Chapter 17
17
JOEL
Cole’s advice about acting had been great. Can’t say it was a BAFTA-winning performance but playing a part – a slicker, more confident version of me – did the trick and my best man speech went down well. I was relieved when I could sit down and take a large gulp or two of alcohol to steady my nerves.
There was a traditional top table so I was at the end with Natasha next to me and Cole beside her. Cole shook my hand, congratulating me on a great speech and I thanked him for his helpful advice.
The food was delicious, and the conversation flowed but I felt a wave of despair every time I looked across to the table where Mum and Dad were sitting with Chez and Imogen. Imogen had been asked if she wanted to sit with me, her grandparents or the other bridesmaids and she’d chosen her grandparents because she didn’t see them very often, which I thought was lovely of her and which had delighted Mum and Dad. Tim, Levi and their partners were also on the table, and everyone seemed to be having a good time except Chez who, from what I could see, was making minimal effort to join in the conversation and maximum effort to keep his wine topped up.
I decided I’d join them for coffee. Our table was first to be served so I excused myself, picked up my drink and slice of wedding cake and made my way across the room. Chez caught my eye as I approached, grabbed his glass of red wine and a bottle and walked off before I could reach the table. If he continued drinking at his current rate, he’d be steaming drunk by the time Lorna arrived this evening and I couldn’t imagine her being impressed by that. I watched him leave the room, frustrated by his immaturity and rudeness.
I plonked myself down on Chez’s vacated chair and Imogen clambered onto my lap for a cuddle.
‘Did you enjoy your food?’ I asked her.
‘It was yummy.’ She nuzzled into my neck, yawning.
‘Are you tired?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you want a sleep?’
‘No. I don’t want to miss anything.’
‘There’s nothing to miss now. We’ll eat the cake then move into the bar so they can get the room ready for tonight. Then it’s just chatting and drinking until the disco starts in two hours. So if you do want a nap, now’s a good time. Cloud’s in the room waiting for you.’
‘I’m okay.’
‘Say if you change your mind. You want to be fresh for your special dance.’
Coffees finished, Tim, Levi and their fiancées went through to the bar. Imogen was so quiet that I wondered if she’d fallen asleep on me but she perked up when Darcie joined us and asked if she wanted to get a drink of juice.
‘Stay in one of the bars, please,’ I told them. ‘If you want to go anywhere else, can you message me?’
Darcie promised and left holding Imogen’s hand.
‘How was Chester?’ I asked Mum and Dad once the girls had gone. ‘He looked miserable each time I looked over.’
Mum slowly shook her head. ‘He’s not in a good place right now. We’re worried he might be at the start of a decline.’
‘I’m worried about that too. I wanted to talk to you about it after the wedding.’
‘We suggested he come back to Portugal with us for a break,’ Dad said, ‘but he wants to be with Lorna.’
‘Did he tell you they want to rent a place together?’
The surprised looks on both their faces answered that.
‘Even before he lost his job, how did he think he’d manage to afford that?’ Mum asked. ‘And how would he cope next time they split up?’
‘I said the same and got an earful as a result. He hates me at the moment.’
‘Oh, I don’t think he hates you, Joel. That’s a very strong word.’
‘Well, if he doesn’t, he’s giving a very good impression of someone who hates me.’
She took my hand in hers, tears pricking her eyes. ‘We shouldn’t have left you to deal with this. I’m so sorry.’
I squeezed her hand. ‘Don’t regret it. You did the right thing for you both, and you did it with our blessing. I don’t actually think the big issue is Chez losing his job. I think falling out with Harry is what’s killing him. Those two have been like brothers for years – just like me and Barney.’
Mum smiled at me. ‘It was lovely what you said about Barney being like a brother to you in your speech. You two have always looked out for each other.’
‘And so have Harry and Chez until now. Harry’s stuck by him through all the difficult times and now, according to Chez, he’s chosen his new girlfriend over Chez who Chez thinks is bad for Harry.’
‘You don’t think it’s jealousy?’ Dad asked.
‘I wondered that at first, but he got on brilliantly with Fern and it only fell apart when Deana moved in.’
There weren’t many guests left in the Rowan Room and I was conscious that the waiting staff were clearing round us so suggested we make a move. Mum wanted to have a rest before the evening do so she and Dad returned to their room and I went to check on Imogen and see whether she was flagging and would benefit from another prompt to relax for a bit.
Cole spotted me as soon as I entered the Juniper Lounge and whisked me away to introduce me to some of his showbiz pals. When Barney had shown me the guest list, I hadn’t known who they all were so I’d gone online, not wanting to look like an idiot if I met them, but now most of those details had gone out of my head. Between introductions, I glanced round the room but there was no sign of Imogen and Darcie. Sophie appeared and whisked her dad away for a family photo which gave me the perfect excuse to slip out and see if Imogen was in the quieter bar, but there was no sign of her there either. I checked my phone but there weren’t any messages so I returned to the Juniper Lounge thinking they might have gone in there via a different entrance and we’d missed each other, but there was no sign of them.
