‘No. Wild Birds, or Wild Flowers, or Bluebells and…’
‘Mum, I’m keeping The Birdcage,’ I said firmly. ‘It’s fine, and it reminds me of you.’ I put my arm around her and hugged her. ‘You’ve done so much for me. I could never begin to thank you.’
‘Oh, you!’ She hugged me hard. ‘There’s no need to thank me. You’re my daughter, aren’t you! Everything I do, I do it for you.’
‘Oh, gawd, don’t start singing!’ We both laughed and I looked back at the Brew House. ‘We still need to get Bobbi here,’ I said. ‘Now it’s looking like this, I think it’s time she came to see it.’
‘Is she still not well?’
‘Not really. I keep telling her to go to the doctor’s but she won’t. She’s more worried about how she’s going to get to work once we move here, but I’ve told her I can pick her up.’
‘You can’t do that for ever, though, can you? It’s all right if you’re living in Chester, but it won’t work if you stay with Anthony more and more.’
I shrugged. ‘I know, but she doesn’t drive and I don’t want to lose her.’
‘Isn’t there a train she could get? Maybe you could pick her up from a local station.’
‘Perhaps. We’ll have to look into it.’ I gnawed on my lip thoughtfully. It was something that had been worrying me for a while. I felt bad about moving Bobbi’s job an hour away from where she lived.
‘You and Anthony seem to be getting on well,’ Mum said, interrupting my thoughts.
‘Yes.’ I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. I didn’t want to jinx it by saying how perfect everything was, but I felt so happy I could burst. ‘Elena and Daniel are coming tonight and he’s cooking dinner for us all.’
‘Fabulous! Tell him your dad and I will be expecting an invite too.’
I laughed. ‘I will.’
***
Elena and Daniel were coming to finalise their wedding plans. Time had flown so fast that I couldn’t believe their wedding was now just over a month away. My bridesmaid dress had arrived, and Elena was bringing it with her tonight. I was excited to see it.
They arrived about six and I met them at the front door with Anthony, Julian, Liz and the children. I couldn’t believe I was standing on the steps of Willow Hall with everyone else, welcoming my best friend and her husband-to-be as though I lived there. It was almost as if I was part of the family.
Elena climbed out of Daniel’s truck and waved before collecting a dress bag from the backseat.
‘Hello!’ she called, her dark hair blowing and white summer dress flapping. I ran down and hugged her.
‘Are you getting married to him?’ Grace demanded, pointing at Daniel.
‘I am! Do you remember us from last time?’
‘Yes. Are you going to wear a big white dress?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can I see you?’
‘Yes, of course you can.’
‘Can I be your bridesmaid?’
‘Grace!’ Liz interrupted, taking her daughter by the hand and leading her into the house. ‘Sorry, Elena!’
‘It’s fine!’ Elena said, laughing. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘Grace, I told you that lots of people are going to be getting married here, and you can’t be bridesmaid to them,’ Liz continued.
‘Why not? I’ve never been a bridesmaid before.’ Grace’s big blue eyes filled with tears.
‘I know, darling.’ Liz smoothed back the little girl’s hair. ‘But you actually have to know the people that are getting married to be in with a chance of being their bridesmaid.’
‘What about Auntie Rachel and Uncle Anthony? Can I be bridesmaid for them?’
There was a sudden deathly hush and everybody seemed to freeze. Anthony became extremely interested in one of the old portraits of some distant ancestor, narrowing his eyes to read the inscription beneath. I laughed. ‘We’re not getting married yet, sweetheart.’ I threw a wicked glance at Anthony. ‘But when we do, you will definitely be a bridesmaid.’
Liz smiled gratefully. ‘Is that Rachel’s bridesmaid dress, Elena? You can store it upstairs if you like? You’re welcome to store your bridal gown here, too, when you get it. There’s no one getting married here before you so it wouldn’t be a problem.’
‘Oh, brilliant! Thank you.’
‘Shall I take you upstairs now? The boys can wait for us in the kitchen.’
‘Great.’ Elena looked at me. ‘Are you coming to try it on?’
