Chapter 18
Famous last words, Finn thought as he and Jade strolled around the dog-walking field the next day.
They’d left it until after the breakfasts and first dog exercise of the day because it was slightly less frenetic in the yard, but so far it hadn’t been quite as simple as Jade had predicted.
Mickey, who wasn’t used to sharing anything, particularly the people he considered his humans, had curled his lip when he’d seen Jade bringing Buddy out from the kennels.
‘No need for that,’ Finn scolded and got an unrepentant look. ‘Buddy’s going to be your new housemate.’
They’d persevered and had walked a suitable distance apart down to the dog field where they’d also walked with a gap of several feet between them.
Mickey was fine with the gap. He studiously ignored Buddy as long as there was a gap but if he considered it breached he raised his lip and gave a low growl.
Buddy had no such qualms about the meeting. He was waggy tailed and keen to get closer to his new companion.
‘I don’t think we’d better risk them getting too close,’ Jade said. ‘We don’t want a fight. And there’s no rush.’
‘Didn’t you say parrots could take three weeks or so before they were properly used to each other?
’ Finn asked, realising he didn’t really have any experience of dog introductions, or at least none that he remembered.
They’d had a dog when he was growing up, but he didn’t remember them ever having more than one.
‘Yes, that’s right. I should have thought this through better.
I didn’t think there would be any problem.
They’re both so sweet natured usually. I usually advise re-homers to give the old dog something of the new dog’s to smell, a blanket they’ve been sleeping on or something. I should have done that first.’
‘I suppose we still could do that.’ Finn paused while Buddy cocked his leg on a gorse bush.
‘Yes, of course we could.’ Jade stroked Mickey’s head, but he ignored her. He was too intent on towing her towards the gorse bush where Buddy had been. ‘We’ll do a daily walk until they’re more comfortable with each other. I don’t think it’ll take three weeks.’
‘Do you think we should maybe leave it until after the wedding just in case?’
‘No, I’m sure they’ll be fine long before that.’ She smiled at him. ‘I’ve promised Buddy he can come and live with us this week. I can’t backtrack on that. It’s not fair on him.’
Finn resisted the urge to point out that Buddy probably wouldn’t be holding that against her as he didn’t actually have a diary date circled on his calendar like Jade did in the kitchen.
The fast-approaching wedding and a bunch of new relatives was enough to stress anyone out, even someone as laid back as Jade.
When Jade phoned Hector and asked him if he wanted to come to the wedding and reception, she heard him give a tiny intake of breath.
He clearly hadn’t been expecting it then. And this was confirmed by his next words. ‘I… I’d really like that. Are you really sure? I don’t want to put you to any trouble or more expense, and I… well, I know it might make introductions tricky if everyone else at your wedding knows each other.’
‘They don’t,’ Jade reassured him quickly.
‘And it won’t. One of the things with having a double wedding is that lots of people there won’t ever have met before.
Not to mention the fact that Finn only met some of his family last year too.
’ She had mentioned that briefly before, but she hadn’t gone into much detail.
They had plenty of time to get to know each other and there had been more important things to discuss.
Except that if Hector was coming to the wedding, they might need to get up to speed a bit quicker.
‘If you would like to bring a plus one,’ Jade went on quickly, ‘that would be fine too. I’m thinking maybe Charlotte would like to come. Health allowing, I mean.’
When he didn’t reply straight away she rushed on, ‘I know that means I would have to meet her first. Finn and I are happy to come halfway or even all the way, if the trip’s too much for her to do twice in quick succession.’ Was she gabbling? She felt like she was gabbling.
Hector cleared his throat. ‘I’m almost certain that Charlotte would be thrilled to see you get married.
Even if we don’t come to the reception itself.
But let me ask her. I’ll go and see her.
I can ask her about the meeting with you and Finn at the same time.
Would it be OK if I got back to you tomorrow? ’
‘More than OK.’ Jade could feel her heart beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings. ‘Thank you.’
‘No. Thank you, Jade.’ Was that her imagination or had his voice gone a little croaky? ‘Thank you for being so lovely.’
When Hector phoned her the next day to tell her that both he and Charlotte would be honoured and delighted to come to the wedding, Jade realised she was really excited.
But she was even more excited when they made the arrangements to meet them.
‘Hector’s going to bring Charlotte here next Friday afternoon,’ she told Finn.
‘He said it’s much easier for them to come here because they don’t have a sanctuary to run and aren’t getting married in barely a fortnight.
