25. ONE FINE DAY
TWENTY-FIVE
ONE FINE DAY
Afterwards she would always remember that, for the first part of that momentous day, all she said was ‘Thank you!’ and ‘Norwich, family crisis’ in reply to ‘You look wonderful/slim/great’ and ‘So, where’s this man ?’
In spite of the fact that she’d slept badly and fitfully, Tess was relieved to see herself looking reasonably bright-eyed in the morning. Probably feverish excitement, she told herself. She still hadn’t lost the final two pounds, but never mind. And later, being told how good she looked did lessen the embarrassment of explaining where the man was. In the end, Sanjeev’s absence was of minor importance, because it turned out to be a day to remember for completely unexpected reasons.
Matt, Lisa and Ellie arrived at midday to pick her up, along with Orla. When she told Orla about Sanjeev, Orla said that all men were unreliable bastards and who needed them anyway? Orla looked good in a Curvaceous special, a pale blue silk two-piece which minimised her generous measurements. ‘We don’t look too bad for a couple of old bats,’ she said to Tess.
‘Wow! Don’t you look great!’ Lisa exclaimed as they got into the car. Lisa, very overdue, was bursting out of a royal blue number, and Ellie was jumping up and down with excitement at being the flower girl.
Matt was driving and, as they left Temple Terrace, he said, ‘Have you heard about Dad?’
‘Have I heard what?’ Tess asked, giving Ellie a hug.
‘That Ursula has taken off.’
‘What do you mean, taken off?’ Tess asked.
‘She’s moved out. Gone .’
‘You’re kidding!’ Tess could hardly believe her ears.
‘Nope, I’m not. She moved out a couple of days ago, apparently.’
‘Good Lord!’ Tess turned to Orla. ‘Did you hear that ?’
‘I told you not to bother slimming just to compete with that bitch, didn’t I?’ Orla said.
Tess was still absorbing the news.
‘So it’s you and Dad together at the top table,’ Matt continued with a grin. ‘Think you can look happy about it? And he’ll be sitting next to you after he’s walked Amber up the aisle, of course.’
‘Problem solved!’ said Orla. ‘You’ve got an escort after all! Just as well Sanjeev couldn’t make it!’
Tess was beginning to feel dizzy; this was not at all how she’d imagined the day was going to be. She was disappointed too that Barbara hadn’t been able to make it. ‘I’ll come to visit you all afterwards,’ she said in her email. She’d had an important engagement in Monaco, she’d said. More important, obviously, than her only niece’s wedding. What a strange woman she was !
On arrival at the church Tess, Matt and Orla made their way to the front pew, Tess smiling and chatting with people she knew as she headed down the aisle. Lisa had stayed at the entrance with Ellie to await the arrival of the bride.
Peter grinned nervously at Tess, as he stood with his brother at the altar. Peter’s brother had a vast repertoire of smutty jokes apparently, and he appeared to be relating some of these quietly now to Peter, who was snorting with suppressed laughter. It was a tricky time, Tess thought. Did you stand quietly, nervously tugging your tie and looking solemn, or did you snigger away like these two overgrown schoolboys?
The vicar appeared, the snorting stopped, and the organist sprang to life with a jerky rendition of the ‘Grand March’ from Aida , which Amber had insisted upon. ‘A bit over the top, but at least it won’t be dull,’ was how she’d described her choice. Now Amber began her own grand march up the aisle on Gerry’s arm. She looked radiant, and Tess felt tears forming as she gazed at her. And there was Ellie, following behind with her little posy and a nervous smile, plainly enjoying the oohs and aahs. I’m so lucky, Tess thought, looking at her son and his very pregnant wife, and at her daughter and her granddaughter. And her soon-to-be son-in-law. I should never complain about anything.
Tess waited until the vicar began to speak, and then held her hand out to Ellie to join them.
‘Was I OK?’ Ellie whispered.
‘More than OK, Ellie,’ Tess whispered back. ‘You were fantastic, and you look lovely!’
