Chapter 33
33
Kate slipped on her gold, strappy sandals and then turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror. The reflection took her back; memories filled her head and tears sprung to her eyes. She felt like she had spent the whole of the last year crying.
The dress Hermione had made was gorgeous. Any bride would have been proud to wear it on their special day. It was full-length, tight at the bust, in at the waist and then it flowed down in a straight, pleated style, finishing at the floor.
‘It’s almost five,’ Joel called from the living area of their suite.
‘OK, I’m just coming,’ Kate hurriedly called back, swallowing the ball of emotion in her throat and preparing to leave the bedroom.
She opened the door and there was Joel in the midnight-blue wedding suit she had chosen the material for. At the sight of him, her heart jolted. Despite the scars from his attack, he looked amazing and the way he smiled at her as she entered the room made her insides tighten.
‘Kate, you look – stunning,’ Joel spoke, his voice faltering.
‘It’s the dress, not me. I like your suit; Hermione is a genius.’
‘No, it’s definitely you. ’
‘Midnight blue was so the right choice for you,’ Kate replied hurriedly, not wanting to acknowledge the charge in the room.
‘You like it?’ Joel asked, stretching out his arms to display the suit.
‘Yes,’ Kate answered, looking at him intently.
‘It feels strange, being dressed up for my wedding.’
‘Yes,’ Kate agreed.
‘I’ve never done it before.’
Kate nodded and tried to ignore the urge to cry. She had to hold it together; in a few hours, the contest would be over and things could get back to normal. He would be better off with Marina. They had more in common; they could work the camera together and eat healthily.
‘Sorry, that wasn’t meant to sound like it came out,’ Joel said quickly.
‘It’s OK, honestly,’ Kate answered, giving a small cough and getting rid of the knot in her throat.
‘I’m just getting carried away with the occasion; one look at the Love Dove will have me back to reality – well, televisual reality anyway. Got to have steady nerves and a steady hand for the cake decorating,’ Joel said, smiling at her.
‘Yes and you mustn’t get so heavy-handed with the silver balls. They need to be in nice groups, not large clumps,’ Kate told him.
‘Speaks the woman who knocked the head off the porcelain groom the other day.’
‘We’d better go or Lynn will be banging the door down,’ Kate said, looking at her watch.
‘OK, oh, here, don’t forget your bouquet,’ Joel said, picking the flowers up from the table and handing them to her.
Their fingers brushed against each other and Kate grabbed onto the flowers as tightly as she could and headed for the door. She didn’t want to touch him any more; it was agony knowing how close they had come to something special and how she had pushed it away.
‘Come on, we don’t want to be late.’ Kate called to him.
‘One lager, one rum and Coke,’ Darren spoke as Joel and Kate joined him and Lynn at the bar.
‘Have you seen the mutton dressed as lamb over there?’ Lynn asked, pointing in the direction of Kate and Joel’s rivals for the Knowing Me Knowing You crown.
‘God, is that Sylvia?’ Kate asked, craning her neck to see.
‘Yes, in black with a horrendously low-cut top that someone of her age just shouldn’t be allowed to own. She does look every inch the bride, though – Frankenstein’s.’
‘The others look nice, though,’ Kate said, admiring the other contestants’ dresses.
‘And so do you, and as for Joel! I have to hand it to Hermione; she got his measurements spot on. That suit fits him like a glove.’
‘She spent long enough measuring him, I can tell you. Oh great,’ Kate spoke, her voice dropping.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s Marina, barely dressed, heading this way,’ Kate said and she downed her drink in one and put the glass back down on the bar.
‘Hi Joel, hello Darren, lovely to meet you again,’ Marina spoke and she began kissing the two men on both cheeks, much to Lynn and Kate’s irritation.
‘Hey Marina, I didn’t think you could make it until later,’ Joel said, smiling at the blonde-haired woman.
‘Well the shoot finished early so I got ready and headed on down here. You look amazing in that suit,’ Marina said, gazing intently at Joel .
‘He does, doesn’t he! He’s getting married to Kate; this is Kate, his bride,’ Lynn introduced, giving her a shove towards the pair.
‘Oh Kate, I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced you to Marina, have I? Marina, this is Kate, my co-contestant for the show. Kate, this is Marina.’
‘Hello,’ Kate said through tight lips.
Co-contestant! Was that all she was now? Yes, of course that was all she was because she had been stupid and she had passed up her chance of having the sexiest man alive. She was an idiot!
‘Pleased to meet you,’ Marina answered.
‘Wow! Look at you Kate, and Joel, what a smashing couple you make,’ Colin Sykes spoke as he and Dawn appeared at the edge of the bar.