‘Okay.’
We climbed the big oak staircase to the room where Elena and I would be getting ready for her big day. The big sash window was open and the filmy curtains billowed in the breeze. Elena hung the dress bag on the wardrobe door and unzipped it.
‘It’s so pretty!’ she said, as the dress emerged from its plastic cover. ‘I can’t wait to see you in it.’
The dress was very similar to the one I’d tried on at the wedding fair but was a delicate shade of iced blue instead of ivory. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as Elena did up the back of the dress.
‘Wow!’ Liz said. ‘You look beautiful! Wait until Anthony sees you in that. He won’t be able to resist proposing to you.’
I laughed. ‘Hardly! Did you see his face when Grace asked if she could be our bridesmaid? He looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him up!’
Liz laughed. ‘It’s about time he grew up. He can’t go through life refusing to take responsibility for things. That’s what it boils down to, essentially.’
‘I don’t know,’ I said, turning so I could see the back of the dress in the full-length mirror. ‘I think it just terrifies him.’
She grunted. ‘Well, it’s time it didn’t. Any fool can see he’s in love with you. He’s been so happy since you came back into his life. Last year he was really low. We were so mad with him when he sent you away. We couldn’t believe it, but the heart thing really knocked him for six.’
I stopped and looked at her. ‘What heart thing?’
Liz coloured. ‘Oh, err… it’s really not my place to say.’
I frowned. ‘No, go on, tell me. What heart thing?’
‘It’s nothing to worry about. He’s on tablets and seems absolutely fine. I really can’t say much more. You’ll have to ask Anthony if you want to know all the details.’
‘But he’s all right?’ I said, fear stirring inside. ‘He’s not going to die?’
‘God, no. I told you, he’s on tablets and he’s back at work, isn’t he? They wouldn’t let him go back to work if he wasn’t well.’
‘I think I found the tablets. Beta blockers?’
Liz nodded.
‘I didn’t know what they were for. Mum said heart and Bobbi said anxiety. I was hoping it was the latter.’
‘I don’t really know much, but I think they work by slowing the heart down.’ She shrugged. ‘I’m sorry, Rachel. Please don’t say anything to Anthony. He’ll go mad if he finds out I told you.’
‘But why wouldn’t he want me to know? What’s the big deal?’
‘Some stupid male pride thing, probably.’
I thought back to when Anthony had said he was broken and that he couldn’t have children. Was that what he was alluding to? His heart?
‘He said he couldn’t have children,’ I blurted. ‘Why can’t he have children?’
Liz blinked. ‘I don’t know anything about that. As far as I’m aware, he hasn’t ever tried, so how would he know?’
‘Was it something to do with the accident?’
‘I have no idea. I mean, that was how they found out about his heart condition. They did an ultrasound and picked it up on that.’
‘So his heart thing wasn’t caused by the crash?’
‘No, it’s genetic. Julian was screened but he’s okay at the moment. Our children will need to be checked too.’
‘Oh!’ I stared at her, feeling the threads of my perfect new life starting to unravel.
Liz smiled guiltily. ‘Sorry, Rachel.’
‘Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you told me. Thank you.’
I suddenly became aware of Elena standing to one side, looking stricken. ‘Sorry, Elena!’ I said, gathering myself together. ‘This is supposed to be a happy moment, isn’t it? Sorry!’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s important.’
‘I can just picture you getting ready in here on the morning of your wedding. I’m so excited about it! It’s going to be amazing.’
Elena laughed. ‘I know. I can’t believe that dress fits you so well, either! I don’t think it will need altering.’
‘It fits like a dream!’ Liz said. ‘At least that’s one less thing to do: getting your dress altered.’
‘True.’
I took a deep breath and smiled, but really all I could think about was Anthony and his heart.
‘You’ll have to show me your new building,’ Elena said as she unzipped the back of the dress for me. ‘I’m really excited about it. Though I’m sorry you’re losing the shop.’
