Chapter 13 #2
‘Has he agreed to that?’ asked Eliza. ‘Because I love the idea of the wedding party being in the barn, with the back doors open onto the lake, the fairy lights twinkling, and maybe you two could even have your photos out there. Imagine one of you rowing off into the distance on a little boat. It would just be the most romantic, amazing thing!’
‘You’ve seen the lake?’ gasped Fenella.
‘Yes, why?’
‘Luke never shows anyone the lake; it’s his hideaway. He must really like you.’
Eliza blushed, turning around to grab the wine and a few more glasses.
‘Oh, well, I’m not sure about that, I think he probably just fancied a swim after dinner. I’m sure Bella has seen the lake, too.’
‘Bella?’ said Fenella. ‘No way, maybe in her dreams. Anyway, I think it’s cute; you’re good for him. He never trusts anyone. He obviously sees something in you he hasn’t seen in anyone for a long time.’
‘Oh, come on, Luke could have any woman he wants!’
‘Exactly,’ said Fenella.
‘What do you mean “exactly”? I’m hardly a supermodel!’
‘It’s not about that. Luke’s a bit of an injured soul. He’s had quite a journey in his life so far, and he doesn’t really trust people . . .’ She trailed off slightly, a faraway look in her eye. ‘So, as his sister, it’s great to see him opening up to someone.’
Eliza took a sip of wine; this was her opening. ‘What happened to him? He always seems so happy and up for anything.’
Fenella looked away. ‘Honestly, it’s not my story to tell, but when he’s ready, I’m sure he’ll tell you.’
‘I saw him last night actually, in London.’
‘You met him there?’ Fenella looked up sharply.
‘No, it was the weirdest thing. I was up seeing some friends and we went to our favourite Greek restaurant, and who should be there but your brother! I’m sure he thought I was stalking him.’
Eyes wide, Fenella’s entire demeanour changed as she grinned from ear to ear. ‘Oh my God, really? Were you at Stavros’ restaurant?’
‘Yes, it was our local haunt! We love it there.’
‘That’s so funny. Luke and Stavros are like brothers. There are definitely some greater forces at work if you both ended up at that place!’
‘So, back to the lake,’ said Eliza, changing the subject. ‘Do you think Luke will let us use the barn for the wedding?’
‘Honestly, I don’t know. He might if you ask him really nicely, but it’s a personal thing. The question is whether he wants to share it.’
‘I’ll see what he says when he gets back, whenever that might be . . .’
Fenella twirled the stem of her wine glass around. ‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry. He’s never gone long. He pops up to town every now and then to take care of business, thinks he wants to stay and within twenty-four hours he’s generally home again. He can’t take the pace of life there anymore.’
‘Talking of business,’ Eliza said with a smile, ‘let’s get this wedding chat underway. Everyone else should be arriving soon and I’m so excited to talk through all our incredible plans.’
Moments later there was a knock on the door, but before Eliza could even get there the door creaked open.
‘Cooee! It’s me, Marjorie,’ she said, letting herself in, cake tins balanced precariously in each hand. ‘Sorry I’m a bit early, just the cakes were ready, and it’s always so exciting to get an invite out in the evening that I couldn’t wait!’
‘Marjorie,’ said Eliza, as she went over to help with the cakes, ‘you’re looking most glamorous tonight! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you in red lippy before, and is that a new dress?’
Marjorie blushed slightly. ‘Oh, this old thing, no, it’s been in my cupboard for years! And as for the lippy, when you reach my age, and your lips begin to fade of all their natural colour, I bet you’ll be reaching for the red as well!’
Fenella called out from the living room, ‘Come on, girls, close the door and come through to the fire. I’m in here with a glass of wine in hand already. It’s a bloody good one. Marjorie, grab a glass before the others arrive.’
Marjorie didn’t need to be asked twice and headed straight to the fridge, to pour herself a tipple.
‘Hope you don’t mind me helping myself, Eliza, but while you’re sorting the cakes out, it seemed like a useful thing to do! I’m not much of a drinker to be honest, but I must admit to enjoying a lovely glass of wine every now and then,’ she said with a wink.
Eliza laughed. ‘You should have come to the speed dating event at the village hall last week! I was so surprised not to see you.’
Marjorie lowered her eyes, fiddling with her glass. ‘Oh, I’ve already had my turn, dear. Some people only get one ticket for the ride, and that’s that.’
‘Nonsense,’ Fenella said, as they settled into the sitting room. ‘The heart doesn’t come with an expiration date! Or a limit.’ She raised her glass with a wink. ‘I’ve never met a good wine I wouldn’t welcome twice.’
Eliza laughed and noticed that Marjorie’s eyes lit up a little more than they had before. Maybe this was just the push she needed. Everyone deserved to have a little love in their life. Especially someone as sweet as Marjorie.
