by Gill Mather
“Properly married?”
“I’m sure we could introduce some improper activities into the union at regular intervals. But yes. Married. Properly.”
Ali just stared at him.
“Still not convinced?” He got out of bed, went down on one knee and took her hand.
“This isn't very dignified. Stark naked. But here goes. Aluisha Celia Clayton-Barratt will you do me the huge honour of becoming my wife.”
“You know my full name!”
“Since you first came to PWT.”
“Well in that case I can't refuse. Yes. Yes. When?”
“Soon I’d say. As soon as possible. I mean if you want all the church thing I don't mind. It’d just take a bit longer.”
“No, soon is good.”
“Hurrah.” And he leapt back on the bed. Then he showed her the parish magazine and subsequent clerk’s letter.
“Oh Hugh. It’s funny. But not funny too. Actually it’s pretty sad.” She sniffed tearfully. “I wish I’d been able to be here with you to share it at that time when you got them.”
“Tell me about it. I nearly went and topped myself. I certainly became well acquainted with the bottoms of a good number of brandy bottles.” He shut his eyes. Ali kissed him gently. “I don't think you realise just how much I love you,” he continued. “How much I’ve always loved you. But why should you. I didn't say anything to you before. I actually actively tried to make you think otherwise. I should’ve told you then. I shouldn’t have allowed all this to happen. I want you to know now. It’s more than love. It completely consumes me. In fact, you’re probably not going to understand this, but I can't really get enough of you. I don't just mean sex. I want to crawl right inside you. Even when we’re screwing I just sometimes think I want to be even closer to you.”
Ali looked at him and shook her head. “That's just how I feel. Except that the sex is, well, spectacular. Unutterably exquisite is how you described it after that first time and I couldn't put it any better.”
“Oh Ali. Let me kiss you some more. Come here.”
“Hugh.” She pushed him away gently. “Why did you storm off yesterday after coming over to speak to me? All this time I’ve wanted you so badly and you’ve withheld yourself. Even so recently as yesterday.”
Hugh sighed. “When I came over to you yesterday, just standing next to you after all that time, it was as though heaven had opened up. I can't describe what it felt like. You’re like a goddess to me. You always have been. I’d felt so open to you. I suppose I’d convinced myself you’d be the same, happy to see me. But you were all closed up. Tight like a drum. You wouldn't let me in.”
“Hugh. You unceremoniously dumped me in a car park in front of the whole office. I haven't seen you since I left the firm. I thought you didn't want me all this time. I’ve just been surviving. Not living.”
“I know. I can't begin to apologise enough. I was so so upset yesterday though. I couldn't believe what you said. I had to say something bitchy back. And then I had to get away. I thought you didn't want me and….I didn't know what to do. Then I thought I’d have another go but you’d gone and Samantha started raving on at me. And then bloody Victor. And today in that summerhouse, I couldn't see what they were going on about. You kept on starting to walk out. You must be an even better actor than me because I couldn't tell what you were thinking. It nearly finished then didn't it? And I don't know why when we both love each other so much.” He looked at her pleadingly. “It’s terrifying how tenuous it all is. I couldn't bear it. I really couldn't bear it.” He shook his head.
“Hughie. We’ll have to be honest with each other in future. Not be too proud to say what we think. I mean, I’m only happy when I’m close to you. Otherwise it’s awful. I don't know what to do with myself. You don't know what a relief it is just to hold you like this.”
“Believe me I do.” And he kissed her softly and a little tearfully and lingeringly.
“Hugh. Just for the record. I haven't been going out with James. I had a couple of dates with him over Christmas, but nothing happened. He’s got a plummy girlfriend from his own set. You know. A better class of gairl and all that,” she put on an upper class accent. “In fact I was instrumental.”
“Good.”
“And?”
“And what?
“What about you and her?”
Hugh looked mystified.
“Oh for goodness sake Hugh! You and the delightful, intelligent Fiona.”
