Husband went fishing with his mates, only for me to spot him live at my best friends wedding that evening.
“No, no, and absolutely no!” Emily threw her hands up in despair. “I cant go to this wedding, Sophie! You know James has had this fishing trip with Dave planned for ages. Theyve been prepping all monthI cant cancel last minute.”
“But its Lucys wedding!” Sophie huffed, setting her tea down with a clink. “Your uni bestie! Shell never forgive you if you dont show. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?”
“James treats it like a sacred ritual,” Emily sighed. “He hardly ever gets time away without me. Hes been banging on about it all springbought new gear, a tent, everything. I cant let him down.”
“So Lucys feelings dont matter?” Sophie raised an eyebrow. “She picked the date specifically so you could come up from Bristol. Your seats are paid for, and youre both on the guest list!”
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, flustered. This dilemma had haunted her all week. On one handLucys wedding, her closest friend since uni. On the otherJamess long-awaited lads fishing weekend. And of course, both had to land on the same bloody weekend.
“Maybe Ill just go alone?” she offered weakly. “Explain the situation. Lucyll understand.”
“Oh, shell understand,” Sophie snorted. “And then hold a grudge till the end of time. Remember how she sulked for months when you missed her birthday three years ago?”
“That was different!” Emily protested. “I just forgot. This is a proper excuse.”
“Right. Fishing.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “Fine, your call. But dont say I didnt warn you.”
The chat left Emily unsettled. On the train home, she chewed over her options. Maybe she could talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant? But hed been so chuffed about this trip, counting down the days It felt selfish to ask him to bail.
James greeted her at the door, helping her out of her coat. He smelled like fresh air and something delicious from the kitchen.
“Dinners ready,” he announced, grinning. “Your favouriteprawn linguine. How was your day?”
“Fine,” Emily pecked his cheek. “Saw Sophieshe says hi.”
Over dinner, the weekend inevitably came up.
“Youre really okay with me going fishing?” James studied her face. “If the weddings that important, I can cancel.”
“No, no!” Emily rushed. “Go, honestly. You and the lads have been planning forever. I get it.”
“Positive?” He still looked uneasy. “Dave says signals rubbish out there, so calls might not get through. But Ill text when I can.”
“Its fine,” she assured him. “Enjoy yourself, catch loads. Ill probably go to Lucys solocant let her down. Ill just say youre fishing.”
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to excitementno one liked cancelling plans last minute.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked tents, and rang Dave every five minutes to confirm details.
“Dont forget your tackle, Captain Fisher,” Emily teased as he scrambled for a torch. “And may the fish be biting.”
“Cheers, love.” He pulled her into a hug. “Be good, dont miss me too much. And pass on my congrats to Lucy.”
“Will do.” She buried her face in his neck, breathing him in. “Though it wont be half as fun without you.”
“Youll have a blast,” he kissed her head. “Right, Im off. Daves waiting downstairs.”
“Bring back dinner?” she asked, walking him to the door.
“Obviously!” He winked. “Feast fit for kings!”
The flat felt oddly empty once hed gone. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were joint affairs. But itd fly by. Besides, the wedding tomorrow would keep her busy.
That evening, she rang Lucy, explaining Jamess absence. Thankfully, her friend took it well.
“Just glad youre coming,” Lucy said. “Wouldnt be the same without you. James is practically a ghost at these things anyway.”
“See you tomorrow, then,” Emily smiled. “Andcongrats again. Youll be the most stunning bride!”
Saturday was a whirlwind of prephair, nails, picking a gift, final outfit checks. Emily chose a sleek navy dress, did her makeup just right. One last mirror glanceshe looked fresh, polished.
A text from James popped up early: “Made it safe, setting up camp. Signals naff here. Love you, have a great day!”
She smiled, typing back: “Good luck! Love you too.”
The wedding was at a swanky London restaurant. Emily arrived slightly latetypical city traffic. The ceremony had just wrapped when she slipped into the hall.
“Em!” Lucy, radiant in white, barrelled into her. “You made it! I was starting to think youd bailed too!”
“Like Id miss this?” Emily hugged her tight. “You look absolutely unreal! Toms a lucky man.”
“Thanks, love,” Lucy beamed. “Shame James couldnt make it. But men and their fishingsacred tradition, innit?”
“He sends his apologies,” Emily said. “Promises to make it up to you.”
Lucy guided her to their table, where old uni pals were already seatedSophie and her husband, Jess and her partner, Nate with his new girlfriend. Catching up eased the sting of Jamess absence. Toasts flowed, laughter bubbledthe vibe was warm, joyful.
“Wheres your other half?” Nate leaned in. “Cant believe hes skipping this.”
“Fishing trip with mates,” Emily said. “Planned ages agoawkward to cancel.”
“Fishing in April?” Nate frowned. “Bit early, no?”
“Is it?” Emily shrugged. “James reckons springs prime time. Not that Id know.”
