Chapter 46
FORTY-SIX
Rita woke just after six, the pale morning light slipping through the curtains like it was trying not to disturb her. Her first instinct was automatic. She reached for her phone. Nothing.
Still… it did bother her. She showered, put on her old clothes to go and feed the animals, checked again. She told herself it was fine. They’d all probably decided to do it properly tomorrow when everyone had more time.
Jago did message, eventually.
Happy birthday, beautiful. Hope today’s not too manic. See you later x.
No call, though.
Rita stared at the screen for a moment longer than necessary: no Sen, no Thomas either. She slipped the phone into her pocket and made her way up the meadow.
On her way back down, she stuck her head in the barn. Sennen was briefing the caterers.
She ran over to Rita and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Happy birthday, Mum. Love you but must get on.’
‘Where’s that brother of yours?’
‘Oh… err… he’s busy, I can’t remember what he said he was doing.’
Rita had no time to question further before Michael spotted her.
He was already dressed in his wedding attire: the most beautiful tailored navy suit with a crisp white shirt and crazy patterned tie.
He looked really well, Rita thought, younger even than when he had first arrived at the retreat.
He crossed the space in three long strides and pulled her into a hug so fierce it knocked the breath from her. ‘I’m not very clean,’ Rita wheezed.
‘And also, not alone in there, clearly.’ He laughed, pointing to her tummy.
Rita raised her eyebrows. ‘Very much not alone, another set of twins!’
‘Bloody hell, you don’t do things by halves, do you?’ he boomed in his posh southern accent.
Rita checked her watch. ‘What are you doing here so early, anyway?’
‘I cannot be doing with the future Mrs Stone fannying around getting ready; I’ve left her with her trusty bridesmaids.
I needed the peace of lovely Rita and her lovely retreat.
It’s good to see you.’ He was truly sincere.
‘I also have to say thank you,’ he added, his voice now rough with emotion.
‘Because of you, Rita, I didn’t just find myself…
I found a diamond in Annie.’ Rita smiled, blinking hard.
‘I’m sober now. I know, I know, crazy, eh?
’ He looked almost sheepish. ‘And I’m living life how I’ve always wanted to. ’
She squeezed his hands. ‘Happiness is what counts, isn’t it? At whatever age.’
Michael searched her face. ‘It really is. And are you happy, Rita?’
The answer came instantly. ‘Yes. Yes, I am. Happy and very busy to make sure everything is perfect for your big day. Let me show you to the Nook. Zenya will be sorting breakfast for the guests shortly.’
‘I’m right behind you.’ Zenya fell into line. ‘It’s just eggs, toast and pastries this morning. So poached, boiled or fried?’
‘With the future Mrs Stone out of sight, fried for sure.’ Michael laughed.
As Rita went to head back to the farmhouse, Zenya called after her, ‘Imogen checked in on her own; her friend couldn’t make it evidently.’
Rita groaned. ‘Oh God, more time for her to be poking around the place.’
Rita had asked Kelly to check on Hilda for her, where she found her in the annexe, fully dressed in leopard print shift dress, thick tights, pink trainers, and bright fuchsia lipstick.
Her grey bob had not a hair out of place.
The district nurse had just been in and now only a small thin bandage covered her left hand.
Hilda lit a cigarette and plumed the smoke deliberately into the air with a huge smile. ‘Nectar! First one for a while.’ She then coughed furiously and butted it immediately. ‘Don’t you ever tell young Rita that she might be the reason for me maybe giving up, you know.’
Kelly shook her head and smiled. ‘Don’t ever change, Hilda; we all love you how you are.’
‘When anyone wants something, that is,’ Hilda replied with a hint of sadness in her voice.
‘That’s not true of your family and you know that,’ Kelly snapped. ‘Considering what you’ve been through, you’re looking very sprightly,’ she added, smiling.
Hilda was brisk. ‘Well, I’m hardly going to miss some Cinderella carriage coming down the drive now, am I? Bloody horse will be shitting everywhere, though, I expect.’
Kelly laughed, then frowned at her phone. ‘The celebrant’s late.’
Hilda tutted. ‘Well, bloody call her then.’
Thanks to Sennen’s efficiency, Kelly had already saved the number to her phone.
Hilda waved for Kelly to put it on speaker phone.
‘I’ve been in an accident,’ the shaky woman’s voice said at the end of the phone.
‘Not serious, but the police are here and there is no chance of me making it in time. I’m so, so sorry.
In all my time as a celebrant this has never happened before.
I can give you a number of a friend of mine, but it’s June and a busy time, so… anyway, let me send you the vows.’
‘Thank you.’ Kelly shook her head. ‘And how awful, for you. I hope you’re OK?’
‘Hang up!’ Hilda said rudely.
Kelly went pale. Hilda didn’t even blink. ‘Don’t worry, love. I’ve got this in hand.’
Before Kelly could ask what that meant, the sound of a hunting horn reverberated around the courtyard.
All the awaiting guests’ heads turned.
A white horse appeared at the end of the drive, ridden by a smart equestrian in a black gold-buttoned jacket, white jodhpurs, and polished boots, pulling the ornate glass-and-gold carriage in which Annie sat resplendent in a huge meringue of a pale pink dress, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Jago walked alongside in full coat and tails, looking so devastatingly handsome that Rita let out an audible sigh.
Michael strode over and leaned into the carriage to kiss his future wife. ‘I bloody love you, you mad old mare.’
‘I might have to swap you for this young stallion if you don’t behave yourself,’ Annie teased with a wink to Jago as he helped her out of the carriage.
Once both her feet were on terra firma, the waiting crowd laughed and cheered.