‘As I keep telling you, Lila, you’re keeping our baby warm and I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.’
Ethan leant over and gave Lila a kiss and she relaxed against him. How could she be so lucky? For months now, she’d been waiting for something to happen, for something to go wrong and prove that she wasn’t entitled to be happy and to have things to look forward to, but so far, it hadn’t happened. She regularly pinched herself to ensure that she was awake and not deep in a beautiful dream.
‘You are just the sweetest couple and I can’t wait to see you on your wedding day all dressed up, glowing and happy.’ Cesca clapped her hands. ‘Okay, folks, I think I have all I need for now. You have my number and email if you need anything else or have any questions. I’ll send you the sample meal and buffet menus as well as the cake menu and we can sort all that out next week. Would you like to see outside now?’
‘I’d love to.’ Lila stood up carefully and Ethan held her hand while she stepped over the seat of the bench.
‘Then I shall lead the way.’
Cesca marched towards the door, but before they left the barn, Lila and Ethan took one more look around. In just five weeks they’d be getting married here, making a commitment to each other in front of family and friends. The thought was at once exciting and terrifying, but Lila knew without a doubt that it was exactly what she wanted.
2
Roxie
‘This beef is delicious,’ Joanne Baker pointed at her plate with her fork. Her cheeks were rosy, her green eyes bright. ‘How’d you get it so tender?’
Roxie smiled. ‘Don’t cook it for too long.’
‘She’s right you know,’ Fletcher said as he topped up everyone’s glasses with red wine. ‘Overcook it and it’ll dry right up. Remember that first roast you made, Rox? Like a brick it was.’
Roxie shook her head. ‘You cheeky sod. That was years ago and I was learning to cook.’
‘It didn’t take you long to get it right though, did it?’ He winked at her.
‘Not really, no. And then I taught you too so we can both make a tasty Sunday dinner.’
Joanne pushed a stray strand of ginger hair behind her ear. ‘My parents make a good roast dinner but they often overcook the meat. Mum’s paranoid about giving us all food poisoning so always adds an extra thirty minutes to whatever the instructions suggest as a guide. The chicken can be quite dry at times. Of course, I’d never tell them that though as they’d be devastated.’
‘Your parents are too lovely to upset them.’ Roxie nodded.
‘These Yorkshire puddings are pretty amazing too,’ Max Jenkins, Joanne’s partner, said. ‘How’d you get them to rise like that?’
‘Use plain flour, not self-raising, and ensure the oil is very hot before pouring in the batter. Fletcher makes the Yorkshire puddings.’ Roxie nodded at him. ‘He’s perfected the art.’
‘I could easily eat two of these dinners,’ Joanne said as she forked another roast potato into her mouth.
‘Help yourself. There’s plenty left.’ Roxie offered the bowl of potatoes to her friend who helped herself then passed the bowl to Max.
‘How did yesterday go?’ Joanne asked.
‘Really well. The venue at the vineyard is beautiful.’ Roxie thought back to yesterday when she’d gone with Lila and Ethan to see the Chester-Linden Vineyard.
‘Are they going to have the wedding there?’ Joanne took a sip of wine.
‘It looks like it. The date they’ve booked is five weeks yesterday.’ Roxie nodded. ‘As long as they have fine weather, it’ll be perfect. After dinner I’ll show you the photos on my phone.’
‘It’s a good choice. A friend of mine has booked it for August next year. I imagine it’ll get pretty busy now.’ Max pushed his square tortoiseshell glasses back up his nose.
‘The wedding planner said they’ve got lots of bookings already. Lila and Ethan were very lucky to get a cancellation.’
‘Not so lucky for the people who cancelled though.’ Joanne grimaced. ‘Poor things.’
Roxie saw Max reach across the table and squeeze Joanne’s hand. They were such a sweet couple and looked very good together – Joanne with her pale skin and freckles and Max with his thick dark hair and brown eyes.
‘If we’d waited, perhaps we could have renewed our vows there,’ Fletcher said.
‘I’m glad we did it here in our garden.’ Roxie smiled. ‘It was beautiful, intimate and exactly how I’d imagined it.’