‘Fantastic!’ agreed Lisa, cuddling her daughter .
After Gerry had given his daughter to be married, he sat down next to Tess and they gave each other a polite smile. A little later, as the newly married Amber and Peter headed back down the aisle, Ellie got into position behind them, followed closely by Tess and Peter’s father, and Gerry with Peter’s mother, followed by the other close relatives. Then came the photographs: an interminable half hour of grouping and regrouping, Tess and Gerry standing together with fixed smiles.
It was a ten-minute ride to Ashley Grange, where the reception would be held, in the wedding car laid on to transport the bride’s family, Tess and Gerry sitting side by side.
‘Didn’t expect to see you here on your own,’ Tess murmured.
‘The bitch took off a couple of days ago,’ Gerry replied. ‘Anyway, rumour had it that you were bringing along some bloke or other.’
‘Yes, well, he had a family emergency,’ Tess repeated for the umpteenth time.
‘So I guess it’s you and me back together for the day,’ he said.
‘Looks like it; for today,’ sighed Tess, intending to lose him as soon as she could politely do so, although obviously they’d have to sit through lunch together.
Gerry was studying her intently. ‘I must say, Tess, you look stunning!’
‘Thank you, Gerry.’
‘Just like old times, eh? You and me together like this?’
‘Not quite like old times, Gerry,’ Tess said. Dear Lord, she thought, is he coming on to me? And Ursula’s hardly out of the door! And I feel nothing for him now, other than that he’s the father of my children .
Gerry was courteous and attentive to such an extreme that Tess had a job to get away from him on arrival at Ashley Grange. She kissed and congratulated Amber and Peter, grabbed a glass of champagne, and circulated amongst the guests she knew. As for the half she’d never set eyes on before, they were a type: the men balding, affluent-looking, expensively suited to conceal their paunches; the wives all shapes and sizes, but mainly outsize. Tess wondered if there was any way to discreetly distribute some of her business cards. There was also an excess of salmon pink, which must be this year’s wedding colour, and the usual assortment of pastel shades and enormous hats.
Gerry was back at her side. ‘Who are these people, Gerry? I don’t recall seeing them before.’
He cleared his throat. ‘Well, no – there are a few business contacts of mine here, Tess. You know how it is – some awfully useful chaps. You see Selwyn Hornby-Jones over there? You wouldn’t believe how big he is in advertising, and he’s put a lot of money my way. Great dinner at the Grosvenor House a couple of nights ago.’ He moved away. ‘Hello, Selwyn old chap! So glad you could make it…’
Tess tried to remember if he’d always been such a sycophant. She found herself next to Ivor, Peter’s father. ‘Don’t know who half these people are, do you?’ he asked. So she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. They chatted for a moment and then Tess spotted Orla talking with a tall, thin chinless man. He appeared to be doing most of the conversing and Orla had the look of a woman desperate to escape.
‘Mrs Regan!’ Tess said, grabbing Orla by the elbow. ‘I’ve been looking for you! Do excuse us…’ she added to the chinless one. ‘Th ought you needed rescuing,’ she murmured when they were out of earshot.
‘Too right!’ said Orla, draining her glass. ‘Talk about boring! He could bore an oil well, that one. I think we both need more fizz.’
‘You’re right,’ said Tess, looking at her empty glass. ‘You know what? I’ve really never liked weddings.’
‘You’re always saying that,’ said Orla, holding out her glass for a refill. ‘And yet you’ve been preparing for this one for bloody months ! If you’d stayed the way you were you’d still have looked better than half these women, and there’s no Ursula either. And you’ve had to meet up with all those awful blokes, and for what ? You’ve still had to come on your own, but at least you’ve an escort now, even if it is only Gerry.’
‘I can’t argue with any of that, Orla. But you must realise I’ve done all the dieting and exercising for myself . I feel happier, I look better, I feel better and I know I’m healthier. I do not need any man in my life, and certainly not Gerry again.’
