The Bride

By Charlotte L R Kane

1973

Caroline cannot wait to marry the love of her life, Ronald. What she doesn't expect is that Ronald has other ideas for the wedding, and Caroline will not be getting the happy ending she planned.

 

2023

Bryony and Oliver are planning their dream wedding at a beautful castle. When they visit the venue to view, Bryony feels something strange and leaves feeling different. Looking in the mirror, she discovers it's not her reflection. She has become possessed by the ghost of Caroline who is seeking the ultimate revenge. Can Bryony help this ghost move on, or will her wedding be destroyed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte Kane
• Release date: Feb 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215611692

Charlotte L R Kane

I have a degree in Business Management and started writing in 2006 when I was first introduced to fanfiction. From there my passion from writing has been discovered. However, it was only in 2012 that I decided to start writing stories that were not fanfiction and came across the option to have my work published. I started by adapting some of my fanfictions into ‘proper’ pieces of works and published them. From there I have continued my writing journey and expanded my style and genres. Although I prefer to write about the darker sides of life, I love the challenge of exploring situations and genres that I have not done before. For me, writing is about escaping reality. It is freedom. You can create the world, choose who lives and dies, decide if good or evil will prevail. It’s expressing your thoughts and feelings.

Book preview

January 4th

'SWEET CHILD O' MINE' was blasting from the radio speakers as Oliver badly sung along. While they waited for the lights to turn green, Bryony chuckled as she noticed him tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He then chose to give a small head nod. Oliver loved listening to that music. It brought back memories of his early years and the brief time he’d spent with his father. It was the tune his father would frequently have Oliver play the air guitar along to while singing it in his garage on Sundays. Before his father became an alcoholic after losing both his father and his job within a few months of one another, it was the memory he most vividly recalled. When Oliver was twelve, his father passed away due to Liver Disease, and the impact had been hard on Oliver. He had rebelled at school but soon gotten his life back on track when he realised that his father wouldn’t be proud of the person who he was becoming. He still thought about his father daily and hoped that he could see the person who he had become and was behind him in every decision that he made. Bryony often told Oliver that his father would be proud of him; Oliver hoped it was true.

Bryony reached over and squeezed his hand gently. They were currently on their way to town, to their favourite café for breakfast. She looked out the window and noticed the sun was low in the sky. Although the sun was out, there was still an icy chill in the air, so she turned up the heating and began rubbing her hands together in front of them. When the song finished, Oliver turned the radio down and gave Bryony a quick smile.

What? she smiled back.

Hmm, nothing. I was just thinking that I can’t wait to make you my wife. He gave her leg a quick squeeze before the lights turned green and continued the drive.

Blushing slightly, Bryony replied, And I can’t wait to become your wife, either. She thought about their wedding, which was set for Valentine's Day, just over four weeks away. There was still a lot of work to be done and the next few weeks were going to be busy. She still had to find a venue (although she had some ideas), looking at decorations and creating the seating plans. She had found the dress and just needed to have a final fitting and the reception had been booked.

Bryony hadn’t wanted to wait to get married which was why she only had a few weeks to prepare, and she knew that she may not have the venues and decorations she wanted because of the short notice, but if she could marry Oliver, she was perfectly happy to be in a registry office.

She and Oliver had been together for over three years; they had met back in 2019 and they had instantly hit it off. Their relationship had grown stronger over the years, blossoming from friends into something more, and the two were inseparable and the perfect couple to those around them. On their three-year anniversary, back in October 2022, Oliver had proposed to her, and she had no hesitations in saying yes. She didn’t have to think about it, she’d been waiting for over a year for him to propose, although she had never hinted at it. Oliver wanted to wait a couple of years for them to get married, to have the time to save to make sure it was the day Bryony deserved, but plans changed. She wanted to marry Oliver, and she did not want to waste any more time. So, she had told Oliver that Valentine’s Day would be the day they would get married, and she had spent the past few weeks preparing for the big day. Bryony had counted down the days until she became Mrs. Oliver Regan.

They’d had some financial troubles over the past year and had to wait before they could book anything, which is why they did not have a venue, but she would find one. She would make sure of that. They have been saving vigorously and had help from friends and family in order to have the wedding they dreamt of, although she told Oliver that she would have been happy getting married in a registry office and having a buffet in a small venue for the reception. Oliver told her that she was going to have the wedding she deserved, and she was going to have the best day that could make it. Bryony was worried there wouldn’t be many venues left as it was close to the wedding date, but she had been surprised at the number of places she found that would host the wedding on the date they had chosen. So, they had been visiting the venues and deciding on the best place for the ceremony.

She smiled as she thought back to the night he had proposed. It was if it had been the night before, not a couple of months previous.

She had come home from a long and difficult day at work, not sure what to expect when she got home. She held tightly the bag which contained Oliver’s anniversary present and entered the house. She hoped he would like the present she had gotten him. She knew he would because he had been hinting at it for such a long time, had been staring at it as they passed the shop window. It was a watch and although Bryony did not understand what was so special about it, that Oliver wanted it was enough to make her purchase it.

As she entered the house an aroma wafted through the hallway and made her senses dance. She kicked her shoes off at the door and made her way into the living room. As she did, she noticed the table in the dining room had been decorated with rose petals and candles. Bryony continued to bask in the smell emanating from the kitchen.

Oliver entered the living room carrying an enormous bouquet, wrapped in pink paper. Happy anniversary, babe. He walked over to her and kissed her; she kissed him back and let out a soft moan of disappointment as he pulled away.

These are for you. He held out the flowers to her, and she took them from him. Red roses. Her favourite.

Thank you, they are lovely. She sniffed them softly and laid them gently on the table. Happy anniversary to you, too. What smells so good?