‘I know.’ I stepped out of the bridesmaid dress and reached for my own clothes. ‘It is exciting to be doing something new, though. Especially as it’s all taking shape so well. How is your house coming on, Liz? You know, I still haven’t seen it.’
‘Really?’ Liz looked relieved the conversation had moved on and she could talk about something less controversial. ‘Perhaps we could walk over and have a look later. But first, I’d appreciate it if we could discuss the fine details of your wedding, Elena. You know, the place settings and everything. I know this might seem a little bit amateur, but you know you’re our first wedding, and I really want to get this right for you.’
‘Of course. And it doesn’t seem amateurish at all. I appreciate you asking.’
We hung the dress up inside the mahogany wardrobe and went downstairs to join everybody else in the kitchen. Cath had made another cake and was slicing it up while Anthony, Julian and Daniel stood around, practically drooling
‘Maybe you should be thinking about making wedding cakes, Cath. Willow Hall could become a one-stop shop for weddings.’
‘Yes!’ Julian pointed at his mother, his mouth full of cake.’ That’s a great idea.’
‘I don’t know about all the icing, though,’ Cath fretted.
‘You made ours.’
‘That was quite a simple cake. What about the people who want really fancy ones?’
‘You can only offer what you can do,’ I said.
‘The lady that’s making our wedding cake contacted me the other day to say she wasn’t very well,’ Elena said. ‘You could make ours if it wasn’t too much work for you?’
‘Really?’ Cath’s face lit up. ‘What type of cake did you want?’
‘I was going for a hexagonal cake with marbled fondant icing,’ Elena said, ‘but I realise I won’t be able to have that now.’
‘So what do you want now?’ Cath said, looking wary.
‘Something simple and elegant.’ Elena shrugged. ‘I don’t really mind. I feel so sorry for the cake lady. She was really sad she was having to let me down.’
‘Could you show me a photograph of what you wanted?’
Elena nodded and pulled her phone out of her bag. ‘I think I have one on my phone. But honestly, don’t worry if you can’t do it. I think I went a bit Bridezilla when I chose it. I’ve seen so many lovely ones that I’m sure I’d love whatever.’
Cath peered at Elena’s phone then passed it to Liz. ‘What do you think?’
‘You could try. I’m pretty sure you could make anything if you put your mind to it.’
‘Leave it with me,’ Cath said thoughtfully. ‘I’m not promising, but I’ll have a go. Can you send that photo to my phone?’
‘Of course. I’ll send you the link to the website, too, so you can get a larger picture. They’re all the rage now so if you could offer something like that you might get more people coming to you for cakes.’
Cath looked excited all of a sudden. ‘Ooh, I like the sound of that. Maybe I’m not such a useless old bat after all.’
‘You’re not a useless old bat at all!’ Anthony said, putting his arm around his mother and kissing her on the head. ‘We all think you’re amazing.’
‘Aww, thank you.’ She hugged him tightly around his waist.
It was sweet to watch Anthony and his mother together. This man, who swore he would never accept the responsibility of commitment and marriage, was capable of great love and affection. He caught me watching him and smiled.
We sat down at the table and went through Elena’s wedding plans. She’d brought her guest list and table plans. Liz pored over them, anxious to get everything right, and made three copies of everything so nothing could get lost. We discussed everything in minute detail and Liz made extensive notes.
‘Thanks so much for all this,’ Liz said, her tongue poking out of the side of her mouth as she scribbled away on her pad of paper. ‘I’m determined not to mess up your wedding so all this is much appreciated. I lie wake at night worrying about this stuff so to have your input is great.’
Elena laughed. ‘Aww, honestly, we’re both really laid-back people so please don’t worry too much. I’m sure it will all go brilliantly. Just being here in this hall is such an honour. Thank you so much for letting us have our wedding here.’
When Liz had got all the details down that she needed, I went through the placement of the flowers with Elena and worked out what flowers she needed for the church.
‘Are you going to show me your new place then?’ Elena asked after we’d got the last of the details down. ‘Come on, I’m dying to see it.’
We left the kitchen and took the path past the walled garden towards the Brew House. Charlie scampered on ahead with Oscar the dog trotting beside him and carrying a huge stick in his mouth.
