Man, I'm such a chick- Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Hello? Natalie?” Beth almost whispered into the phone, dreading the answer. Even if it was Natalie, something bad still must have happened.

“Sorry? Who? Oh, that must be whose phone this is.” The stranger laughed, completely unaware of how serious the situation was. Beth was horrified.

“Yes, that is whose phone it is. Who the heck are you? And what are you doing with Natalie’s phone?” Beth demanded. She was annoyed at how casual the stranger was being and this was not the time to try and be funny.

“Hey! Calm down! I just found your friend’s bag on the pavement outside The Granby Hotel and thought I best see if there was a phone inside to contact someone. Sorry for being a kind stranger!” The man protested, slightly hurt by Beth’s accusation. Beth thought about what he’d said. How could Natalie have just dropped her bag? Unless she was concentrating on something else…

“Isn’t that where the taxis collect people from? I’m Beth by the way, Natalie’s best friend and bridesmaid who is currently waiting for her to turn up at the church. Hence my frustration with your casual attitude to this situation.”

“Ahh, I see.” The man replied. “That’s not good at all. Yes it is where the taxis pull up. Maybe she’s done a runner?” 

“Excuse me? You don’t even know her! What if… erm…” Beth tried to think of another reason why Natalie might have dropped her bag outside the hotel. She was about to say that maybe Natalie had been kidnapped but that was a little extreme she thought. “Erm… Oh! What if a jogger had bumped into her, not paying attention to where he or she was going and Natalie hadn’t realised she’d dropped her bag.” Beth nodded to herself, pleased with her answer. The other bridesmaids and Jay just continued to stare at her with furrowed brows, confused by the conversation Beth was having.

 “Yeah, because that explanation definitely explains why she’s late for her wedding…” The man replied sarcastically. Beth was getting even more frustrated with him now. “Look… Beth, how late is Natalie?”

“Nearly half an hour late now.”

“Okay, and where’s the church?”

“A five minute drive away. Why do you want to know??”

“Well, a woman isn’t half an hour late for her wedding unless she’s done a runner. I’m sorry to be blunt about it but in most cases, that’s the truth. Especially if the church is only a 5 minute drive away. Surely if traffic was bad she would have walked right? So, she’s either done a runner, or something really bad has happened. Either way, she’s not coming.”

Beth sighed. He was right of course; she just didn’t like to admit that someone none of them knew probably had it spot on about Natalie.

“Fine. I suppose you’re right.” Beth finally admitted to the man.

 “Thanks. So, do you want me to come to you or are you going to come to me?” Beth looked at the others in confusion. The others looked back at her with the same expression they’d had on their faces for the last 5 minutes.

“What is it Beth? What’s going on?” Maggie demanded. They’d waited long enough to know what was happening. Beth held her finger up to Maggie to silence her.

“What are you talking about?” Beth said down the phone to the man.

“I’ve got Natalie’s bag and phone. Did little detail slip your mind?” Beth ground her teeth together.

“Of course it didn’t. I’ll meet you outside Heslington church on Broomgate road in 15 minutes.”

“Okay, see you then, Beth.”

“Bye.”

Beth ended the call and turned the others. They continued to stare at her in disbelief. She’d blanked them out for the entire phone call and they were now a bit annoyed with her as well as confused.

“Well?” Kelly asked, flinging her hands out in question. Just then Jack burst through the doors looking hurt and annoyed.

“What on Earth is going on? Where is Natalie?” Jack almost shouted at the girls and Jay. They all turned their gaze to Beth who started to look nervous now.

“That’s exactly what we’d like to know.” Jay spoke directly to Beth but then returned his eyes back to Jack.

“Okay, okay!” Beth knew she’d have to say something now. She couldn’t deny the truth from everyone much longer. “We think Natalie has done a runner.”

“You mean you think Natalie’s done a runner. We don’t know anything Beth!” Maggie raised her voice in panic. 

Beth flinched. “Fine then, I think Natalie may have done a runner. I just got a call from her mobile but it wasn't her. It was a guy that has found her bag outside The Granby Hotel. Where the taxis collect and drop people off.”

Beth’s words sunk in and Jack’s face fell. “ I'm calling off the wedding.” Jack said in a small voice. The girls looked at each other, then at Jay. Jay searched his head for a reasonable explanation as to why Natalie wasn't there yet, but given the information they had, he came up with the same reason everyone else had. He looked up at Jack with sadness in his eyes.

“You’re not going to tell everyone the wedding’s off,” Jay told Jack. “Because I am. You've got enough things to worry about.” Jay turned his back to Jack and the girls before Jack could object and he walked back down the aisle again, head held high. Jack and the girls followed him in but stayed at the back of the church, by the doors.

 “Ladies and gents, can I have your attention please?” Jay had walked straight up onto the stage and was now standing behind the pulpit. The guests all turned their attention to Jay. He took a deep breath. He’d always hated public speaking. He’d even put off presentations in front of his class at college for as long as he could- skiving, not reminding his teacher, ‘forgetting’ his USB stick with the power point on it. The excuses were endless- but he had to do this for his friend. He was 24 now so it was time to grow up. At least for this little speech he had to do anyway. “I’m afraid we’ve got to call off the wedding.” The congregation all started to whisper and mutter. “Please everyone let me finish.” They quietened down and let him carry on. “We are unsure of the bride’s whereabouts but given that she’s now 35 minutes late, we’re going to assume that she’s not coming today. I speak on behalf of the wedding party when I say that we’re thankful for you all being here today to celebrate what should have been an amazing day. We’re now going to try and find the bride, so for now I’ll leave with a hopeful ‘To be continued another day…’ and I’m sure we’ll let you know when we find Natalie. Thank you.” Jay dipped his head as he retreated back down the steps leading down to the nave of the church and headed towards Jack.

“Thanks mate, I owe you one.” Jack said to his friend, giving him a pat on the back.

“Don’t worry about it. Now let’s go and find your runaway bride.”