Elliot was too busy concentrating on his tie to reply.
‘You know, I, uh… I have this list?’ Monty said, pulling the book from his back pocket to show Elliot.
‘Best Man Speeches and Wedding Etiquette Guide?’ read the groom.
‘Yep, there’s a whole checklist thing I’m supposed to go through with you.’
‘There is?’ Elliot came to sit on the low armchair by the window and set to work polishing a pair of already very shiny shoes on Minty’s morningTelegraph, hoping she wouldn’t mind sacrificing it to the wedding cause. ‘Fire away.’
‘Uh, OK.’ Monty searched the contents page until he found what he was looking for. ‘Here we are, OK, number one. Are you absolutely sure you’re doing the right thing?’ Monty pulled an apologetic grimace.
‘It says that?’
‘More or less. Is the groom in full understanding that what matters today is the marriage itself andnotthe show of the wedding day.’
‘Yup,’ Elliot said confidently, brushing polish on leather and scenting the air with the familiar smell of manly marriage preparations that must stretch back decades.
‘And does the groom acknowledge and accept his duties to his partner’s happiness in the months and yearsafterthe wedding day?’
‘You can skip these ones,’ Elliot assured him. ‘I know exactly what I’m doing.’
‘OK.’ Monty turned the pages. ‘There’s a few like that, actually. Aha! Try this one, number four. The best man must offer the groom his support in perpetuity, especially in lieu of family members who may not support the marriage or who may be detrimental to its success in the future.’
Elliot’s boot brush paused, hovering over the shoe in his hand. ‘Your support in perpetuity? That’s nice.’
‘Seriously though, I’m here for you both, and not just for today.’
‘Understood.’ Elliot started work on the next shoe.
‘Even if your folks aren’t here.’ Monty chose his words as carefully as he was able. ‘Even if they never come around. I’m here for you.’
Elliot set this shoe down beside the other on the newspaper. ‘Thanks, Mont, I appreciate that.’
‘Mont?’ Monty ventured a smile.
Elliot shrugged. ‘It felt like a Mont moment.’
‘Fair dos.’
Elliot started work on his shoes with the dry brush and a van door slammed heavily outside. Monty cocked his head at the roar of the engine as the florist tore out of the estate. This was followed by footsteps in the hall below them, then on the staircase. Moments later Minty hammered at their door.
‘I won’t come in,’ she yelled. ‘Only it’s nine forty-six and I was supposed to bring your boutonnières to you one minute ago.’
Both men suppressed a smirk and glanced from the door to the schedule on the wall.
‘The florist had sent white freesias and lavender sprigs instead of sea holly and gorse, and, I ask you, how anyone makes that kind of mistake… oh, hello.’
Monty had pulled the door open.
‘You’re not dressed,’ the lady of the manor told him.
‘Getting there,’ he assured her. ‘Is the bouquet right, at least?’
‘The bouquet?’ Minty froze. ‘The bouquet! I… it’s still in the van. I sent the whole lot back until that stupid boy brings the entire order, correctly put together as per my original instructions.’
‘Right-o,’ Monty told her. ‘Thanks, then.’ He made to close the door but Minty stopped it.
‘Jowan’s bringing Aldous up in ten minutes. He is to be locked in this room until his next scheduled walk. Make sure he has fresh water.’