‘Wow to you too, Colin – nice shirt. I would never have thought canary yellow for your skin tone, but it really does complement it,’ Lynn remarked.
‘Thank you, I think. Kate, could I have a quick word, before we all get too drunk and caught up in the occasion to be able to say anything sensible?’ Colin asked with a smile.
Kate felt her heart sink. She knew exactly what he was going to ask her and it was the moment she had been dreading for the past few weeks.
‘I won’t keep you from your groom for long, I promise,’ Colin said.
‘Sure,’ Kate replied and she handed her bouquet to Lynn and went to the corner of the room with the Randall’s partner.
‘You know what I’m going to ask you, don’t you? I know I said no pressure but there’s a course starting next month and I thought it would be good if you wanted to do it, we could?—’
‘I’ve decided not to do the exam,’ Kate said bluntly .
‘Oh,’ Colin said in a tone that was both surprised and disappointed.
‘It isn’t what I want. It probably should be, but it isn’t, not right now.’
‘Has this got anything to do with Miranda?’ Colin asked seriously.
‘No, it hasn’t,’ Kate answered truthfully.
‘Well, I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed. I like you Kate, the other partners like you, your work is efficient and accurate and the clients have nothing but praise for you.’
‘That’s very kind of you to say but…’ Kate began, looking back nervously at Marina, who had now linked her arm through Joel’s.
‘It’s the truth, Kate; you’re a very valued member of the team, highly regarded by all,’ Colin assured her.
‘And I regard you higher than anyone, love,’ a familiar, loud, booming voice spoke from behind them.
Kate turned around to see Frank Peterson beaming at her. He was wearing a tuxedo with a bright-red cummerbund and matching bow tie, a fat Cuban cigar hanging from his mouth. She had never wanted to hug anyone more.
‘Frank! How are you? How’s Marion?’ Kate asked, smiling at her client.
‘Of course I’m here, couldn’t miss your big night, plus I’ve put up some of the prize money. As for Marion, she’s healing up fine; won’t be dancing for a while but she’s up and at them, in the ladies doing her make-up at the moment,’ Frank informed.
‘A woman’s prerogative,’ Colin responded with a laugh.
‘It certainly is. You wouldn’t mind if I stole five minutes with your girl, would you?’ Frank asked Colin as he put an arm around Kate .
‘Not at all. I’d better see to drinks for the team before the show starts. We’ll speak another time, Kate,’ Colin spoke with an understanding smile.
‘Yes, of course,’ Kate replied.
‘Trying to chat you up, was he?’ Frank asked her.
‘No, of course not, Frank!’ Kate exclaimed with a laugh.
‘Well, I wouldn’t blame him. Look at you girl, you look wonderful,’ Frank said, admiring Kate’s dress.
‘Thank you,’ Kate answered.
‘Right, well, I’ll cut to the chase because I know you’re just about to dash off and compete for that prize and we can’t keep TV land waiting, can we?’ Frank began.
‘Quite right too,’ Kate spoke, trying to concentrate on what Frank was saying and not stare at Marina, who was leaning on Joel’s arm and pulling him into her.
‘I want you,’ Frank stated, his eyes bulging.
Kate just stared at him, wide-eyed and verging on terrified.
‘I’m sorry Frank, I must have misheard you. What did you say?’ Kate asked gingerly.
‘I said I want you. I want to take you away from all this. I want you…’
‘Oh dear,’ Kate replied awkwardly.
‘…as my right-hand man, well right-hand woman, I should say. I’m getting on a bit Kate, losing that sharpness. I need someone to keep me on an even keel, organise me, tell me what to do,’ Frank clarified.
‘Oh, God, you mean a job; you want to offer me a job?’ Kate said, relieved.
‘Yes, I’ve been thinking about it for a while now but with Marion getting laid up, it brought things to a head, made me consider the future. I don’t want to let go of the reins yet but my thirty-five-year-old son still acts like he’s at university. You know, drinking, different girlfriend every week; he’s not ready to take the lead. So, I’m sticking with it for now, but I need help and I want you,’ Frank repeated.
‘Frank, I do Probate and Wills,’ Kate reminded him.
‘I know but you have a good head on your shoulders, intuition and common sense. I trust you. That’s all I need,’ Frank assured her.
‘But what would I do? I don’t know anything about finance – well, not in the way you mean,’ Kate told him, her concentration finally moving from Marina.
‘I don’t want you to have anything to do with finance; that’s my area. You just need to know about me. I like things done a certain way, you know that. I need someone to coordinate appointments, organise meetings, create opportunities. An assistant if you like,’ Frank explained.
‘Frank, I’m flattered, really I am, but I have Bethan and I’m not sure…’ Kate started.
