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Prologue

June 2025

The church bells rang out as Caz Madden stepped out of the car and was greeted by her nearest and dearest, all dressed in their summery finery, as is the case for a June wedding in the southern counties of England.

It was obvious which side were her guests and which were Grace’s. The queerness shone through in every direction she looked. Her mates from the bar, all in suits, fresh cuts, and a haze of aftershave, and those were just the girls.

Grace’s side were much like Grace, more elegant and traditional. Men in suits, women in dresses and hats, all huddled together or around Grace’s mum, Lila. Caz waved at them.

Dani, Caz’s work bestie, called out and Caz grinned at her. Making her way over, Caz felt a little out of place in the dress, but they’d agreed they’d both only be doing this the once, and wasn’t it every little girl’s dream?

Even her hair was down, which didn’t happen often, but she wanted Grace to be happy.

Caz was more of a tomboy than a girl’s girl. Her comfort zone was jeans and shirts, hair tied up, getting her hands dirty—usually under a car.

Not today, though.

Her hair, dark and wavy, hung loose and framed her elfin face. She’d even let Grace’s friend, Beth, do her make-up, though she insisted on keeping it light, no matter how much Beth tried to convince her she’d look like a film star with something more dramatic.

There were limits.

But Grace Hart meant the world to Caz, and if all she needed to do to make this day perfect for her was to put on a figure-hugging, floor-length, white gown, then who was she to say no. She did balk at the idea of heels, she was already three inches taller than Grace. Nobody would know she was wearing Converse All Star high-tops beneath it, but at least she knew she wouldn’t trip and break her ankle…or her neck.

She’d gotten her own way for the reception at least, when they would both change into perfectly fitted suits and comfortable brogues. An agreement where Grace had said,“It works well for the worlds we both live in now.”

They were already a team, weren’t they? Always compromising, never arguing.

“You scrubbed up alright,” Dani said when she reached the group. “I almost fancy ya myself.” She laughed and jumped back at the playful thump she received.

“Thought I’d make the effort, you know, seeing as it is my wedding day and all that.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “You still sure you wanna go through with it?”

“Yeah, course. Why wouldn’t I?” she said, pushing away any remaining doubts as quickly as she’d swat a fly.

The eye roll gave way to a raised brow. “People don’t marry people they’ve been mates with for years, out of the blue.”

“Alright, I know that it’s…different, and people didn’t expect it, but I don’t care. I love her. And she loves me, and that’s all that matters.”

“Okay, well, on your head be it.” Dani tutted. “Getting married and leaving us.”

The others nodded and patted her on the back like she were a doomed prisoner.

“I’m not leaving…we’re still gonna be friends.”

“Yeah, yeah, they all say that ’til—” She poked Caz in the ribs. “Heads up, she’s here. We’d best get inside.” Dani dragged Caz by the arm. “It’s bad luck to see the bride.”

“I am a bride.”

“Exactly, double trouble, now move it.”

Caz let herself be dragged towards the church alongside all the other guests filing in, but not before she took one last look over her shoulder.

The car with Grace inside had pulled up right between the entrance gates. Her dad had climbed out and was holding the door open for Grace, and that was all she was going to get to see.

“Excuse me, bride coming through!” Dani shouted. They made their way into the church and stood off to the side, waiting as guests passed by, smiling and offering wishes of good luck, and how beautiful did Caz look.

Caz took it all in her stride, trying not to let it all overwhelm her.