Fletcher nodded. ‘It was lovely.’
They had renewed their wedding vows in the spring with just Lila, Ethan, Joanne, Max and Roxie’s parents present. It had been a quiet ceremony in their back garden and they’d celebrated with champagne and fish and chips afterwards.
Joanne frowned. ‘Goodness, I’ve just realised that they don’t have long to plan at all. What about a dress, and suit, and bridesmaids?’
‘They don’t have long but we can all help. Perhaps we should suggest dress shopping as a priority?’
Joanne nodded. ‘Unless Lila decides to make the dress herself.’
‘She certainly has the ability to make it. I’ll phone her later and see what she’s thinking. She was so overwhelmed by the excitement of seeing the venue yesterday that I didn’t want to ask too many questions, but as time is of the essence, we’d better get on with it.’
‘But first we need dessert,’ Fletcher said, rising and taking their empty plates. ‘Nothing should be done until after we’ve eaten some raspberry pavlova.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ Joanne grinned.
Roxie helped her husband with the plates, but her mind wasn’t on meringues, raspberries and cream, it was on how she could help Lila to get everything organised with as little stress as possible.
Later that afternoon, Roxie and Fletcher sat on the wooden swing in their garden. The swing had been something they’d wanted for a while and had finally bought as a mutual treat. It had padded white seats and a white canopy and was extremely comfortable. Roxie had her feet on her husband’s lap and he was pushing them gently each time his feet touched the decking.
‘Look at those two.’ Roxie pointed at their two dogs, Glenda the pug and Stinky, the Yorkipoo. Since they’d adopted Stinky at Christmas, Glenda had become very fond of her and the two dogs were now inseparable. They were currently roaming the grass together, sniffing everything, occasionally distracted by the butterflies that visited the flowers. Stinky had almost caught one but it flew off just in time.
‘They’re best friends now, aren’t they?’ Fletcher squeezed Roxie’s foot. ‘Are you still glad I said we’d have Stinky?’
‘Of course I am. But that name … it’s a shame we can’t change it.’ Roxie giggled. Stinky had been named by her previous owner and it seemed wrong to change her name now as she was used to it, but every time Roxie called her, it made her cringe.
‘It kind of suits her, don’t you think?’ Fletcher raised his eyebrows. ‘She does have rather bad flatulence.’
‘It’s not so bad now she’s on the raw diet.’
‘True.’
Roxie rested her head on the cushion of the seat and closed her eyes. The gentle breeze caressed her skin, toyed with her long black hair and carried the scent of the roses in their garden. She had a full belly after their Sunday dinner and felt completely relaxed. There was nothing better than spending time with her husband and dogs in their beautiful home.
‘I forgot to tell you earlier,’ Fletcher interrupted her thoughts. ‘But when I went to the shop for the papers this morning, I think I saw Lila.’
Roxie opened her eyes. ‘You think?’
‘She was walking in the opposite direction but I’m sure it was her. Same blonde hair, same small frame. I called her name, but she carried on walking as if she hadn’t heard me.’
‘Did you call loudly?’
‘No, but I didn’t want to shout at her. I might have startled her as well as the gathering of grannies outside the shop.’
‘Pe
rhaps she didn’t hear you.’
‘I guess not. Either that or she didn’t want to speak to me.’ He pulled a face.
‘She could have been lost in thoughts of her wedding. I wouldn’t take it personally.’
‘I won’t. Just thought I’d tell you that’s all.’
‘And don’t say gathering of grannies. They might not all be grandmothers, you know?’
He grinned. ‘It was the lovely group of ladies who do the knitting for the premature baby unit at the hospital. And they are, to my knowledge, all grannies.’
Roxie shook her head. ‘Charmed them all did you?’
Fletcher laughed.
‘Just keep rubbing my feet like that, Fletcher, because it’s really good and then I’ll make you a beef and mustard sandwich for tea as a reward.’
‘Yes, my dearest.’ He gave a small salute. ‘Whatever the lady wants, the lady gets. And a beef sandwich sounds perfect.’
