‘Well no but it’s a pretty big elephant in the room,’ Leanna points out.
‘I know, I mean if it were me I wouldn’t even know where to start. I can’t imagine ever being able to face someone if I ever did something like that.’
‘Yeah but you wouldn’t do something like that so you would never be in that position,’ Leanna says.
‘I would hope so.’
‘It’s true though’, Leanna says. ‘So what’s going to happen next then?’
‘I don’t know really,’ I say. I hadn’t thought that far in advance.
‘I mean are you still going to avoid him at the gym or do you feel you can just train whenever you want now that you’ve seen him?’
‘I still feel like I want to avoid him. I don’t feel comfortable bumping into him because we still haven’t sorted things out.’
‘Yeah, there’s been no closure,’ Leanna observes.
‘Exactly’
Chapter 8
T he next day I wake up early to get ready. I almost feel like I need to dress for battle today as I am meeting Linda and Amelie over at Darlington Manor. God help me.
I put on my best tailored suit and team it up with some killer heels. I apply my make- up carefully so that it looks flawless and I put my hair up into a sleek bun.
Not bad, I tell myself. I feel ready to take on the world. Well if not the world at least I feel ready to deal with anything that Linda was going to throw at me today.
I quickly stop by the office to grab some paperwork for Amelie’s wedding.
‘Wow, you look amazing,’ Nic exclaims when she sees me. ‘You look like you mean business.’
I smile at her. ‘Well I’m meeting Linda and Amelie today so I thought I would get prepared.’
‘Oh Linda, Pushy Mother isn’t it?’ Nic asks.
‘Yup, you got it in one.’ I put the paperwork in my bag.
‘Good luck then,’ Nic waves me off as I leave.
Darlington Hall is a gorgeous country manor. The lawns outside the house are perfectly manicured and they are lush, thick and green. Huge leafy trees lined the driveway to the spectacular white house.
I make sure that I arrive before my clients. This gives me time to catch up with Renata, Darlington’s wedding and events coordinator. Renata is German. She is very efficient, calm and does not accept any nonsense. With platinum blonde hair and icy blue eyes, she looks cool on the exterior too.
‘Samantha,’ she calls out to me from the reception desk where she is standing.
‘Hi Renata, how are you?’
‘Fine, I just need to go through a couple of things with you,’ she says as I approach the desk.
‘Sure.’ I make my way over to her.
‘We are doing renovation work to the rooms on the west side of the house. But you can assure your clients that this work will be finished in 3 weeks so it will have no impact on their wedding day should they choose to book with us.’
‘No problems,’ I tell her. Although, I’m sure Linda will find some issues about that, I think to myself.
‘Of course this also means that the rooms will be completely refurbished and look brand new.’
‘That’s fantastic,’ I say. That will be a big positive in convincing Linda to get on board should Amelie choose this as her venue.
‘Oh one more thing, if your clients need to use the ladies room, the lock on one of the cubicle doors is broken and it jams up. There is an ‘Out of Use’ sign on the cubicle but it will be repaired very soon.’
‘Ok thanks for letting me know.’ I can see Amelie and Linda approaching the entrance. ‘My clients are here now,’ I tell her.
Renata stands up to meet them. Amelie looks radiant. I introduce her to Renata and they begin talking weddings straight away. Linda looks unimpressed by the whole affair. She barely acknowledges Renata. That woman is so rude.
She is dressed completely in black. I am not sure if it is her way of saying she might as well be at a funeral. During Renata’s tour of the venue, Linda makes sure she has a negative comment or remark to say about every single thing.
Amelie is absolutely in love with the manor and I can tell that this venue is the one. I really hope Linda isn’t going to spoil it. At the end of the tour, Renata goes through the pricing options with them. Amelie is interested in one of the packages that she thinks will be perfect for the wedding.
‘Are you sure you want a buffet? I mean I can’t even imagine what the Millington’s will think.’ Linda looked disgusted at the idea of imposing a buffet on whoever the Millingtons were.
