Chapter Thirty-eight
Alex grinned as the children came tumbling back out of the classroom door and Marion appeared at the exact same second.
Organizing this was so much fun, and the others were treating it as if it were some kind of spy operation.
It was as if the Mission Impossible theme tune played every time they met.
‘Right, so today is D-Day, tonight is the night. How is everything going?’
‘Good. I’ve spoken to Chase and he has a tent we can borrow.’
‘Chase has a tent? I wouldn’t have thought he and Angelina were the camping type!’ Marion’s eyebrows went up.
‘No, I think they’re firm believers in the power of hotels, but it’s more a marquee kinda thing – he’s got a couple and I’ve bagsied the smaller one. If we can attach lots of billowy things then it’ll work perfectly.’
‘She’s seen us, she’s coming over.’ Marion delivered this information in what he could only assume was her spy voice. It sounded as if she were addressing her words into a walkie-talkie.
‘Are you sure, OK… um…’ Alex briefly debated the karma attached to teaching Sam to lie to his mother; he was fairly sure Marion and Ellie’s was already pretty buggered.
‘Oh, it’s OK, that stupid hippy woman has her.’
‘Mrs Marksharp, you shouldn’t say stupid!’ Ellie was outraged.
‘And you shouldn’t lecture your elders.’ Marion flicked a look across to Alex, and then he saw her gaze land upon Sam who had crossed his arms tightly and was giving her his most intense brow furrow.
‘But you are quite right, and Mrs Rivers is a… well, um… I’m sure there are lots of things she’s very good at.
Ooh and look, distracting your mother seems to be one of them.
Goody! Now that’s the tent done and the scene set.
I’ve been a whizz with the costumes, I have one for us girls, now did you say yours was ready? ’
‘Oh, Marion, there really is no need. Just the children…’
‘Where is your gumption? We’ve talked about this.
Commit to the cause, for goodness’ sake, we’re trying to make a statement.
I know that you’ve made one for Sam and I’m sure you’ll look very dashing in yours as well.
If that doesn’t turn her head, I don’t know what will.
I already have one from a class I took a few years ago, and I modelled Ellie’s on mine so we shall all be matching.
Isn’t that cute? Are we all secure on the routine? We can practise again tonight.’
Alex felt his masculinity evaporating in front of his eyes. He was not a natural dancer. He would rather wrestle a very hungry, very big crocodile. And now he had to dance – and in costume. Ellie would never ever forgive him if he didn’t.
‘Hello, could I have the children back please?’ Rosy popped her head around the door.
‘Oh yes, of course, sorry,’ Alex said but he was drowned out by Marion.
‘Two ticks, Rosy dear. And then we’ll be with you. But I’d quite like your help with this as well. I’ll come and find you at breaktime before I head off to Alex’s.’
‘Hmm, if this is what I think it is, and I don’t know for sure, I think it’s best for me not to get involved. Sorry, Alex, but I’m sure you know what I mean.’
‘Rosy Winter! You know I’m Cornwall’s best matchmaker. These dear sweet children…’ Marion turned them to face Rosy, ‘…just want one teeny thing and you want to deny them? When your help could be so instrumental? I’ll find you at breaktime.’
Rosy’s shoulders sagged with the inevitable.
‘There is no matchmaking, Rosy, promise,’ said Alex.
‘This is just about doing a nice thing for a friend.’ All four of the people standing there looked at him as if he had started talking in tongues.
When were they going to believe him? ‘Right, kids. Back to class now. We’ll find a way to make sure Sylvie is distracted after the staff meeting and as planned I’ll pick you both up tonight and we’ll go do the last-minute things. OK?’
‘OK.’ They both gave him a big cuddle around his waist, Ellie’s head on his tummy and Sam’s head resting on hers, before they headed back in with Rosy. Alex thought he might melt.
‘Rosy will keep Sylvie, won’t you, dear?’ Marion piped up.
Rosy gave Marion a look, one Alex suspected would quell the most unruly child as she took Sam and Ellie back in.
‘How are you doing with the food, and the other thing?’
‘Yep, all done. Hector is a go-go.’
‘He always is.’
Alex smiled; he certainly was. ‘And the air miles, although they call them Avios now, have been gifted to Sylvie’s name so she has complete control. Music also sorted and downloaded to the laptop. It’s going to be perfect. Thank you, Marion. She’s going to love it.’
‘Of course she is. When I set my mind to something, well, you know. I’ll have you married yet.’
Alex rolled his eyes and arched his eyebrows at her, but it didn’t stop the huge grin spreading across his face as, clutching his four travel mugs and turning to leave the playground, he really hoped she was right.