I sat at the front of the church next to John. He was visibly nervous, fidgeting on his seat, and I nudged him.
"Sit still," I whispered. "Kathy will be here in a minute."
He nodded, and made a visible effort to relax.
A few moments later, the organ struck up the familiar music, and both John and I stood and turned to see Kathy take her position for her walk down the aisle.
Behind her were Kathy's sister Sarah and her cousin Anne, who I'd only met for the first time at the rehearsal the previous evening. Sarah was blonde and slim, while Anne was dark-haired. Both of them looked stunning in their bridesmaids' dresses, though I was sure all other eyes were on Kathy in her ivory silk.
They moved slowly down the aisle, reaching us at exactly the planned moment. John stepped forward to stand beside Kathy, and Sarah glanced across at me before taking her seat with Anne on the opposite side of the aisle.
The ceremony was brief, and all of us went through to a side area to watch John and Kathy sign the register. Sarah and Anne stood one each side of me as the photographer snapped away, and I noticed that they both seemed to be wearing the same distinctive perfume.
When the formalities were completed, we all made our way out of the church for the seemingly interminable photographs. I took my position in the group photos when I was called, then watched as Kathy stood between Sarah and Anne for their picture.
When the photos were finally over, we went into the marquee to be seated for lunch. I was next to John's father on the top table, and the bridesmaids were a few seats away next to Kathy's mother.
When lunch was over, the toastmaster announced the speeches, and I got to my feet. I'd spent a long time on my notes, and as I spoke, I saw smiles and nods from relatives and friends, and even the occasional chuckle.
I finished my speech with "On behalf of the bridesmaids, myself, and everyone who has helped with John and Kathy's special day, may I again offer congratulations to... the bride and groom."
Everyone raised their glasses in the toast, and I noticed Sarah looking across at me. She caught my eye, and smiled, sipping her champagne.
When all the speeches were finished, everyone started to drift out of the marquee. I made my way back to the road where the wedding cars were waiting to take the bridal party to the reception. John and Kathy got in the lead car, and both sets of parents in the next.
"Don't go without us, Tim," I heard a voice behind me. I turned to see Sarah and Anne coming towards me.
"Wouldn't think of it," I grinned.
I held the car door as Sarah slid across the leather seat. "Now you, Tim," she said.
I got in beside her, and Anne followed, closing the door.
"All ready, sir?" the driver asked.
"Think so," I said.
He nodded, and pressed a button, raising the partition. The car pulled smoothly away.
"Some privacy at last," said Sarah with a smile.
Anne nodded. "We've been up since some silly time this morning getting Kathy ready, and it's good to relax for a minute."
"She did look beautiful, though," I said. "John's a very lucky man."
Sarah grinned. "Then again, he just has Kathy, but you get to spend the rest of the evening with both of us."
I must have looked a little shocked, because she raised her eyebrows and said, "What? Everyone knows that the best man has his eye on the bridesmaids."
I feigned surrender. "OK, you've seen right through me."
She smiled. "Fortunately for you, Anne and I have had our eye on you too."
Anne spoke up. "When we get there, just follow our lead."
A few minutes later the car pulled up at the hotel. We got out of the car, and walked through to the reception desk.
The receptionist glanced up. "I'm guessing bridesmaids and best man," she smiled.
"Spot on," said Sarah.
"So, you girls are in 216, and Mr Smith here is in 217," said the receptionist, handing over keys. I thought I detected a knowing look in her eye as she glanced from the girls to me.
As we walked along the corridor, Anne glanced at her watch.
"We have a couple of hours before the meal," she said. "Everyone else β John and Kathy included β will be down in the bar."
Sarah nodded. "Come on then, Tim. Dump your stuff in your room and join us."
I let myself into the room, dropping my bag and the jacket of my suit on the bed. I paused for a moment, sure I could hear giggling from the girls' room.
I quickly splashed my face in the bathroom, then went back out into the corridor, closing my door behind me.
I knocked on the door of 216 and Anne opened the door just a little, looking round the edge.
"Come in, Tim," she said, staying behind the door and opening it just far enough for me to slip in.
As I entered the room I could see why she hadn't opened the door all the way β she had already taken off her dress leaving only camisole, stockings and suspenders, and some very minimal panties.
"Wow," I said. "I'm impressed."