At that moment Amber came along and said, ‘I can’t tell you how many people have admired my dress, Mum, and Ellie’s too. They’ve all asked me where I got it from and I’ve told them it’s my brilliant mum, and now they all want to know who you are and where the shop is.’
‘It just so happens,’ said Orla, ‘that I have a bag full of cards right here. I’ll find a quiet corner somewhere and write on the backs of them “makers of the bride’s dress”, and then scatter them around any available surface.’
‘Brilliant idea,’ Tess agreed. ‘If Gerry can use his daughter’s wedding to bolster his business, why shouldn’t we? ’
And so began the wedding lunch, with Tess and Gerry sitting next to the bride, with Peter’s parents and brother balancing the other side. The other tables were round, and seated eight people apiece. They were all beautifully set with linen tablecloths, fine crystal and silver, and stunning cream rose arrangements. The wine and champagne flowed, the food was delicious, and the speeches were long and predictable. When Gerry’s turn came he got to his feet and said how delighted he was that his beautiful daughter had finally decided to legalise her relationship, and what a very fine man Peter was; he couldn’t wish for a finer son-in-law. And so on and so on. And of course, he was so pleased to see so many of his business associates here. Furthermore, he wished to pay tribute to his lovely wife – oops! Ex -wife! Cue a ripple of embarrassed laughter.
When he finally sat down, Tess asked pleasantly, ‘So what exactly happened with Ursula?’
‘She wanted her freedom,’ Gerry replied with a sigh. ‘Things haven’t been right for months.’
Tess was tempted to say ‘divine retribution’, but didn’t.
‘I suppose you think it serves me right,’ he said, having obviously guessed correctly.
Tess smiled but said nothing.
The best man’s speech went on and on: some dodgy jokes, some raucous laughter.
‘Finally,’ he said, ‘we have a poem to love, written by the great Lord Byron, which will now be read by that well-known actor, Simon Sparrow! ’
Who on earth is Simon Sparrow? Tess wondered.
Simon Sparrow was seated at one of the round tables and was obscured from her sight by a large pillar. But she could see him now. He looked vaguely familiar; had she seen him in Holby City or something? Tess sat rooted to the spot as this tall, very attractive grey-haired man stood up, cleared his throat and, in a deep expressive voice, recited Lord Byron’s ‘All for Love’.
‘ O talk not to me of a name great in story; The days of our youth are the days of our glory …’ he began, and Tess, mesmerised and spellbound, couldn’t take her eyes off him. She began to wonder if she was being hypnotised.
‘… Than to see the bright eyes of the dear one discover, She thought that I was not unworthy to love her …’
He was a beautiful man. Beautiful. But who the hell was he? That voice! Coffee brown, smooth textured, and yet had a suggestion of roughness, like a fine emery board. Tess only knew she could listen to him forever.
‘… When it sparkled o’er aught that was bright in my story, I knew it was love and I felt it was glory. ’
He gave a little bow and sat down again to some enthusiastic applause.
‘Who was that ?’ Tess asked no one in particular.
‘No idea,’ said Gerry dismissively.
‘A friend of Peter’s dad’s,’ said Amber on her other side. ‘And didn’t he read it beautifully?’
‘Oh, he did!’ Tess cursed the pillar because now she couldn’t see him. But she could see several women at his table, and wondered which one might be his wife. He was bound to have a wife. She had to know. She’d find out when everyone got up to circulate again. What excuse could she make to meet him?
As if reading her thoughts, Amber whispered, ‘I’ll find out if he’s married.’
‘Can’t say I care much for poetry myself,’ droned Gerry. ‘Awfully slushy, most of it. But at least that rhymed, which is more than some of that modern stuff does.’ He looked fondly at Tess. ‘Only seems like yesterday when I fished you out of that puddle!’
‘No, Gerry, it seems like what it was – a very long time ago,’ Tess replied truthfully, noting that Amber and Peter were now getting up from the table.
Amber smoothed down her dress. ‘Come to the loo with me, Mum.’
Everyone was now standing up and moving around. Tess looked in vain for Simon Sparrow. Had he made a quick getaway? Surely not.
