Chapter 15
15
JOEL
The day of Barney and Amber’s wedding had arrived and I couldn’t be more ready to relax and celebrate with my friends on their special day. Well, as relaxed as a best man with a speech to make could be.
Chez and I had been like ships that passed in the night across the week. He’d still been asleep when I returned from each night shift and was gone when I rose that afternoon. I’d sent him several WhatsApp messages checking in with him but they’d all been viewed and ignored. When my brother took the grump with me, he did it big time.
In typical Chester style, the considerate start to the week had given way to mess. When I woke up on Thursday afternoon after my final night shift, I’d had to spend an hour cleaning up after him before going on a big shop because he’d eaten me out of house and home. He hadn’t come home on Thursday night and I’d spent most of yesterday at Bumblebee Barn helping Barney get ahead with his work. Amber had gone to Fennington Hall for an extra night with her family and I’d stayed at the farm for a pre-wedding meal with Barney’s family. By the time I got home, Chez was in bed where he’d still been this morning.
I hated that we hadn’t spoken for days and, as he was coming to the wedding, I didn’t want any tension between us so I made him a bacon butty for breakfast and knocked on his bedroom door.
‘It’s early! What do you want?’ he called, his voice gruff, instantly putting me on edge.
‘I’ve made you breakfast,’ I responded, trying to sound cheerful, ‘and I was hoping to talk before I leave for the wedding.’
‘So you can give me another lecture?’
Tutting, I tried to open the door but there was something jamming it. ‘What’s wrong with the door?’
‘I’ve got a chair against it.’
‘Why?’
‘To keep out unwelcome visitors.’
‘And I’m one of them?’ I asked, struggling to hide my frustration.
‘Yes!’
‘In my own home?’
There was a pause in which I hoped he was reflecting on the irony of him referring to me as an unwelcome visitor .
‘Just go to the wedding and leave me alone.’
‘Are you still coming?’
‘I was planning to. Unless you don’t want me there.’
‘Of course I want you there! What I don’t want is any hostility affecting Barney’s big day.’
‘I promise to be on my best behaviour. Now bugger off and let me sleep.’
I could stay and argue with him but he’d already dampened my spirits and I didn’t want him to bring me down further. It would also make me late so I left him to it, took the butty back downstairs and had to hope he’d stand by his promise. Mum and Dad were guests too and had flown over last night. They were picking him up later in a hire car and I knew he was looking forward to seeing them so hopefully all would be well.
By the time I’d cleared up in the kitchen and placed my overnight bag and suit into the car boot, there was still no sign of Chez stirring, but I wasn’t going to prompt him and risk another mouthful. I left the outer porch door unlocked and messaged Mum with the hiding place for the spare key, just in case, before setting off to pick up Imogen, hoping Tilly wasn’t in a foul mood today.
Tilly was surprisingly pleasant. She issued her usual rules, of course, but wished us both a good time. Imogen chatted excitedly all the way and, once we’d checked in at Fennington Hall and dumped our bags, I took her to meet the other bridesmaids to get her hair done, returning to my room to run through my speech before getting changed.
Sometime later, I’d just fastened the top button on my tweed waistcoat when there was a knock on the door. Fizz, Phoebe and Darcie were in the corridor wearing their bridesmaid dresses with their hair styled and I could see Imogen hiding behind them, clearly wanting to do a grand reveal.
‘Nice suit,’ Fizz said, nodding appreciatively. ‘Looking good, Mr Grainger.’
‘Nice dress,’ I said, in return. ‘All of you look beautiful, but I don’t suppose you’ve seen a little bridesmaid anywhere? Long blonde hair, brown eyes, about this height.’ I put my hand against my chest, palm facing down, to indicate where Imogen came to.
‘Presenting Miss Imogen Amelie Grainger,’ Darcie said, as the three of them stepped aside.
I’d heard all about the dresses but I hadn’t actually seen them until now. All the bridesmaids were wearing pale pink, pale green or cream full-length dresses but, as the youngest one, Imogen’s was a little different. It was green, calf-length and the skirt part was covered in net embroidered with pink and cream flowers. She was wearing a floral headband and her hair had been curled into spirals.
‘You look so pretty, sweetie,’ I said, smiling at her before giving her a tentative hug, taking care not to rumple her dress or mess up her hair.
I took a couple of photos of Imogen to send to Tilly and a few of the four of them together before they headed off to meet up with Amber and the other bridesmaids. I had ten minutes until I needed to meet Barney and the groomsmen – Tim, Levi and Amber’s brother, Brad – in the bar, which was just enough time to send Tilly the photos of Imogen, fasten my tie and read through my best man’s speech for the millionth time. I wasn’t a fan of public speaking but neither was Barney so we were having the speeches before the wedding breakfast, which was a relief. I’m not sure I’d have managed to eat my meal otherwise.
