2884. A new beginning
© Bruce Goodman 24 October 2023


Ferdinand had thought that the question had been obliterated from the wedding ceremony. But there it was, loud and clear. The vicar announced, “Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." The silence that followed seemed to last for half an hour. Ferdinand was in a sweat.

Ferdinand had an unsavoury past. He’d been married before, and the marriage ended with neither an annulment nor a divorce. He changed his name, changed his country, changed about anything he could think of. Getting married to Cynthia was to be the start of a new life; a totally new beginning. And now this wretched question was publically asked. There was only one person who knew the facts and that was Miles. Miles was the ex-boyfriend of Ferdinand’s bride-to-be and he was in the congregation.

“Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Silence followed.

At the reception Ferdinand thanked Miles. “I’m saving it,” said Miles.

It was such a tragedy – and at a wedding of all places – that when the evening came to an end Miles was found dead in the carpark.

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