‘How’s your stag do coming along?’ Adira asked, sat at her dressing table, putting on a necklace in preparation for her hen do that night. Jasper had bought it for her whilst still in Dubai. Unlike most of the bright gold jewellery that was sold out there, it was unusually made of deep blue and aquamarine glass gems.
Jasper looked at Adira’s reflection in the mirror and admired the woman he was going to marry; her elegant neck, flawless skin, silky blonde hair running down her back and her sparkling blue eyes. The necklace complemented her colouring beautifully. He remembered buying it in the vast shopping mall, whilst missing her terribly. Little did he know then that he would shortly be taking her out there. Not that Adira knew any of this, but Jasper had planned a trip to Dubai for their honeymoon. He wanted her to experience the place where he had lived, longing to show her the long stretches of golden sand, the clear turquoise sea, the breathtaking buildings, the classy restaurants and cocktail bars; plus the old Dubai with its traditional souks, vibrantly trading gold, silk, perfumes and spices, where the heady fragrance of the exotic essential oils, oud and bakhoor fill the air. He felt sure she’d appreciate the culture and experience, being a keen traveller. He’d wanted to surprise her on their wedding day. All he had told her was to pack ‘light clothes’, that had been the only clue she had been allowed, much to her frustration. He had secretly bought her a few items of clothing, including beach wear, with the help of Cassie, who had been sworn to silence.
Adira looked quizzically at him when he still hadn’t answered her question.
‘Stag do?’ she prompted.
‘Oh, yeah, Fletcher’s sorted it. Thursday’s the best night for everyone. Not the night before the wedding as he’d originally planned.’ Jasper rolled his eyes. He could just imagine Fletcher forcing drink down them all, giving them whacking hangovers for the next morning. Adira chuckled.
‘He’s never really grown up, has he?’ she said with amusement.
‘No. But he’s in for a shock if he thinks he’ll be knocking back the whisky.’
‘Hmm, go easy on him.’
Jasper gave her a reproachful look.
‘Fletcher doesn’t do easy. You have to be firm with him. God knows what he’s got up his sleeve as best man.’
Adira started to giggle, then quickly glanced at her watch.
‘Better get going, they’ll be wondering where I am.’ Adira had booked a table in the Italian restaurant that Jasper had first took her to in Clitheroe, which held sentimental value as well as having an excellent reputation.
‘Come on then, your carriage awaits.’
Jasper was picking up Lilly and Ruby and taking them all into Clitheroe, whilst Cassie and Lisa were getting a lift from Rory. While she had had reservations on inviting Lilly and Ruby to her hen do, Cassie and Lisa had thought it was hilarious that they had accepted the invitation with relish, and Adira was looking forward to the evening. It had been a long time since she’d enjoyed a girls’ night out. At university she had had a great social life, but afterwards, working as a barrister in a London chambers had given her little time for socialising. The Law Society dinners she’d had to endure had proven dull and boring, full of pompous wannabes, desperate to climb to the peak of their careers. How glad she was to put all that behind her. It felt like a lifetime ago now.
Lilly and Ruby were ready and waiting, evidently excited for the evening too. Lilly had chosen to wear her pale blue dress again, whilst Ruby had actually bought a new floral blouse and pleated skirt for the occasion. Both ladies had had a trip to the hairdresser’s for a wash and set, and sported identical fixed waves.
‘It’s so good of you to take us,’ thanked Lilly, climbing into the back seat.
‘Yes, much appreciated,’ said Ruby, then nudged her sister. ‘Put your seat belt on Lilly.’
Off they set, with the twins constantly chatting all the way. Jasper joked and teased, warning them all to behave themselves, causing more giggles from the back seat. Adira smiled to herself.
Cassie and Lisa were already sat at the table in the restaurant and waved up at them as they entered. Cassie had decorated the table with balloons and put plastic tiaras on the place mats for each of them to wear. A bottle of champagne was cooling in an ice bucket. Lisa had opted for tonic water, but still sipped it from a flute glass.
‘To Adira, happy hen do!’ Cassie held up her glass and everyone joined in. Lilly and Ruby put each other’s tiara on, checking they were straight and didn’t flatten their new curls.
As the Italian music played, all the hens drank, ate, laughed and sang along, swaying from side to side.
‘As the moon hits the sky, like a big pizza pie—’
‘That’s amore!’ they all bellowed in unison, causing a few raised eyebrows and playful smiles from the waiters. As the song continued, the hens got louder and louder, totally oblivious to the rest of the diners. They were having a blast and didn’t care who knew.
‘But you see back in old Napoli—’
‘That’s amore-eee!’ they roared the final words to the applause of the whole restaurant.
Meanwhile, back in The Laurels, Fletcher was rattling the drinks cabinet in an attempt to get at the whisky. Pulling harder at the handle, he realised it was in fact locked. Bugger. Jasper had obviously sealed it up. Slumping down into his chair, he sighed and closed his eyes. Is this what the rest of his life entailed? He enjoyed his pre-dinner (and after dinner) drinks. It was one of life’s simple pleasures. The healthy diet he could just about adapt to. Porridge with a teaspoon of jam was actually quite nice and the lunches Lilly made with a variety of salads and fruits, or home-made soup packed with vegetables and crusty wholemeal bread, were very tasty. The evening meals too, were always nutritious. Adira had made them lots of fish dishes, or chicken, red meat only occasionally, and desserts the odd time. He hardly missed the egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding and fried bread, which he used to eat most mornings. Well, not too much, he conceded. It was just a case of mind over matter… but hell, he did miss his whisky. It was good for his circulation, he’d claimed to an unconvinced Jasper. ‘So is exercise,’ he had replied. ‘Let’s go for a gentle stroll.’ Blow that, Fletcher had thought, he didn’t want a bloody stroll, he wanted a whisky!
Then, in a flash, inspiration hit him. He had a few mini bottles of different whiskies that he’d bought at Glenrick Castle on holiday. They were still in his suitcase. Rubbing his hands together he quietly made for his bedroom, passing Jasper in the hall.
‘Fletcher, dinner’s almost ready.’
‘Grand,’ he smiled and started to climb the stairs. ‘I won’t be a minute,’ he nonchalantly called over his shoulder, all the time his mouth buds watering at the thought of those whisky bottles tucked away in the pocket of his case.
He quickly opened his wardrobe, pulled out his suitcase and put it on the bed. Unzipping it, he felt at the pocket for the bottles. Nothing. They weren’t there. Unbelievable – Jasper had obviously emptied his case. He’d been one step ahead of him. Damn!