Roxie closed her eyes and lay back, letting the peace of the afternoon soothe her, feeling incredibly grateful for their lovely home on Sunflower Street.
3
Lila
‘There’s so much to organise,’ Lila flopped back against the sofa cushions and stared at the notepad on her lap in despair.
‘It’s not that bad,’ Roxie took the notepad from Lila and looked at it. ‘Priorities are a dress for you, suit for Ethan and flowers. Cesca said they’d sort the drinks and catering and anything else you want them to.’
Lila swallowed hard. ‘It’s not just that, though, Rox. I’m worried about money. I mean … we’re getting the venue at a discount because of the cancellation but I don’t want to go overboard with everything else. It’s an important day but it’s just one day out of our life together.’
‘You’re keeping the guest list small though, right?’
Lila nodded. ‘Very small. Just fifty for the ceremony and reception and all from Wisteria Hollow.’
‘I think small is better, sweetheart. It’ll be more personal. People go mad about weddings and have hundreds there and it can become silly. Not that I’m criticising big weddings, because it’s up to the individuals involved, but for you and Ethan I think this is right.’
‘After last time as well … I just don’t want to make it a huge event.’ Lila shuddered as she thought of the money and planning that had gone into her first wedding; about the waste, about the horror of the humiliation when Ben had failed to show.
‘I know you’re thinking about last time, honey, but that isn’t going to happen again. Ethan is not Ben.’
‘I know that. He’s not remotely like Ben. But we did waste money and time and you’re right, I’d prefer to keep things more intimate now.’
‘What about bridesmaids? Are you going to bother?’
‘I don’t think so. I mean … I know it’s nice but there’s only you and Joanne who I’d have chosen, and you said you’ll walk me down the aisle and then it would just be Joanne and … well … do you think she’ll understand if I don’t?’
‘Of course she will.’ Roxie patted Lila’s hand. ‘She won’t mind at all.’
‘Okay then.’ Lila exhaled slowly. ‘So it’s just a dress for me.’
‘Do you want to go shopping? It can still be exciting.’
‘I’m not sure, Roxie. As you know, I did all that last time with the big dress and the veil and the shoes and … they ended up in the greyhound rescue charity shop.’
‘I know.’ Roxie inclined her head. ‘I insisted you take them there, remember?’
‘I do. This time, I’d like something simpler. So yes, can we go shopping and have a look but preferably not in bridal shops?’
‘Absolutely. When do you want to go?’
Lila placed a hand on her belly. ‘I think the sooner the better to be honest, even if it’s just to get some ideas because I haven’t a clue. Although whatever I get will need to have some give in it because I could grow a lot bigger in five weeks.’
‘You look wonderful.’
‘Thanks. I feel like a beach ball.’
‘You’ll never look like a beach ball.’
Lila smiled at her friend then her eyes wandered over Roxie’s trim figure in her yoga leggings and vest top, her shiny black hair in French plaits, her face flawlessly made-up. Roxie always looked immaculate. Usually, that wasn’t a problem for Lila, but today, she felt frumpy in her baggy jogging bottoms and T-shirt.
‘I don’t feel like I look great, though, Rox. It’s not the bump because I love the bump, but my bottom and thighs are growing too and nothing fits. And as for these.’ She looked down at her ample chest.
‘They’re a fabulous addition.’
‘They’re tender and hard as rocks. I had no idea I was in for all this change. I know that sounds daft because I was aware that pregnancy changed a woman’s body but I had no idea how much. Boobs, ass and thighs all have extra jiggle.’ She snorted. ‘It’s not even funny really, but then it kind of is.’
‘What matters is that you’re fit and healthy and that the baby is fit and healthy. Your body will change, Lila, but it’s all perfectly natural. You might not be able to see it but you’re gorgeous.’
‘I’m so glad you’re here, Roxie.’
‘Me too, darling.’
Roxie shuffled closer and they hugged and Lila relaxed into her friend’s embrace. She felt like she could tell Roxie anything and not be judged. Well, almost anything …
When Roxie released her and sat back again, she pulled her phone from the pocket in her leggings. ‘Shall I text Joanne and ask what day’s good for her this week?’
