White Tulips & Wedding Cake

by Jonathan Solomon

  “You’re looking great, Gladys,” said Jack as he appraised Gladys’ short yellow and white dress. Jack himself was wearing a short-sleeved collared shirt with grey trouser-shorts and knee high white socks and brown shoes. “He’s really showing off his muscular legs today,” thought Gladys.

  “Why are we meeting you at the airport?” said Gladys. “We could have met somewhere nice in the city, like the Botanical Gardens or Hyde Park.” Gladys could see Iris was starting to fidget so she got a book out of her bag to preoccupy Iris. Iris then sat down on a nearby lounge seat. Iris kept grinning at Jack and giving him little waves. Jack waved back.

  “It was the timing. It could have been better organised I agree,” said Jack.

  “Oh you mean you’re actually travelling?” asked Gladys. “I was going to ask if you could come back to Grafton. Mum and Dad are not doing too well.”

  “Oh,” said Jack. “I’m sorry to hear about Mum and Dad. Yes, I’m going travelling and was just about to check in my luggage.”

  Jack nodded in the direction of his luggage about ten metres away. Near the luggage was a man in his mid-50s. He looked quite distinguished. This man nodded at Gladys and walked over to introduce himself, bringing two big bags over.

  “Bonjour, my name is Pascal. It’s a pleasure to meet Jack’s sister,“ said Pascal in a very heavy French accent. “I’ve heard so much about you. I met Jack while working here in Sydney.”

  Gladys strained in her comprehension but was able to follow Pascal’s speech. Jack then took a deep breath. Pascal put his hand on Jack’s shoulder in a sign of support.

  “Gladys, I’m going to France,” said Jack.

  “Well, that’s nice of you to go travelling to France,” said Gladys. “Whatever for?”

  “Gladys, I’m leaving,” said Jack.

  Gladys was stunned.

  “Leaving. You’re leaving permanently?” asked Gladys uncertainly, unsure how to react to this news. This very sudden piece of news.

  “Yes, Pascal has obtained my visa and I plan to work towards gaining French citizenship,” said Jack.

  “Why?” Gladys asked. “You’re leaving me here alone with Mum and Dad the way they are?”

  “Gladdie, Pascal has finished his post as ambassador and he is returning back to France. I’m going with him,” said Jack.

  “What’s so special about Pascal?” said Gladys looking up and down at Pascal.

  “He has an apartment in Champs Élysées, and a villa in Nice,” said Jack.

  “Are you out of your mind?” blurted out Gladys.

  “Pascal said I could live with him,” said Jack.

  Then it dawned on Gladys. Pascal and Jack very close to each other, they were clearly very comfortable in each other’s space. Gladys was speechless. People milled about them, going on their way to their intended destinations. She felt frozen in time. Pascal and Jack were lovers. Gladys’ heart was happy that Jack was able to find freedom and therefore his happiness but her head was giving stern warnings that Gladys would be overwhelmed by the care her parents required. For a few long seconds her heart and mind had a struggle, leaving her immobilised. Then a decision was made. The mind won.

  “Iris,” Gladys called out. “Let’s go. We don’t want to be late for the wedding.”

  Iris got to her feet and reached out for Gladys’ hand. Gladys walked sternly out of the Departures Lounge, and out into the open-air carpark. Gladys did not look back.

  “Mum, is everything okay?” asked Iris as she was buckled into the car.

  “Yes, darling,” reassured Gladys. “We just don’t want to be late for the wedding.”

  Gladys drove silently until they arrived at the Anglican church in The Rocks. Gladys looked at her watch. She knew they were here too early. The wedding did not start for another two hours. Gladys and Iris left the car and Gladys could hear there was an actual service inside. She walked into the church with Iris and sat down amongst the congregation.

  The priest could be heard giving a reading. It sounded familiar to Gladys. Yes, that’s right, the parable of the Prodigal Son. Gladys squeezed Iris’s hand in comfort and then closed her eyes.

  Gladys replayed this event over in her mind and wondered, had she stayed longer with Jack she could have tried to change Jack’s mind to leave, to persuade him to stay in Australia. For Jack to still be an important adult figure in Iris’s life.

