White Tulips & Wedding Cake

by Jonathan Solomon

  The Maître D’ welcomed the group and led them to the reserved table where they were seated.

  “I’ve never eaten here before. Looks very fancy,” said Jonquil.

  “Oh, it’s not that fancy. I’ve eaten here plenty of times,” said Camille.

  “So, um, as you all know,” said Heath. “Anthony and I are getting married and we have set a date for Saturday, 15 September this year.”

  Jonquil started clapping her hands in excitement. Camille merely glared at Jonquil.

  “Heath and I have decided to have the wedding ceremony with a civil celebrant at Orange Blossoms Vineyard in the Southern Highlands,” said Anthony. “We’ll have the ceremony in a gazebo and for the reception the vineyard has this large old hall with these massive wooden beams. It’s really beautiful inside. We’re going to invite about 100 people to the reception.”

  “Sounds like you’ve organised everything so why do you need us?” asked Camille, pointing at both Jonquil and herself.

  Heath and Anthony looked at each other.

  “Camille and Jonquil, Anthony had this idea that you could both walk us down the aisle, one at a time,” Heath said.

  “Instead of a traditional wedding where the father gives the bride away, the mothers are giving the grooms away,” said Anthony.

  “Oh, I love it,” said Jonquil, clapping her hands again.

  “What a ridiculous idea. You want me to walk my son down like he’s a woman? He’s not a woman, he’s a man. Well, he’s supposed to be one,” said Camille.

  Jonquil stopped clapping and looked appalled.

  “And not only that, we want both of you to wear a tuxedo. You’ll be our Best Mums instead of us having best men,” said Heath.

  “Oh, how clever,” enthused Jonquil. “I know the right tailor to fit a suit up for me. And will you both wear suits?” Jonquil asked Anthony and Heath.

  “They’ll be wearing dresses. We’re walking them down the aisle,” snapped Camille.

  “Actually, we will both be wearing tuxedos,” Anthony answered. “Mum, will you wear a tuxedo?”

  Camille was now studying the wine menu.

  “As long as it’s a stylish and exemplary tuxedo, I’ll co-operate,” answered Camille without looking up from her menu. Anthony had a look of sheer delight in his eyes and was going to hug his mum but she had batted him away quite firmly with the wine menu.

  “And the music? Will it be classical? Will you have a string ensemble?” asked Jonquil.

  “It will be a surprise on the day. The idea is that the first groom is walked down the aisle to one music track and the second groom will be walked down the aisle to a different music track,” answered Heath.

  Camille was waving to get the waiter’s attention.

  “Who will go first?” asked Jonquil.

  “Ladies first,” Camille quipped before smiling at the waiter who arrived at their table.

  “Mum!” Anthony said through gritted teeth.

  “I’ll have a glass of champagne, with natural bubbles please,” requested Camille. The waiter nodded and left.

  Camille turned her attention to the table.

  “Well, there’s no surprise there. I’ll be walking Anthony down the aisle first,” Camille said. “And come to think of it, I’ll have to pay for the whole wedding as well.”

  “Mum!” protested Anthony.

  “What was wrong with that girl? You’ve known each other for years. I feel so sorry for her,” said Camille.

  “Just drop it, Mum,” fumed Anthony.

  Heath laid his hand on Anthony’s shoulder in a show of support.

  “So, ah, good to see that this aspect of the wedding has been sorted,” said Heath as he cleared his throat. “We also wanted to ask for any advice as to cakes or flowers.”

  The waiter returned with Camille’s glass of champagne, to which Camille was relieved to receive.

  “Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked.

  “Ah, we will be in a few minutes,” said Anthony as Jonquil and Heath picked up their menus. The waiter nodded and left the table.

  “I wouldn’t know. I don’t know anything about cakes or flowers. I’ve been working in education all my life,” said Jonquil.

  “What about you, Mum?” Anthony asked.

  “Well, I happened to be walking along Oxford Street the other day on my way to Woollahra and there appears to be a new florist shop. I think they were called Late Bloomer something. They might be worth a visit. I heard on the grapevine that a special occasions cake maker is moving next door. Maybe wait a week or two and then place an order for both your flowers and cake,” said Camille.

