‘That’s a bitch – little girl,’ said Natalie. ‘But both sexes make lovely pets. They’re bred almost entirely for temperament.’
By now, Fiona’s ear was getting a thorough clean by a little pink tongue. ‘I’m going to call her Petronella,’ Fiona said. ‘I’ve always liked the name but it’s a bit much for a person.’
‘That’s a lovely name,’ said Natalie. ‘I expect it’ll get shortened but it’ll look great on the pedigree.’
‘Well done you for deciding,’ said Hattie. ‘They are all so lovely.’
‘It feels more like Petronella chose me,’ said Fiona.
By the time Hattie said they really had to go now, it wasn’t only Fiona who was in love with the thought of having a dog. Although in some ways she thought of herself as already having two dogs: Frank and Fearless. But if Luke and April moved in together it was unlikely that she’d be needed to look after them much. Just for a second, it felt to Hattie as if this was something else April had taken from her. Hattie was not given to self-pity – perhaps it was the emotions of Fiona’s wedding day – but just for a moment she let herself feel that as well as the house of her dreams and the man she hadn’t even realised she wanted, she’d lost the animals she thought of as partly hers. If she hadn’t been driving, she’d have been overtaken with tears.
Chapter Forty-One
Hattie hadn’t thought she’d be nervous about being a celebrant. She didn’t have to learn her words by heart, she could read them if she wanted. And although Fiona and Nick were exchanging vows, they were very short and simple. Once she’d said her bit, the party would start. She was wearing Mary’s gorgeous navy and cream dress which had never reached her parents’ Golden Wedding celebrations, and knowing she looked good should have given her confidence.
And yet, when she was standing at the front of the village hall – it was still pouring with rain – she felt almost overcome with twitchiness. It wasn’t even proper nerves, she realised. It was as if electricity had somehow got under her skin.
Outwardly she was calm but her blood was fizzing inside her veins. She clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention when the time had come for Fiona and Nick to walk down the makeshift aisle together, and Sheila changed the music from Fiona’s classical playlist to Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
It was a delight to watch them walk up between their friends and family. Everyone was smiling; the couplewere holding hands, looking at each other, their expressions full of joy.
Hattie had practised her lines often enough so she did know them by heart. Nick standing with his bride whom he so obviously adored and Fiona looking up at her groom, full of trust and love, was inspiring. And although her skin still felt electrified and her heart was racing, she enjoyed saying the few lines that would unite this couple in the presence of everyone who loved them. She took a moment to look at her audience. She noticed Malcolm squeezing Fiona’s hand and then getting out his handkerchief and giving it to her. She just had time to appreciate the change in him before she had to speak.
She finished with a triumphant ‘You may exchange kisses’ and the whole party erupted in cheers of congratulation as Nick and Fiona leant in for a deeply felt kiss.
Afterwards, someone put a glass of champagne into her hand but she didn’t dare drink it. She felt strange enough without adding alcohol even if she wasn’t driving. Hattie wished she’d fought to take her own car. She felt a bit trapped now.
Rose came up to her. ‘It’s a shame Luke couldn’t come.’
It was typical of Rose to get straight to the point. Sheila had invited him although Hattie had tried to imply she didn’t want him to come, and Hattie realised that part of her was disappointed he couldn’t make it.
‘Some business meeting, I gather.’
‘But it’s a Saturday!’ said Rose indignantly.
‘I know! But business goes on at weekends for some.’ Now Hattie wished she hadn’t put her champagne glassdown. Her mouth had gone completely dry. ‘I must get some water—’
‘Sam? Would you be a dear?’ Rose asked her long-suffering husband.
‘For Hats, I’ll be an antelope!’
‘You think he’d wait to actually be a dad before making dad jokes,’ said Rose. ‘And no, I’m not pregnant, though I am thinking about it.’
‘Rose! That’s so exciting! I thought you were wedded to your shop.’
‘I am, but now I want a baby too.’
‘I will insist on being godmother. I’m so thrilled!’
She gave Rose a quick kiss on the cheek at the same time as Sam arrived with a glass of sparkling water.
‘Thank you so much for this,’ said Hattie. ‘I’m feeling dreadfully on edge for some reason.’
‘But you’ve done your bit – very well. You can relax now,’ said Rose.
‘I know. I think the water will sort me out.’ Hattie sipped and while it stopped her feeling thirsty, it didn’t calm her much.
She managed to chat to a few people – Fiona and Nick, some friends of Sheila’s who were also staying with her for the wedding, but then she felt she had to get some fresh air.