‘Mum, I haven’t invited them. I don’t even know them,’ Amelie says.
‘And I haven’t even started on the ease of access in this place,’ Linda continues her diatribe. ‘I mean how will we even manage to wheel in Uncle William?’
‘There is wheelchair access,’ I interject politely.
Linda throws me some daggers and I feel myself wanting to wind her up even more.
‘Mum I think this is a perfect location and I know that James will love it too.’ I am impressed that Amelie seems to have grown a bit of a backbone recently.
‘I’m sorry to push you’, Renata interrupts waving some paperwork in her hand. ‘It’s just that you will need to make a decision on reserving the venue as we have two other couples interested in this venue on the same date. I am giving you first choice but you need to sign before you leave today if you wish to secure the date.’
Renata tells us she will give us some time to think and she will be in her office when we have made a decision.
‘Don’t sign it Amelie.’ Linda pushes the papers away. ‘You should not be rushed into such an important decision. I mean surely this is a sign we should look at other venues. We have so many things to consider.’
Amelie looks distraught. ‘But, it’s perfect here.’
‘I need to visit the ladies. Where are the facilities please?’ Linda turns to me and I tell her where they are.
‘I want to speak with you privately when I come back,’ Linda whispers loudly to Amelie.
Suddenly I am hit with a brainwave. I tell my clients that I have left something in my car. I quickly dash over to the ladies toilets. I know I can get there before Linda if I hurry up.
I run into the loo and quickly swap the sign from the broken cubicle to the other one. Luckily there are only 2 cubicles in this ladies room. I can hear footsteps so I hide in the cubicle where I have just placed the ‘Out of Use’ sign. I pull the door towards me so that it looks shut. I crouch right up on to the toilet so my legs and feet aren’t in view. Luckily Linda goes straight into the other cubicle. I hear her shut the door and lock it.
Bingo!!
She coughs and then emits a loud fart. I fight the urge to laugh. Not so classy after all Linda, are you? I quietly leave the cubicle and stick the sign back onto Linda’s toilet cubicle.
OUT OF USE, the sign says in large red letters.
I quietly slip out of the toilets and walk back to find Amelie. Of course I haven’t really forgotten anything but I needed an excuse to leave so I could execute my plan to trap Linda in the toilet. Wicked, isn’t it?
I head back to the ceremony room where Amelie is looking at the brochure that outlines the different wedding packages on offer.
‘So have you decided yet?’ I smile at Amelie. I can’t believe what I just did to Linda but I need Amelie to be alone so she could just get on and book the venue.
‘I really love the Diamond Sparkle package.’ Amelie shows me glossy pictures of the ceremony room complete with the food and flowers.
‘Wow, that is definitely you.’ I finish reading through the info pack. Renata has come back in again.
‘Again I don’t mean to push you but can I ask if you are interested in booking us for your wedding?’ Renata has a very calm and efficient way of asserting herself.
‘I really do but I think I should wait for Mum to come back just so I can run things through with her again,’ Amelie says he
sitantly.
‘I normally wouldn’t pressurise you so much. It’s just that one of the couples who are interested in booking the same day as you has just phoned. They want to put down a deposit even though they haven’t seen the venue,’ Renata explains.
‘Oh no,’ Amelie looks distraught.
‘Unfortunately if you don’t sign now, I can’t save the venue for you on the date you have chosen.’
‘I suppose that is fair enough,’ I say as I glance at my phone to check the time. Fortune seems to be on our side and I really hope Amelie decides to book this venue now.
Another 10 minutes pass and there is still no sign of Linda. I suppress the urge to laugh when I think of her, locked in the toilet cubicle. The beauty of my plan is that there is hardly anyone here so early on a weekday morning. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that anyone will go into the ladies for a while.
‘I don’t know what is taking her so long.’ Amelie looks at her watch.
‘Maybe she is having another look around the venue or she might be on the phone?’ I suggest, hoping I don’t look guilty.