Hugh laughed. “Heavens no. Of course not.” And he pulled her to him, shook her lightly and said in a mock-villainous voice: “So you think I shag all the hired help do you? Do you? That I’d violate a girl just to purchase a piece of land. God help any nannies we have to hire.” And then he started to tickle her until she screamed. “I always knew that underneath that beautiful exterior you had a mind like a cess pit but really.”
“OK. I believe you.”
He laid back next to her. “Ali. As a matter of interest, are you still on the pill or not?”
“Actually no. No need.”
“So when was the start of your LMP?”
“Er….let’s think. About two weeks ago.” She looked at him and pulled a face. “Ooops.”
“Oh well it doesn't matter now does is. Well it wouldn't really have mattered before either.”
“Yeah well only if I’d got pregnant just as you were dumping me.” Hugh winced. “Honestly I don't know what I’d have done.” She shivered. “It doesn't bear thinking about.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh no. I can't stand to think about it. Don't think about it.” He kissed and nuzzled her lower abdomen and said to it: “Well if you are in there, I love you to bits already.”
Then he poked around in his bedside table and brought out a photograph and showed her. It was the Burn’s night at Baz’s house with Ali and Hugh wrapped around each other.
“Remember this?”
“Do I! I was so embarrassed. I hoped you hadn't seen it at the time. It makes me look as though I’m….you know.”
“Hmm, it does doesn't it,” he said smiling.
“But I wasn't. It just looked like it. Honestly I wasn't. Not in someone’s house in the middle of a dance floor. Really, honestly.”
“Well you are rather prone to it sweetheart aren’t you?” he said rubbing his nose against hers.
“But I didn't! I didn't!”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh Hugh. I hope nobody else thought so!”
“Shush. I know you weren't. I was just teasing. I think I might have noticed. Then I’d definitely have asked you out. I did so want to but I didn't know what you thought and I didn't want to get done for sexual harassment. Actually I thought you were avoiding me.”
“I wish you’d asked me out then too. I was….er….that is you wouldn't have found me unreceptive. But I was in a complete state. That’s why I tried to keep out of your way. I couldn't stop obsessing about you even then. But at the time, you know when you saw the photo, what on earth must you have thought of me!”
“Well let’s just say it didn't exactly put me off you. Anything but.” He kissed the photo then he kissed her. “In fact just looking at it now….Ali darling….I think I’m ready to have another go.”
“Oh good. I thought you’d never say. Hugh I do so love you. I’ve got to get into the habit of saying it now. I had to stop myself for so long.”
“Poor darling. I’m such a pig.”
“No you’re not.”
“Yes I am.”
“No you’re not.”
“Oh but I am.” And he started snuffling and snorting all over her while she squealed. Until nature took over.
A WHILE LATER, Hugh looked down at her.“Not that I don't think you’re totally gorgeous however thin or otherwise you are, but just in case you really are brewing up a little Barratt-Sutherland in there, you’ll have to start eating better. How about going out for a meal to celebrate or I’ll go and order a takeaway to be deliver
ed.”
“Takeaway please, I want to stay in bed with you a little longer. We can eat it in bed. And talk about us and….you know….the nuptials.”
As he padded off to go and `phone for a takeaway, Ali stretched and her hands went under the pillows. There was something there. One hand came out holding a pair of lacy panties. Her blood froze. Then she realised it was the pair she’d been missing for four months. Thank God for that she thought. And how bitter-sweet to think of Hugh nursing an item of her underwear in bed for four months.
“Oh you found them,” said Hugh when he came back. “Well I don't need them any more,” he said chucking them on the floor. “I’ve got you.”
CHAPTER 29
GETTING MARRIED IN five weeks flat took a considerable amount of effort. Ali had to have special leave from work to arrange it all.
There was a rare cancellation at the Colchester Town Hall. The ceremony could be held in The Old Library a huge decorative vaulted hall with stained glass windows. But they couldn't hold the reception at the Town Hall as it was fully booked.