‘Be careful, Charlie!’ Liz called.
‘He’s all right.’ Julian slipped his arm around her. ‘Try not to worry so much. You know it’s not good for your blood pressure.’
Anthony caught Grace’s hand and went skipping up the path with her, gravel spurting from beneath his feet. Elena laughed and slipped her arm through mine.
‘You’re going to be so happy here, Rachel,’ she said, looking around her at the beautiful green lawns and softly swaying willow trees. ‘I can feel it.’
I winced. ‘Don’t say it. You might jinx it.’
‘Nothing’s going to jinx it. You’re going to be fine.’ She squeezed my arm and smiled at me. ‘You and Anthony both seem so settled and happy. It’s really lovely to see.’
‘Thank you.’
The sky was still light but a silvery moon was rising from the east. We reached the Brew House and I opened the door and proudly showed them inside.
‘Oh, wow!’ Daniel said enthusiastically. ‘This is a great place. I’d love a place like this. I don’t suppose you need a resident tree surgeon, do you?’
‘Daniel! We’ve only just done up our house.’
He laughed. ‘I’m only joking.’
‘I don’t suppose you do willow sculptures, do you?’ Julian asked seriously. ‘Only I’d love to put something in front of the hall.’
‘Not me, but I’m sure I know someone who can. Leave it with me.’
Elena was looking through the window, down towards the lake. I knew she was sad about the shop closing. She’d been coming there since she was ten or eleven, and it was hard to say goodbye to those memories.
‘Come and see our house then,’ Liz said. ‘I can’t believe Anthony hasn’t shown you it yet, Rachel!’
‘He doesn’t want her getting any ideas, that’s why,’ Julian laughed. ‘Isn’t that right, Anthony?’
‘I have no idea what you mean, Julian. You need a big house for your ever-expanding family, while I do not. I’m quite content with my little cottage, thank you.’
‘What about when you and Rachel start having kids?’ he laughed, knowing he was touching on a difficult subject and enjoying it immensely. ‘You’ll need som
ewhere then.’
Anthony cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. ‘I guess we’d cross that bridge when we came to it.’
I felt a flicker of hope. It wasn’t an out and out dismissal of a future together, although he did look pretty shifty. Taking pity on him, I slipped my hand into his and squeezed it. ‘We’ve only just got together, Julian. We’re nowhere near that stage yet.’
‘Yet.’ Julian winked.
Liz and Julian’s house was a lot closer than I’d realised and was actually just down the road from Anthony’s cottage. It backed on to the lake and the only reason I hadn’t seen it from the Brew House was because of the thick summer foliage on the trees. Julian led us around the side to the front door, and I saw it had a large gravel drive and was shielded from the road by tall hedgerows.
‘Wow, this is gorgeous!’ I said. It was quite a grand Georgian house built in the same soft red brick as the hall, with leaded sash windows, and an arched entrance with a clear pilot light above the studded wooden door.
‘A bit better than Anthony’s gatehouse, isn’t it?’ Julian smirked.
‘You’re paying for it too,’ Anthony said, pointedly. ‘How many thousand have you spent on doing it up?’
‘That’s our business,’ Julian said, as he opened the front door to let us in.
It was empty inside. The walls had recently been replastered and were waiting for a lick of paint and the rooms looked huge without any furniture. All the same, you could see it was going to be a lovely home. Our footsteps echoed on bare floorboards as we walked through to the kitchen and Liz lifted a dustsheet on a large sitting room with a big open fireplace and exposed beams in the ceiling.
‘Wow! This will be amazing when it’s finished!’ Elena was saying. ‘You’re nearly there really, aren’t you? Just lots of decorating?’
‘That’s right. We’ll soon be in.’
‘I thought we had a massive job on our hands when we renovated our house,’ Daniel said, looking around him with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, ‘but this is on a different scale altogether.’
‘We’ve had people in,’ Julian said. ‘I could never have done this myself. I don’t have the skill set, for a start.’
Meet Me at Willow Hall Page 16
