Chapter 37
Archer
Archer strode across the grand foyer and hugged his sister. “Thank the Lord you’re here. What took you so long?”
Daisy shuffled out of his hold and straightened her clothes. Archer knew he hugged too hard for too long, but that was how he showed his love.
Daisy looked at her watch and then up to her brother. “It’s not even twelve hours since you called in an SOS.”
“I’m sorry, I’m freaking out.”
“Well, I’m here now, so I can help you straighten your head. Where’s Erica?”
“She’s gone.”
“For good?”
“I hope not.”
“Explain while you show me where I’m sleeping.”
“Would it be weird to take the guest room in Erica’s cottage? That way, you don’t have to see Aunt Cynthia if you don’t want to.”
“Are you kidding me? I’d happily keep the home fires burning for the superstar actress. If you manage to get her back onside, she will be my sister-in-law. Which means she’s really marrying me too.”
“I need her onside, Daisy, not scare her off,” Archer said, hooking his arm around her neck as they walked across the foyer.
“Is the Dragon home?” Daisy asked.
“Yes, she is,” came the booming voice from their left.
“Fuck,” Daisy whispered and stilled next to Archer.
“Aunt Cynthia,” Archer said. “You’re up earlier than usual.”
“That’s because I got a note to say my only niece was on Copper Island.”
“Did someone wake her up?” Daisy asked Archer quietly enough that her aunt didn’t hear.
“Bailey would be my bet,” Archer muttered.
“What are you two whispering about?”
“Daisy needs breakfast, and we were arguing who would be cooking.”
“Unlikely, I’m sure you two will go straight to Maggie.”
“Probably,” they both said and shrugged.
“Make sure you come and see me later this morning, Daisy Turner. I’d like to understand what your plans are for a career.”
“I’ll work it out with Bailey when a good time would be,” she replied.
Aunt Cynthia turned on her heel and went into the morning room.
“Try not to piss her off until I get the paperwork for the business. It’s in your interests too. Make sure you have a speech ready for when she wants you to tell her what you want to do when you grow up. ”
“I bet she thinks we’re all kids and have no idea how to live alone, let alone do a skilled job on an oil rig.”
“Let’s eat. I need food.”
*0*
During breakfast, they managed to pry out of Bailey who the wedding manager was and where they could find him. It turned out that the manager didn’t live on the mainland at all but had an office in the town and lived a couple of streets away. Archer drove the buggy into town and parked up. Daisy speed-walked behind Archer, asking him to slow down.
“Grow longer legs,” he replied.
“Very amusing. That comment got boring when I was six.”
“I have a million things to do, so it’s jog next to me or have a piggyback.”
Archer could hear Daisy thinking through her options. Then, with a long sigh, he slowed his pace to walk side by side with his sister, who had dropped everything to come and help.
“I’m sorry, Daisy, for snapping. I’m worrying over a wedding that might not even take place. I know Aunt Cynthia is lying or withholding information. Did you see Bailey’s face when he had no option but to tell us?”
“I don’t know why he was so reluctant.”
Archer stopped outside the greengrocer and searched for the side door behind a moveable hoarding. Archer pressed the intercom while Daisy squeezed into the space next to Archer.
“How the hell are people supposed to find him with a giant cut out of a tomato in front of the door?” Daisy asked.
“I can’t imagine there’s much passing trade. His office might operate on an appointment-only basis.”
“That’s true. I wonder how many couples come over from the mainland to see Edward Hall?” Daisy asked.
Archer kept his finger on the buzzer after there was no answer the previous five times he pressed it.
“Are you looking for Stan?” Lucy said.
“Yes, Stan Myers, do you know where he is?”
“Fishing, probably. He will be at the end of the east causeway.”
“Thanks,” Archer said and placed his hands on Daisy’s shoulders to steer her out of the confined space.
The east causeway was a few minutes’ walk away, and to save time, Daisy jumped on Archer’s back. A lone man was sitting in a blue and white deck chair with a fishing rod in its holder. The line was out into the harbour. The man was fast asleep with his green bucket hat over his eyes. His fingers interlocked over his rounded stomach.
“He doesn’t look like a wedding planner,” Daisy whispered as they approached.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Are you Stan Myers?” Archer called out, attempting to mimic a police officer.
He’d never seen a man move so quickly out of a deck chair before. Stan stood straight, pushed the hat to the back of his head, and squinted in the bright sunshine.
“Yes, I’m Stan. Who wants to know?”
“I’m Archer Turner, and this is my sister Daisy. We were informed that you run the wedding business up at Edward Hall.”
Stan took off his hat and scratched the back of his head. His grimace told Archer something was not right.
