So, you wouldnt believe what happened with Simon. He married Hannah, basically out of spite for his ex. He wanted to prove to her Sophie that he wasnt heartbroken after she dumped him.
He and Sophie had been together for, what, nearly two years? Simon was absolutely smitten completely head over heels. Hed have moved mountains for her. He was convinced they were heading for marriage, even though he wasnt thrilled when shed brush him off like, Why rush into marriage now? Ive not even finished uni, your little business is on shaky ground, theres no decent car, no home of your own. Amys my best friend, but I dont want her as my flatmate, not every single day, first thing in the kitchen. If you hadnt sold the house, maybe then
That hurt Simon, for sure. But, to be fair, Sophie had a point. He and Amy, his younger sister, were in a small flat left to them when their parents died, and hed had to jump in and manage the family business before even finishing his degree. He was struggling just keeping the business afloat and trying to get his diploma.
He and Amy sold the old family house together they agreed it was more important to save the shop. Debts had piled up during the six months it took to get everything sorted, both of them were students Simon in his final year, Amy just starting her third. Selling up cleared the loans, put some stock back on the shelves, and left a decent little emergency fund.
But Sophie, well, she wanted to live in the moment. Easy to say when youre safe at home with your parents. When youre suddenly the one in charge, trying to provide for your sister, your perspective changes. Simon kept telling himself, If I can sort out the business, everything else will fall into place a good car, a proper home, a lovely garden.
There really werent any warning signs. He was waiting for Sophie by the Odeon. Theyd chatted on the phone and planned to see a new release. Sophie even told him not to pick her up, which was weird since she couldnt stand buses. He looked for her in the crowd, but she showed up in a flashy car.
Im sorry, Simon. We cant be together anymore. Im getting married, she said, pushing some book into his hands, before whirling round and jumping in the car.
Simon just stood there, stunned. What couldve happened in three days? Hed hardly left town
Back home, Amy took one look at him and got it immediately.
You know, dont you?
He just nodded.
Shes found herself a rich bloke, Amy muttered. Weddings on the 25th. She wanted me as a bridesmaid; I told her to forget it. Two-faced, the lot of them.
Dont worry, he said, ruffling her hair like he used to when they were little. Let her get on with things. Well be just fine even better.
He shut himself in his room for almost a whole day. Amy hovered outside with her creaky old voice, Come on, Si, at least eat something. I made some pancakes.
Eventually, he emerged, eyes blazing. Get your coat on, Amy, he ordered.
What are you up to?
Ill marry the first girl who agrees to it, he declared.
You cant do that, you nutter. Youre playing with your life. Hers, too!
Didnt matter what Amy said Simon was set. Come with me or dont; Im going anyway.
The park was packed. The first girl he proposed to made the universal sign for nutter at her temple, the next legged it in a panic. Third time lucky, though. She met his gaze and simply said, Alright.
And whats your name, beautiful?
Hannah, she replied.
Right, lets celebrate our engagement! And just like that, Simon, Hannah, and Amy ended up in a cosy café, the three of them not saying much. Amy looked like she didnt know where to start; Simon was seething with thoughts of revenge. He even decided his wedding would be on the same date the 25th.
Finally, Hannah broke the silence, I take it theres a reason you dropped a marriage proposal on a complete stranger. If this was spur of the moment, thats fine if you want to back out, Ill leave.
No takebacks, Simon replied. Tomorrow were going to register the wedding then Ill come meet your parents.
He gave her a reassuring wink, But first, lets ditch the formalities. Its just Simon and Hannah.
The month leading up to the wedding, they met every day, talked a lot, got to know each other bit by bit.
Hannah asked one day, So, do you care to explain whats really behind all this?
Everyones got skeletons in the cupboard, he dodged.
As long as they dont fall out and haunt us, I dont mind.
And why did you agree? he asked.
I quite liked the idea of being a princess married off by the king to a stranger. Fairy tales usually end well, dont they? I figured, why not have a go.
Truth is, she wasnt fussed about finding the one, but she knew she wanted someone clever, independent someone who gets things done. And she saw that in Simon. If hed been with a bunch of mates instead of his sister, shed never have gone along with it.
Which fairy-tale princess are you then? Simon asked with a smirk. Cinderella? Sleeping Beauty? Or the Frog Princess?
Kiss me and find out, she teased.
There were no actual kisses though, not then, nothing like that.