As they washed their hands and surveyed each other in the cloakroom mirror, Amber said, ‘Simon Sparrow is an actor, and a great friend of Ivor’s. Apparently he’s divorced, Mum, but he does have a lady-friend. Peter thinks it’s the one in the floral dress with the big pink hat.’
‘Not that it matters to me ,’ said Tess.
‘ Of course not, Mum,’ said Amber.
As she re-joined the guests, who were now spilling out onto the lawn again, Tess looked round for the wearer of a pink hat. Come to think of it, who wasn’t wearing a pink hat? They seemed to be everywhere. She needed another glass of champers and then she’d look thoroughly. Presumably they’d be together and the pink hat might be easy to spot.
At least she’d managed to lose Gerry, who was now deep in conversation with a couple of city types. Coffee and tea were being served in the lounge, prior to the evening disco, and several of the ladies were sitting down balancing teacups, including one in a dress of multicoloured flowers – were they supposed to be peonies? – and a large pink hat. She was an attractive dark-haired woman and, on the assumption that this was possibly the lady-friend, there was a chance that Simon Sparrow might just be on his own somewhere.
Tess got waylaid several times as she made her way out onto the lawn and down to the riverbank. Perhaps he’d gone. And she’d never see him again. Oh God, no. But it was a beautiful day, and she strolled along by the water to a quieter part of the garden, towards the tennis courts.
And then she saw him. On a sunbed, in the shade, fast asleep.
Tess wandered over and cleared her throat, but he continued sleeping. She studied him. He’d been very dark – she could tell by the black strands still on the top of his head – but his neatly cut hair was almost all grey now. Tanned, with long dark lashes, he had an aquiline nose and full lips, and she was pleased to see he slept quietly with his mouth closed. He’d removed the jacket of his expensive grey suit, and slung it over the back of the chair. Tess could see the label: a Savile Row tailor. She might have guessed. His ankles were crossed neatly to display some black silk socks and shiny black shoes. They had to be Italian.
‘How many marks out of ten?’
Tess jumped at the sound of his voice. ‘Oh,’ she said, flustered, ‘I was just admiring your shoes.’ He had beautiful hazel eyes.
‘They should rate ten out of ten,’ he said, sitting up. ‘They cost me a fortune in Milan last year. ’
‘They’re very elegant,’ Tess said, cursing herself for not being able to think of anything more original.
‘Well, if it isn’t the mother of the bride !’ he exclaimed, suddenly getting to his feet. ‘I’m Simon Sparrow. I wasn’t able to see you properly because there was a pillar in the way. I could only see your husband. And you are…?’
‘I’m Tess, and he’s not my husband,’ she said, then added, ‘although obviously he was , a long time ago.’ She held out her hand, which he immediately grasped. She liked his firm handshake.
‘Oh, good! No need for you to go rushing back then. And I must say you look very lovely, Tess.’
‘Thank you, Simon. Now, tell me, where have I heard your name before?’
‘I was born the same year as my dear mother fell in love with Dirk Bogarde in the film Doctor in the House . He played Dr Simon Sparrow in the film, and our surname was Sparrow, so there it was! I got teased mercilessly at school, but even so I think that was the reason I wanted to become an actor. Probably before your time, Tess.’
‘Not at all – I loved that film!’ Strangely enough, she didn’t think he looked anything like Dirk Bogarde. He was unique.
‘Let’s find a quiet place to sit together,’ he said, taking her by the elbow and heading further away from the wedding party. ‘Ah, here we are…’ He’d spied two seats beneath a weeping willow, which stroked the lawn with its abundant branches and hid them from sight.
Tess’s heart was thumping. This was crazy.
‘Haven’t you a wife back there somewhere?’ Tess asked, hoping Amber’s information was accurate .
‘Wife? Good Lord, no! Just Cynthia, who’s an old friend who steps in when I need a lady on my arm for a special occasion – and she’s used to me disappearing.’ He smiled at her disarmingly. ‘Thing is, Tess, I’m not awfully keen on weddings.’
