"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the celebration of love that Serena and Ewan have for each other. They have come here today to be joined in matrimony and make sacred promises to their life partner in front of you all."

The registrar gets into his stride and starts to remind everyone about how special this union is and how is marriage is not something to be entered into lightly. Serena appears to be scanning the room for something (Or in my opinion, more likely someone) and a small frown is starting to appear on her perfectly made-up face. Ewan has noticed his fiancee's concern and joins her in looking around the guests. He leans in to her and whispers something that I can't make out. She shakes her head and turns back to the registrar. I tune back in to his speech.

"...They should speak now or forever hold their peace"

I am so tempted. Can you imagine it? They all think I'm bonkers anyway, so what harm could it do? Sebastian obviously knows what I'm thinking as he's put his hand on my knee and is pressing down in a fashion that makes it clear to me that he does not think me jumping up and announcing that Serena is a lying, cheating, criminal manipulative cow is a good idea.

For a split second, Serena has a really odd expression on her face and I'd swear that there is an air of desperation on her face. No way. No. Way. Is that what she thinks? That Rivers would turn up and sweep her off her feet in the middle of her own wedding ceremony? Wow, she's actually crazier than I gave her credit for.

The registrar has moved to the next part of the service and knowing her as I do, Serena definitely looks uncomfortable; I can see past the fake smile plastered on her face. Ewan has obviously noticed it too and keeps trying to ask her if she is ok. From the looks of it, she is having none of it and keeps turning her head whenever he gets close enough to be heard. The registrar seems happily oblivious to the bride's attitude and is introducing the section of the service where the vows are exchanged.

"Serena, if you would please repeat after me. I, Serena Verity Taylor-"

He is interrupted mid flow by the sound of a huge bang at the back of the room. Everyone turns to see the source of the disturbance and I catch a glimpse of something progressing at an alarming rate down the central aisle. As it gets closer my jaw drops open, as there, wearing a jeans and a red polo-neck jumper is Lucinda.

Her hair and makeup possibly look worse than mine, but are complimented perfectly by the look of rage and pure hatred on her face. Her eyes are fixed firmly on Serena and she's managing to do a very passable impression of a charging bull.

I'm waiting for someone to stand up, to query what's happening or to try and divert the clearly furious woman running at the bride, but it never happens. Instead, Lucinda clears the remaining distance in a few easy steps, pushes rudely past Ewan and stands, face to face with Serena at the head of the room.

There's an uneasy silence. Lucinda is staring at Serena, breathing heavily. Serena looks round somewhat frantically for assistance but seems to draw a blank. Marsha and Debbie, I notice, are staying well out of this.

"What are you doing you crazy bitch?" mutters Serena to Lucinda. It's said in an undertone, but I'm sure the first five or so rows are able to make out her words.

I can only speak for myself, but I'm not sure insulting an angry wedding crasher is her best option at this moment. I'm proved right. Lucinda lets out a blood chilling howl and smacks Serena, hard around the face with her hand. The noise of the slap seems to almost echo around the room.

"You fucking bitch," Lucinda yells. "You fucking lying, hypocritical bitch!"

Serena grabs her by the shoulders and tries to push her back down the aisle.

"Get out!" she screams.

"Hell no!" replies Lucinda, her face still contorted in fury. "I'm not leaving until everyone here knows what you've done!"

With that she scrambles past Serena and attempts to make her way to the lectern set up at the side of the room for the wedding readings to be delivered from. With admirable reflexes, Serena grabs at Lucinda's legs in an effort to rugby tackle her. To the collective horror of the assembled guests, she misses and lands, face down on the floor.

Ok, I know I'm at a religious ceremony and God is probably watching, but I just can't help myself. I let out an audible snigger. I manage to quickly turn it into a cough and keep my eyes focused on the show, I mean wedding taking place before me.

Serena is trying to gather her masses of delicate fabric to prevent Lucinda from presenting her very special, personalised wedding reading to the audience. For a minute I think that she has collected her balance and will be able to intercept the gatecrasher but as she wobbles to her feet, she catches her heel on her underskirt and goes down again.

The most curious thing about this spectacle is not the slapstick comedy of her actions, but the fact that Ewan is still rooted to the spot at his original position, watching the drama unfold with a look on his face that can only be described as resignation.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Lucinda has reached the microphone and is stood, hands gripping the sides of the lectern, knuckles white against the oak wood. "You have been gathered here today under false pretences. This woman-" she spits, pointing at Serena who appears to have lost the battle with her dress and is now sitting where she fell, staring at the ground. "This woman," continues Lucinda "Is not who you think she is. She is not the perfect fiancee, the perfect barrister, the perfect friend. She is a cheat, a liar and a criminal!"

Stunned silence meets this revelation. Someone a few rows behind me stands up. "Now look here!" intones the male in a deep baritone "You've got your wires crossed! It's not the bride who is the criminal, it's one of the bridesmaids. Or at least she was supposed to be a bridesmaid..." He tails off and I resist the urge to clamber over the rows of seats and give him a hard kick.

