Marriage, murder & me

It’s Gary and Maria’s wedding, but the groom has a killer secret. Will the nuptials go ahead?

- Alison Slade

THE BRIDE

Samia Longchambon, 38, on Maria

How does Maria feel about Gary? Does she trust him?

Yes, I think she does. She’s so silly, isn’t she? Maria wants the fairy tale, and she thinks Gary is her Prince Charming, as he stood by her and forgave her for her indiscretion with Ali in the barbershop. She trusts and loves him, and thinks they’ll live happily ever after!

Does she have any idea he still has feelings for Sarah?

It got a bit awkward in the hospital when Gary was run over, and Tyrone gave a different version of events to Sarah. So that was a little bit of a red flag for her. But under the circumstances, she has brushed it aside.

How would she react if she discovered Gary’s secret?

She’d be devastated that she’s about to be married to a murderer, especially after what happened to her first husband, Liam – because he got murdered and she got engaged to his murderer, Tony Gordon! I hope she’d run a mile if she found out. But you never know with Maria!

Tell us about the big day...

When Maria married Liam in 2008, it was a huge wedding in a stately home. But this is in the Bistro and more subdued. Maria’s dress is lovely, though. Alex, our costume designer, and I agreed it shouldn’t be too extravagant. We went shopping just before lockdown, and the first one I tried, I said, ‘That will do!’ It’s white, which is a bit of a contradiction – Maria’s hardly virginal!

Maria’s had rotten luck with relationships. What would be your advice to her?