This Thing Called Love By Linda Casper
It was everything he had ever wanted, yet here he was at the brink of fulfilment wondering whether to take that final step.
Matt still couldn’t believe his luck. In the summer, he had been a guest at the wedding of Simon and Kate, who had been together since their first year at university. He envisaged the couple’s future enviously; suburban house, children, active member of the local community. Not everyone’s cup of tea but Matt yearned for a family. An only child born of older parents, Matt came from a quiet household and joined a local accountancy firm straight after his degree. He had lived at home while at university and remained there after his father died to care for his mother until her death two years ago.
Unusually for weddings, few of the assembled guests were in couples. Never confident in social situations, he hovered at the edge of a group who were introducing themselves either as a friend of the bride or the groom. Not rating himself as an attractive catch, he was delighted when Hayley engaged him in conversation.
By Autumn, Hayley had completely transformed Matt’s lifestyle. Matt was having fun, even if he did worry about overspending. Hayley had agreed to marry him and he was over the moon. As neither of them had close relatives, Hayley, who was a travel agent, persuaded him to have the ceremony on a cruise ship. Hayley began a frenzy of dress fittings, beauty treatments and sourcing the perfect accessories. Matt only wanted the happiness of his future wife, but became worried at Hayley’s state of anxiety.
The luggage was packed; two whole suitcases contained the trappings for the Big Day. Matt hadn’t seen The Dress but felt sure that Hayley would look gorgeous in whatever she wore. His musings were interrupted by the doorbell. Expecting to find friends delivering a gift, he was surprised to see a stranger asking if he was Matt Davies and could she come in. He held his breath fearing the worst; a road accident, a spiked drink, a mugging.
The woman introduced herself as Hayley’s employer. He let out a sigh of relief; it was a well wisher and he felt silly for his morbid thoughts. Now she was telling him about the auditors, which was a subject to which he could relate, and listened politely. Deposits from clients for next year’s summer holidays were missing to the tune of £20 000. She knew Hayley as a friend and that she had been having problems when she offered her the job but she had stolen a substantial sum and she would have to inform the authorities.
Matt was astounded. He had been happy to finance Hayley in return for the joy she brought to his life. She hadinsisted on paying for was the wedding outfit, but surely that couldn’t have amounted to £20 000. He had the same feeling as he did when his mother had died; alone and abandoned. He couldn’t lose her and he heard himself begging for clemency for Hayley. He offered to repay the money in full if there were no police involvement. She gently reminded him that she had known Hayley longer than he had and this was not the first time Hayley had been in trouble. After completing the transaction for the repayment, Hayley’s employer left, leaving Matt once again alone with his thoughts. What did he really know about her? Did he really want to marry her now?
He weighed up his options. He wasn’t so naive as to realise that it couldn’t happen again, but he wasn’t willing to give up his dream just yet. He made up his mind. He planned to carry on as if nothing was wrong but he would leave the ship at Rhodes, the day before the ceremony.
Copyright Linda Casper 2012
Matt still couldn’t believe his luck. In the summer, he had been a guest at the wedding of Simon and Kate, who had been together since their first year at university. He envisaged the couple’s future enviously; suburban house, children, active member of the local community. Not everyone’s cup of tea but Matt yearned for a family. An only child born of older parents, Matt came from a quiet household and joined a local accountancy firm straight after his degree. He had lived at home while at university and remained there after his father died to care for his mother until her death two years ago.
Unusually for weddings, few of the assembled guests were in couples. Never confident in social situations, he hovered at the edge of a group who were introducing themselves either as a friend of the bride or the groom. Not rating himself as an attractive catch, he was delighted when Hayley engaged him in conversation.
By Autumn, Hayley had completely transformed Matt’s lifestyle. Matt was having fun, even if he did worry about overspending. Hayley had agreed to marry him and he was over the moon. As neither of them had close relatives, Hayley, who was a travel agent, persuaded him to have the ceremony on a cruise ship. Hayley began a frenzy of dress fittings, beauty treatments and sourcing the perfect accessories. Matt only wanted the happiness of his future wife, but became worried at Hayley’s state of anxiety.
The luggage was packed; two whole suitcases contained the trappings for the Big Day. Matt hadn’t seen The Dress but felt sure that Hayley would look gorgeous in whatever she wore. His musings were interrupted by the doorbell. Expecting to find friends delivering a gift, he was surprised to see a stranger asking if he was Matt Davies and could she come in. He held his breath fearing the worst; a road accident, a spiked drink, a mugging.
The woman introduced herself as Hayley’s employer. He let out a sigh of relief; it was a well wisher and he felt silly for his morbid thoughts. Now she was telling him about the auditors, which was a subject to which he could relate, and listened politely. Deposits from clients for next year’s summer holidays were missing to the tune of £20 000. She knew Hayley as a friend and that she had been having problems when she offered her the job but she had stolen a substantial sum and she would have to inform the authorities.
Matt was astounded. He had been happy to finance Hayley in return for the joy she brought to his life. She hadinsisted on paying for was the wedding outfit, but surely that couldn’t have amounted to £20 000. He had the same feeling as he did when his mother had died; alone and abandoned. He couldn’t lose her and he heard himself begging for clemency for Hayley. He offered to repay the money in full if there were no police involvement. She gently reminded him that she had known Hayley longer than he had and this was not the first time Hayley had been in trouble. After completing the transaction for the repayment, Hayley’s employer left, leaving Matt once again alone with his thoughts. What did he really know about her? Did he really want to marry her now?
He weighed up his options. He wasn’t so naive as to realise that it couldn’t happen again, but he wasn’t willing to give up his dream just yet. He made up his mind. He planned to carry on as if nothing was wrong but he would leave the ship at Rhodes, the day before the ceremony.
Copyright Linda Casper 2012