‘You could work from home, some of the time at least. I mean, you know my business takes me all over the world and there would be times when I would need you with me but primarily, we don’t have to be in the same place. I do a great deal of business by video link these days,’ Frank informed her.
‘I don’t know. I mean, this has come so out of the blue,’ Kate began.
‘Well, don’t rush a decision on the spot. I know better than anyone that decisions need to be carefully considered. I can give you until Wednesday,’ Frank answered.
‘Wednesday,’ Kate said with a gulp.
‘It might take me some time to find a candidate as desirable as you and I don’t like to let the grass grow once I’ve made a decision.’
‘Frank, I don’t think—’ Kate started.
‘Seventy-five thousand a year plus bonuses,’ Frank blurted out .
Kate’s eyes went out on stalks. That was more than she could ever have imagined earning at Randall’s even if she had made partner.
‘Seventy-five thousand a year,’ she repeated, the words almost choking her.
‘To start with,’ Frank added with a smile.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come, the moment is here, please, be upstanding and put your hands together for our brides and our grooms as we begin the final of Knowing Me Knowing You 2011,’ Larry Rawlins roared into the microphone.
The already half-cut audience got to their feet and began clapping; cheering, wailing and banging glasses on tables, sounding like a scrum of rugby players on a pub crawl.
Kate took a deep breath, put a smile on her face and then let Joel lead her out onto the stage, following the train of other contestants in front of them. She now had much more on her mind than just trying to win the contest. Frank’s job offer was sensational. Working from home would be ideal but jetting off to far-flung countries whenever Frank needed her wouldn’t be. She would have to rely heavily on Hermione and she did that too much as it was. But seventy-five thousand pounds was a hell of a salary and she was in no position to wave it away without serious consideration. Especially as it was money she badly needed; wasn’t she competing in the show for that very reason?
‘Don’t our couples look wonderful? A picture of harmony. But which couple is going to end up victorious tonight and take away the grand sum of one hundred thousand pounds?’ Larry continued.
The crowd let out an over the top ‘woo’ at the mention of the cash and Kate cringed as she noticed the Love Dove loitering with intent at the edge of the stage .
‘And, on top of that, there will be spot prizes. Come on Lovey, bring on your golden eggs.’
The Love Dove sprinted onto the stage as fast as his stocking-clad legs would carry him and began to shake his tail feathers for the cameras and anyone else that happened to be unfortunate enough to be looking.
‘We have three spot prizes tonight; you could be taking home two tickets for a top West End show of your choice, first-class Eurostar tickets to Paris or a wonderful Mediterranean cruise courtesy of Cruise UK.’
There was more whooping from the audience and Kate’s gaze fell on Marina, sat at the table adjacent to Lynn, Darren and most of the Randall’s team. She was clapping her hands excitedly and smiling in their direction.
Marina was her other problem. She didn’t like the way she looked at Joel. There was something in her expression that spoke volumes about the way she felt about him. She knew she only had herself to blame for losing her chance but she didn’t like it and she didn’t like being so quickly usurped by someone who could grace the cover of Cosmo and probably had.
‘Right, without further ado, let’s prepare for Racy Cakes!’ Larry announced.
With that announcement made, the wedding cakes arrived from stage left. Six decorating stations in a trailer were pulled onto the stage by the Love Dove, who was driving something resembling a golf buggy decorated with sequins identical to those on Larry Rawlins’ jacket.
Kate looked at Joel in the hope of receiving some reassurance about the tasks to come but he was smiling out into the crowd, specifically at Marina.
‘Do you want to join us or not?’ Kate snapped, indicating to him that the other couples were starting to get behind their cake stations.
‘Sorry, of course, let’s do it,’ Joel replied .
‘Because if you would rather be down there with her then it’s no skin off my nose,’ Kate added crossly.
‘What?’ Joel questioned.
‘Marina, the bimbo down there, the one you haven’t stopped looking at and flirting with all night.’ Kate spat.
She couldn’t keep her dislike for her under wraps any longer.
‘Kate, I—’ Joel began.
‘Don’t you mess this up for me; I want to win this contest,’ Kate told him fiercely.
‘Right, Knowing Me Knowing You couples, your task is to decorate these wonderful wedding cakes supplied to us by Barnes Cakes of London in two minutes. Once completed, they will be judged by Linda Barnes of Barnes Cakes and her decision is final. One word of warning to you: the cakes must be stacked, three tiers high and if they aren’t stacked, Linda won’t even give them a second glance. Is that all clear?’ Larry spoke, looking at the couples with a serious expression.
‘Yes Larry,’ the participants bleated.
‘Good, then without further ado, I will give you the countdown: five, four, three, two, one – start decorating!’ Larry boomed as a loud air horn sounded.
