Im warning you for the last timeif you dont change the reception venue, I wont marry you, Emily said firmly, clutching a stack of invitations two weeks before their wedding, unable to bring herself to sign them.
Whats got into you now, Emily? her fiancé, James, asked sadly.
I just have a terrible feeling about it!
Thats understandable, James smiled reassuringly. Its not every day you get married. Nerves are normal, but theyll pass. Everything will turn out fine, I promise you!
How can you promise something you cant possibly know? Emily shot back. Is it really so hard to just agree with me for once? How are we supposed to live together if you already cant compromise?
Were not exactly rolling in pounds, darling, James replied, a touch offended. Ive already paid a hefty deposit for the hall and catering. If we cancel, well lose the money.
Thats not the real problem, love. Just trust me on this.
No. I refuse to believe in superstitions and silly stories. Thats not sensible at all. At worst, well have to skip the honeymoon. Will you finally tell me whats going on?
Alright, fine. Listen to me, and dont say that such things dont happen. Just because you dont believe doesnt mean it isnt true.
I promise, James assured her.
A new colleague started at my office recently, Alice. Shes quiet, keeps herself to herself, and always dresses in black. The other day, she approached me and suddenly said: Your Gran Maud sends her love.
What? I was startledmy gran, Maud, passed away three years ago.
Do you want to hear her warning? she offered. After work, if youd like.
“I agreed, and heres what she told me.
Years ago, when the city built a new restaurant with a grand function hall, a man named George, who worked as a lorry driver on the site, suggested to his fiancée, Susan, that they host their wedding reception there. Delighted, Susan agreedshe was from a small village and her family had never set foot in restaurants before. She wanted to truly treat her relatives.
On the big day, Susan glowed in her white dress and veil, and George was every bit the dapper gentleman. After the ceremony, the wedding partycars and a coach with guestsheaded to the restaurant, marvelling at the splendour of the hall. Only an elderly guest shook her head and muttered, Artificial flowers on a wedding daywhat a shame.
No one paid it much mind; in those days, artificial everythingfrom fabric to crockerywas the new trend. Still, guests brought fresh bouquets, placing them in vases at the top table for the couple.
Midway through the evening, George and Susan went for their first slow dance. On returning, Susans blood ran coldher bouquet of roses had completely wilted.
The staff whisked the flowers away and the celebration carried on, but soon Susan felt faint and had to be helped outside. The windows were opened, in case it was stuffy air, but she continued to feel unwell. Guests began whispering.
She must be expecting, one said.
Better that than illpregnancy is only temporary! joked another.
Rumours swirledsomeone claimed to see a shadowy woman dressed all in black slip out the door. They looked but never found such a guest.
That night became a nightmare for the newlyweds. Alone together, they felt uneasy, as though a presence lingered in the room. They heard strange noises, footsteps, and George became convinced someone watched him closely from the corner.
In the morning, they were shaken.
In those days, honeymoons were a luxury few could afford. The newlyweds went back to work straightaway. Within the week, George died in a freak lorry accident. The weather was fine, the road was clear, and George was an experienced, careful driver. No one could explain it.
Susan grieved terribly, fading away in front of everyone. A year later, she disappeared from her family home, never to be found.
Thats a chilling tale, said James. But what exactly does it have to do with us?
Everything! Emilys voice trembled. That awful wedding happened in the very same hall youve booked. Dont you see? Some say the restaurant was built right on top of an old graveyard, and that very room is where a bridebrokenhearted from her husbands betrayaltook her own life soon after her wedding. People say her spirit still haunts the place. Thats why the warning!
I dont believe in this sort of thing, James insisted. We have nothing to do with what happened years ago.
They say her restless soul takes the groom first, then the bride a year later. And you want to risk our future just because you dont believe? Emily pleaded, close to tears. My own gran sent a warning for a reason!
Enough of these curses, James snapped, reaching his limit. If you wont marry me, Ill ask Rachel. (Rachel was Emilys own maid of honour.) Either sign the invitations or Ill keep my promise.
“Emily hesitated a moment longer, her heart heavy. Ultimately, she turned away from the wedding altogether. Jamess readiness to replace her so quickly and with her closest friend unsettled her deeply.
Sure enough, within a week, James went ahead and married Rachel, who turned out to be just as fickle. The haunting warning came trueJames crashed his motorbike after the brakes failed.
Emily was shaken for Rachels sake, despite being hurt by her former best friends betrayal. The next day, she looked for Alice, the colleague who had shared the warning, wanting to know how to help Rachel, whose turn, by the legend, was next. But Alice had left the company overnight and no one knew her whereabouts.
According to local stories, the original tragic wedding happened in the seventies, but nothing was ever written in the papersback then, such things were never talked about openly. Still, among the locals, everyone knew the story well.
Some say all these chilling tales are old wives gossip, but perhaps its wise to listen to intuition, especially when those we love send us warningseven from beyond. Our choices, guided by trust and respect for each others fears, shape not only our fates but the happiness and safety of those we hold dear.
