Chapter Thirty-eight
The party was due to start and Gilly and William were waiting in the marquee, welcoming smiles at the ready.
‘Are you all right, Mum?’ asked Helena.
‘Yes, I just want to get started. I’ve got stage fright,’ she said.
‘Aunt Daphne and the others will be here any minute,’ said William. ‘I had a text to say they were nearly here. I almost regret teaching her texting – she can’t seem to stop. It’s like a sort of Tourette’s.’
‘It all looks great!’ said Jago, looking round the marquee. ‘I’d like this for our wedding, Hels – ifyou’dlike it?’
‘Just what I want,’ said Helena. ‘It’s so good we agree.’
‘Ah! Here they are!’ said William.
‘Oh my God,’ said Jago. ‘I think I’m scared.’
All William’s aunts, and apparently several other people, had decided to wear hats. They looked magnificent but, Gilly thought, a bit overdressed forwhat was basically a buffet in a tent. There were chairs and tables for everyone to sit at but it was supposed to be a very informal occasion. This phalanx of women looked ready for Ladies’ Day at Ascot, or the wedding of a minor royal.
‘People love the chance to dress up,’ said Gilly, moving forward. ‘Daphne, how lovely to see you! And I adore your hat.’
‘Not hat, hatinator,’ Daphne corrected her, kissing her cheek. ‘Not to be confused with a fascinator.’
‘You’ve obviously looked into it,’ said Gilly.
‘Of course!’ Daphne turned her attention to Helena. ‘My, you’re a pretty girl, aren’t you?’
Gilly looked at her daughter through a stranger’s eyes. She had tonged her long hair so it came over her shoulder in ordered curls. She wore a simple dress – an old favourite – and ballet flats. She was wearing mascara and a bit of lipstick and looked, to Gilly’s entirely biased eyes, beautiful. And at her side was Jago, who, although he wasn’t wearing his suit, looked kind and handsome and just the man she would have chosen for her daughter (if the matter had anything to do with her). Gilly appreciated him deeply for being who he was. She’d have loved him if he’d been wearing budgie smugglers and a snorkel to her party.
Daphne patted Gilly’s arm. ‘Lovely young couple, darling. You’re so lucky.’
‘Yes I am,’ said Gilly, feeling lucky until her son came into her mind and she felt just a little bit sad. ‘Now, where are you going to sit?’
‘Isn’t there a seating plan?’ Daphne was put out by this basic mistake.
‘Well, no, we thought people would just—’
‘Don’t worry about it, darling. I’ll organise it.’ Daphne clapped her hands. ‘People! Follow me!’
Other guests began to arrive and the enclave of hat-wearing aunties was less prominent. But they still looked like a flock of exotic parakeets on an English bird table.
William and Gilly found they couldn’t go and sit down themselves for a while, so many people wanted to congratulate them, which, Gilly realised, was really a chance for one set of friends to get a look at their friend’s chosen partner. Gilly was glad to see the chaps from the gliding club, whom she knew.
‘You’re looking very lovely, my dear,’ said one. ‘We’re all so pleased that William has found the right girl at last. One who can join in with his hobby and not resent it. And you won’t regret your choice either. Salt of the earth is our William.’
‘I’m sure I won’t,’ said Gilly, smiling happily. ‘He’s perfect.’
‘Not sure I’m perfect, darling,’ said William, overhearing, ‘I don’t wash up very thoroughly.’
‘It’s OK,’ said Gilly, preparing to greet the next guest, ‘I have a dishwasher.’
People had mostly gone to the buffet and sat down again, the waiters had filled glasses, fetched water and made sure that Daphne’s little crew got cups of tea. William looked at Gilly. ‘Time for a quick speech?’
‘Do we have to?’
‘Just a very short one,’ said William. ‘I think we should.’
‘But you haven’t got any food yet!’ said Jago. ‘I’ll get you both some. If you go, you’ll never get back to your seats.’