‘Hurry up! Roll the icing out! Come on Joel, smoother than that!’ Kate ordered him as she began to arrange the decorations.
‘I’m doing my best,’ Joel replied, hurriedly rolling out icing and shaping it to fit the cake.
‘Yeah, of course, one eye on the icing another on Marina’s cleavage – or rather lack of it, actually,’ Kate muttered as she began to put baubles and hearts on the bottom tier.
‘What’s the matter? You’ve been acting odd since you had that chat with Frank Peterson. What did he say to you?’ Joel asked, putting another layer of icing onto the second cake .
‘Stop talking and keep rolling, we don’t have long left and I wanted to try the bell formation on the top tier,’ Kate exclaimed, racing to place the cake decorations on the second tier.
‘There’s plenty of time, stop rushing; we need it to look right. Not so many balls otherwise there won’t be enough to go round.’
‘Shut up! Decoration is my job, not yours!’ Kate barked.
‘Thirty seconds guys!’ Larry exclaimed loudly.
‘See! Thirty seconds! Get them stacked, get them stacked!’ Kate ordered, flailing her arms around and picking up the porcelain bride and groom.
‘Hold this and take that,’ Joel spoke, passing Kate the rolling pin and some edible roses.
‘Never mind those, get them stacked or we don’t get any points. Shit, Mark and Gloria’s cake looks really good,’ Kate exclaimed as she helped Joel hold the cakes steady and get them into position.
‘Looks like it’s got a lean on to me,’ Joel announced, sneaking a look at his competitors.
‘Is that central? Joel, are the bride and groom central?’ Kate questioned, staring at their cake and trying to measure distance with her fingers.
‘I think so. Hold on, this doesn’t look good… whoa! Oh dear!’ Joel announced as Mark and Gloria’s cake toppled over and two tiers fell onto the stage.
‘Five, four, three, two, one – OK, time’s up. Put down your rolling pins and step away from the cakes.’
‘It’s not good enough. Look at that couple’s over there; the bride with the beehive, theirs looks professional. Linda Barnes from Barnes of London is going to lap that up. Ours looks like something one of Hermione’s kids made,’ Kate moaned.
‘It isn’t that bad; the bell formation is sort of working-ish,’ Joel told her .
‘Oh what would you care? The cakes didn’t have your full concentration,’ Kate snapped again.
‘What’s all this about, Kate?’ Joel asked her.
‘Shh, here comes Linda Barnes,’ Kate hissed as the judge, Larry Rawlins and the Love Dove headed over to their table.
‘And here Linda we have Kate and Joel. I’d say this is quite a decent effort, wouldn’t you?’ Larry spoke.
‘Yes I would, most commendable. All three tiers stacked up neatly, good use of varied decoration, I like the silver balls in the shape of, I think they’re bells, aren’t they? Yes, good,’ Linda Barnes said, scrutinising all three tiers.
‘So how many out of ten for Kate and Joel?’ Larry wanted to know.
‘I’d say an eight,’ Linda decided.
‘An eight, wow, that’s top marks so far for Kate and Joel. Now let’s move on to Martin and Yvonne,’ Larry said, moving away.
‘Eight, that’s great, isn’t it,’ Joel whispered.
‘It isn’t enough to compete with beehive girl; they’ll get at least a nine,’ Kate moaned, folding her arms across her chest.
‘What’s wrong with you tonight?’ Joel asked.
‘Nothing a large drink won’t fix, or several large drinks seeing as we’ve blown our chance in the contest,’ Kate said, letting out a heavy sigh and looking at Marina, perched on her seat, sucking at a cocktail.
‘Don’t be stupid, we haven’t blown our chances. We got an eight; that could be good enough to win. Let’s listen to the other scores,’ Joel suggested.
‘What’s the point?’
‘What’s the matter with you?’
‘Nothing’s the matter with me; I was focussed on the task, unlike some of us,’ Kate said.
‘I don’t understand,’ Joel answered .
‘No, you don’t,’ Kate replied, fiddling with the fascinator in her hair.
‘…right, so that means, ladies and gentlemen, the winners of Racy Cakes are Claudia and Gerry: five Kissing Gates on the board. And runners-up are Kate and Joel: three Kissing Gates on the board for you. Well done, everyone!’ Larry announced.
‘Woohoo! Go Kate! Go Kate! Go Kate!’ Lynn shouted out, waving her hands in the air from the audience.
‘See, we’re second, just like we were in the last show. It’s a good position to be in,’ Joel reassured her.
‘Whatever.’
‘The next round will be Couples’ Catwalk and we’ll be back after the break,’ Larry spoke to camera one.
‘Great, where’s the bar?’ Kate asked, holding up her wedding dress and striding off the stage towards the green room.