26
Cody
Cody was surprised to see his brother sitting in the living room at Fran’s, as he wasn’t expecting him to arrive till the morning.
‘What, you thought I’d let my baby bro spend the night before his wedding without me?’ Zach patted the sofa.
‘I told you, I don’t want any fuss.’
‘I know, I know, no stag do.’ Zach motioned to the cosy room. ‘I have no fun and games planned. Promise.’
Cody slumped to the other end of the sofa. ‘Willow’s not having any fuss either. She’s just got Florence pampering her over at the B&B.’
‘Hey, it’s your wedding. It’s totally up to you how you want it played out.’
Cody sighed deeply, staring into the flickering flames of the fire in the grate. ‘Mum would have made a fuss. I think.’
‘Oh, she would have.’
‘It feels weird, Zach.’
‘Getting hitched?’
Cody shook his head. ‘No. Mum and Grandad not being around for all the major events in my life.’
‘They’re watching over you. I might not believe in all that spiritual stuff, but I believe that much.’
Cody glanced at the ceiling for a second, wondering if his mum would tell him off for rushing the wedding. ‘It would be nice if we could call someone from the other side just to talk for a while. Even if we can only choose one day for the chat.’
Zach breathed out a quiet laugh through his nose. ‘Just one day? How would we know which day would be the best day to talk?’
‘I’d pick today to ring Mum.’
‘Why? What is it you want to talk about?’
Cody scrunched one shoulder to his cheek.
Zach shuffled in his seat so he was facing his brother. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing. I’m just feeling a bit sorry for myself, that’s all.’
‘Why is that?’
‘Willow has this huge family all around her, and they’ll be there tomorrow on our big day, but I’ll only have you there.’
‘You’ll have Humphrey.’
‘I don’t have much on my side.’
Zach shook his head slightly. ‘You’ve got plenty. We’ve always been fine.’ A moment of silence passed before Zach added, ‘Is that all you’re bothered about?’
‘Pretty much. And just for the record, I don’t normally feel this way. It’s just when certain things happen in my life, you know, like graduating uni, the one and only time I won a football trophy, falling in love with Willow. I want to tell my mum. I want to hear her voice, know her thoughts.’
Zach lowered his head and nodded. ‘Yeah, I know,’ he said softly.
At least someone understood, because sometimes Cody felt so alone with his thoughts. His mum had always been a great listener, and his grandfather was brilliant when it came to advice. It was all just so unfair that they were no longer around to share their love.
Zach reached over and patted Cody’s arm. ‘I can never replace Mum, but I’m always here.’
Cody smiled at the hand on his arm. ‘I know.’
Zach used a cheerier tone as he said, ‘And now you’ve got yourself another family, and I happen to know they care a lot about you.’
There wasn’t much argument there. Cody had never felt so welcome. Fran was always fussing, and Heath was being top-level father figure. Rhett was trying to teach him everything about horse riding, and Vivien even had him work a couple of shifts in her café, and he was sure she only did that to make him feel included in all areas of Silver Wish Farm.
‘It’s nice here, Zach. Be better when you’re home.’
‘Ah, about that.’
Cody widened his eyes. ‘What?’
‘There has been a change of plans, I’m afraid. I won’t be back till January. The man I was passing the baton to got hit by a bus and died. Those on the shortlist are being interviewed again, and I have to stick around for the transition.’
‘He got hit by a bus?’
Zach waggled a hand. ‘It happens.’
‘You hear about it, but you never seem to know anyone it happens to. Hang on a minute, what about Christmas?’
‘Well, I’m sure it won’t be the best one for his family, but—’
‘I meant for us. We always spend Christmas together. Sure, I’m usually with the staff in the kitchen, but you get to come in and out, and it’s always a great day. What will happen this year?’
Zach thumbed towards the door. ‘You’ll be here with your new wife, making memories.’
‘Just because I have a new family, doesn’t mean I don’t want my old one around.’
‘Hey, I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll be back to open our family business in the new year, ready for spring. It’ll be just like old times.’
‘As long as we can still video chat or something on Christmas Day.’
‘Of course, and I’ll be expecting you to add the Boat Hut to your endless list of jobs, once we’re up and running.’
The thought alone cheered Cody up no end. ‘Ooh, yeah, especially in summer when I get to sit outside by the boats, just like Grandad used to.’
‘I thought you might like that.’
Cody smiled. ‘Next year will be epic.’
‘This year hasn’t been too bad for you either.’
‘It has been eventful. I didn’t see the Willow Silver plot twist coming nor me showing the world my graphic novels, but I’ll blame Humphrey for that one.’
‘You should thank him. Look how much money you’ve made so far.’
‘I know, right! It still blows my mind. I’ve been offering Humphrey money, but he won’t take anything from me. He can be really annoying like that.’
‘He’s a good mate.’
‘He is. He should be here soon.’
‘What’s the plan?’
‘Board games and pizza.’
Zach relaxed back on the sofa, stretching out his legs. ‘Count me in. I’m here for the night. Fran’s sorted me a room. Banished me from the B&B, would you believe?’