My phone beeped which would either be Tilly responding to the photos or one of the lads telling me they were already in the bar and demanding I join them.
From Tilly
Is our daughter wearing make-up?
I ground my teeth at the message and the two emojis accompanying it – the wow one and the angry face. Would it have killed her to say something nice? I switched my phone to silent, not even dignifying her message with a response. So what if Imogen was wearing a spot of make-up? I’d been asked permission and, seeing Imogen’s face light up, I’d said it was fine as long as it wasn’t caked on. Which it wasn’t. Checking the rings were still safely tucked inside my waistcoat pocket, I fastened my tie.
When I made it down to the bar, Barney, Tim, Levi and Brad were already there, sitting at a table with Barney’s dad Hadrian and Amber’s dad Cole.
‘What are you having?’ Cole asked, standing up as I approached.
I was going to order a soft drink, but they all had pints and it would be rude to be the odd one out. I followed Cole to the bar so I could see what they had on tap.
‘All set with the speech?’ Cole asked once I’d placed my order.
‘The speech is ready, but I’m not sure I am. I’m so nervous. Any tips?’
As a successful television actor, Cole oozed charisma and confidence. ‘Believe it or not, I used to hate public speaking.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Absolutely. When I’m acting, I’m taking on a character but when I’m public speaking, I don’t have a part to hide behind. I have to be me and I found it really hard at first, but another actor gave me some great advice – to treat it as a role where my character is a brilliant public speaker, confident, funny if needed, not fazed by the task, so that’s what I did. Believe me, it works. So my advice is to think about the type of best man you want to be and act the hell out of it.’
He clapped me on the back, and I nodded gratefully. I used to enjoy drama at school and even had a speaking part in a school play once. Granted, it had only been two lines, but I’d turned in a strong performance, so I’d channel that moment. I didn’t want to let Barney and Amber down, especially when Cole would deliver an outstanding father-of-the-bride speech and Barney, despite the nerves, would knock it out of the park too.
We returned to the group but only had time for the one drink before Tim, Levi and Brad went to welcome the guests.
‘Nervous?’ I asked Barney after we’d met with the celebrant and had a quick recap over what to expect.
‘Yes, but not about marrying Amber. I still can’t get over how many celebrities Amber and her family are friends with.’
I’d seen the guest list and it hadn’t helped my speech-making nerves. The first time I’d been in a room with Amber’s family – Christmas a couple of years ago – I’d been gobsmacked at all the name-dropping. Not in a pretentious way, mind. Amber’s family were down to earth and easy to chat to but it just happened that they knew a hell of a lot of celebrities and many of them were coming to the wedding.
‘I don’t know if it helps but my mum said they might have jobs which make them recognisable but they’re just regular people who have to use the toilet like the rest of us.’
Barney laughed. ‘Your mum’s brilliant. Speak of the devil…’
I followed his gaze over my shoulder and spotted my parents in the corridor where it appeared Mum had accosted Brad and was waving an autograph book in his direction. I should have known she’d do that. She loved all the soaps and Londoners – the long-running soap he’d been in since childhood – was her favourite. Emigrating to Portugal hadn’t stopped her getting her regular fix.
‘I’d better say hello and give Brad an escape route. Back in a minute. Oh! She’s got her phone out. Selfie time!’
‘Should I take a photo of you and Dad with Brad?’ I asked, approaching them.
‘Joel! Aw, don’t you scrub up well, son.’ Mum flung her arms round me and kissed my cheek, then rubbed it to remove her lipstick mark.
I hugged Dad too and Mum thrust her phone at me.
‘Just Brad and me,’ she said, winking at my dad.
‘How about one with only you and then one with Dad too?’ I suggested, catching Dad’s disappointed expression. He claimed he couldn’t stand the soaps but he never missed an episode. ‘And then we can let Brad get back to ushering.’
‘I don’t mind,’ Brad assured me with a winning smile. ‘Although I will get a ribbing from Tim and Levi for not pulling my weight. Those two do go on!’
‘They take their roles very seriously and they know that if they mess up at Barney’s wedding, he can get payback at theirs.’
I took several photos and then Brad was permitted to return to his duties.
‘Where’s Chez?’ I asked, hoping he hadn’t pulled out.
‘He’s on the phone to Lorna,’ Dad said.
‘What sort of mood was he in?’
My parents looked at each other and shrugged.
‘I’d suggest overly enthusiastic,’ Mum said. ‘He claimed he wasn’t bothered about losing his job or falling out with Harry and we don’t believe either of those things for a minute. At least things seem to be going well between him and Lorna just now. Let’s hope it stays that way.’
I held up my crossed fingers but I wasn’t convinced, especially when so much else was going wrong and it felt inevitable that depression would take a hold. I couldn’t decide whether Chez and Lorna were wrong for each other or whether they were simply too young and immature to work through their issues. I feel so old for thinking that way, but I swear that every one of their bust-ups aged me half a decade. When it was good between Lorna and Chez, they made a great couple, but when it was bad, it was horrendous. How many times did a couple have to split up before they accepted that it was never going to work? Maybe being single was a better option.