Rosemary chicken, garlic potatoes, carrots, and green beans. Oliver was an excellent cook, although there was not much time for him to do so, but he loved getting his hands in there when the opportunity arose.

Hmm, that sounds so good. She removed her jacket and hung it up by the front door and went back to him. She placed the bag with Oliver’s gift down beside the table and hoped he wouldn’t peek before she gave it to him. She entered the kitchen and looked for a vase to keep the roses in. She found one of her grandmother’s old vases, it was white with pink swirls, and filled it with paper. She arranged the flowers nicely into the vase and placed it on the table she turned and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. They both smiled and Oliver kissed her cheek.

Why don't you go have a long bubble bath while I finish preparing the dinner?

Bryony moaned a little. That does sound good, actually; I ache from work.

Oliver kissed her. I will shout for you when it’s done. Bryony nodded and made her way upstairs. While the bath was filling up, she removed her work clothes and threw them into the laundry basket. She climbed into the bath and her body moaned from the heat and she let out a sigh. She bathed for about fifteen minutes and allowed the bubbles to consume her body and helped to relax her aching muscles. It took her a while to dry her hair and find something to wear but after an hour she made her way downstairs wearing a low-cut slit black dress that she knew Oliver enjoyed, her hair running in ringlets over her shoulders. Oliver was seated at the table and served them their meal from the large metal dishes he laid out.

They spent the meal giving passing glances, smiling, and discussing their day. Once the main meal was finished, Oliver informed her there was pear tartan for dessert, but they should wait at least thirty minutes before eating, to let the main rest. She helped him with the dishes and afterwards they went back to the living room to exchange gifts. As they sat down, she reached into the bag and pulled out her gift.

Bryony... Oliver took a deep breath; his heart was racing. These past three years have been the best years of my life. I never knew what I was missing until you came along and showed me. You have been my strength, my best friend, and my lover. He got down on one knee in front of her and pulled a box from his pocket. Bryony felt a flutter inside her stomach and her heart skipped a beat I want to spend the rest of my life with you Bryony; I am nothing when I am not with you. So, Bryony, my love, my life, will you marry me?

Bryony felt as if her heart stopped. She could not find a voice to say the words, so she just nodded. She hugged Oliver and cried as he placed the ring on her finger.

I love you.

God, Oliver, I love you too, so much.

The memory made her smile, and she looked back at Oliver. It seems like only yesterday you asked me to marry you. It’s going so quickly.

Before you know it, we will be married. Oliver parked up outside the café and he and Bryony made their way inside, hand in hand.

January 5th

BRYONY CARLSON HELD her breath as she walked through the great hall and goosebumps began to appear as she felt a small shiver travel down her spine. Her eyes took in the room around her as she tried to take in the beauty of it, but there was too much. The ceiling depicted Aesop's Fable, large tapestries covered the walls and there were bird and animal mouldings around the doors and large wooden carvings covered the interior which was decorated with gold leaf.

Bryony was in awe of what she was seeing; it was like something out of the fairytale books she used to love as a child. They were looking around Castell Coch in Cardiff as a venue to get married although her mind was already made up. She did not need to think about it; this was the place that she was getting married. There was some force holding her and telling her she had to get married there. She felt a connection to the castle and knew she that her wedding would be perfect there. Especially having pictures outside; there was something magical about the place. A sudden shiver ran down her spine and she shuddered.

She let go of her fiancée's hand and walked over to one of the long wooden tables placed along the wall. She ran her fingers over them, imagining sitting there with her newlywed husband and their Best Maan and Maid of Honor. Watching from the sidelines as the guests laughed and talked over their meal and celebrated the couple. She started to imagine the flowers and the cake. The tables and chairs covered in materials and ribbon; the red carpet that ran from the door to the aisle in which she had to walk down.

Another shiver ran through her body, and she could see small patches of goosebumps appearing, but she shook it off as it was an old castle. It was bound to be cold, but she would need to make sure that she would be warm during the ceremony and the reception. There was a way that they could have some heaters placed around the room, otherwise, she would have to wear a garment underneath the dress to keep the chill off.

This is perfect, Oliver. This is the place. Bryony felt excited as she turned to face him and was delighted to see him smiling. It meant he was impressed by the venue, which was what she was looking for.

It really is. There is something about it, I have to admit that. Oliver walked closer to her, his eyes also wide with excitement as he took in the surroundings. Even he was able to tell there was something magical about the place.

Would you be okay with this as the venue? Oliver pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. The look of happiness on Bryony’s face was enough to convince him that the castle was the place for the wedding.

Bry, I would be happy getting married in a sewer wearing a plastic bag if it meant I could get to spend the rest of my life with you. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her long brunette hair. Bryony sighed and lifted her head to meet his. She ran her fingers down his cheek and moved his hand to the back of his neck and played with the strands of dirty blond hair that fell from the mess of shaggy hair. Oliver had wanted to get his haircut, but Bryony told him that she liked it that way; that it made him look rugged, and she found it highly attractive.

Bryony leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips; her body aching to be with him. I love you.

I love you, too. He returned the kiss and pulled back gently and looked around the room. Bryony turned around and leant against him as his arms went around her waist protectively.

It really is impressive, isn't it? Oliver rested his head on Bryony’s shoulder and closed his eyes.

Yeah, it is. There's something magical here. I can’t describe it, but I know we are destined to get married here. Oliver smiled. Bryony was a big believer in destiny and fate and always held the belief events happened because they were meant to - whether they were good or bad. She believed that their meeting, although not great, was predetermined by the fates.

His mind went back to the day they met, and he couldn’t help but squirm slightly.