Cody nodded. He could well believe, and he knew she’d be back first thing to lay out a breakfast feast for them in her kitchen.
I am blessed with who I’ve got around me. Am I being ungrateful only wanting my mum though?
He went to share his thoughts with his brother but was interrupted by Nora, Josephine, and Nana Blackcurrant entering the room, clutching bags of knitting accessories.
‘Ooh, hello, Zachary. What you doing here, love?’ asked Nora, plonking herself down on the sofa opposite.
‘Night before my little brother’s wedding. Thought he might need me to help settle his nerves.’
Cody laughed. ‘My nerves are fine, thanks.’
‘That’s why we’re here,’ said Josephine. ‘Stop him doing a moonlight flit.’
Cody frowned, amused. ‘That wasn’t on my mind at all.’
Nana Blackcurrant raised a ball of yellow wool. ‘She’s just kidding, but knitting will help soothe you in case you are a bit jittery. There’s no shame in it, lovely. Nora got cold feet the night before her wedding.’
Nora scoffed. ‘Did not.’
‘Yes, you did,’ said Josephine. ‘I sat on the stairs with you while you cried.’
Cody raised a finger, attempting to gain attention. ‘I don’t feel like crying.’ It was no good, the women were in their own conversation.
Nora folded her arms in a strop. ‘I was worried he was going to jilt me at the altar. Slight difference, Jo.’
‘I was excited on my wedding day,’ said Nana Blackcurrant. ‘I had great faith we’d both show up.’
‘I was late,’ said Josephine. ‘Thanks to Nora.’
Nora chuckled. ‘Not my fault the boat broke down. I was assured it was safe and sturdy and could make it to dry land without a hitch.’ She turned to Cody and Zach. ‘We’d spent the night on the mainland, and our friend’s boat died halfway across the Solent. Well, we were almost there, so Jo jumped ship and swam for it.’
‘Too right. I wasn’t missing my wedding.’
Cody wasn’t sure whether to laugh or not. Josephine looked as though she was reliving the moment, the way she was angrily clashing her knitting needles together.
Zach laughed. ‘I do love a good wedding story, but I hope it’s all plain sailing tomorrow.’
‘It’ll be fine,’ said Nora. ‘And if Willow has second thoughts, you can always come speed-dating with us in December. The Old Anchor is holding the event.’
‘Blimey, I haven’t been in that pub in years. Mind you, I haven’t been to Sandly in a while,’ said Zach, but Cody was more intrigued by the senior citizens speed-dating.
‘I’m being Nora’s wingman,’ said Nana Blackcurrant.
Nora frowned. ‘Shouldn’t that be wing woman?’
Jo giggled. ‘I’m only going because it’s so funny watching Nora try to reel in a fella.’
‘What’s funny about that?’ snapped Nora.
‘Erm,’ interrupted Cody. ‘My friend will be here in a minute, and we’re having pizza and playing board games, just so you know.’
And I’m sure you won’t want to stick around for that .
‘Ooh, lovely,’ said Josephine. ‘I love a bit of ham on mine. None of that pineapple business though.’
‘I like chess,’ said Nana Blackcurrant. ‘Will he have that one?’
Cody pointed at the door. ‘I have it upstairs.’
‘Sounds like a good night to me,’ said Nora, getting comfy in her seat. She leaned down to her rather large carpet bag and grinned as she pulled out a bottle of pink gin. ‘Can we crack this open now?’
Cody looked at Zach and laughed. He could see why Willow loved hanging out with the older women. Just the naughty twinkle they all seemed to possess in their eyes was enough to keep him entertained.
‘No offence,’ he told them, ‘but wouldn’t you rather spend this night with Willow?’
‘Nope,’ they said in unison.
‘Okay,’ said Zach. ‘I’m intrigued. Spit it out. Why are you really here?’
Nana Blackcurrant smiled softly at Cody. ‘We wanted to represent the elders in your life that can’t be here.’
Cody felt a lump in his throat.
‘We know what it’s like to miss your mum,’ said Josephine.
Nora nodded. ‘I think about mine every day.’
‘So now you’re stuck with us,’ said Josephine flatly.
Cody swallowed hard. He needed to speak but couldn’t whilst he thought he might cry.
‘That’s very thoughtful of you,’ said Zach. ‘I’ll go fetch some glasses. Looks like we’re in for a good night.’ He gave Cody’s shoulder a light squeeze as he passed him by. ‘You know, we could all go for a late-night paddle in honour of Jo’s wedding swim.’
The women laughed, but Cody thought it sounded like a great idea.
‘It’s dark, it’s cold, it’s totally bonkers. Let’s do it.’ He didn’t need an answer, as that mischievous twinkle they all held was on full display.
As soon as Humphrey gets here, it’s pizza, paddling, and pink gin time. Can this year be any more bizarre? Forget I said that. It wasn’t a challenge .
Cody smiled to himself at the kindness of his unexpected night.