Lucinda rolls her eyes. "God, you lot are so pathetic. You'd believe anything she told you."

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see that Serena's father is inching his way towards the lectern, but to my amazement, Ewan holds up a hand.

"Let her finish," he instructs, in a deep, commanding voice that I'd never usually associate with him.

Serena's father looks confused, as I suspect I do, but halts and waits for further instructions.

"My fiance was arrested this morning," continues Lucinda. "The police came in and dragged him out of the house. I would say they dragged him out of bed," at this, she gives a sinister laugh, "But he was sleeping on the sofa. You see, I found out that he has been screwing our blushing bride."

She pauses for effect. It works. All hell seems to break loose. The guests begin to talk loudly between themselves, Serena's parents look like they are going to pass out and Ewan's mother has started to cry. Ewan remains fixed to the spot, eyes darting between Lucinda and Serena. The latter hasn't moved a muscle. She is leaning forwards, hands on the ground in front of her torso, head down. She looks like she is taking part in an Avant-garde production of Swan Lake.

Amidst the chaos Lucinda starts to bang on the lectern.

"Oh if you think that's the best bit, there is more!"

The silence is immediate. People take their seats. Lucinda looks like she is about to deliver her Oscar acceptance speech.

"So, my fiance was arrested. I expect you want to know why! I can see you 're thinking 'Well, it obviously wasn't because he was shagging the bride!' Well it's worse than that I'm afraid. You see, my two-timing, good-for-nothing fiance has always done anything he can to further his pitiful career. You all heard about the Hobbs trial? Well he was involved in defending that, as was Serena." She points at Serena who is still motionless on the ground.

"I don't know whether it was his idea or if the order came from on high, personally, I think he was paid to do it, but nevertheless, he was told that Hobbs had to get off, at any cost. So how did he do it? Well, as some insensitive prick has already commented, you all think Lauren tried to bribe a juror!"

There is a deathly pause and I can feel everyone's eyes on me.

"Wrong!" she exclaims, in a loud, satisfied tone, making me jump. "They set her up. My darling fiance and the backstabbing bride set her up. They planted the evidence on her and set her up."

I can feel hot tears running down my face. I'm not sure how Lucinda knows all this, but if she does, it means DC Connelly believes me.

"But here's the kicker Serena. I spoke to him at the police station before coming here. He. Used. You. You're not the first slag he's cheated on me with. He only needed you to get to Lauren!"

There's a long, deathly pause. Everyone is looking at Serena. After what seems like an age, she lets out a long, guttural wail that turns into a howl of rage. Her face is red and I can't tell from her expression whether she is distraught or furious. I think it's an equal mixture of both. She clambers to her feet and turns to face Lucinda.

"You lying bitch! He told me he loved me, that he was only with you because of your money and connections. He never used me, if anything, he's been using you for years!"

To my surprise and I suspect to the surprise of everyone in the room, Lucinda nods.

"Yes. He has. I've stood by him over the years as he's cheated and used me to further his career, but honestly Serena, he used you too. I bet once he'd got what he wanted from you he dropped you like a hot stone."

Serena pauses, "He lost his phone, he told me. Anyway, he loves me. I love him. You're just jealous that he's ended it with you!" There is an edge of defiant certainty in her voice and she sounds genuinely convinced.

I recall the conversation from last night and know without needing to hear more that Lucinda is right. Lucinda scoffs at Serena's protestations.

"He's been trying to keep you sweet so you didn't say anything. He told me as much this morning. I may be a fool, but at least I knew the score. He's taken you for a ride Serena, and you fell for it. I feel sorry for you really. He still wants me. He told me so."

Serena wails and takes a few hurried steps closer to Lucinda with a murderous look in her eyes. Just as I think we are all about to witness some grevious bodily harm she stops, as if remembering something. She turns, as if in slow motion to look at her husband-to-be.

"Ewan..." she falters, "I'm so, so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

Really?" he queries, fixing her with a steely gaze. "It may have escaped your attention, but this is our wedding day Serena. OUR FUCKING WEDDING DAY!"

Crocodile tears are rolling down Serena's face. I'm sure I can see her mentally weighing up her options "I don't know what came over me. The things he said to me, he confused me. I love you, I want to marry you!"

Ewan laughs, a cold humourless noise.

"It may have escaped your attention, but I've been stood here for the last ten minutes. I heard what you said." He puts on a falsetto voice in an impression of his fiancee, "He loves me, I love him!" He shakes his head. "Serena, I'm not stupid. I've known about this for a while."

She looks visibly shocked. I hear gasps coming from around me. My own voice is included.

"What, what do you mean?" she asks in a shaky voice.

"I mean, I've known about you and him for a while now. I must confess that I had no idea about your new criminal career though. That's a new low Serena"

"So why are you here!" she exclaims, a hint of anger in her voice. She must have realised that the game is up. "Why did you come here to marry me?"

