Forgotten

by Susan Lewis

  ‘Frankly, I think they’re awful,’ Matilda confessed, ‘but they hide my arthritic fingers. All those knobbles and bumps make me look like an old witch. Is that string thing entirely comfortable when you sit down, darling? I don’t think I’d like to wear one.’

  As Roxy sniggered at the image, Amy said, ‘I’m just reading out some of the texts that arrived this morning. If we didn’t already know how many friends my sister has scattered all over the globe, then we’re certainly finding out now.’

  As she started reading again, Matilda began fussing around in the packing cases looking for only she knew what. Roxy wandered out on to the balcony to watch the musicians tuning up, while the helpers hired for the day arranged the chairs in rows ready for the ceremony.

  Amy was still reading as Lisa turned to unzip the cover that was protecting her dress, and feeling more nerves starting to swirl and coast about inside her she had to pause for a moment to take a breath. All these reminders coming in of the life she used to lead, the unlimited freedoms she’d enjoyed, the way she’d never had to answer to anyone, were making her feel anxious about what might lie ahead. Or was her real worry that someone was going to mention Tony in their message? Maybe she was more upset by the fact that so far, no one had.

  ‘Oh my God, David’s arrived,’ Roxy whispered excitedly from the balcony.

  Lisa’s heart somersaulted.

  ‘He looks amazing,’ Roxy told them. ‘I guess that must be his nephew with him, who’s kind of cute, and his son-in-law, the pilot, oh and you should see the little boy he’s so gorgeous … Oh blimey, Lucy!’ she choked. ‘She’s only made a beeline straight for Lawrence and knocked over some of the chairs. Honestly, Lisa, you should learn to control your dog.’

  Behind her Lisa managed a smile, while Matilda went to peer over Roxy’s shoulder.

  ‘All the time I’m reading these there are more coming in,’ Amy declared. ‘We’ll never get to the end of them before we go down.’

  ‘Oh my God! I bet that’s Miles,’ Roxy gulped. ‘If it is, then you’re right, Lis, he’s absolutely TDF.’

  Matilda blinked.

  ‘To die for,’ Roxy explained.

  ‘I said that?’ Lisa said, barely paying attention as she peeled the silk covering away from her dress and let it fall to the floor.

  ‘Oh, darling,’ Matilda murmured, suddenly transfixed, ‘it’s absolutely stunning. Oh my, I’m feeling so proud of you I could cry.’

  ‘Mum, will you please listen,’ Amy scolded. ‘I’m trying to provide a lyrical and nostalgic background for the putting on of the dress.’

  Coming to watch – and listen – as Lisa began to unzip the dress, Roxy said, ‘Hang on, what about something old, something new and all that? Have we done it yet?’

  Lisa looked at Amy, surprised that they’d both forgotten such an imbedded tradition. ‘Well, I think I qualify as old,’ she twinkled, ‘at least old for a first-time bride, and the dress is new, so we just have to sort out the borrowed and blue.’

  As they racked their brains, while looking around the room for inspiration, another text message arrived.

  ‘I’ve got it! I’ve got it!’ Roxy declared. ‘Granny, why don’t you lend her your engagement ring for the day?’

  Startled, Matilda looked down at her gloved hands as though something might have appeared there while she wasn’t looking.

  Coming to help, Roxy pulled back the lacy left glove to reveal the small but precious sapphire that Matilda had only removed a handful of times since her own wedding day.

  ‘It’s a marvellous idea,’ Matilda murmured, looking up and touching Roxy’s face. Then to Lisa, ‘It’ll be a bit like having Daddy with us, won’t it? I think he’d like that.’

  ‘Oh Mum, stop, you’re starting me off,’ Amy protested, as her eyes filled with tears.

  ‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ Lisa asked, her own heart flooding with emotion as she wished her father could be with them too.

  ‘I made a donation to the Children’s Hospital,’ Matilda told her, sliding off the ring, ‘but that was a wedding gift. This is something from me and Daddy to you on your special day.’

  ‘Oh, that’s me gone,’ Roxy choked, grabbing a tissue. ‘Granny, we’ve had professional make-up jobs this morning, and you’re going to ruin them if you keep this up.’

