This Is My Final Warning: If You Don’t Change the Wedding Venue, I Refuse to Marry You — With Just T…

This is my final warningif you dont change the venue, I will call off the wedding! With just a fortnight until the big day, Charlotte clutched the invitations, unable to bring herself to sign them.

Charlotte, whats gotten into you now? her fiancé Oliver asked, concern evident in his voice.

Ive got a dreadful feeling about it!

Thats understandable, Oliver grinned, trying to reassure her. Its not every day you get married. Nerves, thats all. Itll pass. I promise, itll all be just fine!

How can you promise something you cant possibly know? Is it so difficult to meet me halfway? How do you expect us to have a life together if you refuse to compromise even now?

Were not exactly well-off, love, Oliver said, hurt. Ive already put down a deposit on the hall and the catering. If we cancel, well lose the money.

The moneys not the worst of it, darling. I just need you to trust me.

Im not putting stock in superstitions, Oliver protested. Thats just foolish. At worst, wed have no honeymoon. Will you finally tell me whats really going on?

Alright, listen then. But dont just dismiss itjust because you dont believe in these things doesnt mean they dont exist.

I promise, Oliver said, nodding.

We recently had a new colleague at work, Edith. She keeps to herself, always dressed in sombre colours, never really speaking to anyone. The other day, she approached me and said, Your grandmother Mabel sends her regards.

What? I was shockedGran Mabel had passed away three years ago.

Do you want to know what shes trying to warn you about? Edith asked. But Ill tell you after work.

I agreed. And heres what she told me.

It happened long ago, back when that new restaurant with the grand event hall opened in Manchester, Edith began. William, who worked as a driver on the construction, was doing well for himself. He suggested to his fiancée, Emily, that they have their wedding reception at the brand new restaurant. She was thrilled; shed grown up in a tiny village, from a poor familynone of them had ever set foot in a proper restaurant. She wanted to put on a real do, to dazzle her family and make them happy.

On the big day, Emily glowed in her white dress and veil. William looked dashing, the perfect gentleman. After the ceremony, the cars and coaches rolled up to the venue. Everyone gasped at how grand it all was. Everyone except one elderly lady, who shook her head and tutted. Of all things, fake flowers on a wedding table? Thats not right at all. But no one paid her much heedeverything seemed to be synthetic back then; the 50s and 60s had seen a boom in the chemical industry.

But the guests brought real flowers, placing them in vases at the bride and grooms table. In the middle of the merriment, the couple got up for their first dance. As they returned, Emily froze. The bouquet of roses before her had withered and wilted in just those few minutes.

The staff rushed to remove the bouquet, and the celebration carried on. But Emily soon fell ill, fainting suddenly. Windows were flung open to let in some fresh air, but she soon felt poorly again. People began whispering.

Ah, she must be expecting, some chuckled.

Well, as long as shes in good health. Thatll pass! joked others.

But then a cousin told Emilys parents hed seen a bloodstain on the wedding gown. When they checked, there was nothing of the sort.

Another rumour spread by nightfallthat someone had seen a mysterious woman dressed entirely in black lurking by the doors. A small search turned up nothing and no one.

Their wedding night was a nightmare. The newlyweds couldnt bring themselves to consummate their marriage, overcome by the sense that someone invisible was in the room with them. They heard strange rustling, soft footsteps, and William swore someone was intensely watching him.

Morning found them both in a panic.

Back then, honeymoons werent the norm. After the wedding, both returned to work. Before the week was out, William was killed in a car accident. He was a cautious, seasoned driver, it was a clear day, and the road was fine, but his car suddenly veered off into oncoming traffic. No one ever figured out what really happened.

Emily was heartbroken, a shadow of her former self. The most terrifying part was that, within a year, she left home and vanished. Despite desperate searches, she was never found.

Quite the spooky tale, Oliver said, unimpressed. But what does that have to do with us?

Directly everything! Charlottes voice trembled. It happened in the very hall youve booked!

I dont see what thats got to do with us. Loads of people have misfortunes in lifeit doesnt mean we will too.

They say that restaurant was built on an old burying ground. The events room is right where the grave of a bride who took her own life stood. She caught her husband cheating just days after the wedding. Her spirit is said to be unsettled. Now, they say, the vengeful ghost claims the groom right after the wedding, and the bride within a year. What if our wedding stirs it up again? Why else would Gran Mabel warn me from beyond the grave?

I dont believe in curses, Oliver snapped. If you wont marry me, then Ill wed Daisy instead. Daisy was Charlottes maid-of-honour. Sign the invitations, or Ill keep my word.

After a moments hesitation, Charlotte broke off the engagement, unsettled even more by Olivers threat to marry another so quickly.

True to his word, Oliver went on to marry Daisy, and, to Charlottes dismay, Daisy accepted.

Not even a week after their wedding, the prophecy came to passOliver was killed in a motorbike accident when his brakes failed.

Charlotte, shaken and frightened for Daisy, considered warning her, as she remembered the talethat within a year, the bride would also meet misfortune. She wanted to talk to Edith for advice about helping her former friend, but found she had already left the company and wasnt at her address.

According to the local tales, that ill-fated wedding had happened in the seventies, though Charlotte found no official records of it. It wasnt the sort of story people wrote down, but those living nearby all seemed to know.

In the end, Charlotte realised that its wise to heed your instincts, even when others call them foolish. Sometimes, trusting yourself can spare you a heartacheand possibly save your life.