Hattie looked away. She was certain she wasn’t the only woman in the room wondering how a bridegroom could talk like that to his bride.
Malcolm insisted on his daughter having a good swig of brandy from his hip flask before they got into the wedding car, to ‘settle her nerves’. He seemed to have quite a long pull himself before he apparently felt his own nerves were settled. ‘That’ll put hairs on ourchests!’ he said as he helped Fiona in. Fiona managed a weak smile and Sheila arranged her train.
‘We’ll be right behind you, darling,’ said Sheila and then the door was closed.
‘Do you mind giving me a lift to the church?’ Sheila said to Hattie, having disappeared into the house for a few minutes. ‘I lent my car to Camille and Malcolm’s obviously got the keys to his car in his pocket. He doesn’t really like me driving it so taking them with him is a habit.’
‘No problem,’ said Hattie. ‘Let’s hope they give us time to get to the church before they do.’
Sheila nodded. ‘I’d like to make sure her dress is hanging right before she goes into the church.’
‘And that the bridesmaids all have their headdresses the same way up. There was a moment there with the mums all arguing about it. And the bride should definitely arrive last,’ said Hattie firmly.
‘That’ll be difficult with Malcolm in charge,’ said Sheila. ‘He hates being a second late and is very nervous. I happen to know that brandy isn’t the first drink he’s had this morning.’
‘Is there any reason why he’s so nervous, do you think? He’s happy about the wedding?’ While she really didn’t want to mention it, she wanted to give Sheila an opportunity to talk about her feelings if she wanted to.
‘Of course he is. He thinks Lance is amazing. “The son he never had” and all that. I think he just doesn’t like being part of something where he isn’t in control.’
Hattie nodded, but couldn’t find much to say in response. She sent up a silent prayer for Nick’s plan to work; it was clearly Fiona’s only hope now.
‘It looks like we’ve beaten the bride to it!’ said Hattie, finding space for her car a little way away from the church gate.
‘That’s good! We can recover from the morning and then sort Fiona out when she arrives.’ Sheila paused. ‘I suppose I ought to say hello to Lance first.’
‘Do you and Lance get on OK?’ asked Hattie, although she had seen them together a couple of times.
‘He’s not my favourite person, to be honest, but he’s apparently the love of Fifi’s life. He may soften up as the years go by. Malcolm is quite like him. I’ve learnt to manage him. Fiona will have to do the same with Lance.’ And with that she took off towards the church.
The space looked beautiful, thought Hattie as they entered. Lance’s choice of florist might have caused a lot of local ill feeling but she had to admit they’d done a wonderful job.
The pews were full and Lance and his best man were in their places, Lance looking around impatiently. Most grooms would be nervous, thought Hattie, but not Lance.
It was odd to be at a wedding where you knew hardly anyone, she thought, searching the seats for someone she recognised. She spotted Camille and her husband. They could give Sheila a lift to the reception venue if Hattie got the call she was hoping for.
Hattie followed Sheila back out to the church porch where she was anxiously awaiting her daughter. ‘Where can they be?’ she said, when she saw Hattie.
‘The wedding isn’t due to start for another five minutes, and although no one wanted Fiona to be late, she might decide to go round the block, have a few minutes to get herself focused.’
‘I wish her luck with that, if it’s her plan,’ said Sheila. ‘If Malcolm has anything to do with it, she’ll be here and marched down the aisle before the cat can lick her ear.’ She paused. ‘Sorry, that’s something my father used to say. I can’t help thinking about him just now. He was never keen on Malcolm but I insisted on marrying him.’
‘Do you regret it?’ asked Hattie tentatively.
Sheila didn’t reply for a few seconds. ‘He gave me Fiona and she’s worth everything. I couldn’t love her more.’
The vicar approached, a friendly woman of about Hattie’s age. ‘Sheila? Do you want to take your seat?’ She looked at Hattie, obviously wondering who she was.
‘This is Hattie,’ said Sheila. ‘She’s my – my best woman.’
‘Very good idea to have one. The bride’s mother can feel quite lonely on the day. She’s usually been such an important part of all the planning and organising and, come the wedding, she’s often expected to sit by herself and do nothing.’
‘I’m going to sign the register,’ said Sheila. ‘I insisted on that.’ She paused. ‘My husband’s very old fashioned. He doesn’t really think women should sign forms.’
The vicar laughed. ‘He probably doesn’t approve of me either!’ she said.
‘Probably not,’ said Sheila.
Time seemed to pass incredibly slowly. Lance stormed up the aisle to wait for his bride by the door. He probably wanted to give her a blast of disapproval before he forsook all others as long as they both should live. The irony of it hit Hattie – they weren’t even married and he’d probably already broken this vow. She decided ifNick couldn’t stop the wedding, she would stand up at the appropriate moment. She’d have to.
