Page 5 of Broken Beyond Repair

A turn of the metal handle on the old oak door produced a high-pitched creaking sound. She winced. Left with no option other than to continue, she pushed open the door and entered.

The church was heaving. Her stomach tightened as every pair of eyes turned to scrutinise the source of the disturbance — including those of the bride and groom.

Fuck.

“Sorry. Carry on. You’ll find no objection from me,” she said, reaching the aisle and blowing a kiss to the gorgeous bride.

She received an eye roll and a shake of the head, both of which were followed up with a smile. Her eye flicked to the best man. His face was familiar, though she couldn’t put a finger on how she knew him.

Sydney slipped herself into a pew beside James and grinned at his neatly pressed, beige linen suit. He placed an affectionate kiss on her cheek and whispered, “I would never blame Gertie.”

Sydney shot him a look and softened it with a smile as a man leaned around him and gave her a wave.

“Hi,” he said. “I’m Will.”

Sydney flashed him a smile. “Syd.”

James took Will’s waving hand and held it in his lap as all eyes returned to the matter at hand, the wedding of their best friend, Rosie Harris, to her long-term boyfriend, Greg.

With rings and vows exchanged, and even a tear wiped from Sydney’s eye, they all followed the bride and groom outside. James was dabbing a handful of tissues at his own eyes as he went.

The happy couple couldn’t have chosen a better day for the ceremony as they stood outside the church in the scorching sunshine for their wedding photographs.

“Syd,” Rosie called out. “Come on, you’re up.”

Sydney reluctantly joined Rosie and her new husband, Greg, on the step of the porch. She wasn’t one for photographs.

“James, you too, if you’ve quite finished crying. Got to have one of the old gang.”

As the two of them flanked the bride and groom, the photographer did his work.

Greg stepped out. “Now have one of the three of you,” he said.

Sydney was pulled into Rosie’s side, as was James. “Ah, look at us,” Rosie said. “All grown up. I expect you two to reciprocate with a wedding invitation sometime soon. You can’t call the gay card anymore.”

Sydney peered around her at James. “You first,” she told him. “You’re the one with a boyfriend. I’ve heard that helps.”

“Please don’t give Will any ideas,” James said. “I couldnotafford a wedding right now.”

“If you could look this way, please, and smile,” the photographer asked with a polite yet crabby tone.

Sydney and James placed a kiss on each of Rosie’s cheeks to the delight of the cooing crowd.

“Cute, guys, cute! But, Syd,” Rosie said, “that does not get you off the hook. Only you could drive the length of an entire country and not only turn up late but walk in at that exact moment.”

“Sorry,” Sydney said, and truly meant it. “Gertie conked out on me on the A34.”

Rosie shook her head. “I knew I should have insisted you were a bridesmaid. Then you couldn’t have been late!”

“I’m hardly bridesmaid material,” Sydney scoffed. “Have you ever seen me in a dress? At least I made it for the important bit.”

“Avoiding all the boring bits at the beginning. Masterful, Syd,” James added, earning him a swipe on the arm from Rosie.

“Hey!” he griped. “Don’t crease the linen.”

“Too late for that,” Rosie said, looking him up and down.

James inspected his suit in a panic.