Tess laughed. ‘That makes two of us!’
‘Let’s you and I just pop along to the registry office then, shall we?’ He was smiling but watching her closely. What a joker!
‘Great idea!’ Tess replied. Of course he was joking.
‘But I should really know more about you first. Tell me about yourself, Tess.’
She told him about Amber, about Matt and Lisa – who was about to pop – and about Ellie, Orla, Curvaceous and the fat ladies, which he found most amusing. ‘And I believe you’re an actor? You have a very distinctive voice, and I loved listening to you reciting that poem.’
‘Thank you. It’s useful for voiceovers. Sadly, acting parts are few and far between these days, although I had a supporting role in a film they’ve been making in Hungary, and only got back last night, which is why I’m a little knackered. Now I have a six-month contract to appear in a soap on TV, starting in October, which takes me to April. After that it’s anyone’s guess. It’s a precarious business, and I should really be thinking about doing a proper job now I’ve nearly reached retirement age.’ He winked.
‘It sounds very exciting to me,’ Tess said. ‘Far more interesting than measuring up a load of generously proportioned ladies and then spending hours at the sewing machine.’
‘Put that way,’ he said, ‘you might be right!’
She liked the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. She liked everything about him .
‘Tell me,’ he said, ‘how you manage to stay so slim?’
‘How much time have you got?’ Tess laughed. If only he knew!
‘Not as much as I’d like,’ he said, ‘because Cynthia wants to be home by six for something or other. However…’ He looked deeply into her eyes, and Tess’s heart did some further somersaults. ‘We should really have a few dates before our wedding, shouldn’t we? Would you be free for dinner next week?’
Tess found her voice with difficulty. ‘Oh yes,’ she croaked.
‘Good. How about Tuesday?’
‘Tuesday would be fine.’ As would Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
‘Then I need to know where you live,’ he said, getting out his phone.
‘I live in Milbury,’ Tess said. ‘It’s near?—’
‘I know where Milbury is,’ he said. ‘My sister lives there. Not for much longer though; she’s about to get married again too.’
‘Her name wouldn’t be Shirley, would it?’
‘It would. How did you know that ?’
Shirley, his sister! Of course; she’d said something about her brother being an actor, but Tess had paid scant attention. Now, as she gave him her address and phone number, she remembered he’d said a few minutes ago that Shirley was getting married again too . Too!
‘I shall look forward to Tuesday,’ he said.
‘So will I.’ He could have no idea just how much she was looking forward to it. This was a crazy day and a crazy conversation, but she was throwing caution to the wind. Everything felt right. One hundred per cent .
As they headed back towards the wedding guests, he apologised for being about to leave and then said, ‘I think there’s some excitement going on over there among your guests.’
There was, in fact, chaos. Tess left him reluctantly and rushed inside to see what was going on and what the fuss was all about. The fuss was about Lisa, whose waters had broken, and who was having contractions every few minutes. Matt was talking frantically on his phone, and Amber was trying to pacify a screaming Ellie.
‘It’s OK, darling, the ambulance is on the way,’ Matt said, putting his arm round the shoulders of a doubled-up, panting Lisa.
‘That’s not all that’s on its way!’ yelled Lisa.
Someone had contacted the manager, who insisted that Lisa be taken to a vacant first-floor bedroom where a frantic maid was fitting a waterproof mattress cover. ‘This is a first,’ the maid muttered to Tess, who, along with Matt, was trying to calm Lisa.
In the middle of the chaos, Gerry arrived. ‘I’ve been looking for you,’ he said accusingly to Tess. ‘Where did you disappear to?’
She ignored him. ‘Will that ambulance ever get here?’ she said.
‘Do you suppose they’ll charge us for the mess she made on the carpet?’ Gerry asked.
The ambulance arrived just as Lisa was giving her final push.
Joshua Matthew Templar, all eight pounds five ounces of him, was born in Room 107 of Ashley Grange at 5.46p.m.