Jenny managed to raise a smile. “Barry’s expression wasn’t a pretty sight, that’s for sure.”
“Neither was I afterwards,” he chuckled. “That stuff wenteverywhere. Impossible to remove.”
She grimaced. “I really am so sorry, Mr Kennedy. If there’s anything at all I can say or do to make it up to you …”
“Call me Mike, and honestly it’s fine. There are worse things in life.” He smiled at her again, his blue eyes alight with amusement.
Jenny couldn’t believe how decent he was being. No wonder she had been petrified about meeting him; Barry had made him out to be an awful monster. But he was … lovely.
“So I was in the area and firstly wanted to apologise for not returning your calls. And I also wondered if Barry might be free. I want to reassure him that I won’t be moving my account, despite recent threats to the contrary.” He chuckled and pushed a lock of fair hair out of one eye. “Though between you and me, I did enjoy that bit - putting the frighteners on the bank manager. You’d never know – this situation might work to my advantage after all.”
Jenny stood up to see him out.
“While I’m at it, I must also check who’s taking care of my replacement suit.”
She looked worried. Yikes, he wouldn’t expectherto pay forthat,would he?
Barry must have been trying to listen in because he was right outside the door all smiles when Jenny opened it,.
“Mike!” he boomed. “Hope all well? Jen, get us a cup of coffee and maybe pop down to the bakery for a few doughnuts,” he ordered dismissively.
Mike winked at Jenny as he disappeared into the manager’s office. And the conspiratorial look he gave her with those twinkling blue eyes somehow managed to put a little spring in her step.
31
It was a warm late September day, and many native beech trees surrounding the little country chapel retained their golden leaves, adding an autumnal feel to the quaint pastoral setting.
“I can’t believe these temps,” Karen said, struggling to appear ladylike in her high heels while getting out of Shane’s car. She stood up straight, positioned her hat and looked up at the sky in wonder. “You wouldn’t get weather this good in June.”
The church was the tiniest Jenny had ever seen and the setting was so picturesque amid the Cork countryside. A truly beautiful place to get married.
She’d travelled down from Dublin with Karen and Shane. The rugged mountainous scenery on the journey there completely enthralled Shane, who’d grown up in the relatively flatter lands of County Meath.
Throughout the trip, Jenny wasn’t sure which was worse, Shane driving distractedly, or Karen driving asonly she knew how. She was doing at least a hundred on the winding by-roads, beeping and honking at every tractor or slow driver in her way.
For her part, Jenny spent the majority of the journey with her eyes closed, knowing she would surely throw up if she looked out at the countryside whizzing past, and had been more than a little relieved when they finally pulled into the church car park in one piece.
Slightly late, the three hurried in to take their seats and were inside only a few minutes when the organist started up the bridal march.
Tessa’s sixteen-year-old twin sisters wore rust-red bridesmaid dresses, which looked particularly striking against their dusky complexions. Then the bride herself appeared close behind, a glorious vision in ivory satin, her dad walking proudly alongside.
Tessa looked amazing in her Vera Wang wedding dress. Her hair had grown longer since Jenny had seen her last, and today she wore it curled and piled high on her head, a few tiny tendrils framing her face and a gold tiara completing the overall ‘fairy princess’ effect.
She inclined her head towards her dad as he whispered something in her ear, and Jenny saw her eyes glisten as they walked towards the altar. Mr Sullivan looked at his daughter with such pride and love that she felt her own eyes smart with the beginning of tears.
As she watched the two walk towards the altar, she understood for the very first time why so many people cried at weddings. The fairytale atmosphere in the tiny church was almost ethereal. Even Karen was softening alittle, she realised, catching sight of her squeezing Shane’s hand as the bride and groom took their vows.
The reception was being held in a hotel not far from the location. When they got there, Shane spotted Aidan and his plus one sitting at the bar.
“We couldn’t find the bloody church,” he said, throwing his hands up in despair. “I must have asked for directions from about ten different people but I couldn’t understand a word any of them were saying. What’s a boreen, by the way?” He winked at Shane.
“Nice try. It wasn’t too bad though, only an hour long. I thought these things went on for ages.”
“It was long enough for me,” Gerry exclaimed, coming up behind them, looking especially dashing in his morning suit.
“Congratulations, mate.” Aidan stood up and clapped him on the back. “Where’s the missus?”
“Running around chatting to everyone – you know yourself,” Gerry beamed as the barman handed him a pint of Guinness. “I’ve been looking forward to this – cheers, lads.”
