She wondered how Callum was getting on with the preparations and whether all his relations had now arrived on the island and settled into the manor house. She wasn’t sure why she was feeling nervous about the evening. It was only going to be a family affair after all and it wasn’t as if anything was expected of her or Riley. Riley. She hoped he would be on his best behaviour. The Prestons, or at least those she had met so far, seemed like ordinary decent people and she would hate for Riley to ruin this special party when everyone had gone to such lengths to make it a success.
15
CALLUM
Callum wondered how Tasha’s day was going as he helped Betsy set out the cutlery and napkins on the large table along one wall of the orangery while his father and Erin finished making canapés to serve their guests on arrival. He looked forward to his grandfather’s arrival and getting the whole surprise element out of the way. The thought of it going wrong was worrying him more the closer that moment got.
‘Stop fretting.’ Betsy followed her nudge in his ribs with a smile. ‘Everything will be perfect. We all know it will even if you don’t. And just remember, if anything you’ve planned does go a bit wrong, your grandfather won’t realise it wasn’t as you had hoped it to be. I’m sure he’ll just be delighted everyone has been thoughtful enough to arrange something this exciting behind his back and for friends and relations to fly over to the island just for him.’
He wanted to believe she was right. ‘I suppose that makes sense. I just worry that we’ll only have one chance to surprise him.’
She stood in front of him, hands on her hips. ‘You’ve thought of everything, Callum, and Keith will be delighted with the party, however it turns out.’ He must have looked alarmed because she rested a hand on his shoulder and grinned, shaking her head. ‘It will all be perfect, is what I’m trying and failing to say.’
Erin burst into the room and raised both hands excitedly in the air. ‘I’ve just heard from Mum that she called Grandad to wish him happy birthday and she’s fairly certain he has no idea about tonight.’
Callum hoped his mother was right but wanted to find out more. ‘How can she be so sure?’
‘Apparently when she asked him whether he was doing much to celebrate, he told her he was having a small family meal somewhere but that it was a surprise as to where.’
Calmed slightly, Callum felt his shoulders lower. ‘Maybe he really doesn’t suspect anything then?’
Betsy picked up the remnants of wrapping from the napkins and scrunched them in her hands. ‘It sounds like he doesn’t.’ She gave him a pointed look. ‘I think it’s time you stopped worrying and went to get ready. I think everything’s nearly done here.’
Erin nodded. ‘It does look amazing in here, and Dad and I have finished with the food. All we need to do now is get our party clothes on.’
* * *
An hour later, Callum dried his freshly shaved face just as his phone pinged. He suspected it was the prearranged message from Betsy telling him she and his dad had fetched Grandad and were on their way to the manor with him. He put down the towel next to the washbasin and picked up his phone to check.
Keith is with us in the car and excited to meet up with you at the restaurant. See you in about fifteen minutes. Betsy
Nervous all over again that he might have forgotten something, Callum pushed his phone into his trouser pocket and hurried downstairs to where his sister and mother had been greeting the rest of the family and friends. He wished he had managed to finish the party preparations earlier and get upstairs to shower and shave when the rest of his family had done.
He reached the bottom step and his phone pinged again. Taking it out, he saw a message from Tasha and eagerly opened it, hoping she was still coming.
Running late after a Zoom call but will be with you as soon as we can get there. Apologies if we’re not in time to greet your grandfather. Tasha
Relieved she was still going to be joining them, Callum sent off a quick reply.
No problem. See you when you get here. C
‘There you are,’ Erin said, rushing out of the kitchen to him. ‘Do we know what’s happening yet? Has Dad collected Grandad?’
‘Yes, and yes. They should be here in about fifteen minutes, or thereabouts. So we’ll need to make sure everyone has a drink in their hands and is waiting in the orangery, not in their rooms, or out in the garden chatting.’
Callum and Erin raced around filling glasses and finding family members dotted around the garden and gathered them in the orangery when their mother shouted for their attention from the doorway.
‘I’ve just seen James’s car coming down the drive. Quick, Callum, you’d better go and greet them. Erin and I will go and keep everyone quiet while you bring them inside.’
He waited for the car to stop and went to open his grandfather’s door. ‘Happy birthday, Grandad.’ Callum helped his grandfather out of the car and gave him a hug.
Keith looked at the manor house. ‘I’m trying to fathom why we’re here? Is this a new restaurant, or hotel?’
Callum shook his head.
James and Betsy joined them. ‘All in good time, Keith,’ James said. ‘Why don’t you lead the way, Callum?’
Callum walked with his grandfather, relieved not to be able to hear anyone talking. The last thing he wanted now was for his grandfather to recognise one of the voices and ruin the surprise he was about to receive.
