Prologue.

June 2025

 

The church bells rang out as Caz Madden stepped out of the car and was greeted by her nearest and dearest, all dressed in their summery finery, as is the case for a June wedding in the southern counties of England.

It was obvious which side were her guests and which were Grace’s. The queerness shone through in every direction she looked. Her mates from the bar, all in suits, fresh cuts, and a haze of aftershave, and those were just the girls.

Grace’s side were much like Grace, more elegant and traditional. Men in suits, women in dresses and hats, all huddled together or around Grace’s mum, Lila. Caz waved at them.

Dani, Caz’s work bestie, called out and Caz grinned at her. Making her way over, Caz felt a little out of place in the dress, but they’d agreed they’d both only be doing this the once, and wasn’t it every little girl’s dream?

Even her hair was down, which didn’t happen often, but she wanted Grace to be happy.

Caz was more of a tomboy than a girl’s girl. Her comfort zone was jeans and shirts, hair tied up, getting her hands dirty—usually under a car.

Not today, though.

Her hair, dark and wavy, hung loose and framed her elfin face. She’d even let Grace’s friend, Beth, do her make-up, though she insisted on keeping it light, no matter how much Beth tried to convince her she’d look like a film star with something more dramatic.

There were limits.

But Grace Hart meant the world to Caz, and if all she needed to do to make this day perfect for her was to put on a figure-hugging, floor-length, white gown, then who was she to say no. She did balk at the idea of heels, she was already three inches taller than Grace. Nobody would know she was wearing Converse All Star high-tops beneath it, but at least she knew she wouldn’t trip and break her ankle…or her neck.

She’d gotten her own way for the reception at least, when they would both change into perfectly fitted suits and comfortable brogues. An agreement where Grace had said, “It works well for the worlds we both live in now.”

They were already a team, weren’t they? Always compromising, never arguing.

“You scrubbed up alright,” Dani said when she reached the group. “I almost fancy ya myself.” She laughed and jumped back at the playful thump she received.

“Thought I’d make the effort, you know, seeing as it is my wedding day and all that.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “You still sure you wanna go through with it?”

“Yeah, course. Why wouldn’t I?” she said, pushing away any remaining doubts as quickly as she’d swat a fly.

The eye roll gave way to a raised brow. “People don’t marry people they’ve been mates with for years, out of the blue.”

“Alright, I know that it’s…different, and people didn’t expect it, but I don’t care. I love her. And she loves me, and that’s all that matters.”

“Okay, well, on your head be it.” Dani tutted. “Getting married and leaving us.”

The others nodded and patted her on the back like she were a doomed prisoner.

“I’m not leaving…we’re still gonna be friends.”

“Yeah, yeah, they all say that ’til—” She poked Caz in the ribs. “Heads up, she’s here. We’d best get inside.” Dani dragged Caz by the arm. “It’s bad luck to see the bride.”

“I am a bride.”

“Exactly, double trouble, now move it.”

Caz let herself be dragged towards the church alongside all the other guests filing in, but not before she took one last look over her shoulder.

The car with Grace inside had pulled up right between the entrance gates. Her dad had climbed out and was holding the door open for Grace, and that was all she was going to get to see.

“Excuse me, bride coming through!” Dani shouted. They made their way into the church and stood off to the side, waiting as guests passed by, smiling and offering wishes of good luck, and how beautiful did Caz look.

Caz took it all in her stride, trying not to let it all overwhelm her.

They’d agreed they wouldn’t have bridesmaids or a best man. Dani got the job of walking Caz down the aisle.

“Right, catch ya breath. Let them all get seated, and then—” Dani wiped a bit of dirt from Caz’s face. “Honestly, can’t take you anywhere. You cleaned your nails, right?”

Caz held her hands up. “I’m not completely grim.”

“You bloody are when you get under those cars.”

The organ piped up, and all further conversation was done. “Let’s do this,” Caz said, linking arms with Dani. She glanced around at what should be her family’s side of the church. It was filled with friends—no family. She didn’t think it would bother her, and she was right—it didn’t.