  Gladys wondered if she had stayed a bit longer she may have found out the truth about the commercial building in Paddington.

  Well, Gladys reminded herself that she still had the letters and she would bring them down to Sydney soon. Maybe they held a clue of some sort.

  Chapter 27

  Friday, 29 June – 10:30 am

  “So how is your flower delivery job going?” asked Clara as she began stocking water bottles into the fridge behind the counter.

  “It’s really different,” said Ollie. “It gets me outdoors and makes me really fit. When delivering flowers, you do really step into people’s lives. So far I’m fortunate that it hasn’t rained heavily.”

  “Well, maybe you could deliver some flowers here. That would make the place look really nice,” suggested Clara. “Freshen the place up. Help reduce the mustiness of the pub.”

  Ollie was only half-listening. He thought about the time when the route took him through King Street, which was on the way to making the delivery of the white tulips.

  August 2015

  Silver Fox and Ollie were having a drink at a pub on King Street, Newtown. It was a Saturday afternoon. They were seated at the courtyard at the back of the pub. Ollie was having a lemon, lime and bitters and Silver Fox was having a beer. There was a fun vibe in the air as twenty-somethings relaxed into the potential of a memorable night out on the town.

  Ollie’s anger had subsided considerably and knew that his love for Silver Fox still held. However, his thoughts were causing Ollie to think twice about continuing the relationship.

  “It’s a lovely night out, isn’t it?” said Silver Fox.

  “It certainly is,” agreed Ollie.

  “Oh, a funny thing happened at work. On Thursday all the staff in the team at my accounting firm wore the same colour. Purple. We had a photo together,” said Silver Fox. He brought out his phone and showed Silver Fox the photo. Ollie smiled at the photo but as Silver Fox brought back his phone Ollie had seen there were received text messages from Graham.

  “Sorry, I just need to reply to this message,” said Silver Fox as he typed up a text message.

  There was a pause and Silver Fox looked over at Ollie.

  “What’s up with you? Why are you looking so sullen now?” asked Silver Fox.

  “Silver Fox I can’t do this anymore,” said Ollie.

  “Can’t do what?” said Silver Fox.

  “This relationship. Don’t I make you happy?” asked Ollie.

  “You don’t need to make me happy Ollie. You just need to be yourself,” said Silver Fox.

  “I think I’m losing myself in this relationship. I love you so much but I feel so unhappy. I want to break up with you,” said Ollie.

  There was a pause as Silver Fox carefully thought over what to say next.

  “It’s mutual,” said Silver Fox. “I didn’t let myself fall in love with you.”

  “Ouch,” thought Ollie.

  “Then why did you bother asking me out,” asked Ollie. “What was the point of those amazing meals at different restaurants, seeing quite a few theatre shows, and of course the sunny walks in the parks.”

  “Look, there was definitely a spark when we first met but it didn’t really develop for me. And by the way you agreed to the date,” said Silver Fox.

  “But what was it that didn’t make you fall in love with me?” asked Ollie. “I say I love you but you don’t say it back.”

  “Look it was a good relationship,” said Silver Fox. “But as I said, I see this breakup as being mutual.”

  “You didn’t answer the question,” said
Ollie. “I don’t even know who you really are.”

  “Well, it’s been a good attempt,” said Silver Fox as he finished off his beer and got to his feet. “Take care and good luck for the future.”

  Ollie watched Silver Fox as he walked his way out of the courtyard.

  A barperson collected the empty glasses in front of Ollie.

  “Would you like another lemon, lime and bitters,” the bar person asked.

  Ollie shook his head and the bar person left to collect empty glasses at the next table.

  Ollie could feel a flatness settling over his face.

  “Ollie, you’re in a daze again,” said Clara as she was waving her hands in front of Ollie’s face. “Were you thinking about your ex again?

  Ollie snapped to attention and nodded his head guiltily.

  Clara shook her head and her finger at Ollie.

  “How many times have I said that self-pity is a health hazard?” said Clara as she titled her head to one side.