“Yes, that’s me. ”
“Is today your day off?”
Archer hoped he’d say yes because if he were fishing on his aunt’s payroll, he wouldn’t be a wedding planner for long.
“I’m self-employed. I organise many events around the island, including weddings up at the hall. I fish when it’s a nice day, and I don’t have any appointments.”
“How can prospective bookings or future bookings get in touch with you if you’re not in the office?” Daisy asked.
“The phones are diverted to my mobile,” Stan said, taking his phone out of his pocket. “Anyone wanting to get married at Edward Hall comes from the mainland. It’s too expensive for the locals.”
Archer wanted to change that immediately. Locals would have a severe discount if they wanted to get married up on the cliff.
“Well, I’m not sure if I’m a local anymore or from the mainland, but I need you to help organise my wedding.”
“Congratulations,” Stan said, dropping his hat and stretching his hand out. “We haven’t met. I moved here when I met my wife. She’s the local. I’m still considered an outsider. It’s been ten years.”
“I’d give it another forty years, and they may consider you a local, but don’t hold your breath,” Daisy said.
Stan chuckled at Daisy’s words, and Archer liked him.
“I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I really liked him. I’m sorry I don’t remember you, Archer. Or you, Daisy, I think you’d all left by the time I was hired.”
“Yeah, ten years ago, we were either on the oil rig or studying. So it’s not surprising you didn’t know us. Dad returned on his downtime, but we never did, preferring to travel the world.”
“When are you getting married? ”
“Three weeks,” Archer said.
“Shit, really?”
Stan started to pack away his fishing gear, stuffing his hat in his jacket pocket. Archer and Daisy watched as he hastily got this stuff together.
“Is that a problem? Aunt Cynthia said there aren’t any bookings for the next couple of months. I’d have thought the spring and summer would be busy.”
“I guess times are hard, and the rich folk are saving their money,” Stan said.
“You seem to be panicked,” Daisy remarked, trying to hide her smirk at the man patting down all his pockets for something.
“Three weeks isn’t long to organise a wedding. This will be the first one we’ve had this year. Everything is in storage. How many guests will you be having? Where are my fucking keys?” Stan said, exasperated, forgetting he’d asked a string of questions.
“There, on your tackle box,” Archer said. “We don’t have to iron out all the details right now, do we?”
“It’s best I know exactly what you and your bride want, then I can get to work. I’m sure Ralph will help me haul everything out. I’ll need to make sure the furniture is perfect. Oh god, is Cynthia Turner coming?”
“I imagine she would as she’s my aunt, and she owns Edward Hall.”
“This is going to be a nightmare. The lady scares the shit out of me. Nothing is ever good enough. Do you know what her favourite phrase is?”
“We could give you a list, but I want to know what she uses on you,” Daisy said.
“ I suppose I have to lower my expectations . ”
“You have to ignore her baiting. I’m sure you do a great job. Does she keep you on retainer?” Archer asked.
“No, I get paid per wedding. I prefer it that way, so when I’m not working on a wedding, I can help with the events on the island with a clear conscience.”
“All right, Stan. Why don’t you come up to the house tomorrow? I’ll have all the details you need. Do you have a list I can look through?”
“Sure, I’ll email it over to you. Here,” Stan said. He pulled out an envelope from his tackle box and pulled out the contents, shoving the pieces of paper into his pocket along with his hat.
“Write your email on here,” he said, handing over a stubby pencil and the envelope.
Archer printed the email address clearly and his mobile number.
“Thanks, Stan. What time tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there from seven. You’ll find me in the basement of Edward Hall, where all the wedding stuff is stored. Come and find me when you’re ready.”
“I’ve never been married before, so please take this comment as I mean it. Why are you freaking out?”
“Cynthia Turner’s nephew is getting married in three weeks. Trust me. She will want perfection.”
“And what about my bride and me?”
“Doesn’t even factor,” Stan said, waving his hand in the air. “But if you can fill the list in and bring it with you tomorrow morning, we can get to work.”
“Okay,” Archer said, feeling the panic shift from Stan to his bones.
He didn’t know what Erica wanted for a wedding, and she wasn’t speaking to him. Filling in the form would be a challenge .
“We’ll see you in the morning. I’ll be here too, Stan. So that’s three pairs of hands to pull off a Turner wedding.”
Daisy’s words seemed to bounce off Stan. He looked to the sky, muttered some words, and then picked up his rod and tackle box.
“See you in the morning,” Stan said and stalked off the causeway.
“How many weddings have you attended?” Archer asked Daisy.
“None. What about you?”
“None. We’re fucked.”
“Daisy burst out laughing. Come on, let’s go and get a pint. We can have our very own Don’t tell the bride. ”