Darren however came to the rescue and offered his office garden for the reception. It was within easy walking distance of the Town Hall. He owned the marquees so it was just a question of getting them out again, putting them up and hiring a disco or band and caterers. Darren said not to worry. He’d organise it if they gave him the numbers. It could be one of his wedding presents.
Honeymooning in Australia was an option they considered but decided it would be too much hassle and opted for an hotel in Yorkshire and arranged to spend the night of the wedding itself at Ravenswood Hall just up the A14.
It turned out that Hugh had a huge family. Two lots of grandparents and all sorts of aunts and uncles and cousins. Hugh and Ali made an effort to try and visit some of them before the wedding. Many lived in the East End and were by and large a bit Gawd blimey but Hugh said he didn't mind if Ali didn't and of course she didn't. In fact they were mostly business people of one sort or another with shops or market stalls. One uncle had quite a big factory making Christmas decorations and another was a master tailor. Yet another was a dealer and expert in rare guns.
Hugh’s parents and sister and her family arranged to come over of course. Ali wouldn't meet them until the wedding day and was pretty nervous at the thought.
Ali’s mum and dad were bemused by the turn and speed of events but Celia wasted no time helping to turn out two hundred and fifty invitations in short order. The PWT ones were given to Hugh to deliver by hand.
“Oh it’s that criminal lawyer we read about in the paper and saw on the telly!” said Celia. “As you know we didn't want to pry before but we did wonder who it could be.”
Her mum was at turns secretly pleased at being delivered from the obligation to make copious arrangements, and put out at being denied a big church wedding.
“Well it’s what they want that counts, Celia,” said her dad.
At any rate, both were vastly relieved that their daughter was eating again. In fact she was positively blooming.
Hugh and Ali took her parents and Ed out for a meal so that they could meet Hugh and went round to collect them. Ali had cleaned the old four wheel drive inside and out to within a cubic centimetre of its engine capacity in order that her family didn't have to sit amongst years’ old rubbish.
Ed said before they left to go to the restaurant that on no account was he going to be roped into being a pall bearer. Wrong major life event, said Ali’s dad. Ed retorted that it was the same thing wasn't it, getting married and dying.
“Oh hilarious!” said Ali but Hugh couldn't stop laughing which quite impressed Ed who tried not to smile himself.
Hugh charmed them all of course, especially Ali’s mum. Ed was appalled at the hand holding and asked several times to be allowed to leave the table to go and throw up.
Ali refused alcohol but she ate like a horse and then started to worry she wouldn't be able to get into her wedding gear.
“I’d rather you burst out of your attire and gave us all a bit of entertainment than that you didn't eat enough at the moment,” Hugh said. Ali’s mum and dad looked at each other but thought better than to ask.
“Don't worry,” Ed said to Hugh. “By the time you’ve been married a few years and had a few kids she’ll be like a battle ship. You won't be able to afford the out-size dress allowance. Happens to all the women in our family. Present company excepted of course,” he said quickly inclining his head towards the trim Celia.
In fact, things being what they were, Ali had decided to go in for a layered look for the wedding with a long top in a parchment white damask, very short skirt underneath that, sparkly tights, high boots and several scarves. It was in part dead up to date and half sixties. It was to allow for expansion - as she was eating so much more she told her mother.
Ali’s dad shook Hugh’s hand at the end of the evening and said he was so pleased Ali had found such a perfect husband-to-be. He looked forward to getting to know Hugh better. Hugh kissed Ali’s mum and smiled down at her. Celia could see why her daughter felt the way she did about this wildly attractive man with his dreamy eyes. Hugh and Ed settled for a five high. “Yey,” said Ed, “I’ll definitely be able to have her old room now!”
Ali wasn't going to see much more of her parents before the ceremony. She was staying at Hugh’s cottage for the time being and was going to spend the night before the wedding at Jan’s whose daughter was going to be a bridesmaid together with Sam’s daughter.