  Chapter 28

  Saturday, 7 July – 10:45 am

  “So ladies,” said Jonquil as she stood up at the outdoor table in the Leichhardt café, Coming Back For Seconds. ”We’re excited to see you all here for the planned dress fittings.”

  “You mean, you’re excited,” said Camille, who was sitting nearby.

  Jonquil and Camille had arranged to meet the six grooms-maids in Leichhardt, which was where the bridal specialist shop was located.

  “We’re all excited,” repeated Jonquil. “So as you know, Anthony and Heath have gone to Hobart on a weekend away and they’ve asked Camille and me to accompany you all to the dress fittings.”

  Jonquil looked at the six women selected as grooms-maids sitting around the table.

  Five of the women, Orchid, Yasmin, Gardenia, Blossom and Violet were friends of Heath. Only one, Rosie, knew Anthony.

  Orchid had closely-cropped ginger hair and black statement spectacle frames and was smiling and relaxed as she sipped her iced tea.

  Yasmin had olive skin and curly black hair and was finishing her cappuccino.

  Gardenia was a woman from South Africa and had black and blonde dreadlocked hair. She was sipping a Diet Coke through a straw.

  Blossom, a Korean woman with sleek, long and black hair, was holding her empty mug of hot chocolate.

  Violet had pink and purple hair, and was drinking her milkshake.

  Rosie was drinking mineral water.

  “So, Anthony and Heath have said that we,” said Jonquil gesturing to herself and Camille, “could pick out the dress design for you all but they did provide a caveat that each of you had to wear a different colour of the rainbow,”

  There were gasps of “oohs” and “aahs” from the women except for Rosie who sat there in silence.

  “I’ll just go and pay the bill,” said Camille to Jonquil and left without waiting for a response.

  “So the bridal dress shop is just a few doors down. If we could all finish our drinks and make ourselves ready for this excursion please,” said Jonquil. The women started to get up and collect their handbags, earphones, sunglasses, scarves and jackets.

  Jonquil then lead the six women out of the café and turned left towards the bridal dress shop. They were all looking in the display window, which had three wedding dresses of differing designs.

  A woman with a shock of blonde curly hair opened the door and popped her head outside.

  “Hello there! I’m Anemone. Are you all here for the grooms-maids dress fittings?” asked Anemone.

  “Yes, that’s us,” confirmed Jonquil.

  “Then come on in!” said Anemone.

  The women walked inside and were all directed by Anemone to sit on the plush and wide chaise lounges.

  “So Jonquil and Camille came by a few weeks ago to have a look at dress options and they settled on this design,” said Anemone as she walked to a nearby clothes rack and picked up a wooden coat hanger with the chosen dress. Anemone brought it over and held it in front of the women. It was a glittery satin dress of classic Grecian design infused with Hollywood glamour.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful,” said Orchid.

  “You’ve made a great choice, Jonquil and Camille,” chimed in Yasmin.

  “Oh, I can’t wait to wear it!” piped in Gardenia.

  “Are you sure we can sit down wearing that thing?” Blossom queried. “It’s very glittery. Are you sure we won’t look like drag queens?”

  “I would love to dress up as a drag queen,” remarked Orchid. “Let’s be outrageous and not ordinary and proper.”

  “Oh dear, I’m definitely going have to buy some Hollywood tape. There’s going to be some serious taping down action,” said Violet. “I don’t want anything falling out.”

  Rosie said nothing.

  “I’m so relieved,” Jonquil said. “I was worried that you would all be disappointed.”

  “Jonquil, none of them will ever be as disappointed as me,” said Camille quietly through a forced thin smile.

  “Although Blossom and Violet may not be comfortable,” continued Jonquil, ignoring Camille’s comment.

  “Oh, it’s all right. I’m fairly adaptable,” said Blossom with a wave of her hand.

  “Me too,” said Violet. “But the Hollywood table will definitely make me less flexible.”

  “So what are you and Camille going to be wearing to the wedding?” asked Gardenia.

  “Oh, our sons have asked us to wear tuxedos,” said Jonquil.

  “That’s really unusual!” said Yasmin.

  “On behalf of our unusual sons,” said Camille.