  Ignoring the rebuke, Matilda said tenderly to Lisa, ‘He’s worth waiting for, sweetheart, and I couldn’t be happier for you today, so …’

  ‘Mum,’ Lisa protested, ‘Roxy’s right about the make-up, you’ve got to stop or I’ll mess up my dress.’

  Raising her hands in submission, Matilda went to perch on the dressing-table stool while Amy returned to the messages.

  ‘“We understand you wanting to keep it to close friends and family, but please know when you’re next in HK your friends here will want to throw a party,”’ she read out. ‘“Our congratulations to the groom on winning himself such a beautiful bride, Pete, Sally, Janey and Frank.”’

  ‘We used to get telegrams in my day,’ Matilda informed them. ‘I’ve still got the ones Daddy and I received.’

  ‘I’d love to see them,’ Roxy told her, but her eyes were on Lisa, who was drawing the dress carefully up over her hips. ‘Oh, Lis,’ she murmured. ‘When you told me it was à la Vera Wang I was imagining the frothy Sex in the City number that Jessica Whatsit wore in the film, and it’s nothing like it at all.’

  Lisa smiled. ‘At my age, Roxy, something like that would definitely be de trop.’

  ‘Shall I help with the zip?’ Matilda offered.

  ‘That would be lovely, thank you. Keep reading,’ she said to Amy, who was watching her, misty-eyed.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, Amy scrolled to the next text. ‘“What does he have that I don’t?”’ she read. ‘“Apart from good looks, great prospects and loads of loot in the bank? Have a great day and beautiful life. Love you always, Stevie B.”’

  Smiling, Lisa said, ‘He was my fellow presenter for a while when I was doing the travel show. And, for the record, he’s gay and has been with the same partner for at least ten years, and why am I defending myself? Does anyone here think I’m being unfaithful?’

  ‘Oh Lis,’ Roxy said in awe, as Lisa turned round. ‘When David sees you he’s going to fall in love all over again.’

  ‘He’s already done it twice,’ Matilda muttered.

  ‘What jewellery are you wearing,’ Roxy asked, ‘apart from Granny’s ring?’

  ‘It’s here,’ Lisa said, pulling open a bedside drawer.

  ‘OMG, it’s only Tiffany,’ Roxy gasped.

  Amy was watching, so was Matilda, their eyes widening like children’s in a sweetshop as Lisa removed the signature blue box to reveal a white leather case containing a brilliant cut-diamond-studded choker with matching bracelet, and two simple diamond drop earrings.

  ‘I’ve never been this close to something that must have cost so much,’ Matilda murmured. ‘I feel like we’ve floated off into a fairy tale, don’t you?’ she said to Amy.

  Nodding, Amy said, ‘Would you like some help putting it on?’

  ‘I can do it,’ Roxy told her. ‘You carry on with the messages.’

  ‘Oh my, listen to that voice,’ Matilda swooned as Sheelagh Rayne sang a few notes to start warming up.

  ‘Isn’t it heaven?’ Lisa agreed. ‘And you wait till you hear Baz, her husband, when he comes in with her. If you’re managing not to cry now, you will when they get started on “Morning Has Broken”.’

  ‘I’m losing it, just to think of it,’ Amy assured her. ‘Remind me why you chose that particular song for your entrance?’

  ‘It was one of David’s favourites when we were together before,’ Lisa replied. ‘He doesn’t know that I’m walking in to it, so I hope he doesn’t lose it when the moment comes.’ She was putting in her earrings now, and feeling a surge of euphoria suddenly breaking free from her nerves, she gave a gasp of laughter.

  Laughing too, Amy
looked down as the mobile bleeped again. ‘Two more,’ she said, scrolling on, ‘then I think Mum and I should go and mingle.’

  Taking a pair of white satin slingbacks from their Jimmy Choo box, Lisa lifted the hem of her dress while Roxy set the shoes in position for her to slip on.

  ‘“I want you to know that if you go ahead and marry …”’ Amy stopped abruptly and a wash of colour spread over her cheeks. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake,’ she mumbled, and started to scroll on quickly, but Lisa took the phone from her hand.

  ‘Who’s it from?’ she asked, before looking.

  Amy visibly braced herself. ‘It can only be Rosalind,’ she told her, ‘which is why I think you should give me back the phone and let me erase the message.’