‘Well, I really must be off in a few minutes.’ Renata looks at her watch. ‘I have another appointment soon and I must get prepared.’
‘Of course,’ Amelie is getting a bit flustered. ‘I mean umm I don’t see why I shouldn’t sign. This is the place I’d love to get married in.’
‘I totally agree.’ I can see that with the right encouragement, Amelie could be well on her way to getting the wedding of her dreams. Just sign that paperwork, I think to myself. After all that’s the reason I locked Linda into the cubicle. Please let my plan work.
‘This is the perfect venue for you. I can just see you and James standing in this room together,’ I add encouragingly.
Amelie smiles and I can see that she is caught up in the dream. She picks up the pen and signs the contract.
‘Great, I look forward to working with you,’ Renata leans over to shake Amelie’s hand. ‘I can assure you that you have made the best decision and you will have the most beautiful wedding of your dreams’.
‘Thank you, it was lovely to meet you,’ Amelie replies.
‘Sammi will arrange our next meeting and we will go through the finer details in our next meeting,’ Renata says goodbye and heads off to her next appointment.
I can see that Amelie is happy about booking Darlington Manor but I can also sense a bit of tension around her. Of course, she must be a bit anxious at the thought of having to tell Linda that she went ahead and booked the venue.
Speaking of which, Linda has still not surfaced. We wander back into the main reception and there is still no sign of her.
‘I don’t know where she could be,’ Amelie looks perplexed.
‘I don’t know either,’ I say innocently. Obviously no one has gone into the ladies room yet.
We sit down and wait for a few minutes until Amelie stands up again.
‘I think we should go to the loo and check that Mum is okay. I am getting a bit worried now.’
‘Of course, let’s go’, I say as I lead the way to the toilets. I am bracing myself to deal with Linda’s wrath knowing that she has been locked in the cubicle for the best part of half an hour.
As we approach the ladies room, we can hear a slight banging. Because the door is made from a very thick slab of wood, the sound of Linda’s banging has been muted. We enter and immediately hear Linda shouting for help.
‘Somebody, let me out,’ Linda is banging on the door, ‘This is outrageous.’
She sounds furious and it takes all my strength not to laugh out loud.
‘Mum,’ Amelie runs over to the cubicle and tries to open it.
‘Amelie is that you?’ Linda stops banging on the door, ‘I have been locked in here. This blasted door is stuck and I can’t get out.’
We both try to pull the door open with no real luck. Obviously, I know that our attempts are futile.
‘Oh look,’ I point to the door to show Amelie the sign. ‘It says the toilet is out of use.’
‘Mum,’ Amelie calls out to Linda, ‘You’ve gone into the wrong toilet.’
‘Whatever do you mean?’ Linda sounds aggrieved at the mere hint that she may have done something wrong.
‘There is a massive ‘Out of Use’ sign on the door.’ Amelie reads out the sign to her.
‘Rubbish, I saw no such thing,’ Linda argues.
‘It does say this cubicle is out of use Linda,’ I add in for good measure. ‘I’m just going to run over to reception and get someone from maintenance to come and get you out.’
‘This is just unbelievable,’ Linda says. ‘I told you this place is unsuitable. I never liked it from the start.’
‘Oh Mum, don’t worry, we will get you out,’ Amelie tries to reassure her.
I head over to the desk at reception. I would be lying if I said I rushed over. The longer Linda stays locked in that cubicle, the better. In fact, if she could stay locked in until Amelie’s wedding is over… wishful thinking.
I can see Renata had just taken some more prospective clients into her office which is good news. She won’t be able to speak to Linda who may bully her into tearing up the contract once she is freed from the toilet cubicle. I speak to the receptionist and within a few minutes, one of the maintenance guys turns up with his tool box.
‘Why in earth did she go into that bleeding cubicle?’ he asks in disbelief.
‘I have no idea,’ I continue to feign innocence. ‘I mean the sign on the door is so obvious. I don’t know how she didn’t see it.’
