The Accidental Wedding
The summer was scorching, and Eleanor strolled around her flat in a swimsuit. Why not? She lived alonewhen she wanted to undress, she did. Besides, her long-awaited holiday had arrived, and if her two best mates managed to wrangle even a week of unpaid leave from their boss, theyd dash off to the seaside together.
One morning, Eleanor stepped into the kitchen to put the kettle on when she suddenly felt eyes on her. Glancing across the street at the house opposite, about twenty metres away, she spotted a middle-aged man watching her intently from his balcony. Though not entirely exposed, she still grabbed a towel to cover herself. From that day on, the stranger tracked her every move. The carefree days were overnow she had to wear a dressing gown in the stifling heat, her kitchen lacking any air conditioning.
One day, she stepped outside and looked up at the fifth floor of the neighbouring building. The man was in his usual spot. She waved him over. He pointed at himself*me?* She nodded. Who else?
He appeared swiftlystocky, with curly hair, though a noticeable bald patch gleamed on his crown.
“Blimey, what a sight,” she thought. “Even worse than through the window.”
“Hello,” he said, dipping his head slightly with a smile.
“Hi,” she replied. “Whyve you been watching me?”
“Already on first-name terms?” He floundered, caught off guard by her directness.
“Well, after seeing me in a swimsuit, youre practically obliged to marry me.”
“Wouldnt say no,” he answered casually.
“When shall we file the paperwork, then?” she teased.
“Right now. Got my passport on me.” He patted the pocket of his waistcoat, studying her. Eleanor checked her handbag.
“Mines here too.”
“Shall we, then?”
“Lets.” She shrugged. *Why not?*
“What am I doing?” she wondered in the taxi but didnt turn back. They submitted the forms. Only at the registry office did they exchange namesEdward. Edward Whitmore.
“Where to next? Shame my cars in the garage, but I didnt think”
“Nowhere. Home. And dont look at me like thatno courting period. After the paperwork, were straight into proper married life.”
“Are you mad?” her friends gasped when Eleanor announced the wedding, set for a month later. “Have you lost the plot?”
“Oh, come off it. We can always withdraw the application.”
“And what about him? Hell be heartbroken.”
“His problem. Shouldnt ogle strangers.”
“Youre single, not a stranger. Ellie, you dont even love him.”
“And what good did love do for you with yours?”
“Now I cant stand him.”
“Exactly. I dont love this one yet, but maybe I wont be able to live without him later.”
Edward kept observing his future wife, baffled by her odd behaviourthough he was no better. A complete stranger, yet hed follow her anywhere. All because she was stunning. He also noticed Eleanor avoided the kitchen now, aware of his gaze. He hid behind the curtains but kept watching. And it paid off.
One day, he spotted her hurrying off with a massive suitcase, disappearing round the corner.
“So thats why shes keeping me at arms lengthone last fling before the wedding. Well, lets see if shes worth marrying.”
He threw on some clothes, stuffed a wad of cash into his trouser pocketno time to packand raced to the airport. He spotted Eleanor at once, standing with her two friends. They flew to Brighton; Edward booked the same destination but left hours later.
“Where do I even start? A million places she could be,” he mused, sitting on the pebbled beach. “Why did I even come?”
Thena familiar swimsuit. Not his imagination. Eleanor.
“Jackpot.”
The girls sipped white wine on the beach, completely oblivious. Eleanor hadnt a clue her fiancé knew where she was. He found their hotel and checked in unnoticed. Watching her was easy; she suspected nothing. Edward realised she was just letting looseno men in sight. He was pleased.
Until they bumped into each other on the street. Eleanor, remembering attack was the best defence, snapped:
“So this is how we prepare for a wedding, is it? Lounging on the beach?”
“Youre not here on business either.”
“I didnt see you around, so I thought Id sneak off.”
“I saw you bolting with a suitcase. Had to follow.”
“Pfft. Youre *stalking* me?”
“Hardly. Just a pre-wedding break.”
“Same. Ever been married?”
“Yes.”
“Kids?”
“None. You?”
“Divorced. No kids. Marrying me to spite someone? You didnt even argue.”
“Not spite. But judging by my looks, *you* must be.”
“Nope.”
“Then why?”
“Tired of italways chasing after fit blokes, athletes. Fancied a proper go with an ordinary”
“Crane operator.”
“Yeah, a crane operator. Speaking of, hows the crane managing without you?”
“Retired.”
“*What?*”
“Worked in a steel mill. Retired at forty-five.”
“Thank God. I thoughtIm only thirty-eight.”
“Eleanor, youll never regret marrying an ordinary crane operator.”
“Hope not.”
Ten years later.
“Remember how we met?” Eleanor murmured, hugging her husband.
“Course!” Edward chuckled.
“Quiet, youll wake the boys.”
“I promised you wouldnt regret it. Ever forget to askdid I keep my word?”
“Overdelivered. My friends are green with envy.”
“Well, theyre still looking for love”
“Rightly so. Were not exactly conventional.”
“Doesnt matter. Long as were happy. Thats what counts.”
