Chapter Forty
As the wedding grew nearer, things got busier. Leonie came over to spend the weekend with Tom and Xander. They met at a pub for an early supper on the Thursday, when Leonie first arrived.
‘Remind me why you left Luke’s?’ asked Leonie. ‘I thought it all went well when you were staying?’
‘It was fine,’ said Xander.
‘I just thought we were cramping Luke’s style a bit, living there,’ said Hattie.
Leonie raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
Hattie thought she’d avoided further questioning when Xander said, ‘There’s a woman called April who calls him quite often. Hattie thinks she’s his girlfriend.’
Hattie felt herself turn scarlet.
‘Is that right, Hattie?’ said Leonie.
‘I don’t want to make things awkward for him. Now I think we should order, and what about another round of drinks? My turn!’
Her sister gave her a curious look but, again, didn’t comment further. Hattie felt she’d dodged a bullet.
Two days later, on the morning of the wedding, Hattie awoke to hear rain drumming on the roof of her guest apartment.
No point in worrying about that, she realised, she had other things on her mind.
She got dressed quickly into loose linen trousers and a top and then went along to the main house.
She had a secret and was worried that she might have the fact written on her forehead in large red letters.
Sheila shared the secret and they exchanged furtive glances but couldn’t speak. They’d have to be very careful.
Fiona was at the table looking a bit glum. ‘It’s raining,’ she said, in case Hattie hadn’t noticed.
‘But it doesn’t matter,’ said Hattie, ‘because it can all happen inside. And the hall is looking wonderful!’
Sheila, who was pulling a croissant apart but not eating it, nodded. ‘I must say, the WI all came up absolute trumps. They gave up their very best blooms and their time and talent.’
‘They did,’ said Hattie, reaching for toast. ‘Decorating it last night was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a long time.’
‘It was fun, wasn’t it?’ said Fiona, distracted from the rain. ‘It turns out that ladder holding and fetching water is quite fun if you’re with pals.’
‘We couldn’t let you climb ladders in your condition,’ said Hattie. ‘And I had fun climbing them. And fixing flowers to the proscenium arch.’
‘I didn’t know that bit of the stage was called that,’ said Fiona. ‘Until last night.’
‘It’s not the sort of thing that comes up in conversation,’ said Hattie, saying almost anything to avoid mentioning what was on her mind.
‘It would be a good question for a quiz,’ said Sheila randomly. They exchanged quick glances; Sheila was obviously feeling the same.
Sheila poured more coffee. ‘Should I get your dad up, do you think?’
‘No, no,’ said Fiona. ‘We’re fine. Let him take his time.’
‘It would have been easier if the village hall had been picturesque to start with,’ said Sheila, temporarily thwarted in her desire to fry bacon for her husband, and possibly slightly resentful that she hadn’t got to choose the venue. ‘Some have lovely beams and things to hang things from.’
‘We did try for one of those,’ said Fiona, ‘but we wanted to be near here. And it looks brilliant now.’
‘It does, darling,’ said Sheila, holding her daughter’s hand. ‘I’m just a bit tired.’
‘And emotional!’ said Fiona. ‘I don’t know how much you had to drink last night, but it was a lot.’
Sheila laughed. ‘Just because you’re not drinking, any more than one glass and you think people have gone on a bender!’
‘Dad went on a bit of one,’ Fiona said. ‘But luckily it didn’t make him grumpy this time.’
Hattie’s mind went back to Fiona’s first wedding day. Malcolm had definitely had too much to drink then. Although that time it had worked to Fiona’s advantage.
‘I think I need more tea,’ Hattie said. ‘Can I make some for anyone else?’
‘Oh, I’d love a peppermint!’ said Fiona.
‘I’ll pop out and pick some leaves so you can have it fresh.’ Hattie left the kitchen followed by Fiona’s protests that a bag would do.
‘One of the things I like best about this house,’ said Sheila when Hattie had returned, ‘is having herbs so handy for the kitchen.’