Graham would be staying with Hugh the night before to help calm his nerves and make sure he didn't lose the ring. And Amanda, who’d turned out to be more tenacious than anyone had imagined, would be attending with Graham.
There were to be no hen or stag parties. They would do something later if possible. However PWT insisted on taking them both out for the evening and everyone was there at the same Spanish restaurant they’d been to when Ali left the firm. The difference to that previous outing couldn't have been more stark. They all seemed fascinated by Hugh’s change of heart and his total attention to Ali and their physical closeness. Hugh was resigned to their reaction and Ali tried not to revel in the attention. When Cathy exhibited a similar response to Ed it was treated as a big joke. But there were tears from others and a speech from Wattsey about how lucky they both were to have found each other properly at last and how pleased he was.
When the day came it was a calm still quite warm mid-October day. It was a simple ceremony and over pretty quickly. In fact the whole day was a bit of a blur and Ali was glad so much time had been spent on planning it because she couldn't have worried about anything on the day. Hugh said later that she'd looked spectacular as she walked to meet him on her father’s arm, long coltish legs, her long dark hair threaded with flowers and jewelled strands. The main distraction came when the Registrar said that Hugh could now kiss the bride. Hugh winked at Ali. It was a pretty full-on kiss and it went on a long time. The congregation started to cough and become restlessness after a while. And when the groom’s hands started to work their way up and down his new wife’s body, the Registrar who’d been looking on spellbound, pushed his glasses up his nose and tapped Hugh on the shoulder.
“Was that public enough for you?” Hugh whispered to Ali.
The y had arranged a buffet at Summers. They decided to get the speeches over straight away so that Hugh and Graham not to mention Ali’s dad could relax and have a few.
It also meant that Ali could spend more time meeting Hugh’s parents and sister. There hadn't been any time previously. They had been staying with relatives in London.
Ali had been aching with curiosity as to what they’d be like. They all seemed to have developed Australian accents but then they were probably half way there already with their London accents. Hugh’s mum was rather gorgeous. The same blue-grey eyes as Hugh and the same golden hair, sprinkled with grey.
“Well we didn't expect to see you again so soon Hughie,” she said. “And so much happie
r now. We’re so pleased.” Then she upbraided Hugh gently about the wedding kiss.
She shook her head. “You did that on purpose didn't you? He was always such a tease when he was small,” she said to Ali, “You’ll have to watch him.”
Hugh’s dad was medium height, tanned and stocky. He looked appreciatively at Ali and kissed her and said he hoped they’d come over to visit soon.
Hugh’s sister and family had that open-air tanned healthy look one associated with Australia’s outdoor lifestyle. She said she was dying to get to know Ali better when they came over to Oz.
There were loads of relatives and friends to get round. It seemed to take hours. James and Maddie were full of good wishes and implied they were thinking of tying the knot themselves. Graham and Amanda seemed to be getting on really well together. Hugh shrugged at Ali as in: “There’s no accounting for tastes.”
“She’s quite a nice girl really. And she’s obviously got staying power and….and….tenacity,” was Ali’s assessment.
Then of course they had a few dances and then did some more rounds of relatives.
Ali managed to get button-holed by one of the stall-holder uncles. To make conversation she said:
“Gosh I can see where Hugh gets his….er….je ne sais quoi from.”
“Y’what?”
“Oh. That certain something.”
“I don't think so love. We all think he must be a throw-back to some earlier baronial ancestors. Actually I’m researching our family tree. It’s really interesting. You let me have your email address and I’ll pass it all onto you. D’you know only the other day I found out….” And on, and on and on. Ali looked around her fairly desperately. As the uncle droned on, she watched Hugh’s family, especially his parents, make a big fuss of Graham.
Hugh in the meantime was talking to Baz and Wattsey. Baz was saying:
“Did you really need to swallow that lovely new young wife of yours whole during the service?”
“Well love will out!” said Victor.
“Yeah much longer and it would have come right out and performed there and then in front of us.”