‘What day?’ Lila asked.
‘To go dress shopping?’
‘Oh! Yes, of course. I can do any day. The bonus of being self-employed, right?’
Roxie typed a text to their friend then stood up. ‘Time for tea and crumpets?’
‘It is just gone eleven.’
‘You stay there and put your feet up and I’ll make our elevenses.’
‘You spoil me.’
‘That’s what friends are for.’
Roxie sashayed out to the kitchen and Lila curled her legs up underneath her on the sofa. Within seconds, as if sensing that her mistress was relaxing, Cleocatra, Lila’s ginger cat had jumped up next to her and snuggled into her feet like a warm, fluffy blanket.
‘Hey Cleo. How’re you today?’ Lila ran a hand over Cleo’s soft fur and the cat purred loudly. It was like a sedative, making Lila feel sleepy, so she lay down with her head on a cushion while Cleo climbed over her legs and cuddled into Lila’s bump.
The warm cat, the sunshine pouring through the window and the sounds of Roxie tinkering around in the kitchen all soothed Lila and sent her into a peaceful doze.
‘Hello you.’ Lila smiled at Ethan as he entered the kitchen later that afternoon. ‘How was your day?’
‘Busy.’ He nodded. ‘But all the better for seeing you.’
She walked into his embrace and breathed him in, sighing as his strong arms encircled her, their baby nestled between them.
‘How was your day?’ he asked.
‘Good. Roxie came round and we talked about wedding dresses and I had a doze, then we had elevenses followed by lunch then I snuggled up with Cleo and looked at some wedding magazines.’
‘You’re just catching up on your sleep, that’s all. Did you see any dresses you liked?’
‘No. I was looking for inspiration but I didn’t find any.’ She stepped back and looked at his handsome face. ‘You look tired.’
‘I’m okay. That renovation I’ve been working on for Bridget has turned out to be a bigger job than I first thought but Nina’s proving to be quite capable.’
Nina Fry was Ethan’s apprentice. She was only eighteen and had talked about going travelling at some point soon, but according to Ethan she was a good worker and he’d be sorry to lose her now.
‘That’s good to hear.’
Ethan had taken on a renovation project for the café owner B
ridget Wibberley. Her elderly mother had passed away in the winter and rather than sell her mother’s cottage, she’d decided to have it renovated first and asked Ethan to do the work. It was a big job but one that he was keen to accept, especially now that they had a baby on the way.
‘She’ll have added a significant sum to the cottage’s value with all the work she’s having done, and when it goes on the market I suspect there will be a long queue to view it.’
‘That’s exciting. I wonder if Joanne and Max will look at it.’
‘I would think so. Bridget thinks a lot of Joanne, so she’ll probably let her go and see it first.’
‘I hope so.’ Lila hugged him again, enjoying the security of being in his arms. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘You know me.’
‘Hollow legs.’ She laughed.
‘Always.’
‘What do you fancy for dinner?’
‘Anything at all. I could pop out and get a takeaway if you fancy one?’
‘I don’t mind cooking. I have plenty in the fridge and besides which, you’re exhausted so you need a hot bath and an early night.’
‘I’m so rock and roll.’ He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
‘You and me both.’ She ran a hand over her bump. ‘But it’s nice.’
‘What is?’
‘Being able to enjoy this time when it’s just us and the cats.’
‘I guess we should make the most of being able to sleep while we can, eh?’
‘Definitely.’
‘I’ll go and run a bath then we can make dinner together.’
‘You sure?’
‘I am.’ He walked to the door that led to the hallway then paused. ‘Oh … I meant to say … Nina popped to the café today to get some coffees and she said she saw you crossing the road. She called to you but you carried on walking and she was worried she’d done something to offend you.’
‘I didn’t go out today, remember? Roxie came round.’
‘Oh.’ He knitted his brows. ‘Perhaps it was just someone who looked like you.’
A Wedding on Sunflower Street: An uplifting story about friendship, love and marriage Page 2
