” He patted his waistcoat pocket, eyes locked on hers.
Eleanor rummaged through her handbag. “Mines here too.”
“So off we go?”
“Off we go,” she shrugged, as if it were nothing.
*”What on earth am I doing?”* she wondered in the cab. But she didnt turn back. They filed the papers at the registry office, only learning each others names there. The man*Geoffrey. Geoffrey Harold Whitmore.*
“Where to next?” he asked. “Shame my cars in the garage, but”
“Nowhere. Home. And dont look at me like thatno courting nonsense. Once were married, its straight to real life.”
“Are you mad?” her friends shrieked when she announced the wedding datea month away. “Have you lost the plot?”
“Relax, we can always cancel.”
“And what about *him*? Hell be heartbroken!”
“His problem. Shouldnt gawk at strange women.”
“Youre single, not *strange*! Ellie, you dont even love him!”
“And what good did love do you with yours?”
“Now I cant stand him.”
“Exactly. Maybe Ill start off indifferent and end up lost without him.”
Geoffrey kept watching his fiancée, baffled by her antics. Though, he was no betterready to follow a near-stranger to the ends of the earth, all because she was stunning. He noticed, too, that Eleanor avoided the kitchen now, aware of his gaze. So he hid behind the curtains, spying like a fool.
Then, one day, he spotted her lugging a massive suitcase, vanishing round the corner.
*”No wonder shes keeping me at arms lengthone last fling before the vows. Lets see if shes worth it.”*
He threw on clothes, stuffed a wad of cash into his trouser pocket, and raced to Heathrow. He found Eleanor instantly, flanked by her two mates. They boarded a flight to Cornwallhe booked the next one.
*”What am I even doing here?”* Geoffrey groaned, slumped on the beach. *”She could be anywhere.”*
Thena flash of familiar swimwear. *”Blimey. There she is.”*
The women lounged, sipping white wine, utterly unguarded. Eleanor hadnt a clue hed followed. He checked into their hotel, watching from the shadows.
No beaus in sight. Just harmless fun.
Thendisaster. They collided on the street.
Eleanor struck first: *”This how you prep for a wedding? Lounging about?”*
“Youre not here for work either.”
“Didnt see you around, so I took a break.”
“Saw you bolt with that suitcase. Had to chase you.”
“You *followed* me?”
“Hardly. Just a pre-wedding holiday.”
“Same. Ever been married?”
“Yeah.”
“Kids?”
“None. You?”
“Divorced. No kids. Marrying me to spite someone?”
“Nah. But with my mug, you must be.”
“Not a chance.”
“Then why?”
“Tired of pretty boys and gym rats. Fancied a changean ordinary…”
“Carpenter.”
“Yeah, a carpenter. Hows business without you?”
“Retired.”
“*What?*”
“Worked in a steel mill. Retired at forty-five.”
“Thank God. Im only thirty-eight.”
“Ellie, youll never regret marrying a simple carpenter.”
“Hope not.”
Ten years later…
“Remember how we met?” Eleanor murmured, nestled against her husband.
“Like it was yesterday,” Geoffrey chuckled.
“Shh! Youll wake the boys.”
“I promised you wouldnt regret it. Did I keep my word?”
“Overdelivered. My mates are green with envy.”
“Well, theyre still chasing *true love*.”
“Good for them. Were not like most, are we?”
“Doesnt matter. Long as were happythats what counts.”