‘I want that in my new house too,’ said Hattie, pouring boiling water on mint leaves. ‘But so many houses around here have steep gardens you can’t easily get at.’
‘I don’t understand why you can’t find yourself a lovely house, Hattie,’ said Fiona. ‘You were so brilliant with us.’
‘I don’t expect she applies so much energy to finding her own house,’ said Sheila.
‘A cobbler’s children and all that.’ Sheila realised that Fiona and Hattie were looking confused.
‘You know, the cobbler spends all his time making shoes for other people, he doesn’t have time for his own children?
I had a friend whose father was a dentist. She said it was a nightmare trying to get an appointment. ’
‘I wish it was time to get dressed,’ said Fiona. ‘I want to get this party started!’
‘You could get out of your dressing gown, darling,’ said Sheila. ‘Unless you want a cooked breakfast. I’m going to do one for Dad, just in case there’s a delay before the food appears.’
‘Nick’s booked some very expensive caterers,’ said Fiona, possibly a little offended. ‘There won’t be a problem.’
‘Why don’t we go and visit Rose’s shop?’ suggested Hattie. Fiona could probably recite a list of the items for sale by heart but Hattie was desperate to get her out of the house.
Fiona did not look terribly excited by this thought.
‘She’s got some new things in. Come on! We’ll get out from under Sheila’s feet.’
‘Are we under your feet, Mum?’ said Fiona, suddenly petulant.
‘No – yes – not really. But do go out with Hattie, then I can focus on Dad. You know he gets tetchy if he’s surrounded by women.’
‘Nick’s not like that,’ said Fiona, looking happier. ‘He made me have a hen do, and hired a minivan to get us all to the venue.’
‘He’s a keeper,’ said Hattie.
‘So, so different from Lance!’ said Fiona, saying what they were all thinking.
‘Come on,’ said Sheila. ‘Have a quick shower and get going. You’ll feel less nervous if you’re doing something.’
‘It’s only shopping, Mum!’ said Fiona, but she got up and gave her mum a quick hug as she passed her.
Sheila and Hattie exchanged glances. ‘I wish I’d thought of something better to offer her than Rose’s shop. We were there the day before yesterday.’
‘It’s fine,’ said Sheila. ‘I’m so excited!’
‘Me too!’ said Hattie.
‘I know I’m pregnant and a bit distracted because we’re getting married today, but this isn’t the way to Rose’s,’ said Fiona after a little while.
‘No. We’re not going to Rose’s. We’re going somewhere much more exciting.’
‘Oh my God! Where?’
‘Sapperton.’
‘I know Sapperton, but why?’
‘Not telling. Oh, I say! There’s a house for sale. I wonder if I’d like to live there.’ Hattie indicated a middle terrace high on the hill. ‘The views would be amazing.’
‘Hattie! I know you’re not really thinking about buying it, because you will have seen it already if it’s remotely suitable. You may be a cobbler’s child, or whatever cobblers Mum was going on about, but I know how you work.’
‘I was just distracting you. Now look at the scenery. We’re nearly there.’
Hattie hoped that Fiona wouldn’t notice the picture of the Labrador above the name of the house on the open gate. She drove in, as instructed, parked, and then got out. ‘I’m just going to close the gate.’
Fiona was waiting for her by the front door. ‘It’s not a surprise party, is it? I mean, they’re fun and all but it’s a bit early and I’ve only just had breakfast.’
‘Well, it’s a surprise, and sort of a party, but you won’t be required to eat anything.’ Hattie rang the doorbell.
It was opened quickly by an attractive woman wearing an apron. ‘Hello! You’re right on time! I’m Natalie.’
‘I’m Hattie and this is Fiona,’ said Hattie. ‘She doesn’t know why she’s here.’
Natalie chuckled. ‘Well, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Come on through. We’re all in the kitchen.’
Natalie’s kitchen was large, beamed and full of the sort of things that Rose sold in her shop.
