Stephen Edger - Till Death Do Us Part

She’d texted him her number as soon as Dave had dropped her home, and although Dave had leaned in for a kiss, she hadn’t reciprocated. Dave just wasn’t her type, with a shaved head and thick dark beard, his outer image was that of a bouncer at a nightclub. She preferred men in softer focus, more naturally handsome. Ben had ticked all of the boxes, and even some she hadn’t realized she wanted ticking.

She’d felt guilty when they’d started texting each other. It turned out Ben was quite the charmer and hugely flirtatious. Alice had insisted he speak to Dave before they went on their first official date, and he was happy to do so. It wasn’t like she and Dave had been an item, so her developing relationship with Ben wasn’t wrong. Within four weeks, she’d totally forgotten about Dave’s interest in her.

For the first six months of their relationship Ben had called and spoken to her every day. Sometimes the calls would last no more than two minutes, on other occasions they spoke for nearly an hour. Whenever he picked her up for a date, he was a gentleman from the first minute to the last. The sex, when she did finally succumb, had been everything she had imagined it would be. When he’d proposed two years ago, she’d known she was marrying her best friend and soulmate.

When Dave had first taken her to that party, she never would have guessed that this was how things would end up.

‘I will get him back to you,’ Dave said, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, clearly ashamed at having allowed his mask to slip. ‘I’ll speak to the other boys in a bit and we’ll all go and make statements. We were with him all night, and I’m sure all of this will blow over when we give him an alibi.’

Alice thanked him and watched him walk back along the corridor before closing the door behind her. Something Dave had said was itching at the back of her mind, but she couldn’t place what or why.

The bathroom door opened a moment later and Tara stumbled out, a towel around her middle and one around her short auburn hair. ‘Who was at the door?’

‘Just Dave,’ Alice replied.

‘Oh yeah?’ Tara smirked.

‘What?’ Alice frowned.

‘Oh come on, you must know he’s carried a torch for you for years?’

Alice’s frown deepened. ‘No, don’t be silly. He’s Ben’s best friend, and he’s just as worried as I am.’

‘If you say so.’

Alice didn’t like the implication. ‘It isn’t like that, Tara. Dave might have his flaws, but I don’t think he’d try and do the dirty on Ben.’

‘No, of course not,’ Tara said matter-of-factly, as she dried herself and dressed. ‘I’m sure you’re right. Forget I said anything.’

Alice didn’t need the stress of worrying about Dave’s feelings, and pushed it from her mind. It was time to face the music, and thank those who’d made the effort to come and celebrate with them. She just had to hope she’d stay composed enough not to cry.

The sun was now shining brightly through the glass of the honeymoon suite, and although they’d opened the window for fresh air, only warm air was blowing in as they packed the wedding dress away in its protective liner. Breakfast had thankfully passed without incident. They’d been too early for most of the guests who’d stayed. Alice’s mum had joined their table just as they were leaving and had asked for any updates, but Alice hadn’t been able to tell her anything new.

‘Where d’you want me to put the shoes?’ Tara asked, lifting the ivory-coloured heels.

‘There’s a box for them somewhere,’ Alice replied, without looking up. She’d been staring at the stack of prettily wrapped gifts for at least ten minutes, still trying to work out the quickest way to get them downstairs without Ben’s help.

Tara suddenly appeared behind her and wrapped an arm around Alice’s waist. ‘It’ll be okay. You’ll see.’

Alice allowed her head to tip back and rest on Tara’s shoulder. ‘Try telling my mother that. When we left her at breakfast, she was practically in tears.’

‘Do you want me to have a word?’

Alice patted Tara’s hand on her waist, but shook her head. ‘I appreciate the offer, but I think she just needs space. You know what she’s like: this whole catastrophe casts a shadow over the family, and in her eyes the rest of her social circle will never allow her to forget it. She doesn’t seem to realize that given their age, most of her friends will have forgotten anything by this time next year.’

Tara snorted and released her arm, returning to the open drawer in the dresser. ‘How much underwear did you bring?’ she enquired, looking into the drawer.

Alice shrugged. ‘Better to be safe than sorry. Just drop them in the case with the rest and I’ll sort it all out when I get home.’

They both jumped at a heavy knock at the door. Tara looked over to Alice before moving across to the door and opening it. Alice had to crane her neck to see, but her heart still skipped a beat when she saw Ben’s tall figure framed in the doorway. His tie was gone, his shirt untucked and his hair in need of a wash and comb.

‘I’ll make myself scarce,’ Tara offered, reaching for her handbag and ducking beneath Ben’s arm as he came into the room.

‘Are you a sight for sore eyes,’ he said, with no trace of a smile. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d still be here.’

It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and suddenly she was free to run. Rushing across to him, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard.

‘I am so sorry,’ he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, his eyes shining with the sun’s reflection.

The skin beneath her eyes moistened. ‘Just tell me it’s all over, that they know they had the wrong man.’

Ben pulled away but held onto her hands. ‘They released me on bail; not enough evidence to charge or something, the solicitor said. I’ve told them everything I know, and as far as I’m aware, Dave and the others are doing the same now. It’s just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

‘On bail? What does that mean? Have they cleared you or not?’

‘They will once the others have confirmed my story. The solicitor feels pretty confident that they’ll move on soon enough.’

It wasn’t quite as positive as she’d hoped, and he must have noticed the disappointment in her face, as he quickly raised her chin to look into her eyes.

‘I am so sorry I didn’t tell you about that stupid trip to Bournemouth. I swear I didn’t know what Dave had planned, but it all went without incident, and I thought it would only upset you if I told you where we’d been and what they’d arranged. You had enough stress on your plate with the wedding.’

She could understand that; she’d tried not to let him see the strain the preparations had been having in the final weeks, but she’d clearly failed to keep it secret.

‘I wish you had told me,’ she said sadly.

‘I knew you’d be angry at Dave, and I didn’t want your day to be spoiled because of that. He meant well – at least in his eyes he did – and I know how devastated he is about what happened yesterday. He blames himself for what happened.’

‘What was it like? At the police station I mean?’

Ben lowered his eyes. ‘It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. They were very talkative, and treated me well. After they’d taken my prints and things, they gave me some food and a cup of tea and then this morning they started the interview just after seven. I’d told them how keen I was to get back to you, and I think they were trying to be accommodating.’

‘Did they say why they arrested you?’

He nodded grimly. ‘Apparently Kerry – the victim – never returned home after she’d been at our party, and because her appointment had been booked in my name … it’s an easy enough conclusion for them to jump to.’