“It was a really lovely ceremony,” Jenny said, sitting at a window table beside Karen. “Must really get you excited for your big day.”
Karen shrugged and poured diet Coke into her vodka. “I suppose. But I thought that the horse and cart thing was a bit over the top.” She giggled. “Imagine myself and Shane going down Main Street Kilkenny in a horse and cart. We’d be the talk of the town.”
They were both laughing so much that they didn’t notice someone come up beside their table.
“Hello there.”
Surprised, Jenny looked up and felt her cheeks redden. Mike Kennedy was standing there, looking very dapper in a tuxedo. What washedoing at Tessa and Gerry’s wedding?
“Mr Kennedy … hi,” she managed to say. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Karen watching with interest.
“It’s Mike and this is a surprise – I didn’t expect that I’d know anyone here. Hello.” He nodded pleasantly at Karen.
“Oh, forgive my manners. This is Mike Kennedy, a customer of the bank. Mike – my best friend Karen.”
“Hello,” Karen said coyly. “Pleased to meet you. How do you know Tessa and Gerry?”
Just then, a redhead wearing the shortest dress with the longest legs appeared at his side and tugged impatiently at his arm.
“I need a drink. I just met Sandra Thompson and she bored the face off me talking about baby night feeds. Save me …” She turned and nudged through the crowd at the bar, nearly toppling Aidan off his barstool. Jenny noticed him give her an appreciative look as she ordered.
“Duty calls,” Mike smiled politely. “Catch you later.”
Karen waited until he was a safe distance away. “Who wasthat?” she gasped, eyes wide with interest. “What a hunk. No wonder you were blushing.”
“Ah no, was I?” Jenny was mortified. “He’s the one I told you about before, the one who got covered in dye.”
“That’sthe guy? I got the impression he was one of those stuffed shirts, not an Adonis.”
She laughed. “Well, his date is a good match.” She watched Mike’s attractive companion cross her long toned legs as they sat at the bar. And despite herself, felt an inexplicable hint of envy.
Soon, they all took their seats in the banqueting room. Tessa had really pulled out all the stops. A bouquet of heart-shaped helium balloons in red and gold had been placed in the centre of every round table, and two huge bride and groom air-walkers hovered behind the happy couple at the top table.
“I have to admit, I like the balloons,” Karen said to Shane, taking a seat at their table. “That’s something I wouldn’t mind doing for ours. What do you think?”
“Mind if we join you?” said a female voice from behind. “It’s just we don’t know anyone else, and I saw Mike talking to you two earlier.” She rolled her eyes conspiratorially. “And I don’t want to get stuck with Miss Baby Bore again.”
“Sure,” Karen said, pulling out a chair for Mike Kennedy’s date.
“Thanks. I’m Rachel, by the way. Mike’s still up at the bar, chatting to some ‘oul fella he met a few minutes ago.” She plopped happily into the chair. “I’m kinda sorry I brought him now – he’s useless. Asked him to help me find a man and what does he do? Chats to old-age pensioners.” She lowered her voice and looked around her. “Any decent singles at this table?”
Karen laughed. “Not this lot I’m afraid,” she said. “Well, Aidan maybe, but I wouldn’t wish him on my worst enemy. So, you’re not with Mike?” she added, side-eyeing Jenny pointedly.
Rachel looked at her as if she was mad. “God no, he’s my brother.”
With that, the aforementioned appeared at the table.
“I’m very sorry about this,” he said, frowning at Rachel. “She tends to be a little … forward.”
“Not at all. You guys are more than welcome to join us.”
“So how do you two know the bride and groom?” Karen enquired. “Are you related?”
“Truthfully I don’t know them from Adam,” Mike shrugged. “Rachel trained in nursing with Tessa and she asked me to come along as her plus one.”
“I haven’t seen Tessa in years, but we keep in touch. I went to work in London after we qualified,” Rachel explained, pushing her flame-coloured hair behind her ears as she buttered a bread roll. “What do you reckon on yer man over there?” she asked Jenny. “A bit on the old side but I could get past that.”
Jenny followed her gaze and laughed out loud. “That’s Tessa’s dad.”