But neither Hattie nor Fiona noticed the decor, attractive as it was, because in the corner of the kitchen, next to a huge old Rayburn, was a large pen.
And in the pen was a litter of sleeping puppies and their mother, who was obviously dying to say hello.
‘This is Amanda,’ said Natalie, letting out a very friendly black Labrador. ‘Proud mum. And there are her babies. They’re a bit too young for too much excitement but now Mandy’s abandoned them, they’ll wake up and you can see them bumble around.’
‘Oh, they are gorgeous!’ said Fiona. ‘I love that they all have different colour collars. What a lovely treat to distract me from my wedding! I’m getting married this afternoon,’ she told Natalie.
‘I know!’ said Natalie.
‘And we’re not just here so you’d be distracted,’ said Hattie.
‘You’re here to choose a pup,’ said Natalie. ‘Although they are quite small so you could come back. They’re only two weeks old.’
Fiona made a noise between a gasp and a cough. ‘A puppy? For me?’
‘Nick has arranged it all,’ said Hattie. ‘It’s a wedding present.’
‘I’ve always wanted one!’
Hattie felt a mixture of envy and delight at the thoughtfulness of Fiona’s husband-to-be. The little creatures, like miniature seals, moved slowly about, occasionally opening their mouths and revealing pink insides. They were adorable.
‘And if you find it too difficult when you have a baby,’ Natalie was saying, ‘your mum is going to have him – or her – until you’re ready.’
‘Sheila is a bit worried about you managing a puppy and a baby at the same time,’ said Hattie.
‘I had a puppy and a baby at the same time,’ said Natalie. ‘I did get confused. You obviously wash your hands after playing with the pup before you pick up the baby and I found I washed my hands after playing with the baby before dealing with the pup. I washed my hands a lot!’
‘But you managed OK?’ asked Fiona. ‘I have always wanted a dog but obviously, the baby must come first.’
‘If you have a secure garden,’ said Natalie, ‘and you have, it should be fine. I know that because Nick showed me round both your present house and your new one. I’ve already checked everything out.’
Fiona sat on the kitchen floor, surrounded by puppies. One attempted to climb her shoe and Fiona picked it up and put it in her arms. The puppy snuggled into her elbow. ‘This one is lovely.’
‘He’s a little chap,’ said Natalie. ‘Cuddle a few more. None of this litter is spoken for yet so you can have your choice.’
‘I can’t decide if I want a girl or a boy,’ said Fiona. ‘I know you’re not supposed to describe it as that.’
‘It’s fine!’ said Natalie. ‘We all know what you mean. And if you can’t make up your mind today, don’t worry. There’s no rush.’
Just then a puppy toddled towards Fiona and gave a tiny yap. Fiona instantly took it into her arms. ‘I think I want you!’ she said.
‘That’s a bitch – little girl,’ said Natalie. ‘But both sexes make lovely pets. They’re bred almost entirely for temperament.’
By now, Fiona’s ear was getting a thorough clean by a little pink tongue. ‘I’m going to call her Petronella,’ Fiona said. ‘I’ve always liked the name but it’s a bit much for a person.’
‘That’s a lovely name,’ said Natalie. ‘I expect it’ll get shortened but it’ll look great on the pedigree.’
‘Well done you for deciding,’ said Hattie. ‘They are all so lovely.’
‘It feels more like Petronella chose me,’ said Fiona.
By the time Hattie said they really had to go now, it wasn’t only Fiona who was in love with the thought of having a dog.
Although in some ways she thought of herself as already having two dogs: Frank and Fearless.
But if Luke and April moved in together it was unlikely that she’d be needed to look after them much.
Just for a second, it felt to Hattie as if this was something else April had taken from her.
Hattie was not given to self-pity – perhaps it was the emotions of Fiona’s wedding day – but just for a moment she let herself feel that as well as the house of her dreams and the man she hadn’t even realised she wanted, she’d lost the animals she thought of as partly hers.
If she hadn’t been driving, she’d have been overtaken with tears.