Chapter 22 #2
I’m drawn to Matteo’s perfectly shaped mouth. His lips are… just so…
‘There’s nothing to confess,’ says Nacho sharply, snapping me to attention. ‘Liberty has nothing to be ashamed of. We are friends. Full stop.’
‘Friends with benefits,’ Birdie says cockily. ‘You forget I saw you frolicking naked in the fountain.’
My father gasps.
‘Enough, Birdie,’ says Matteo forcefully, throwing down his napkin. ‘If my brother says nothing happened, then that’s the end of it. If you can’t say anything nice don’t bother. We don’t need you belittling guests… or causing trouble for your own amusement.’
Oh my. Just when I didn’t think I could love him any more.
Birdie huffs and puffs, not quite knowing how to react. Her cheeks glow pink to match her hair. Luckily, the tinkling of a wine glass being tapped by a spoon draws a silence across the room. She folds her arms in a clear huff, as Liam’s father stands up.
‘May I have your attention please?’ he says.
‘I’m very proud to be standing here today because I’m very proud of the man my son has become.
’ He takes a deep breath. ‘A few weeks back we had a conversation about money and the future. Like you do. I was worried that he wasn’t asking us for help.
And he, erm…’ His voice falters. ‘He said, “I don’t really care about money, Dad. I just care about living a happy life with Ged and our friends and family. As long as we’re all healthy and happy, and we have each other, that’s all that matters. ”’
I flick my eyes to Birdie. Her frown has disappeared and been replaced with an air of sadness.
‘And I just thought to myself, What a kind-hearted and selfless way to view life.’ Liam’s dad stops to wipe a tear from his eye.
‘He’s always put people first. Always. He’s a great teacher.
The kids at school love him. And when he first brought Ged home, we knew that he could see it too and they had something really special. ’
He raises his glass of water to take a sip.
‘We were smitten by Ged from the very beginning. And it’s not just the looks…
Ged is also kind and caring and they complement each other so well.
In fact, he did what we couldn’t do… and that was to get Liam to stop abusing the apps…
between Uber Eats and Grindr there was a brief period where the knocking at the door never stopped.
’ There’s a ripple of laughter. Liam was a gigantic tart before Ged came along and we all know it.
‘And if I could offer one piece of advice, it’s to always trust in this feeling, in the love that you share.
Never give up on each other no matter how difficult things may seem.
Because the road will be rocky, that’s just life. ’
I see Cherry out of the corner of my eye reaching for Dom’s hand. They smile tentatively at each other, holding the gaze. I really hope they manage to work through their issues.
‘And you’ll be stronger for it. Not just as a couple but as individuals. Life isn’t a Hallmark film. Not everything or everyone in it will be perfect but you two can be perfect for each other.’
Sister Kevin elbows Tash playfully in the ribs, making her chuckle.
‘And be proud of each other. Be proud of yourselves as a couple. Always have each other’s backs because that’s what best friends do.’ His voice finally cracks. ‘There can be no better way to start married life than to be married to your best friend.’
Big Sue and Big Mand are glued to every word. Big Sue has a big, fat tear rolling down her cheek.
‘Please be upstanding and raise your glasses in a toast to Ged and Liam. May you enjoy a long, healthy and happy life together.’
An almighty cheer resounds around the room as we clink glasses and toast the happy couple. I’ve never seen them so effervescent.
‘It certainly makes you reconsider what’s important in life,’ says my dad quietly as we sit back down.
‘I’m sorry you never got to give me away or make a speech, Dad,’ I say, surprised at the crackle in my voice. Now that we’re here and I’m next to him I feel a gush of sadness that, because of my impulsiveness, we were both robbed of this moment. He squeezes my hand reassuringly.
‘You did what you felt was right at the time, Connie, love. Don’t start doubting yourself now.
I’m still very proud of you. The most important thing for me is to see that you’re happy.
That you and Matteo make each other happy.
I don’t need a big, old-fashioned wedding to tell you how much I love you and how accomplished I think you are and how proud your mum would have been.
You know that already. And if you don’t then, well, I’m not doing my job right. ’
I hug him tightly. ‘I love you so much, Dad.’
‘The best way to honour me and your mum is to live the best life you can in the most adventurous way you see fit. And if that means marrying your husband multiple times then so be it.’ He nods genially towards Matteo, who smiles.
‘And I have a feeling that he’ll make sure you reach your full potential in every way.
I can tell just by the way you look at each other that you’ll both have a life full of happiness ahead. ’
We break free.
‘Thank you, Geoff. I’m sorry that we didn’t include you.
Or any of our family.’ Matteo turns to Nacho and mumbles something in his ear now that Eddie has returned to the table.
Nacho gives him an emotional look. ‘Excuse us,’ he says.
I watch the two brothers walk over to the bar to have a quick heart-to-heart.
Madge is watching us all with glassy eyes. My dad chuckles quietly. ‘So, you sold the business for millions, did you, Madge? You kept that awfully quiet.’
She leans over and murmurs to us, ‘I wouldn’t normally say anything, but there’s just something about that woman that really gets my goat.’ She flits her gaze to Birdie, who has turned her back to us and is deep in conversation with Eddie.
‘Honestly, she’s like Marmite,’ I whisper, rolling my eyes. ‘Pity she’s so talented and my husband needs her. And she did give us a massive discount on this place, even if it meant blackmailing my husband as part of the deal.’
Madge peers around. ‘It’s a fabulous chateau. So how long are you staying here for?’
‘We head off to Spain on Boxing Day.’
My dad picks up on my unenthusiastic tone because he murmurs, ‘Don’t be too hasty to judge, love.
Try and see things from his mother’s point of view before you dig your heels in.
Not all parents are as easy-going as I am.
I can’t imagine how torn Matteo must have been.
They seem very close, him and his brother. ’
I give him a half-smile.
‘We’re coming, by the way. To this wedding. If it happens. Even if we have to walk there.’
‘Dad!’ I gasp jokingly. ‘You do want to give me away, don’t you?’
‘I have a rather fetching fascinator I can wear.’ Madge grins. ‘And I’m sure I can down a few gins before I get on the plane.’
Matteo approaches. ‘I’m glad someone is enjoying themselves. My brother certainly isn’t.’ He looks fed up as he glances over to the bar.
Poor Nacho.
I hold my palms up. ‘Maybe he might cheer up when he finds out he’s going to be best man after all.’
Matteo’s brow lifts in surprise. ‘Seriously? You’ll consider it?’
I nod. ‘My dad and Madge have already invited themselves to our second wedding so it would be rude not to go ahead with it.’
‘Oh, man. That’s such great news.’ He kisses my cheek, his lips lingering.
‘And don’t worry, I’ll let you know the exact details as soon as I have them.
’ He flops back in his chair with such relief that I’m forgetting why I was so against it in the first place.
‘And I’ll make sure we have some say in it.
Although, from the last conversation I had with my mother, half of Spain seems to be invited. ’
We are interrupted by Birdie raising her voice. ‘What do you mean some of the footage has been erased? How? By who? Oh, let me guess.’ She takes delight in turning towards Liberty. ‘Now we’ll never know who really hid the vase.’
Eddie shrugs and casts a solemn glance around the table, making sure not to linger too long on any of us in particular.
‘Let’s not cast aspersions. We’ll pick this up later, when all these good folks have eaten.
’ He does a superb job of putting everyone on edge just as one team of waiters flies around the tables taking away the starters and another team glides smoothly between delivering the main course.
Liberty seems awkward as anything next to him. This whole Christmas nude calendar, matching mug, socks and T-shirt endeavour, no matter how well intentioned, has driven a real wedge between them.