Chapter 17 - festival

Just as Zach had feared, he’d been abandoned from 7am that Saturday morning; now left wandering around the food festival all on his own, whilst Jennifer prepared for the first of her live shows that day.

“You’re Zach, aren’t you?” smiled one of the ladies behind a stall.

Zach looked at her, a little caught off-guard. “Do I know you?” he asked.

“No, no!” she smiled, happy that she had been right. “I run a stall at lots of these types of events. I’ve come across Jennifer so many times. She never stops talking about you every time I see her. She’s shown me so many pictures of you, I feel like I already know you!”

Delighted, Zach went away with some free, freshly baked treats, feeling a little bit better. So Jennifer talked about him a lot when she was away? That was nice to know. But as he wandered around more and more, word had seemed to spread.

“Suzie tells me that you’re Jennifer’s husband!” enthused another stall-owner. “She’s such a lovely girl!” Then this one too, continued to prepare some free portions of her produce, thrusting them into Zach's arms with a smile.

So many people were stopping and talking to him that Zach missed Jennifer’s early show entirely. He’d felt awful and managed to get there extra early for the next one so that he could take a position on the front row.
Jennifer spotted him straight away when she came out, grinning like a five year old at her first festive concert. She completed her show with all of the flair and personality that came to Jennifer so naturally. By the end, everyone was up on their feet, clapping away; having been educated about cooking, but also thoroughly entertained.

“Thank you, thank you!” Jennifer smiled, trying to quieten the roaring crowd. “I just wanted to say that I have someone very special here with me today.”

Zach suddenly felt panicked. Was Jennifer talking about him?

“My incredible, perfect husband doesn’t usually come with me on these trips. But he has today. None of this would have been possible without his support,” she gushed. “He was the one who gave me the confidence to follow my dreams and start this whole empire. He’s the reason I am who I am today... Over 200lbs heavier!” she injected, comically patting her tummy and making the audience laugh once again; along with a few wolf-whistles from the small gathering of super-fans at the back. “Come on Zach! Stand up!” she smiled, starting the crowd off in a huge round of applause.

His knees quivering, Zach did as he was told, turning to face the huge crowd of smiling faces clapping away for him. He turned back to Jennifer and, even with the embarrassment of standing here, he knew they’d be okay. He really didn’t have to worry about his wife. He didn’t have to be insecure or paranoid. This was it. Jennifer was, and always would be, the one for him.