Chapter 17 #2
Tom Stanley stood there proud as punch, ready to walk his ravishing daughter down the aisle.
Eliza cued the music, bringing all the guests to their feet.
As Fenella and Tom started to walk, a collective gasp went up around the barn, awe-struck villagers and family members turning to each other to say how beautiful she looked.
Eliza felt a surge of joy at having been part of this. If there had been any doubt that planning weddings was her calling, it flew out the window in that one second. There was something so magical and pure about being the one to help create such happiness. There really was nothing quite like it.
As Eliza scanned the congregation, she suddenly saw what she could have sworn was the back of Henry’s head.
No way, there is no way he could be here.
She shuffled a bit to the left to have a better look, but she still couldn’t really get a clear look.
No, she’d seen the guest list, she knew every single person, but her mum had gate-crashed, maybe Henry had, too?
Unless he was here as someone’s plus-one. But then he would have told her he was coming to a wedding in Farmington, wouldn’t he? God, she hated him.
Deciding there was nothing she could do now, and not wanting anything to ruin the day, Eliza went back to focusing on the bride and groom.
Eliza felt a lump forming in her throat as she watched Tom pass his daughter’s hands into his soon-to-be son-in-law’s.
She always got so emotional at weddings, and coupled with the way Luke looked at his sister with such fierce pride and tenderness, it was enough to send her over the edge.
As if sensing her gaze, Luke glanced over at her, meeting Eliza’s eyes over the heads of the seated guests.
His smile, which she knew was meant only for her, sent a warm flash through her body.
Eliza was also pretty sure her mother had seen it, too, as she had barely been able to take her eyes off Luke from the moment he walked into the barn.
Once the vows were exchanged under a cascading archway of yellow roses and wheatsheaf, the couple were pronounced husband and wife, and the barn erupted in cheers and applause.
Fenella and Ross sailed back down the aisle to a Buddy Holly song, almost shimmying as they went, with guests throwing confetti on them as they climbed into Dan’s gorgeous old Land Rover and rode off into the sunset – or really just around to the lake to get their photos done.
After the bride and groom had vacated the area, the guests slowly started to leave their seats, mingling with one another and heading to the bar to get a drink.
Stavros had done a great job, with mostly pre-poured glasses of sparkling across the polished bar.
Whilst checking her list surreptitiously before examining the hors d’oeuvres, she nearly bumped into her mother.
‘Oh, that was a great ceremony, darling, well done you. I knew you could do it; you always were amazing at weddings.’ Eliza tried very hard not to roll her eyes; she might love her, but she knew her mum wasn’t the believing kind.
‘Though I must admit I’m a bit surprised to see Henry here – you kept that one to yourself! ’
Struggling to contain a desperate desire to look around, Eliza tucked her mum’s arm into hers and gently led her round to the bar area.
‘I didn’t know he was going to be here, Mum – I’m as surprised as you.
Having said that, I didn’t know you were going to be joining us, either.
’ Handing her mum a glass of sparkling, Eliza fixed her dead in the eye. ‘Do not be nice to him.’
Waving her concern away, her mother laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I had no intention of it. He does always have such lovely wine, but he’s still an arrogant arsehole. I’m much happier you swapped him for a better model.’ And with that she tottered off to make some new friends.
Well, one gate-crasher confrontation down, just another one to go.
Eliza rocked up onto her tiptoes, trying to see Henry in the throng, but accidentally found herself drawn into a conversation with lively Aunt Beatrice instead, who regaled Eliza with stories of her nephew and niece’s childhood.
Eliza couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Luke growing up.
Every time their eyes met, a spark of something passed between them, like an unspoken understanding.
What’s he going to think when he finds out Henry’s here?
Then again, Bella was already at the wedding, so they were both facing ghosts from their past. Though admittedly, there was a difference between a childhood sweetheart and the man whose ring she’d once imagined on her finger.
Anyway, there was no time for dwelling; she had a job to do.
A job she really could not afford to fuck up.
She made sure everyone had enough to eat and drink, making small talk with the guests hovering on the edges and ensuring absolutely everything was running smoothly.
Despite all of this, she had still not laid eyes on Henry. Where the hell was he?
At that moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
‘Well, it’s quite the surprise, meeting like this,’ said Henry, as she turned to face him, wearing the sodding tie she’d given him for their second anniversary.
‘I thought it was you, then I recognised the dress, and knew it definitely was. I remember slipping that off you once after a rather alcohol-fuelled night out. Polo in the Park, perhaps?’ he said suggestively.
She wanted to run. Had she once actually found this man charming?
‘Henry, what the hell are you doing here?’ Eliza replied, tamping down the mingling disgust and fury.
‘I could say the same to you,’ answered Henry smugly, snapping up a glass of sparkling from a passing tray.
‘Well, as you might remember, I moved to Farmington three months ago, and you didn’t. And, if you must know, I’m running this wedding, and I don’t recall seeing your name on the guest list.’
‘Ah, yes. Well, Jean Pierre mentioned they’d be serving his new heritage—’
Realisation dawned and she wanted to hit something. ‘Jean Pierre? No, no, no! You’re their fucking broker, aren’t you?’
‘No need to be rude, Eliza. I’m here in a professional capacity. It’s not like I’m a fan of the countryside, unless there’s something in it for me – be it a grape or a woman . . .’
‘Oh, marvellous, just what I need!’
Lolling the champagne flute around between his fingers he glanced around at the crowd. ‘Not sure why you’re so upset; it’s just a little wedding. Or are you looking for a little half-time entertainment? I know how these things tend to drag.’
‘In your dreams, Henry!’ Eliza snapped, as he took an infuriatingly slow sip of wine.
‘Well, Jean Pierre wasn’t lying about this sparkling, it really is quite delicious. Bet I can get a rather good sell-through for this at some of the supermarkets.’
Eliza’s stomach dropped. Of all the wine brokers in all the world, it had to be Henry!
The thought of working with him made her skin crawl, especially today when her nerves were already frayed to breaking point.
But she straightened her shoulders and plastered on what she hoped was a professional smile.
This job would not become another casualty of Henry’s presence in her life.
‘Ah, Henry, you’re losing your touch. It’s actually a rare English sparkling heritage wine, grown locally, so I think you can try a little harder than the local Tesco.
’ Henry looked like he’d swallowed his tongue.
Ah, she thought, that’s it. Hit him where it hurts.
It was always the wines that he cared most about.
Leaning a fraction closer to him, she spoke a little quieter, ‘Seeing as I know Jean Pierre and his wife quite well, I would hate to be the one who tells them you’re going to downmarket their product to make a quick buck. ’ Henry’s eyes turned flinty.
‘All right, LiLi, calm down. You really are a hot mess tonight,’ he hissed.
Slowly, lethally, Eliza stepped towards him, keeping her voice low.
‘Oh, Henry, don’t be a dick. Especially not to your new colleague,’ she watched him blink rapidly.
‘Yes, Jean Pierre has hired me to market and plan the launch event for this heritage vintage. And if you fuck this up, I’ll make sure every client in your portfolio hears exactly how you planned to dump their premium product in supermarket bins.
And, by the way, it’s Eliza. Do not call me LiLi, ever again. Now, out of my way, I’m busy.’
With that, Eliza turned on her heel and swanned off, head held high, in the direction of the kitchen. She had done it. She’d stood up to Henry! And catching a glance of Luke across the room, she blushed. It was the best trade she’d ever made.