Cristina and Isabella had brought the finished suits with them to England. They were not the only Spanish guests. News of the wedding had spread. Four of Luis’s school friends asked if they could attend along with their wives. Soon more than twenty people were coming from Madrid, Sevilla and Cádiz. The invitation list swelled to over one hundred and forty as many people in Bude also wanted to take part in the celebrations, some who knew Danny as a child, others who knew him from the descriptions in his parents’ Christmas cards, everyone wanting to feel part of this new era, creating the mood of a small-town fête.
Jasper had driven down from London early in the morning. He was in excellent spirits, pleased with the arrangements and delighted to share the work with Danny’s parents. Preparations had progressed so smoothly they were already brainstorming future collaborations. Jasper thought that the guest house was a magical setting for a wedding. Studying the suits, he nodded.
‘They’re a pair.’
Before adding, ‘We don’t have to follow every convention. But some are worth following.’
Luis and Danny agreed not to see each other dressed intheir suits until the wedding itself. Luis indicated that Danny should try his suit on first, stepping out of the bedroom and taking Isabella with him. Cristina, herself an excellent seamstress, remained behind with Jasper ready to make any alterations. Danny entered the bathroom, the room he regularly cleaned as a lonely teenager, now the changing room for his wedding. The suit was a perfect fit. He paused, resting on the sink, anxious about feeling so happy – reminding himself happiness was real, the anxiety was fleeting, not the other way round. He opened the door and gave his appreciative audience a twirl.
Abiding by another convention, Danny planned to spend the night apart from Luis, sleeping in his old bedroom at his parents’ house while Luis stayed in the guest house. That night Danny and his parents sat in the back garden sharing a pot of herbal tea. In advance of the wedding, Danny had quit drinking and vaping. He couldn’t exactly say why, only that he’d outgrown both. The three of them spoke late into the night. Danny’s mother and father told stories about their own wedding, most of which he had never heard before. A bungled speech. The public joy and secret sadness of Danny’s grandfather, the last wedding he attended before he died. After they said goodnight to each other Danny lay in bed, savouring the anticipation. At around three in the morning, exhaustion overtook him, and he nodded off.
At sunrise, Danny’s first thought was that today was the day he was going to be married. In the kitchen his mother and father prepared a shared breakfast platter of buttery scrambled eggs from the local farm and roasted tomatoes from their garden. Danny ate a hearty portion.
Serving him with a pot of strong tea his mother asked, ‘How are you feeling?’
He replied, ‘I feel ready.’
The forecast was overcast, with the risk of midday rain clearing in time for the afternoon ceremony. Jasper had organized a bad-weather plan but Danny was irrationally certain that the rain would pass and the sun would shine. Jasper arrived after breakfast dressed in his red wedding attire, his double-breasted jacket and red tie with a blue cornflower affixed to his lapel. He checked his meticulous notes.
‘Guest-wise, there are a few delays with the trains. It still looks like everyone is going to make it in time. On the weather front we’re holding back setting up the terrace until after the rain has cleared. As for your schedule, it’s very light. You’re going to change here with some help from your friends. Individual photos in the garden with your parents while I’m working on the terrace.’
Danny asked, ‘How’s Luis?’
Jasper glanced at him.
‘When I left the guest house he was having breakfast with his family and friends. He seems relaxed.’
As Jasper was leaving, Matt and Sophie arrived, already dressed for the ceremony. Sophie was wearing a pair of pleated trousers with an oblique-front jacket fastened with a single button. Bold and brilliant. Matt was wearing navy blue trousers with loafers, a white shirt and a skinny pink tie. They had met at the welcome drinks last night and were already friends. Still in his tracksuit, Danny sat on the edge of his single bed while his two friends fussed over his face using cleanser and toner. It was funny, intimate, and it gave them something to do. As forecast, a rain shower passed over the area and the three of them paused to watch. Within thirty minutes the rain cleared, leaving broken cloud and patches of soft blue sky. Delighted, his mother opened the door and declared, ‘Everything smells new.’
Danny changed into his suit. Sophie suggested not using aftershave or any hair products. Go natural, she said. Matt agreed, unable to add anything more because he was crying. He apologized.
‘I can’t be the crying gay guy.’
Danny kissed him on the cheek.
‘Yes, you can.’
A thought popped into Danny’s head. Unsure if he should suggest it.
‘At the party, can you do me a favour?’
Matt nodded, of course, anything.
Danny said, ‘Ask Jasper for a dance.’
Chapter Forty-SevenThe Wedding
The ceremony was to take place on the terrace, with the teak decking carefully mopped dry after the afternoon shower. Fold-out wooden seats were arranged with views over the sand dunes towards the sea. Rather than lavish flower arrangements Danny had suggested using an array of potted plants loaned from a local garden centre owned by a friend of his mother. In exchange for an invitation to the wedding she had allowed them to pack the hotel’s van with violas and Sweet Williams. There had been no discussion about a theme but one seemed to emerge – a village wedding from the past. As a nod to the Olympic opening ceremony and finally able to put his theatrical stagecraft education to use, Danny made cumulus clouds out of textured Japanese washi paper which he curved around a wire frame andtiny battery-powered lights. These glowing clouds stood on nearly invisible supports positioned around the terrace. Rather than a classical performance with violins and cellos, they’d hired a local folk band renowned for their sell-out pub performances. The band included a tenor banjo, harmonica and accordion.
Upon arrival each guest was handed a cornflower to hold or pin to their clothes. They could sit wherever they liked. While Luis and Danny were excited about the prospect of being photographed, they opted not to have the ceremony filmed, preferring the day to remain as a series of memories and images. At three o’clock, with every guest seated, the sun made a welcome appearance and the ceremony began.
Luis stood at the front. Danny would be the one to walk out from the guest house and down the aisle. Danny and Luis came to this decision with very little deliberation. It seemed obvious to them. Danny would not be given away or walk accompanied. Luis would not wait with anyone beside him. The officiant would remain seated until Danny joined Luis at the front.
The folk band were given their cue and began to play an improvised arrangement. Inside the guest house Jasper checked over Danny’s suit, picking at specks of fluff.
‘It’s time.’
Once Jasper had taken his seat Danny eyed the rain-damp terrace deck and took off his loafers, removing his anklesocks. He knew Jasper would think he had lost his mind, but he wanted to walk barefoot. Perhaps he was fearful of slipping but more likely he wanted to feel the wood underfoot. He opened the door and stepped out.
