‘I’m sure you’ll all have a lovely time.’
Zoe watched her mum carefully as she started for the doors.
‘I think I’ve seen enough of the church now.’
‘Do you want to go over to see Ottilie now?’
‘I think…Could I have a minute first? A quick sit-down on a bench or something? Outside, if possible.’
‘Whatever you need…’
Zoe rushed to open the doors and then led her mum to the side of the building where she knew there was a bench in the shade of a broad old tree. It always felt secluded to Zoe, safe and private, and it was obvious her mother needed to collect herself. On reflection, Zoe had to be surprised at how well her mum seemed to be taking the news. She’d expected far worse than this.
‘It’s a lovely spot,’ Cherie mused as Zoe sat her down, and she gazed at her surroundings. ‘Perfect, romantic, idyllic…the sort of place I would have liked to have been married. But I got the register office. It was fine; it was a joint decision, of course, because money was tight back then. Still…’
She let out a sigh, and Zoe was afraid she was going to burst into tears. But she didn’t. She simply stared into the distance, as if watching a past scene play out on a screen nobody else could see. Was this the moment of acceptance? Had she finally made her peace with her ex-husband and Chantal’s relationship? One thing was for sure, hearing that the wedding had been booked and the banns read had to mean that there was no going back – for Cherie at least. This thing was happening whether she liked it or not, and the sooner she accepted the fact, the sooner she could start moving on.
‘When did he tell you about the venue?’ Cherie asked after what seemed like an eternity of silence. ‘You didn’t seem surprised when the vicar told you.’
‘Well…’
‘Of course, your dad would have said something because it’s your local church, isn’t it? You could have warned me. I looked like such a fool in front of your vicar.’
‘I’m sorry. I realise now I should have done, but I didn’t know how to tell you. Are you angry?’
‘I don’t know what I am. I’m in shock. What made him choose this place?’ Cherie turned to her. ‘Please don’t tell me it was your suggestion.’
‘God no! Honestly, hearing about the plans has given me more sleepless nights than I’d like to count! I don’t know what made him choose this church…I guess maybe Chantal saw it online or something.’
‘It’s a bit of a way out from them. A strange choice.’
‘I suppose knowing I’d come to live here and hearing about how much I liked it must have made her look into the area, that’s all.’
‘I suppose that’s the only explanation then.’
‘It is. I would never have suggested it – I’m not crazy!’
‘Are you going to be a bridesmaid?’
‘I doubt it. I haven’t been asked, and if I am, I’ll politely decline.’
‘What about your brother?’
‘I don’t think the dress would suit him.’
Cherie shot a withering look at Zoe, who’d known the joke to be lame but on the spur of the moment thought it worth a punt anyway. ‘I mean, is he taking on a role on the day?’
‘What kind of role?’
‘Like best man?’
‘I don’t know. If he is, I certainly haven’t heard about it. But then, I don’t hear from him all that often. If anything, Ritchie sees my brother more than I do, even though we’re not together now. Tom hasn’t even been to see me here yet. But I don’t know much about any of it. Dad has sprung this on everyone, not just you, Mum. We’re all having to come to terms with the fact he’s going to be married to Chantal in a few weeks.’
‘It’s insensitive, that’s what it is. No consideration for how it might affect anyone, as long as he gets what he wants. Or should I say,shegets whatshewants.’
‘I don’t think it’s quite like that. He’s just trying to make everything official before the baby comes. It’s not unheard of for couples to do that.’
‘More like she’s trying to make sure he has no escape route.’