  “So,” said Jonquil, again ignoring Camille’s comment. “Anemone here is going to confirm the colours amongst the group.”

  Anemone now had a pad of paper in one hand and a poised pen in the other.

  “So who would like to be purple? Actually, you with the pink and purple hair, I think you’d look great in purple,” said Anemone pointing at Violet. Violet put her hand to her chest in a gesture of being flattered.

  “Thank you. My name is Violet,” said Violet. The group laughed.

  “Well, there you go! Okay. Next is blue. Any takers?” asked Anemone. Blossom put her hand up.

  “I’m Blossom and I’d like to be blue please,” requested Blossom.

  “Confirmed, Blossom. You are blue. And now I need a green,” Anemone said.

  “Me please. I’m Gardenia,” said Gardenia as she raised her hand.

  “Thanks Gardenia,” said Anemone. “Ok so this is a tricky colour. Who wants to be bright yellow?”

  Yasmin put her hand up.

  “Me please! I’m Yasmin. Yellow is my favourite colour. It’s a happy colour,” said Yasmin. “And it’s been confirmed by research.”

  “You’re yellow, Yasmin,” confirmed Anemone. “So we’re now down to orange and red.”

  “I’d like to be orange as it will match my hair. I’m Orchid,” said Orchid.

  “Thank you, Orchid. Now noted. Which leaves red to…?” said Anemone looking across the group. Everybody looked towards Rosie.

  “Which leaves red to me,” said Rosie.

  “And you are?” asked Anemone.

  “Rosie,” Rosie replied.

  “Great! I have all the names against the rainbow colours,” said Anemone delightedly. I now just need to spend around five to ten minutes with each grooms-maid, so I thank you for your patience in advance. Violet, if you could please come this way.”

  Chapter 29

  Saturday, 14 July – 2:27 pm

  Ollie was inside Late Bloomer Blossoms with his hand on the delivery bike. He was ready for more deliveries today.

  Iris was finished speaking on the phone.

  “That was the police. No more updates since last week,” Iris said to Ollie and Pahi. “They advised that the CCTV footage available has captured quite a few red cars and they are still hoping for any witnesses to come forward.”

  “Well, it hasn’t happened again, so maybe it was just a random
attack,” said Pahi. She then made her way to the workshop tables to collect the delivery orders.

  “Well, Ollie, here are the three orders,” said Pahi as she carefully placed the orders into the delivery bike’s box and handed over the point-of-delivery device.

  “Thanks Pahi,” said Ollie as he walked out onto the street, fastening on his helmet. He looked to see where his first delivery was located, Rushcutters Bay, and entered the address into his GPS system. Ollie hopped onto the bike and started riding towards Kings Cross. Soon Ollie was riding around the side of the Yacht Club and then came to the house he needed. He brought out a box of roses of varying shades of pink. Ollie pressed the doorbell. Ollie could hear the sound of a baby’s continuous crying.

  The door opened to a woman in her early seventies.

  “Hello, I have a flower delivery to make to a Myrtle Bartholomew,” Ollie said.

  “Oh how lovely! I’m her mother, Mia,” said Mia. “Myrtle has just returned from hospital after giving birth to a girl. And she wants to go straight back to work. She’s mad! Anyhow, I’ll see if Myrtle is up.”

  Mia returned with a younger corporate-looking woman, who peered out at Ollie.

  “Oh, they’re beautiful,” said Myrtle as she walked forwards to receive the flowers. “Oh they’re from work. I can’t wait to see my colleagues again!”

  Mia rolled her eyes.

  “I just need you to sign here,” said Ollie and he watched as Myrtle electronically signed confirmation of the delivery.

  “Thank you, again,” said Mia as Myrtle carried the flowers inside before closing the door.

  Ollie then checked the device for the address for his next delivery. He needed to go to Glebe. He put his earphones back in and put the helmet back on. He entered the required address into the GPS system and was soon on Parramatta Road before turning right into Glebe Point Road. Ollie coasted down the long road until he came across a large house across from Jubilee Park. Ollie glanced at the beautiful park with the mature trees and playground equipment. Then Ollie looked back at the large house.