I knew I shouldn’t worry – there were only wedding guests in the hotel and there was no way they’d have wandered off outside – but a feeling of panic was welling up inside me. I phoned Darcie but there was no answer. I phoned Fizz and then Phoebe but both their numbers went to voicemail.
I walked past the snug again, too busy searching for them to look where I was going, and I collided with someone.
‘Oh God, I’m so sorry,’ I said.
A brunette in an orange dress was crouched down retrieving the contents of her handbag which I must have knocked flying from her hands. Mortified, I knelt down and grabbed a lipstick which had rolled away. We both reached for her room key at the same time and our hands touched. I felt a spark of electricity and, as she looked up into my eyes, I gasped. It was the brunette from the garden centre.
‘You were right about the teriyaki and the salmon,’ she said, smiling widely, her eyes sparkling. ‘Did your friend like her flowers?’
‘Yes, she… Erm… They were…’ I shook my head, bemused. ‘I’m stunned to see you here, but you don’t look surprised to see me.’
We both stood up, but didn’t take our eyes from each other.
‘I saw you earlier and recognised you. Joel, is it?’
I nodded, lost for words once more.
‘I’m Poppy,’ she said. ‘And it’s not just your fault we collided. I wasn’t looking where I was going either.’
‘I was looking for someone and I…’ Why couldn’t I seem to finish a sentence?
‘Your daughter?’ she asked.
‘Yes, but how…?’
‘I saw you together earlier. She’s in the toilets with her friend. A guest knocked into them and spilt your daughter’s blackcurrant drink down her dress. She was a bit upset but I took her into the loos and got the stain out. They’re drying it under the hand dryer.’
I heaved a sigh of relief. ‘I couldn’t find her and I was starting to get worried. Thanks for sorting her out.’
‘No bother. If you get to a stain quickly, it’s so much easier to lift it. See you later.’
And she was gone and I realised that, although I knew her name, I still had no idea who she was and I badly wanted to know.
‘Daddy!’ Imogen ran down the corridor with Darcie. ‘A man made me spill my drink, but a nice lady got the purple out. Look!’ She pointed to her dress and I couldn’t see any evidence of a blackcurrant juice disaster.
‘Imogen’s tired and the bars are noisy,’ Darcie said. ‘Can she come back to my room and watch telly for a bit? Phoebe says that’s fine but I have to check it’s okay with you first.’
‘That’s fine by me.’
Imogen beamed and hugged me. ‘Thanks, Daddy. See you later.’
I waved them off and hesitated in the corridor, my thoughts turning back to Poppy now that I was reassured that Imogen was all right. I didn’t recall there being a Poppy on the guest list. I knew all of Barney’s friends and farming contacts and I’d met everyone on his side of the family at some point so she had to be one of Amber’s guests. Was she here with someone? Suddenly I had to know so I sauntered casually into the Sycamore Snug. I spotted her immediately, sitting in a high-backed armchair with her legs crossed. On her own. Should I walk up to her? Offer her a drink? Bit naff when it was a free bar. I shook my head. I was overthinking this. She’d come to my daughter’s rescue and all I needed to do was thank her for her kindness, apologise again for walking into her and, if she didn’t look like she wanted to get rid of me, I could extend that conversation by asking her how she knew Amber. Surely a wedding had to be the easiest place to strike up a conversation because all the guests had one thing in common – the happy couple. And if all else failed, I could give her another ready meal recommendation.
But my dithering lost me my chance. A man in a sharp suit and a tan that looked out of place in Yorkshire at this time of year joined her with a bottle of wine, two glasses and a packet of crisps which elicited a huge smile when he tossed them to her. She was obviously with him, and they looked happy together, lucky bloke.
My phone beeped and, thinking it might be a message from Darcie, I took it out of my pocket, my heart sinking when I saw who it was actually from.
From Tilly
Why are you ignoring my messages? I asked you if our daughter was wearing make-up and I think that deserves a response, don’t you?
Feeling irritated at her for something so petty, I went back into the corridor and leaned against the wall as I tapped in a response.
To Tilly
No, I don’t. It’s hardly a life-and-death situation. Yes, she is wearing make-up and it’s a one-off treat on a special day which made our little girl very happy. I made the decision to let her wear make-up because I’m her dad and, shocking as you might find it, I have the right to make decisions from time to time. You make them all the time and I never question them so get over it and stop messaging me. As for ignoring your messages, I’m ignoring ALL messages. BECAUSE I’M AT MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING AND I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO. I’ll have Imogen back with you by 11.30 as promised. Good night!
I couldn’t believe Tilly was pestering me today about a tiny amount of make-up. I wished I hadn’t sent her that photo now. Although if I hadn’t done that, I’m sure she’d have found something else to message me about. She usually did when I had Imogen.
Feeling like I was neglecting my best man duties, I set off back to the main bar, but I took a quick peek in the snug as I passed. Poppy was laughing with the man who’d joined her, and I sighed. One day it would be my turn to make someone like her laugh like that, but today wasn’t that day and it seemed she wasn’t that person. She was obviously a friendly, smiley person and that moment I thought we’d shared in Bloomsberry’s had been one-sided. How familiar!