Oliver married Natalie out of spite, wanting to prove to his former love that he wasnt suffering after their breakup. He and Mary had been together nearly two years. Oliver loved her with all his heart: he would have done anything for her, moved mountains. He thought marriage wasnt far off. Still, it bothered him when shed say:
Why do we have to get married now? I havent even finished university, and your business is touch and go. No proper car, no house of your own. Olivias a good friend, but I dont fancy running into her in the kitchen every morning. If you hadnt sold your parents house, things would be different.
That stung Oliver a bit. But he couldnt deny Mary had a point: he and his sister were living in their parents old flat, and hed only just begun to get the hang of running the family business. No one expected hed have to take charge before even graduating. Oliver was already tearing himself apart, trying to save the company and earn his degree.
He and Olivia had sold the house together, agreeing it was the best way to keep the business afloat. In just half a year before the inheritance cleared, the debts piled up both students, Oliver finishing his degree, Olivia moving into her third year. Selling the house let them clear their debts, put stock in the shop, and even have a little safety net left.
Mary, though, was all about living in the moment, not waiting for some mythical tomorrow. Easy for her to say, still tucked under her parents care. But when you suddenly find yourself head of the family, with a little sister depending on you, your priorities change. Settle business, then comes a better car, a house, a proper garden.
Then, out of the blue, it all went wrong. Oliver was waiting for Mary at the bus stop near the cinema; theyd agreed on the phone to see a new film. She told him not to pick her up which was odd, as Mary didnt care for public transport. He watched every passing car, but then she turned up in a flashy new sports car.
Sorry, we cant be together anymore. Im getting married, she blurted out, thrusting a book into Olivers hands before climbing into the car.
He stood motionless, stunned. Three days away from town, and everything had changed.
Olivia read his face as soon as he got home:
Youve heard then?
He nodded silently.
Shes found herself a rich bloke. Weddings on the 25th. Asked me to be bridesmaid I told her to get lost. Shes sly, sneaking behind your back, Olivia said as she burst into tears, hurting for her brother.
Dont worry, he comforted her, stroking her head like she was still a child. Shell have her lot, well have ours and itll be even better.
He locked himself in his room for nearly a day. Olivia stood outside, pleading, At least eat something. Ive made pancakes.
By evening, he reappeared, eyes blazing.
Get your coat, he told Olivia.
What are you up to? she asked.
Im going to marry the first girl I see who agrees, Oliver replied.
You cant, Olivia protested. Its more than just your life at stake.
But he was set.
If you wont come, Ill go alone.
The park was full. The first girl thought he was off his rocker. The second moved away in distaste. But the third, having taken a good look in his eyes, agreed.
And your name, lovely?
Natalie, she said.
We need to celebrate our engagement, Oliver said, dragging his new acquaintance and his sister to a café.
Conversation was awkward at first. Olivia was at a loss, and Oliver was consumed by thoughts of revenge. He was already planning to have his wedding on the same date.
There must be a real reason you proposed to a stranger, Natalie finally broke the silence. If it was all spur of the moment, I wont be offended you can walk away.
No. Youve said yes. Tomorrow we file at the registry office and meet your parents, Oliver replied with a wink. For now, lets be on a first name basis.
For the month leading to the wedding, they saw each other daily, talking, learning.
“Care to explain why? Natalie once asked.
Everyones got skeletons in the closet, Oliver dodged.
As long as they dont clutter up daily life.
And whyd you say yes?
I pictured myself some princess, chosen unexpectedly by the king for marriage. Those stories always end with They lived happily ever after. Thought Id see if its true.
It wasnt entirely fairytale. Natalies great romantic saga had ended with heartbreak and the loss of what little shed saved. But it taught her to judge people better. Suitors swarmed, but she dismissed them with ease.
She hadnt set out to find her prince, but knew she wanted a sharp, self-reliant man who could take action. In Oliver, she saw purpose and steady hands. Had he been with a crowd of mates instead of with his sister, shed have walked straight past.
So, which princess are you Moira, Grace, or perhaps a frog in disguise? Oliver mused one evening.
Kiss me and find out, Natalie joked.
But there were no kisses, nothing beyond talk.
Oliver handled all wedding plans himself. All Natalie had to do was choose from his suggestions. Even buying her dress and veil, Oliver trusted to no one.