  “Thank you, Mum. Heath can you take note of that name, Late Bloomer on Oxford Street,” said Anthony.

  The waiter returned.

  “Are you ready to order,” asked the waiter.

  “Yes!” they all replied in unison.

  Chapter 17

  Friday, 4 May – 9.28 am

  “Pahi, I’m just going to pop out and meet Malik. If you could look after this order please,” said Iris.

  “Sure, no problem, will do that right now,” said Pahi heading over to the workshop table.

  Iris took off her work apron and brushed herself down. She hoped she looked presentable. She stepped down outside and paced up and down the front of the flower store. She was excited about meeting Malik in person.

  A van drove up, which had the name Fond of Fondant written in large blue letters. The van came to a complete stop and Malik, in the flesh, stepped out of the driver’s seat. He was more handsome in person. He saw Iris standing out the front and flashed a great white smile.

  “You must be Iris?” greeted Malik with his deep and accented voice He locked the van door and walked around the van with his arm outstretched for a handshake.

  “Yes, that’s me,” said Iris, shaking Malik’s hand.

  Malik had dark tanned tone skin, was clean-shaven, and wore a crisp white shirt, with rolled-up sleeves. He had wavy black hair and intelligent dark brown eyes.

  “I just want to say thank you again so much for accepting my application. I’ve worked for quite a few bakeries and I’m excited to finally go out on my own doing something that I love,” said Malik.

  “Well, I saw your portfolio. I have to say I am very impressed,” said Iris.

  “Thank you, Iris,” said Malik. He grabbed the keys in his pocket. “Did you want to come in? I can tell you what I am going to do with the space.”

  “Sure, if you’re okay with that,” said Iris.

  “It’s no problem,” said Malik.

  Malik and Iris stepped into the store.

  “I’m going to put my creations in the window space so people can see what I can make. I’ll show different creations from time to time, birthday cakes, wedding cakes, and cakes for special occasions,” said Malik.

  “I look forward to seeing your edible works of art,” laughed Iris.

  “They are like artworks, except you get to eat them,” Malik chuckled.

  “You better not let me in the art gallery then!” said Iris. “So how did you get into baking cakes?”

  “It’s a bit of a long story. My parents were born in Morocco and they owned a small bakery shop. I used to help out from time to time,” explained Malik. “We came here to Australia. I went to high school here and got a job in a bakery in Cabramatta and that led to jobs in Lakemba, Auburn, Punchbowl, Bankstown and Marrickville. But I also did some night-time classes at a local cooking school. My friends are always asking me to make them something for special occasions so I have been doing that. Through word of mouth my cakes became well-known. I’ve had to turn down friends’ requests due to such high demand. A friend suggested that I should start a cake shop. So I was looking for a good place to sell my cakes and I came across this space. I’m very happy I was successful. But I do miss my parents. They moved back to Morocco a few years ago and they’re now working in a new bakery shop. I still keep in touch with them by email and
Skype. I do have a lot of family in Morocco.”

  Iris smiled at Malik. There was a fresh optimism in Malik’s face, voice and posture. He was quite possibly the most upbeat person she had ever met. Every word Malik uttered was with an underlying sense of passion and meaning.

  “And how long have you had your floristry business? We’ll be neighbours!” said Malik.

  “I only started trading in my business a few days ago but before that I had been working as a florist for small businesses on and off over the last 20 years,” said Iris.

  “Sounds like you’re very experienced!” said Malik.

  “And extremely fortunate. You see this building? My uncle bequeathed it to me. It’s allowed me to be my own boss now. But I am confused by the whole thing because it looks like my uncle just bought the building and then moved to France straight afterwards. Anyway I should stop babbling,” said Iris.

  They were now both standing in the kitchen area. “So the kitchen looks very well prepared. I will just need to bring a few fondant making machines and equipment like tins, moulds and foam bases. I have all of that in the van. I need to call a few people to help out with the signage on the window, but apart from that I’m good to go!” said Malik.