Before long they were all sitting round the fire, Fenella, Marjorie, Eliza, Vivi and Dan who, as predicted, had arrived very swiftly after the others. The only one they were waiting on was Bella.
‘Well lucky me,’ said Dan, who was playing waiter topping up everyone’s glasses, ‘this is quite the gathering of lovely ladies tonight!’
‘Did you gatecrash, Dan, or do you actually have a role at the wedding?’ teased Vivi, looking as glamorous as ever in a gorgeous, crushed velvet lounge suit.
Dan laughed, taking it all in good humour.
‘I’ll have you know, that I am in fact in charge of parking for this enormous event, thank you very much, Vivi.
Which although you might think now is not a crucial role, in fact it is.
When you’re all stuck in the mud at the end of the evening and need towing, you’ll be very grateful for me! ’
Marjorie agreed fervently, her cheeks a little flushed. ‘Dan, I think you’ll do a wonderful job. Every wedding needs someone like you to make sure it all goes smoothly.’
‘Thank you, Marjorie, and I have no doubt your cakes will be the hit of the wedding!’
Eliza and Fenella exchanged smiles over their glasses, both hoping there might indeed be a second wedding in the future.
Since Fenella had brought up the idea of them as a couple, Eliza was fully on board to play Cupid in any way she could.
She loved the idea that there was no age limit on finding love.
‘Well, Dan, now you’ve mentioned cake, and as it’s literally bouncing with freshness in my kitchen, and the smell is making me salivate, I think it’s time we all had a taste of the different flavours. In my mind, cake and wine are the perfect pairing!’
‘Absolutely agreed,’ said Fenella, ‘what else could we possibly need! But you better bring through the wedding wine that Vivi brought with her so that we can get a full sense of the combination. Nothing personal, Vivi, but we can’t have everyone being spoilt by this outrageously expensive bottle that Eliza stole from her ex. ’
Moments later, Eliza came back through with a platter piled high with different slices of cake and the wedding wine.
‘I wonder where Bella is?’ Vivi piped up. ‘She’s definitely not with Luke, as he’s in London, isn’t he, Fenella?’
‘Why would she be with Luke anyway?’ butted in Eliza, trying not to sound too interested.
‘Vivi’s just shit-stirring,’ said Fenella. ‘I imagine she’s just got caught up with the kids and is running late. Or, as usual, Phil’s late coming back from work.’
‘Does he often do that?’ asked Eliza. ‘Phil, I mean, not come back to Farmington?’
‘Oh yes, from what I hear, he’s a total nightmare,’ said Marjorie, as she lined up the different flavours for easy access. ‘Always away for work, never coming back when he says he will, leaving her to manage everything on her own.’
‘Maybe that’s why she’s so grumpy all the time,’ mumbled Eliza.
‘Who’s so grumpy?’ asked Bella, as she walked in, looking as frosty as ever. Usually, Eliza thought Bella’s frostiness was reserved especially for her, but looking across the room she noticed there was a certain weirdness between Vivi and Bella, too.
‘The dog, darling, the dog,’ said Dan, standing up to embrace her and welcome her into the room.
‘Whose dog?’ asked Marjorie. ‘Whose dog’s grumpy?’
Eliza who was feeling a bit flustered and worried that Bella knew she’d been talking about her, swiftly replied, ‘Rose. She’s just a bit grumpy after having had all those puppies. It must be exhausting, all that feeding!’
‘I have never known Rose to be grumpy in my life,’ said Bella airily, ‘and I’ve spent enough time with her to know. Have you?’
Oh, fuck, thought Eliza. ‘Obviously not. Anyway,’ she said, changing tack and trying to lighten the conversation, ‘enough about the dog. I’m so pleased you were able to join us this evening, Bella.
Fenella and I were hoping you might do the flowers for the wedding.
I hear you’re the most wonderful florist, and we’re trying so hard to keep everything local. Please say you will?’
Eliza could have sworn she saw Bella’s face soften. Maybe she was just a little injured or hardened by life, and Eliza should give her a chance.
‘Well, it’s been a while since I did a wedding, but I’m sure I could manage it. I think that would be lovely, yes, thanks, girls.’
Dan stepped in to take charge, handing Bella a freshly poured glass of sparkling wine. ‘Well, I think we need a toast to that! The wedding team – here and complete. Farmington has it all. Although, who’s doing the catering? Assuming we need more than cake!’
‘Ah, that will be my sister actually, Dan. You met her the first day I was here, when you introduced me to Stanley’s.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait to meet her,’ said Fenella, ‘she sounds amazing. Are we going to have a tasting with her? In fact, what kind of food are we going to have? I feel like we haven’t even decided that yet!’
‘And what kind of flowers,’ asked Bella, ‘is there a theme?’