Youll be the most beautiful bride, he insisted.
At the registry office, waiting their turn, they crossed paths with Mary and her fiancé. Oliver forced a smile.
My congratulations, he said, pecking Marys cheek. Enjoy your wallet with legs!
Dont start, Mary snapped nervously.
She eyed Natalie tall, dazzling, proud as a queen. Mary looked lesser in every way. Jealousy gnawed at her. She felt shed got her sums wrong, that nothing she hoped for would come true.
Oliver returned to Natalie: Alls fine, he said too brightly.
Its not too late to stop, Natalie whispered.
No. Weve started, we finish.
Only in the registration hall, looking into his new wifes sad eyes, did Oliver realise what hed done.
Ill make you happy, he vowed, and meant it.
So began their married life. Olivia and Natalie quickly became friends, balancing one another. Hot-tempered Olivia learned to check her outbursts, while Natalie quietly organised their home, unobtrusively keeping everyone on track.
A shrewd, skilled accountant and tax expert, Natalie swiftly put their finances in order. Within half a year, they opened another shop, and before long, assembled teams of decorators now not just selling supplies but offering home repairs. The profits soared.
Natalie turned out wise as a storybook princess, presenting ideas so cleverly Oliver thought they were his own. Life should have been joy and yet, Oliver felt the absence of that giddy rush hed once felt for Mary. Everything was calm, predictable, measured. Routine, he thought, that sucks you under like quicksand. I dont love her, and thats that.
Yet thanks to Natalie, business soared they moved on to building turnkey houses, the first of which they built for themselves.
The better things got, the more Oliver brooded over Mary: She couldnt hang on. If only she could see my car, my new house its a palace! He grew obsessed: What if
Natalie saw he was restless. She tried to become loved but you cant command the heart. Not all fairy tales come true, she thought, but her name, after all, meant hope.
Olivia noticed, too.
Youll lose more than youll gain, she said, catching him on Marys social media page.
Mind your own business! Oliver snapped.
Olivias eyes darkened: Idiot, Natalie truly loves you, but you keep playing games!
Who needs a kid telling me off? Oliver fumed. Still, Marys pull grew stronger, and he messaged her.
Mary moaned about her life. Her marriage had flopped, her husband thrown her out with nothing. Shed never finished uni. No good job, hadnt moved back with her parents, living in a dingy rented room in Manchester.
Oliver hesitated for days: Should I go or not? But when Natalie left for a week to visit her ill gran in the countryside, temptation won.
He called Mary and set a meeting. He sped to Manchester, heart racing, barely noticing the roads. He dreamed up speeches, imagined their reunion.
Reality hit hard.
Arent you looking dapper, Mary squealed, flinging her arms round him.
A reek of unwashed body made him flinch.
People are watching, he muttered, pulling away.
Not bothered! she laughed.
Short skirt, cheap makeup, perfume of questionable source she was all glitz, no substance, and utterly outclassed by Natalie: She was always like this why didnt I see it? he groaned, watching his ex down her beer.
Give me some cash, and Ill make it worth your while, Mary smirked, licking her lips.
He just wanted out.
Sorry, Ive got things to do, Oliver said, standing quickly.
See you later?
Dont think so, he told her, waving over a waiter. The bill, please.
I want to stay, Mary whined.
He placed a thick fifty-pound note in the bill folder. Let her order what she wants with this, he instructed.
The waiter nodded knowingly.
Oliver drove home at breakneck speed.
Idiot! he swore. Olivia was right! Why start all this? Or maybe it wasnt for nothing?
And to think, Ive never called Natalie Natty. There really isnt anyone closer to me, he thought, slamming on the brakes. For five minutes he sat, recalling every day since their wedding.
His mind filled with Natalies face, her striking blue eyes, the way she smiled at him, how shed stroll up behind and ruffle his hair with those slender, graceful fingers.
I promised to make her happy, he whispered, checking his bearings. He started the engine, left the road, and after about twenty miles, turned down a little lane.
A weeks too long. I couldnt stand even two days without you, he said, as Natalie came running out of her grans cottage.
Youre mad, she beamed through tears.
Natty, darling, he whispered, and together, their heads spun with happiness.
