The Wedding Day Read Online Free PDF Page B

company and the pub was too packed. Her brain felt even more addled than before she'd left the safety of her sister's apartment.
     
    There were a few smokers outside, chatting easily and enjoying their cigarettes. It was peaceful out there. Nicole found a fairly quiet bench in the corner and sat herself down, relaxing properly for the first time that evening. It was good to be alone at last. She breathed in the cool September night air. The days were still quite warm but the night temperatures had dropped significantly recently.
    She wrapped her sister's cardigan tighter around her body for warmth and shoved her hands into the deep pockets. She looked up at the dark, night sky and lost herself for a moment in the beauty of the twinkling stars.
    "The plough," she whispered, as she traced the outline of the stars with her finger.
     
    Nicole focused on her breathing as her yoga instructor had taught her.
    "I miss my yoga classed," she thought to herself. "I miss my old life. I miss my friends and I especially miss Paul."
    She didn't want to love him anymore but it was difficult to switch off her feelings for him. She sniffed loudly and took a long swig of her drink.
    "I will not cry," she said. "I will not cry again."
     
    "It's good to cry, you know." Nicole swung around too fast and fell off the bench, landing awkwardly on her butt.
    "What is it with you people and your sneaking around!" Nicole yelled at Sarah.
    ""You people" is a very derogatory term," Sarah responded curtly as she helped Nicole up off the ground.
    "You nearly frightened the living daylights out of me!" Nicole protested.
    "Well, I didn't mean to scare you. I decided to come and look for you. Jack and Liv told us how upset you were earlier and I felt bad that you might be wandering around out here on your own. Ev thought you'd gone back to hers. I said I'd have a quick look for you first."
    "Oh, I see," Nicole replied, calming down a little. "Thanks."
    "I'm sorry I scared you."
    "I'm sorry I yelled," Nicole smiled sheepishly.
     
    "Fancy a cigarette?"
    "I really shouldn't," Nicole tried to resist. "This is the second cigarette I've smoked this evening."
    "What a rebel! One or two every now and then won't hurt you too much," Sarah said as she lit up.
    "Actually, scientists say that one cigarette can take eleven minutes off your life."
    "Interesting," Sarah said, not sounding the least bit interested as she blew puffs of smoke into perfectly round circles in the air in front of her face.
    Nicole took a cigarette anyway, in spite of her protests.
     
    There was something about Sarah that made her feel unsure of herself. She made her feel like she was a silly little girl, even though Nicole was fairly sure that she was the older of the two. Sarah emanated confidence and self-assurance, two qualities which Nicole knew she certainly didn't have at the moment. Her confidence and self-esteem were at an all-time low.
     
    "May I ask you something, Nicole?" Sarah asked.
    "Go ahead," Nicole said hesitantly, part of her dreaded to think what the question might be, but another part was fascinated.
    Sarah was such a direct, forceful character. Nicole didn't know her very well but she could feel her inner strength. She had the magical feeling that she and Sarah would become good friends.
    Although Sarah was around the same age as Nicole, maybe even a few years younger, Sarah seemed very wise. Nicole got the impression that the other woman had overcome some trauma or hurt in her life, as there was a lingering sadness in her eyes.
     
    "What's your passion in life?" Sarah asked.
    "What's my passion in life?" Nicole repeated slowly.
    She took another puff of her cigarette and a sip of her drink, searching her brain for a suitable answer.
    "What inspires you? What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning and start your day?" Sarah continued.
    "Nothing makes me want to get out of bed these days," Nicole laughed mockingly at herself.
    "My bed is my favourite place right