He shrugs. "I wanted to see if you'd come clean. I wondered if I at least meant that much to you. Obviously not."

He walks towards the aisle with his back to her. Turning, almost as an afterthought, he continues, "I've changed the honeymoon tickets; I'm going with my brother. I suspect the police will be looking for you so I advise you stay in the country."

With that he walks away from her towards the door. He stops next to where I'm stood.

"Lauren, if what has been said is true, then I hope everything works out for you. I'm sorry she's ruined your life as well as mine."

His voice is wobbling but his face remains fixed. I lunge forwards and grab him in a tight hug.

"Thank you," I whisper in his ear. He squeezes me back and I let him go. As he walks out, I turn my attention to the front of the room. Lucinda is still at the lectern and Serena is stood, motionless next to the registrar.

"Let's go," I whisper to Sebastian.

We turn to leave and progress quickly towards the door. Just as I think that we've made it, I'm spun round quickly by a hand on my shoulder. Serena looks like a broken woman. She's started to cry and has mascara streaming down her face.

"Lauren," she pleads, "I didn't do anything. I don't know what they're talking about. You're my best friend, I'd never do that to you."

I can't help it. A snort of laughter has escaped my lips before I have time to stop it.

"Serena, you tried to ruin my career, have me prosecuted, steal my work and have dressed me like I've escaped from a fairground. You are no friend of mine."

She grabs my wrist and for a terrible moment I think she is going to get on her knees and beg for forgiveness. She doesn't. The pressure increases and I wince in pain. In an instant, her face shifts and her tone changes.

"You think you're something special, but you're not," she hisses, squeezing harder. I can feel her nails digging into my skin. I've had enough of this. I just want to get home, take off this wretched dress and sort out what is happening with the remains of my career.

I take a long, hard look at my former best friend.

"Serena, take a long, hard look at yourself. You've been dumped at the altar, you'll never work again, you're about to be arrested and you'll probably go to prison." I pause and snatch my arm back from her. "Enjoy."

I take Sebastian's hand and together, we walk out of the room. I can hear an almighty commotion behind me, but I can honestly say, I couldn't care less.

Chapter Twenty Seven.

I run upstairs and quickly grab my belongings. Sebastian joins me at the bottom of the stairs and we hurry to his car, outside. We drive in silence for a few moments before I loudly exhale. The last hour seems like it could have been a really vivid dream.

"Did I imagine that?" I venture, turning to look at him. He laughs and strokes my arm with his hand.

"Yes Lauren. We're fleeing from your best friend's wedding simply because we felt like it."

He smiles and I'm reassured that everything might turn out okay.

We make it home and I have a massive feeling of deja-vu. The phone is ringing off the hook and the press have just arrived outside again. Panic rises and I have an awful feeling that my name is far from being cleared. Sebastian has just unplugged the phone and I'm not sure what to do.

A knock on the door makes me jump. I can see a tall figure in dark clothes behind the frosted glass. Taking a deep breath I walk forwards and open it. DC Connelly looks tired. He walks in without being invited and makes his way into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" I ask, unable to keep the slight tremor from my voice. "I know you've arrested Rivers."

He looks surprised, "Talk about news travelling fast! Yes, we picked him up this morning."

"So?" I persist, determined to figure out exactly where I stand.

He lowers his voice, "Between you and me, he sang like a canary when we interviewed him. Dropped your friend in it too."

I sit down. "Wow. What about Quinn?"

The officer shakes his head. "No chance. We've obviously got our suspicions, but we've got nothing firm to tie him in to this. River's hasn't said a word about him and won't answer any question that could lead us to him."

"So, what's going to happen?" I wonder out loud.

"Well, we charged him this morning and your mate will be picked up soon."

"You've charged him?" I exclaim, louder than I intended.

DC Connelly looks confused. "Is that a problem?"

"No! It's just, does that mean that I'm in the clear?" I venture, knowing that the answer to my question will cause hysteria either way.

"God, sorry. I should have said." He switches to a formal style of prose, "We are taking no further action in the investigation against you. You're in the clear. However, we may need a further statement from you at some point and if there's a trial, you'll have to give evidence. But of course you know that."

As I mentally run through what's happened, a thought strikes.

"Hang on! What about Hobbs? He's going to get away with this. There's no way Rivers would have done this just to further his career!"

"Oh we know that," smiles Connelly. "He's due to be arrested too. I think we'll manage to pin something on him. We've got Stephen Walker in custody too. Between the lot of them, something will stick."

I shake my head in disbelief. I can see that Sebastian is stood behind the policeman, in the doorway. He clears his throat and Connelly jumps.

"Don't you have something to say to Lauren?" Sebastian asks. His voice is firm and confident.

"Excuse me?" Connelly replies.

"Well let me see. You arrested her, kept her in a cell for an eternity, interviewed her and made her feel like shit."