‘Sudden. First you tell me Chantal is pregnant, and five minutes later you’re getting married. And I understand why you’re so keen to, but surely you can see it’s a lot for me to take in, especially as I’ve only just got used to the idea that you and Mum aren’t together anymore. Not to mention my life hasn’texactly been plain sailing the past twelve months. I’m sorry I don’t sound more enthusiastic, Dad, but I’m trying.’
‘You’re coming to the wedding, though?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘That’s good. It means the world to me that you and your brother are there.’
‘Have you asked him then? He’s said he’s free?’
‘I’m about to. I wondered whether to ask Cherie…in the spirit of friendship and forgiveness and all that…’
Zoe almost laughed, though it wasn’t one bit funny. ‘Seriously? You wanted to ask Mum?’
‘You don’t think it’s a good idea?’
‘I don’t think she’d appreciate it quite as much as you imagine.’
‘Ah. I suppose not.’
‘Right. So you’ll send me details when you have them?’
‘As soon as Chantal finds the place she wants, I’ll let you know.’
‘Right…’ Zoe didn’t say anything more because nothing appropriate would come to mind.
‘Anyway,’ her dad said, filling the silence, ‘I’ll ring off. I need to speak to your brother, and Chantal wants to go shopping later.’
‘OK. Dad…’ Zoe took a deep breath and forced herself to smile so that he could hear it in her voice. ‘I really am happy for you. It was a shock, but I’m sorry if it sounded as though I’m not pleased. I’m sure you and Chantal will be very happy.’
‘I think so too,’ he said. ‘Thanks, Zoe.’
After ending the call, Zoe slipped the phone into her tunic pocket. But she didn’t go back inside. Instead, she stared at the hillsides, where the clouds she could see in the distance had just started to bleed their rain, blurring the view into something that looked like a watercolour painting. But here in Thimbleburyit was still dry. Perhaps the rain would come later for them. Perhaps not. It was hard to think about when there was so much else going on in Zoe’s brain, and yet it was almost all she could think about because to even try to process the conversation she’d just had with her dad was overwhelming. It wasn’t really about the wedding or Chantal’s pregnancy but about the fallout that Zoe knew was coming. She wasn’t ready for that, and even if she’d had ten years’ notice, she doubted she would be. It was coming nonetheless, and she’d have to deal with it.
Absently, she took out her phone again to check for missed calls, just in case, but there hadn’t been any. What was taking her mum so long? Zoe could only conclude that she hadn’t yet phoned because she’d assumed Zoe wouldn’t be able to talk.
The back door opened, and Lavender put her head around it.
‘Sorry to disturb,’ she said. ‘But your dinner’s getting cold, and we’ll have to open up again in twenty minutes, so I wondered if…’
‘Sorry, Lavender, I was on the phone to my dad. I’m coming back in now.’
‘Nothing amiss, is there? Nothing bad?’
‘Nothing bad, just something unexpected. He’s getting married.’
Lavender opened the door wider to let Zoe past. ‘That’s lovely!’ she said, but then paused and looked more closely at Zoe. ‘Isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it’s lovely. It’s sudden, that’s all. He didn’t seem bothered up until now, but suddenly it’s full steam ahead. He wants to get married on Valentine’s Day.’
‘ThisValentine’s?’
Zoe nodded, and Lavender let out a low whistle. ‘No wonder you look shocked. Have they arranged it then? Why are they only telling you now?’
‘They haven’t booked anything yet.’
‘Ah, well, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up having to put it off then.’
Zoe threw a wry look at Lavender as they went back to the table. ‘If you’d ever met his girlfriend, you’d know she’ll make it happen no matter what.’