Growing up in care had meant she’d gotten used to family being people you chose, not people you were lumbered with by blood. And she had Grace and Grace’s family, didn’t she? She grinned. That was all she needed. All she’d ever needed.

“You alright?” Dani asked, noticing Caz drift off somewhere other than right there.

“Yeah, just thinking about family, and how mine is the one I created.” She grinned again. “The future’s so bright…”

“Gotta wear shades!” Dani joined in.

 

Graceful Grace—that was what they all said whenever she did anything, dance classes, gymnastics, yoga. Today would be no exception when she stepped out of the Rolls, made her way up to the church, and swept her way down the aisle.

Her white dress had been stitched to fit at great expense, but it was worth it. This one day in her life, she’d get to live out the fantasy of being a real-life princess.

And yeah, it might be a little unexpected to those who knew her, that it wouldn’t be a Prince Charming standing at the alter waiting, but for Grace, it was someone much better.

Her best friend.

Caz was her person. Through thick and thin, they’d been there for each other.

It didn’t seem crazy to them at all.

“Are you ready, Sweetpea?” her dad asked, using a nickname he’d used since she was old enough to remember. She was probably a bit old for it now, but still, it was comforting and helped settle the nerves.

She’d stopped to take a breath and look up at the blue sky, clear of clouds and warm from the sun. It was just the perfect day to get married and turn her life into the one she wanted to live—one with Caroline Madden.

“I am.” She smiled and took the hand he held out for her. Tucking her arm through his, they listened to the bells for a moment.

“It’s not too late to back out,” he said quietly as they began to walk.

She turned to him, all smart in his navy suit, hair combed. “I don’t want to, Dad. I know Caz will be the perfect partner.”

He nodded. “We like Caz, you know that. I’m just saying, whatever you choose today, it doesn’t change anything for us.”

“I know.” She frowned for a second. Why couldn’t everyone just be happy for them?

Before she had the chance to dwell on that thought, they were there at the steps. The bells stopped ringing and the organ began to play for the second time.

“I just want to be Mrs Madden-Hart.” She smiled confidently, and although they hadn’t actually agreed on a double-barrelled name option, she thought it had a nice ring to it.

“Alright, then.” He beamed. “Gotta admit, I didn’t think I’d see the day when I walked my little girl down the aisle—thought we’d missed that boat.”

“So did I,” she grinned, “but here I am, and yeah, I know it’s not what everyone expected, but—”

“Honestly, I don’t think anyone could deny you and Caz are special together.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked him as he adjusted her veil.

“Yeah, the way you both look at each other when you think nobody else is looking? We’ve all seen it, but you had to find your way there by yourselves.”

Grace smiled. Had they been like that the entire time, without noticing themselves?

They’d reached the part of the church where all she had to do was to turn, step through the inner door, and walk down the aisle.

When she did so, and looked up to find Caz staring at her as she was, any doubt she might have had, dissipated in an instant.

“She looks so beautiful,” she whispered to her dad.

“Yes. Not as beautiful as you, mind, but I’m biased.” He chuckled.

 

Caz sucked in a breath and gasped. “Jesus, she’s stunning.”

From Caz’s viewpoint, she could tell Grace had done something fancy with her hair. The rich chocolate-brown of her hair, standing out beneath the starkly white veil. And there were flowers—lots of flowers—but mostly, it was the smile on Grace’s face that did it for her.

That’s what today was all about: Making her happy.

Dani leaned in, grinning. “Can’t deny, you caught a hottie.”

“Shut it, that’s my wife you’re leering at.”

Just saying the words made it all so much easier to take in. A few more minutes and Grace would be her wife. That was a crazy thought, but a good one, she reminded herself.

When Mr Hart handed Grace off, Caz leaned in and found her eyes behind the veil.

“You look stunning,” she murmured.

“So do you.” Grace grinned.

The vicar coughed gently and got their attention. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Shes, Hes, Theys, and Thems, we are gathered here today—”