  Clicking it open, Lisa read, I want you to know that if you go ahead and marry my father today, the next time he sees me it will be with my mother in heaven.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘SHE’S LOST HER mind,’ Matilda declared, aghast.

  ‘This is a monstrous thing to do,’ Amy murmured.

  ‘They’re already married,’ Roxy pointed out. ‘Doesn’t she know that?’

  Lisa shook her head. ‘David hasn’t told her,’ she mumbled. Then, ‘I have to think. What are we going to do?’

  ‘She doesn’t mean it,’ Matilda said confidently. ‘Apart from anything else, she’s got a little boy to consider.’

  ‘Let me call her,’ Amy suggested.

  Her face pale, Lisa looked at the message again. Though anger and pity were starting to emerge through the shock, it wasn’t Rosalind she was feeling sorry for as much as David, and everyone who’d come so far and already put so much into this special day. What were they going to do now? How could they possibly go ahead with this sort of threat hanging over them? ‘I have to talk to David,’ she decided.

  ‘No!’ Amy protested, leaping from the bed. ‘He can’t see you like that. No one can yet.’

  ‘What does it matter?’ Lisa cried angrily. ‘There can’t be a ceremony now.’

  ‘Yes, there can.’

  ‘Are you crazy? How can we …’

  ‘Let me talk to David. We might still be able to work something out,’ Amy urged.

  ‘What about her husband?’ Matilda piped up. ‘Shouldn’t he be dealing with her?’

  ‘Too right,’ Roxy agreed.

  Lisa’s eyes were blazing into Amy’s. ‘If she carries out this threat …’

  ‘She won’t,’ Amy growled. ‘Now wait here. Don’t do anything rash. Stay with her, Rox, and you Mum. I’ll be right back,’ and snatching the phone she swept out of the room and ran swiftly down the stairs, holding on to her hat.

  As she reached the hall she quickly assumed a happy, welcoming smile ready to greet the guests, most of whom were gathered now and sipping champagne on the sitting-room terrace. In the courtyard below fifty chairs were meticulously assembled, like brackets, each side of the flower-strewn gazebo, while a half-dozen round tables regally adorned in crisp white linen and silver settings were positioned around the courtyard borders, like the second act waiting to take centre stage. After the ceremony, while photographs were being taken and more champagne was consumed, the helpers and catering staff were to carry in the tables, rearrange the chairs and finish off the place settings ready for the wedding banquet to begin.

  All that was supposed to happen, and two rehearsals earlier in the week had proved it could, weather permitting. Certainly there was no sign of wind or rain now, and none was forecast. No one, however, could have foreseen this sort of last-minute drama.

  ‘There you are,’ Theo said, as Amy began weaving through the throng towards David. ‘Everything going all right upstairs? We should be getting started …’

  ‘Look at this,’ she whispered, showing him the phone.

  As he read the words Theo’s face froze with shock. ‘What are you going to do?’ he said quietly.

  ‘I need to speak to David.’

  ‘Yes, but not here. Go into the sitting room. I’ll send him in.’

  Moments later David appeared through the open French windows, looking faintly puzzled, and even, she thought, a little strained. ‘You can’t tell me she’s changed her mind now,’ he joked. ‘It’s already …’

  ‘It’s not Lisa,’ Amy broke in, ‘it’s this.’ She handed him the phone. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said as he started to read. ‘Lisa says you have to see it, and I don’t know what we’re going to do …’

  David’s face had turned white.

  ‘What is it?’ Jerry said to Amy, coming into the room. ‘Your husband said to …’

  ‘It’s Rosalind,’ David told him, handing him the phone, and taking out his own he scrolled to his daughter’s number and clicked on to connect.

  Rosalind was sitting at the kitchen table, listening to the phone ringing on the counter top behind her. She knew it would be her father, or possibly Jerry, but whoever it was, she was too afraid to pick it up.

  Eventually the machine kicked in and her father said, ‘Rosalind, I know you’re there, so please answer.’

  Her eyes went to her aunt, who was sitting with her.

  ‘Why won’t you speak to him?’ Dee asked softly.

  Rosalind shook her head, unable to admit what she’d done, even to Dee.

  ‘Rosalind!’ David said more firmly. ‘Please pick up the phone. I need to know you’re all right.’

  Appearing puzzled, Dee said, ‘He sounds worried …’

  ‘Speak to him if you must,’ Rosalind said, getting up from the table. ‘I can’t.’

