Inna had once rented a husband to spite a friendonly to fall hopelessly in love with him.
“Emma, did you get the invitation from Margaret?”
“I did. But Im not going to that wedding,” I muttered into the receiver.
“What do you mean, not going? Shes our friend, and its going to be a lavish affairshes marrying a foreigner, after all! The finest restaurant in London!” Julia exclaimed.
“No. Ive no one to go with. You know how things are with Edward. I wont go aloneMargaret will laugh at me. You know what shes like!”
“Right, Ill come by this evening. Well think of something,” Julia said before hanging up.
Margaret, Julia, and I had been friends since our college days. Julia and I remained close, but Margaret and I had drifted apart after she moved abroad years ago. Now, out of the blue, shed sent word of her upcoming wedding.
Margaret had always been proud and haughty. Even now, shed invited us with our “other halves” in mind. But I had no such halfI was aloneand so Id resolved not to go, unwilling to endure her mockery.
Julia arrived that evening, as promised.
“Emma, Ive figured it out! Well find you a husbandor a fiancé. Whichever you prefer.”
“What? What husband? What harebrained scheme have you concocted now?”
Julia was ever the dreamer, her ideas often leaving my head spinning. She was the sort who believed no situation was truly hopeless.
“Ive looked into it! There are agencies where you can rent a husband. Perfect, isnt it?”
“No, absolutely not! Hiring a man is the last thing Id do!” I snapped.
“Emma, not just any mana gentleman, even if hes pretend! Isnt the point to outshine Margaret? Well, heres your chance! Besides, Ive already called them and made arrangements.”
“Julia, youre impossible! How do you even know who theyll send?”
“Ive requested someone handsome and gallant, arriving in a respectable motorcar. Will that do? Youll meet him tomorrow at seven by the cinema. Discuss the detailshe can play the doting husband or fiancé, whichever you like.”
“Waithow will I recognize him? And how much does this cost?”
“Dont fret, its not dear. Hell know youI sent your photo. Enough questions! Lets go find you a gown.”
The next evening, I went to meet my “rented husband.” After lingering near the cinema entrance, I perched on a bench.
“Good evening. You must be Emma?” a stranger asked. “Im William.”
I looked him over and was quietly pleased. Julia had been righthe was terribly handsome.
“Emma, your friend explained everything. Dont worry, itll go smoothly. Ill play the part of your future husband perfectly. These are for you.” William smiled, handing me a bouquet.
“Oh, you shouldnt have!” I flushed.
“Shall we take a stroll? Tell me a bit about yourselfitll help with the role.”
“Of course.”
We walked for hours. Before parting, William took my address, promising to fetch me on Saturday.
I was smitten. He was charmingfar too good for such work, I thought.
On Saturday, William rang.
“Emma, ready? Ill be there in ten.”
“Yes, just stepping out.”
Seeing him by the curb, I nearly swooned. He stood in a fine suit beside an equally fine motorcar, so dashing it stole my breath.
“Good morning, darling,” he said with a wink. “Hows my performance?”
“Brilliant,” I laughed.
Margarets wedding was every bit as grand as promised. She greeted me with a smug smileuntil she saw William. It vanished at once. Her foreign groom was twice her age, bald and portly.
I savelled the moment. Margaret had always mocked me, claiming Id never marrytoo plain, too simple.
Perhaps shed been right. But today, I proved her wrong. William never left my side, his attention fixed solely on me.
“Well, Emma? Pleased?” Julia whispered.
“Delighted. Thank you.”
“And William? Do you fancy him?”
“Terribly. But whats the use? Tomorrow, hell forget me.” My heart ached, wishing the day would never end.
Julia only smiled mysteriously before slipping away.
“Emma, have you ever seen the city at night?” William asked.
“Never. Im usually abed by then.”
“What a shame. Its breathtaking. Shall we slip away? Ill show you.”
“Lets.”
We bid the newlyweds farewell.
“Thank you, Margaret. Everything was splendid,” I said.
“Did you enjoy yourselves?”
“Immensely. But wed like some time alone,” William added, pulling me close.
“Of course! So lovely to meet your husband,” Margaret said, shooting me a venomous glance.
We drove through the night, William regaling me with tales. I marvelled at his witfar beyond what Id expected.
At dawn, he dropped me home.
“Emma, Ive adored our time together. Youre remarkable.”
“Thank you, William. What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. Julia settled it.”
“Thengoodbye.”
Inside, I wept. Id fallen for him, and it hurt.
Later, Julia called.
“How are you?”
“Awful.”
“You like him, then?”
“Of course! But what good is it? I cant rent him forever.”
“Cheer up. Rest nowIll come by tonight.”
That evening, the doorbell rang. There stood Juliaand William.
“Surprise!” she cried, hugging me. “Meet my brother, William. The one you always refused to meet!”
“You tricked me? William, you dont work for that agency?”
“We did! How else to reach you? Youre stubborn as a mule! Arent you going to invite us in? Weve brought cake and champagne.”
“Well, if theres cake Fine, come in,” I laughed.
“Hello,” William said, embracing me.
Fifteen years on, William and I are happily wed with two children. When they ask how we met, we exchange a glance.
“At your mothers friends wedding,” William says, winking at me.