  “That’s great to hear. If you need any help please let me know,” said Iris.

  There was the sound of the store door being opened and a young woman of Chinese descent appeared. She was wearing a crisp white buttoned-up shirt, black trousers and black shoes. Her hair was held up in a bun and she had a very friendly face.

  “Morning, Lian,” Malik waved.

  “Morning, Malik,” greeted Lian.

  “Iris, this is Lian Hua Luli, my cake detailer. She has an extraordinary attention for detail. Lian, this is Iris, a florist, our next door neighbour,” said Malik.

  “Nice to meet you, Iris,” said Lian.

  “You too,” Iris said. “Well I shall leave you two alone to settle in. I just wanted to say welcome and if you need anything stop by next door and ask for me,” said Iris as she made her way back to the flower store.

  Chapter 18

  Saturday, 5 May – 5:25 pm

  “Hey Ollie,” said Meggie as Ollie entered the Balmain pub, an establishment that refused to change its very 1960s pub aesthetics.

  “Hey Meg,” Ollie answered. “Looks like it’s going to be a very busy night tonight.”

  “Tell me about it. We’re hosting three 21st birthday celebrations. It will be great for business and fun to watch, although I hope they actually drink the beer and not spill it all over the carpet,” said Meggie.

  Ollie nodded his head. He headed over to the kitchen where he began to start washing the drink glasses. There were a lot of these to clean and he had better get onto this. He put on the washing gloves and started cleaning. His thoughts had been activated by a word Meggie had said. Spill. The spilt lemon, lime and bitters. The first time Silver Fox and Ollie had met. And Ollie’s thoughts wandered even further.

  April 2015

  It was a beautiful and glorious sunny day. Ollie was waiting at the Paddington entrance of Centennial Park. He was excited that he was going to see Silver Fox again. Silver Fox had this habit of meeting first in public places only before heading back to Silver Fox’s place.

  Ollie was head over heels that someone could still want to be with him. After meeting up with Silver Fox, Ollie would lie back on his bed, with his head in the clouds, feeling amazement. They had been dating for three months so far and Ollie was thrilled. At this point in time it was still a date every weekend. Silver Fox had said he was very busy during the week but he would be happy to meet up once every weekend.

  This was Ollie’s first relationship and he was learning a lot. Ollie had questioned whether the age difference, some twenty years, was an issue but had set aside that worry. Here was Silver Fox, actually showing an interest in him, something he did not think was possible.

  Ollie looked down at his watch. Silver Fox had texted he would be here soon. Ollie started to feel agitated. He hoped it was a delay and that Silver Fox had not changed his mind about meeting up. Ollie thought about Silver Fox all week and would be devastatingly crushed if Silver Fox did not want to see him again.

  “Hey Ollie,” Silver Fox materialised. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  “Silver Fox!” Ollie said in pure happiness, his heart leaping with joy. Ollie walked over and gave Silver Fox a hug. Silver Fox patted Ollie on the back and glanced around the gates to see if anyone saw them. He scanned the park to see if he recognised any of the locals, who were jogging, walking their dogs or taking their children out for exercise.

  A group of wiry and lean men ran past, their taut and topless bodies glistening with sweat. They turned around a corner and continued running in the opposite direction. Pairs of female cyclists were pedalling uphill in feats of stamina.

  Ollie was blissfully happy. It was like Silver Fox was a missing piece of his life. Ollie plus Silver Fox equalled happiness. When Ollie was with Silver Fox he could relax, enjoy the present and be genuinely happy.

  Ollie and Silver Fox walked around the park, holding light conversations and hands. They had paused by the duck ponds.

  “So, one of my friends from high school, Graham, is having a 45th birthday party next month. Did you want to come along?” Silver Fox asked casually.

  “Sure, that sounds like fun,” said Ollie.

  “It will be the first time my friends get to meet you,” said Silver Fox.

  “Oh, okay. I will be careful to make a good impression and not embarrass you,” said Ollie.

  “Yes, Graham is a good friend of mine and we talk every day. He’s heard so much about you and is keen to meet you,” said Silver Fox.