‘Hmmm dozy mare,’ he says as he picks up his toolbox and I follow him down to the ladies.
The maintenance guy, Keith manages to unlock the door within a few minutes. Much to my disappointment, Linda has been released back into the world.
She is red-faced and looks quite dishevelled after her stint of shouting and banging on doors.
‘This is completely outrageous,’ Linda is practically hissing at Keith as she is freed from the cubicle.
Keith is having none of it and I can tell he has probably handled more than his fair share of Linda’s on many occasions.
‘Look at the bleeding sign on the door, dear,’ he points to the bright red notice.
‘I did not see any sign whatsoever on the door,’ Linda insists.
‘Well, what do you call that then, love?’ Keith starts to pack his tools away.
‘I never saw any sign when I went in,’ she says accusingly.
‘You may not have seen it but it has been there since yesterday. I put it up there myself,’ says Keith.
‘Hmmph,’ comes her reply.
‘The locksmith is coming today to replace that dodgy lock. I think you need to get down to Specsavers and get an eye test. They’re doing free eye tests at the moment. Me missus went down the other day.’
‘There is nothing wrong with my eyesight,’ Linda is puce with rage.
‘If you say so love,’ Keith picks up his toolkit and walks out. I really do love this maintenance guy. He’s hilarious and he doesn’t even know it.
‘Well, I never,’ Linda’s says when he is gone.
‘Listen Linda, it’s okay,’ I put on a patronising voice. ‘It’s easily done. I’m sure I would have done the same thing.’
‘There was no sign on that door,’ Linda is furious and I can see that she is getting all worked up again.
‘Mum, just relax,’ Amelie tries to comfort Linda. ‘You missed the sign and it must have been really horrible being locked in there for so long but you are out now and we can enjoy the rest of the day together.’
Yeah right. As if anyone can enjoy a pleasant day in Linda’s company.
‘Well this just confirms what I have been saying all along about this place,’ Linda heads over to the sink and mirror.
‘Oh Mum, it’s not their fault. It’s just a bit of confusion with the sign.’
‘No it’s not confusion. We cannot have our guests being trapped in toilet
s, eating buffet food and wandering around a building site.’ Linda turns on the taps and begins to wash her hands vigorously.
‘It’s not a building site Mum, they are just renovating a few rooms.’
‘Can you imagine your elderly relatives coming here?’ Linda turns to face her daughter. ‘How would Aunt Edie have coped with being trapped in that cubicle for hours?’
‘It won’t happen again,’ Amelie is looking stressed.
‘Exactly,’ Linda says as she takes a brush out of her handbag.’ It won’t happen because you aren’t getting married here.’
I am relieved when I get back to the Wedding Boss offices. It has been very draining to be around Linda. She is a really awful and selfish person. How she ever created such a sweet and lovely daughter, I do not know.
On the other hand, I can’t believe my plan worked. I mean how fortunate that the cubicle was broken and I was able to lock Linda out for a while. I don’t feel guilty at all for doing it. Linda was fuming when she heard that Amelie had signed the contract for Darlington Manor but it’s too late now.
When I walk in, Jodie is on the phone to somebody but she begins gesturing and pointing to my office.
‘What?’ I mouth over to her.
She just keeps pointing but I can’t make sense of what she is trying to tell me.
I’ll just find out for myself so I walk towards my office. I can see that someone is sitting in my cream leather chair. As I get closer, I get a better look.
Surely, it’s not. I get to the doorway and yes indeed it is Caspar.
I am momentarily speechless but as I have been blindsided by Caspar on several occasions now, I manage to compose myself rather quickly.
‘Caspar,’ I say coolly as I enter my office.
‘Sammi,’ Caspar stands up.’ I hope you don’t mind me dropping in like this to see you.’
He gives me that smile that used to get me weak at the knees. I really wish he would stop doing that.
‘Well, I am rather busy today’, I head over to my desk and begin shuffling paperwork around to prove that I am indeed stacked with work.
Ghosted: Wicked Wedding Planners Series Page 9