“Suppose the expert would know best,” Nate smirked, though his expression flickered oddly.
The evening rolled ondinner, speeches, first dances. Emily, loosened by champagne, was starting to relax when she noticed a crowd huddled around a phone.
“Ooh, Kats doing an Insta live!” Sophie squealed. “Come on, Emsay hi to the folks at home!”
Emily wandered over as Kat aimed the camera her way.
“And heres Emily, brides uni bestie!” Kat announced. “Wave to the viewers!”
“Hi, everyone,” Emily waved awkwardly. “Weddings amazingshame some couldnt make it!”
“Lets show the vibe!” Kat panned across the roomguests dancing, cake-cutting, then”Wait, whos that? Is that James?”
Emilys gaze snapped to where Kat pointed. Near the bar, a man who looked suspiciously like her husband was dancing. Even in dim light, she knew his stance, that light blue shirt he saved for special occasions.
“Thats not James,” she laughed nervously. “Hes fishing. Miles from here.”
“Nah, thats definitely him!” Kat zoomed in. “Look!”
The phone screen showed Jamesher James, who shouldve been knee-deep in riverwaterlaughing with some unfamiliar woman, chatting like old friends.
Emilys stomach dropped. The room spun. This had to be a mistake, a trick of the light.
“James!” Her voice came out shrill.
He turned. Their eyes locked across the room. His face paledpanic, guiltbefore he muttered something to the woman and bolted for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring confused murmurs. This couldnt be real.
“Ira, wait” James caught her in the hallway. “I can explain.”
“Explain what?” Her voice shook. “The fishing lie? You being here, at Lucys wedding, where you couldnt come? And who was that?”
“Its not what you think,” he ran a hand through his hair. “Can we talk somewhere quiet?”
“No. Truth. Now.”
James glanced around. The hallway was empty, but music pulsed from the main room.
“Fine,” he sighed. “There was no fishing trip. I lied, but not for the reason youre imagining.”
“Then why?”
“I was planning a surprise,” he admitted. “For our anniversary next month.”
“A surprise.” She stared. “At my best friends wedding?”
“Exactly,” he nodded. “Lucy and Tom helped. We arranged a musical numberme and that woman you saw. Shes a pro singer, coaching me. I wanted to perform our first dance song for our anniversary. Tonight was a rehearsal, testing my nerve in front of people.”
“So you invented a fishing trip?” Emilys head throbbed. “Instead of just telling me?”
“If Id said I was coming here without you, youd have been suspicious!” He winced. “I wanted it to be a proper surprise. Imagine me suddenly singing at our anniversary!”
“Christ,” Emily covered her face. “You lied to surprise me?”
“Stupid, I know,” he squeezed her shoulders. “Sorry. I never thought youd come alone. When Lucy told me, I panickedcancel or risk it?”
“And how would youve explained wedding photos of you dancing?”
“Dunno,” he shrugged. “Didnt think that far. Turns out Im rubbish at espionage.”
Just then, Lucy burst into the hallway.
“There you are! James, weve got soundcheck inoh.” She froze. “You told her, didnt you?”
“You knew?!” Emily whirled.
“Course!” Lucy grinned sheepishly. “Its romantic! We just helped. Youre not mad?”
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were pleading.
“I dont know if Im mad,” she admitted. “But Im definitely shell-shocked. All this scheming for a song?”
“Not just any song,” James said softly. “Our song. The one we danced to at our wedding.”
“Oh god.” Emilys anger melted into something warmer. “Youre a terrible liar. But its kind of sweet.”
“So forgiven?”
“On one condition.” She narrowed her eyes. “I want to hear it now. Surprise is ruined anyway.”
“But Im not ready!”
“Tough,” Emily smirked. “Ill be a generous audience.”
“Absolutely!” Lucy clapped. “My wedding, my rules! Though after, Ill let you two talk properly.”
Half an hour later, a flushed James stood by a mic, the mystery woman (a vocal coach, it turned out) beside him. Their wedding song beganand though he flubbed a few lines, the look he gave Emily made her eyes prickle.
When it ended, the room erupted. Emily walked over and pulled him into a hug.
“Youre ridiculous,” she whispered. “And I love you.”
“Even after the lie?”
“Because of it,” she smiled. “You went full secret agent to make me happy.”
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
“I meant well,” he said. “Nearly messed it up, though.”
“Now weve got a story for the grandkids,” Emily laughed. “How Grandpa went fishing, and Grandma spotted him live at a wedding.”
“Sounds like a soap opera,” he chuckled. “No more secrets, promise.”
“Keep the surprises,” she said. “Just pick a better cover next time. Fishing in April? Even Nate thought that was dodgy.”
“Noted,” he grinned. “And we could still go fishing for real, if you fancy. Daves invited us both.”
“One condition,” Emily smirked. “You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.”
James groaned but nodded.
“Anything for my wife. Even if I scare every fish in the Thames.”
They both laughed, knowing this absurd mess had only brought them closer.