I actually spoke to Charlotte on the phone.
She sounded so warm and lovely. Oh, Finn, I can’t really believe this is happening. Do you think she’ll like me?’
‘She’ll love you. Because you are also one of the warmest and loveliest people it is possible to meet. You must take after her.’
He didn’t add that it was obvious she didn’t take after Elizabeth because warm and lovely weren’t adjectives that he’d ever heard attributed to her, but Jade could see the sentiments in his eyes.
‘I’m so happy for you, my love. Having more family is a blessing.’
‘It is. It’s wonderful.’
At least she thought it was wonderful. As Hector had said, there was only just over a fortnight to go until the wedding and in it, she had to meet Charlotte, have her hen night, tie up all the last-minute details of the wedding, and make sure everything was organised at Duck Pond Rescue so that she and Finn, not to mention Dawn and Ursula, who were her right-hand women, could all have a whole day off – and in the case of Jade and Finn, a night too.
‘It’ll be fine,’ Sarah said on one of their nightly discussions. ‘Everything’s organised on the wedding front. I have every single box in my wedding planner folder ticked.’
She had her organised voice on, Jade thought as she proceeded to go through the list.
‘The cakes are being delivered to the Bluebell Cliff the day before. Zoe’s overseeing that. The flowers are going over on the day. Ditto. The photographer’s meeting us at the venue too now, isn’t she?’
‘Yes, it will be pressurised enough without her hanging around while we get ready.’
‘Great, and we’re still doing all the legal bit at the registry office next week?’
‘Yes,’ Jade confirmed. ‘We’ve got our appointment next week too.
Zoe said it only takes about fifteen minutes.
She also said that if we wanted to change our minds about the photographer doing pre-venue photos, it would be fine.
The photographer’s very flexible. She’s a friend of Mr B’s. Did she tell you that?’
‘Yes. Apparently Mr B’s incredibly well connected. He knows everyone in the catering business because he’s worked at some very classy hotels. And he’s done the catering for a lot of weddings too. I guess once you’re on the wedding circuit you do get to know people.’
‘How’s Ben?’ Jade asked. ‘Has he stopped watching that Mr Spock video yet?’
‘I think so. He’s massively overexcited. More about Chocko being a ring bearer than about us all getting married.’ She laughed and Jade felt lifted.
‘Of course he is. Bless him.’
‘Which reminds me, he said something about wanting a hamster when I picked him up the other day. Have you got a hamster over there?’
‘Yes, we’ve got one in reception.’
‘Ah, so that’s what he was on about. I haven’t said yes to him, so don’t go filling in any adoption forms yet. I’ve said he’ll have to wait until after the wedding. There’s too much going on to be thinking about hamsters as well.’
‘Of course.’ Jade mentally ticked off a box on her rehoming list. Ben would definitely end up with that hamster.
He’d already proved himself a very responsible pet owner.
He’d taken Chocko to puppy classes when she was small and the pair of them were currently working through the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog awards.
‘Has that new dog of yours settled in now?’ Sarah asked. ‘Or did you decide to leave the intros until after the wedding too?’
‘We’re getting there. Finn and I are still taking them for daily walks together. I think we’ll move them properly into the house this weekend.’
‘And is it this Friday that you’re meeting your brand-new grandmother?’ Sarah’s voice was soft.
‘You know it is,’ Jade said.
‘Are you nervous?’
‘Totally.’
‘She’ll love you.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Of course she will, you’re the most gorgeous granddaughter she could wish for. The warmest and the loveliest.’
Her words were so similar to the ones Finn had said that Jade felt her throat close with emotion.
‘Thanks,’ she said huskily. ‘That means a lot.’
‘Will they be coming to the sit-down reception afterwards as well?’
‘I’m not sure yet. They haven’t really said. I was kind of assuming they would. I’ll definitely have to find out on Friday because Zoe needs the final numbers for catering.’
‘And I’m guessing no one’s dropped out?’ Sarah added. ‘No one has our end anyway.’
‘Nor ours. Not even Declan, sadly. He’s still coming and he’s bringing Grace, his very young girlfriend, according to Finn. I’m keeping my fingers crossed he behaves himself and doesn’t cause any trouble.’
‘I’m sure even Declan can manage to behave himself for one day. And Bridie will be there to keep an eye on him, won’t she?’
‘That’s true.’
They said their goodbyes a few moments later, and as Jade disconnected the call, she found herself fervently hoping that Sarah was right about Declan.