‘I need to get back to Barney,’ I told my parents. ‘I’ll catch up with you both later and, Mum, no more fangirling over the celebs.’
‘Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ She gave me a mischievous grin as she wafted her face with her autograph book.
I found Barney and Amber’s wedding ceremony unexpectedly emotional. Everything about it was so personal and so perfect for the couple. I’d never thought to ask about the music they’d chosen for Amber to walk down the aisle. For some reason, I’d assumed it would be something classical so when the opening orchestral melody to Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’ filled the room, I glanced at Barney in surprise.
‘Is this…?’
He nodded. ‘Tune!’
He wasn’t wrong. I turned to see the smiles among the guests as they recognised what was playing. After the instrumental introduction, Imogen and Darcie appeared at the end of the aisle holding hands and that was the start for me. Proud dad moment! My baby girl looked so beautiful, grown up and not at all nervous despite roughly 160 pairs of eyes focused on her. She and Darcie beamed at each other and set off slowly towards the front. As the first verse played, they were followed by Fizz and Phoebe, Samantha and Tim, Tabs and Brad, Sophie and Levi. When the chorus kicked in, Zara as chief bridesmaid set off down the aisle and, as the track skipped to the outro, Amber appeared on her dad’s arm. My breath caught. I knew she’d look good, but this was next level. I found it an odd tradition that the groom stayed facing forward until the bride arrived at the front as surely seeing her walking down the aisle was a special moment. And for a couple who weren’t sticking with tradition for their day, why stick with that?
‘You have to turn round,’ I whispered to Barney. ‘She’s stunning!’
So he did turn and the expression on his face – so full of love for his bride – had me all dewy-eyed once more. Amber caught his eye and her smile widened even further. She reached us at the front, Cole kissed her on the cheek before taking his seat and Zara took her bouquet from her while Sophie and Tabs adjusted her train. This was it. My best mate for twenty-three years had met the woman of his dreams and was about to commit to her forever and I couldn’t be happier for them.
Brad was invited up for a reading. I hadn’t heard it before but I recognised parts of it – a mystery which Brad solved when he announced at the end, ‘And if you’re thinking that some of what I read sounds familiar, that’s because it was a blatantly stolen mash-up of the words of Taylor Swift, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin and various other talented songwriters. You might have spotted some ABBA lyrics in there as well as a few lines from Londoners , Darrington Detects and The Book Sleuths – a few programmes with a strong family connection to the bride.’
With a wink, he took his place among the guests. It must have taken them ages to pull all that together but it was such a great personal touch. As were the vows which Barney and Amber had written themselves, which had me tearing up yet again – no idea where it was coming from as I wasn’t usually one for getting emotional.
As they signed the register, ‘Your Song’ played – the version from the film Moulin Rouge sung by Ewan McGregor rather than the Elton John one, and Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ played as they walked out. I was meant to be walking beside Zara but Imogen rushed up to me and took my hand, demanding I twirl her. Zara laughed and hung back to walk alongside Darcie while Imogen twirled and danced her way down the aisle.
The hotel staff welcomed us with trays of drinks, but I only took a soft one, keen to have my wits about me while I delivered my speech. Mum and Dad appeared with big hugs for Imogen and a few tears on Mum’s part. I knew that not getting to spend much time with Imogen troubled them, so I always made sure that, whenever she stayed with me, we had a video call with my parents. They’d been over to the UK several times and spent time with her then, but Tilly had never permitted me to take her to Portugal. She claimed it wasn’t fair taking Imogen abroad when her siblings weren’t getting the same opportunity. I thought that was spectacularly unfair. Why should Imogen miss out on the chance to travel? Why should I? And why should my parents miss out on time with their only grandchild? I hadn’t pushed it massively so far because Imogen was still young and unlikely to remember holidays abroad, but I was determined to push it in the future. I was determined to push everything.
‘Where’s Chez?’ I asked Dad.
‘At the bar getting a pint. He didn’t fancy champagne.’
I glanced towards the bar at the same time as Chester turned with his drink. His eyes caught mine and the look he gave me could have withered Amber’s bridal bouquet. So much for his promise that there’d be no atmosphere. I was about to join him when the photographer called for the wedding party, so I took Imogen’s hand and followed Barney and Amber outside. I’d have to catch Chez later and hope that, with a few drinks inside him, he’d be less hostile. We’d had our bad moments in the past but nothing like this, although he’d still had his job and his best mate before. Still, there was no need to take it all out on me. I hadn’t caused either of those things. I was the one giving him a free roof over his head and feeding him. I didn’t need a big thank you speech, but it would be nice if he could lean on the side of grateful rather than resentful.