Simon insisted on sorting out everything for the wedding on his own. All Hannah had to do was say yes or no to his choices even the dress, he wouldnt let anyone else help pick it out.
Youll be the most beautiful bride, he kept telling her.
At the registry office, waiting to sign the papers, they crossed paths with Sophie and her new fiancé. Simon fixed a bright grin on his face, walked over, and gave Sophie a polite peck on the cheek.
Congratulations, he said. Hope you and your walking wallet have a wonderful life together.
Keep your drama to yourself, Sophie replied, obviously rattled.
She looked Hannah up and down. Hannah was tall and striking, really striking she carried herself like royalty. Sophie couldn’t compete; jealousy oozed out of her. She didnt feel happy, only bitter she could sense shed made a huge mistake.
Simon rejoined Hannah, playing it cool. All good, he said.
Theres still time to change your mind, Hannah whispered.
No way. Were in it now.
But when he looked into the sad eyes of his new wife during the ceremony, reality finally hit him.
Ill make you happy, I promise, Simon said, and he really meant it.
So married life began. Amy and Hannah became thick as thieves. Amy, who used to be fiery and careless, learned to keep calm, while Hannah took charge of the household and kept everything running smoothly, almost invisibly.
As a sharp, savvy accountant, Hannah sorted out the business finances in record time. Within six months, theyd opened a second shop, and later they hired a team for house renovations so they werent just selling building supplies, they were doing up homes too. Profits soared.
Really, she was the wise, practical sort always letting Simon think the ideas were his. On paper, their life looked brilliant, happy even, and yet Simon felt like something was missing no heady passion, no surprises, just steady, peaceful order. Its all routine, he would think, boring, really. Im not in love; thats all there is to it.
But thanks to Hannah, they took the business up a notch, branching out into building new homes. They even built their own house.
The better things went, though, the more Simon thought about Sophie. She couldnt even wait for me. If only she saw the car I’m driving nowand our place, its a bloody palace! hed boast to himself. What if
Hannah could tell he was restless. She longed to be loved for real, but you cant force that, especially from someone whose heart never truly belonged to you. Not every storys a fairy tale, shed say to herself, but she always held onto hope. Well, with a name like hers, how could she not?
Amy noticed too. Youve got more to lose than you know, she told him one day, catching him scrolling through Sophies Facebook page.
Mind your own business! Simon snapped.
Amy shot him a dark look. You idiot, Hannah loves you for real, and youre still playing games.
Simon fumed inside. Whos she to lecture me? But he couldnt shake the urge. Finally, he messaged Sophie.
Sophie hadnt done well; her marriage crashed, she never finished her degree, job wasnt great, had to rent a pokey flat in Reading, too proud to go back to her folks.
Simon debated for days Should I see her? Should I not? Then, as luck would have it, he was left alone for a week; Hannah had gone to look after her ill gran in the countryside.
He caved and set up a meet. Drove all the way to Reading, barely even noticing the road signs, convinced love would fix everything.
But reality hit hard.
Theres my handsome lad! Sophie ran up and threw her arms around him. The smell of unwashed clothes hit him. He pulled away, embarrassed.
People are watching.
I couldnt care less! she cackled.
Short skirt, cheap makeup, dodgy perfume she looked a proper mess, nothing like Hannah. He sat there, watching, while Sophie downed pint after pint of lager, and all he thought was, She was always like this. Why didnt I see it before?
Slip me some cash and Ill make it worth your while, Sophie purred.
Simon just wanted to vanish.
Sorry, love. Got to dash, he stood up.
Meet again soon?
Dont think so. He waved the waiter over. Can you cover her tab? Theres enough here for her to carry on a bit.
The server nodded.
Simon drove home as fast as he could. Stupid, thick as two short planks, he muttered. Amy was right all along. Why did I even bother? Or was it a good thing?
He realised hed never even called his wife Han. Shes the closest, most important person in my life, he thought. He jammed on the brakes, suddenly overwhelmed by memories of their years together.
He could see Hannahs face, those deep blue eyes, how shed smile every time he got home, the way her fingers would ruffle his hair so tenderly.
I did promise to make her happy, he remembered. He looked around, started the car, then turned onto a country lane for the last part of the drive.
A week is far too long. I couldnt even last two days without you, Simon said when Hannah came running out to greet him at her grans cottage.
You daft idiot, she smiled, eyes shining with happy tears.
Hannah, my love, he whispered in her ear and for the first time, they both felt completely, beautifully content.