  Ollie became silent. Ollie’s head started to generate thoughts, “Silver Fox only texts me on Fridays and the weekends. Silver Fox is talking to Graham every day but not to me. Waiting for Silver Fox’s text message to arrive is distressing and torturing me.”

  Ollie shook these thoughts away. He was happy where he was now, in Silver Fox’s presence, in a beautiful park and in perfect sunny weather. Ollie kept tight hold of Silver Fox’s hand as they walked further around the park.

  After they walked around the park, they walked to Silver Fox’s parked car. Ollie felt uncomfortable being in cars. Two years before his father had been giving him driving lessons when all of a sudden his father was having a heart attack as Ollie was learning how to reverse park. Ollie had called the ambulance and they had taken Roddy and Ollie to Emergency but it was too late. Ollie felt guilty that he somehow had been the reason his dad was no longer here. His mum was so distraught by the news. Ollie’s desire to get his P plates dissipated and he now travelled by foot, public transport or by bike.

  “Are you okay, Ollie?” asked Silver Fox.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” said Ollie and he opened the passenger car door to let himself in.

  “Ollie, I think you’ve already washed those glasses,” said Meggie as she came in to collect the racks of clean glasses. “Are you turning into a super-clean freak again?”

  “Oh, sorry, I guess I was distracted,” said Ollie apologetically. He took off the gloves and helped bring the other clean glasses to the counter, where he started to serve the patrons.

  Chapter 19

  Saturday, 12 May – 5:59 pm

  “Hi Mum. It’s Iris here, how are you?” Iris talked into her mobile phone, as she closed the store door and made her way upstairs to her living space.

  “Hello darling, I’m not too bad. I’ve been working on the front garden over the last couple of weeks and it’s really starting to finally look tidy,” said Gladys. “Taming those wayward branches takes work!”

  “That’s good to hear,” Iris paused. “Mum, I was just letting you know that the handyman found an old newspaper article in the cupboards in the building. This article is dated December, 1972.”

  “1972?” Gladys repeated.

  “Yes. The article has a photo about a
French dignitary visiting Sydney. It looks like Pascal was the French ambassador at the time. And I can see Jack in the background of the photo. If you’d like I can post a photocopy to you,” Iris offered.

  “Yes, that would be nice, dear.”

  “I’ll do that tomorrow,” said Iris.

  “Thanks Iris. So how’s your store going?”

  “It’s going really well Mum. We’re getting quite a few new customers because of the foot traffic on Oxford Street and we’ve got lovely feedback. I think the store is settling into the business community quite nicely,” said Iris.

  “I’m happy to hear that Iris. And you have a new tenant for next door?” enquired Gladys.

  “Yes, Malik’s store moved in a few weeks ago with his store, Fond of Fondant. You should see his creations, Mum. They are incredible. Only the other day I saw him place in the store window a cake in the shape of a waratah.”

  “That sounds amazing,” said Gladys. “Is Malik a nice man?”

  “He is a very lovely man. He has such a lovely smile and such happy eyes. He always says hello to me in the mornings and he even brings over cake samples he is working on. He brings a little plate with a slice and I give him feedback. He also does that to Pahi, my colleague, as well. She loves it,” said Iris.

  “Sounds like he’s a catch Iris,” said Gladys.

  “Mum, he’s too young for me. He’s about seventeen years younger than me. He’s closer in age to Ollie than to me.”

  “Keep your options open Iris. It’s better to approach life with an open heart. But I guess I’m bad at taking my own advice. Anyhoo, I look forward to seeing that article.”

  “Okay, Mum. You have a good weekend,” said Iris.

  “You too, darling,” said Gladys and Iris hung up.

  December 1972, Gladys thought. That was also the time Jack had visited Grafton to see Gladys and Iris.

  December 1972

  Gladys had her camera ready and was taking quite a few photographs at a playground by the Clarence River. Jack was helping Iris climb across monkey bars. Gladys gave a sad smile as she saw Iris having a great time with Jack. Gladys took a few photographs of the Grafton Bridge, a long metal grid structure supported over the Clarence River.