He sat down on the edge of the bed and breathed out heavily. “So what was Will’s role in all this? You think he knew Becky had feelings for Declan?”
“Oh, I’m sure he knows. They’re great friends. Either way, by playing along with this we’re allowing them all to save face and we might stand some chance of salvaging Christmas. So you’re to go downstairs and behave as if this is all real.” She looked at him and he shook his head.
“I don’t know, Jen. This feels like one of those ridiculous Shakespearean comedies where everyone swallows magic mushrooms and ends up with the wrong person. Where does this end? What if we play along and I end up walking Becky down the aisle next summer?”
She noticed that he seemed more energized and engaged since Becky’s shock announcement earlier.
“Forget next summer and focus on Christmas. Rosie feels bad, and hopefully seeing Will and Becky together will change that. Becky feels bad, and hopefully this will give her some space to get herself under control and figure out her own feelings. You could talk to both of them. You’ve always been good at getting them to open up.” And maybe doing so would make him realise he was needed. That retirement didn’t mean he couldn’t be useful and wanted.
“And what about Will’s parents? We’ve known Audrey and Paul forever. I’d rather this wasn’t the end of a beautiful friendship.”
“They adore Becky. You saw their reaction downstairs.”
“Yes, that’s my concern. They think it’s real. What’s going to happen when they find out it’s not?”
Jenny selected a pair of earrings. “We’ll worry about that when it happens. You look handsome, by the way. I intend to test your theory that your best years are behind you. Just warning you.”
He laughed. “You’re changing the subject.” He reached down and secured a strand of hair that had escaped from the twist at the back of her head. “You look good too. You haven’t changed at all.”
“I wish.” She smiled at him in the mirror. “But thank you. Did you find time to talk to Jamie about his job?”
“We’re going to talk properly tomorrow. And yes, before you ask, I also had a brief chat with your father about the book and we were going to talk more this afternoon, but that was before Becky turned up and shocked everyone with her announcement. I feel as if I should start making appointments for people.”
“Not a bad idea. You’re certainly in demand. But I’m sure there will be plenty of time for you and Dad to talk properly over Christmas.”
Earlier she’d been worried that he just wasn’t going to be able to shake himself out of his state of gloom, but now she was feeling more optimistic.
“You’re still changing the subject. You’re seriously not worried that putting Will and Becky together in a room is unfair on both of them?”
“Not at all.” If she was right, and she really hoped she was, it might be just what the pair of them needed. “They shared a room last night and still seem to be speaking to each other so I’m sure they’ll be just fine.”
“But what do you think is going to happen?”
“I don’t know, but it’s going to be interesting.” Unwilling to voice her hopes, she stepped into her dress and turned her back to him. “Would you zip me up, please? We have a great deal to celebrate.”
“You’re not still upset with Jamie then?”
“No. As you wisely pointed out, it wasn’t to do with us. I like Hayley. And from the little I’ve learned about her since she arrived, I’m sure it would have been overwhelming for her to have a big family wedding. She so obviously wants to fit in and do the right thing. Having to worry about all that would have stressed her on her special day.”
“There’s a right thing to do? Maybe she should tell our children that. Between Jamie announcing that he’s married, Beckysaying she’s with Will—even if that’s fake—Rosie and Declan having issues and Will moving in with us for Christmas, everything feels chaotic. No one is behaving the way I expected them to. Apart from the dog. So far he is the only predictable one. Christmas is supposed to bring surprises, but not usually ones that give you ulcers and raised blood pressure.”
“That’s life, isn’t it?” She leaned in and kissed him. “Not much turns out the way we expect it to.”
“That’s true.” He gazed at her for a moment and she knew he was thinking of his own situation.
“And sometimes the only thing we can control about a situation is our own feelings.”
He gave a half smile. “Are you telling me I need to sort myself out?”
“No. You already know that. I’m reminding you that these things can take time.” She held out her hand. “Let’s go and see what other surprises our children are about to spring on us.”
“You think there will be more? In that case I’m going to need a drink.”
“Don’t drink too much. I want you conscious later.”
Chapter19
Hayley
