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stain spread across the fabric. ‘No, no, no!’
    ‘What’s the matter?’ Kate was suddenly beside her.
    ‘I think I’m going to be sick,’ Angela groaned.
    ‘You were fine a minute ago.’
    ‘I’ve ruined Carmela’s dress.’ She stepped away to reveal the mark down the side of the gown.
    ‘What happened?’ Kate bent forward and plucked at the folds of the dress.
    ‘I knocked over the water.’
    Kate sighed and shook her head. ‘Pass me the hair dryer.’
    Angela stared from Kate to the dress.
    ‘Quick, Angela. I can dry it with the hair dryer. You go and make some excuse for the delay or that wedding planner will be in here looking for us.’
    Angela hesitated.
    ‘Look, it’s drying already. Go, quick!’
    ***
    The music slowed to a stop. Angela relaxed a little and stepped back from her partner, Joe. The bridal party dance was the last official moment she’d have to spend with him. Not that he’d given her any of the trouble that Carmela had warned her to expect.
Watch out for him
, she remembered her saying. No, Joe had been on his best behaviour: attentive, yes, but shy and not at all flirtatious.
    Once or twice over the day she’d caught glimpses of Nigel amongst the guests. That had been okay, but when he started playing his clarinet during the ceremony she’d had to bite her lip to keep her emotions in check. It had been a tough few minutes but she’d survived it. Being on the arm of the handsome Joe had helped, even if he was married. She’d been cheery but aloof, and he’d still made her feel special. In fact, she’d have to say he’d been a perfect gentleman. He hadn’t drunk that much yet though; maybe he would change after a few more. She’d have to be wary – the night was still young.
    To Angela’s surprise, the reception became quite fun once the official duties were over and they went off for photos. Kate was with her husband, John, and he was always good for a laugh. Carmela and Tony were more relaxed without a clipboard-wielding wedding planner to tell them what to do, and Eddie, who’d flown from Perth with Joe, was the life of the party. He named all the bridesmaids after the colour of their dresses to save remembering their names. Pity he was Sarah’s partner and not Angela’s. He watched her closely during the ceremony, winking at her when Joe wasn’t looking, and he’d made sure her champagne glass was full while they waited for the newlyweds to finish their photos.
    Now all the others were leaving the dance floor ahead of Angela and Joe, except for John who was still waltzing Kate around the room without any music. Joe took Angela’s elbow to guide her back to her seat but she stepped away from him.
    ‘I’m off to the ladies’ room,’ she said.
    ‘Would you like me to go with you?’
    ‘No thanks, Joe, I’ll be fine.’
    She smiled to herself. Was he planning to stand guard outside the toilet or actually come in there with her? Maybe he had a ladies’ bathroom fetish. She giggled at the thought as she made her way to the exit. She needed to tug the dress up again. Then, for the rest of the night she could relax and do what she liked.
    After the near disaster with the water and the dress nothing else had gone wrong. As Kate had predicted, the water dried quickly and Carmela was none the wiser. Angela had to admit now that the whole day had been quite beautiful.
    With her dress back in place and a fresh layer of colour on her lips, she made her way back to the reception. There were a few men out on the balcony as she drew level with the glass doors. The stance of one in particular was unmistakable as he butted out a cigarette. So, Nigel was still smoking. Angela heard he’d given up while he was overseas. Another thing he’d quit, just like he quit her. Or perhaps smoking was like Claudia to him. He could take it or leave it as the mood took him.
    He looked up at her through the glass. She tried to step away but he came through the door