WORTH Waiting For

From their first date at a beach bar, she knew he was the one – it was a shame her parents didn’t agree

- Phaedra Patrick

Standing in the doorway of the church, Belle was on tiptoes as she looked out for Ted. Birds sang and a warm breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees. It was the perfect day for a wedding.

She wore a mid-length cream dress with balloon sleeves and a lace collar. It had looked beautiful in the boutique changing room, but now she felt it might be a bit mature for her.

‘Come on, Ted,’ she said and sucked through her teeth. ‘Get a move on.’

The longer she waited, the tighter the knot in her stomach.

Trust him to have forgotten something! Or maybe he’d got stuck in a traffic jam?

He’d been late for their first date too; perhaps a bad omen?

They’d met, both aged 21, while backpacking in Australia, and had gone out for a cool beer together one evening. Belle’s nose peeled prettily from sunburn as she kicked off her Dr Martens and waited for Ted in the waterfront bar. When he eventually strolled towards her, with his longish blond hair and lopsided smile, she knew then her old-fashioned parents would never approve.

Belle and Ted had laughed together for hours while the sun set and then rose again. She had learned how different they both were. Ted worked in the city and she was a primary school teacher. He loved rock music and she preferred opera. He rode a motorbike and she drove a beaten-up Mini Cooper. But, somehow, she just knew he was the one.