  As she walked outside, Dee managed to grab the phone before David rang off. ‘David, it’s me,’ she said. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Is Rosalind there?’

  ‘Yes, but …’

  ‘Please put her on.’

  ‘She’s saying she doesn’t want to talk to you.’

  ‘I’m sure she doesn’t, but I need to talk to her, now if you …’

  ‘Maybe if you tell me what this is about,’ Dee suggested, watching Rosalind walking down to the lawn.

  As David explained, Dee’s face went pale. ‘Oh no,’ she murmured. ‘What was she thinking? She doesn’t mean it, you must know that.’

  ‘I’m sure she doesn’t, but she’s upset Lisa and we both need … We need … an … an … Oh God, what’s the effing word?’ he growled, sounding most unlike himself. ‘An apology! Please, put her on.’

  ‘OK, I’ll see what I can do. Wait there,’ and setting the phone down, she followed Rosalind outside. ‘He told me about the text,’ she said, going to slide an arm round her niece’s shoulders.

  Rosalind lifted her head and gazed out at the mountainous distance and wide, empty blue sky. Was her mother watching? Did she know what was happening? ‘Is he angry?’ she asked.

  ‘He wants you to apologise.’

  Though Rosalind’s insides were churning with regret and shame, she was only sorry for upsetting her father, not for ruining Lisa Martin’s day. In that, she profoundly hoped she’d succeeded.

  ‘He’s waiting,’ Dee said softly.

  Realising to carry on refusing was going to hurt and upset him even more than she already had, she turned back to the house.

  Picking up the phone she said nothing, only listened to the happy burble of voices at the other end, and the sound of a jazz singer crooning ‘Sugar Blues’ into the summery afternoon. Suddenly she wanted very badly to cry.

  ‘Are you there?’ her father said.

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I – I know what you’re going to say …’

  ‘No you don’t, so I want you to listen.’ His tone was sharp, confirming that he was as angry as she’d feared. ‘I should have told you this last night and I’m sorry I didn’t, but Lisa and I got married yesterday at the registry office so she’s already my wife, and you, my darling, will always, always, be the daughter I love more than my own life.’

  ‘Then why are you doing this?’ she said brokenly.

  There
was a pause, and more laughter in the background, before he said, ‘Lisa and I got married yesterday at the registry …’

  ‘You just told me that,’ she snapped. ‘I’m not deaf.’

  ‘I’m sorry – I … Look, darling, please, send a text to Lisa telling her you’re sorry …’

  ‘No! I will not do that.’

  ‘Rosalind, she hasn’t done anything to deserve this …’

  ‘How can you say that? You know very well she couldn’t wait for Mum to die, so if I could I’d ruin every day of her life, because that’s what she’s doing to mine.’

  ‘No, Rosalind, you’ve got it all wrong …’

  ‘This conversation is over.’

  ‘OK. Then at least apologise to me before you ring off.’

  ‘If I’ve upset you, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to send a text to her, so please don’t ask again.’

  There was another interruption his end before he said, ‘Jerry’s on his way back …’

  ‘No! I don’t need him here.’

  ‘He’s already left. Now, could you put Dee on again, please?’

  Passing the phone back to her aunt, Rosalind slumped down at the table and buried her face in her hands. If she’d ever wanted her mother more she couldn’t remember it, because all of a sudden the need was so urgent and consuming that she wanted to scream out loud with the sheer unrelenting force of it.

  ‘OK, I’ll do my best,’ Dee was saying, and hanging up she came to sit down too.

  ‘Please don’t try to persuade me to send that text,’ Rosalind said, having guessed what her father had asked Dee to do.

  ‘Then let me send it. You won’t even have to know what it says if you don’t want to, but, sweetheart, they’re already married; the wedding’s going ahead anyway …’

  ‘In which case, she doesn’t need an apology.’

  ‘But you are sorry you sent it, I can tell. So if it’s too difficult for you to say so, let me say it for you.’

  Rosalind shook her head.

  Ignoring the refusal, Dee said, ‘Where’s your mobile?’

  ‘Why is everyone on her side?’ Rosalind suddenly raged, banging her fists on the table. ‘She’s no one to us, do you hear me? No one, so if you want to do something, why don’t you get her out of our lives?’