I’m about to point out it’s only half over. And however long it’s seemed for him, being stuck with a bad-tempered beer obsessive, who doesn’t know the words toLet It Go, has probably seemed even longer for Gracie. But as he kicks the table, there’s a flicker as my laptop screen bursts into life. ‘Careful there.’ I leap forward to slam it shut, but I’m too late. His hand shoots out and stops me.
‘Wait a minute.’ As he leans forward, tilts back the screen and squints at it there’s the start of a smile playing around his lips. ‘Well, I never. So, Holly Berry, you weren’t just a poseur with a camera case. You reallyweretaking pictures at the farm.’ Then a low chuckle comes from his throat as he scrolls down. ‘You’re a dark horse. When didyoubecome a wedding photographer?’ There’s delight on his face that he’s blown my secret.
Anyone else would have been bad enough. With Rory peering at my photos, I’m so confused the words won’t come out. ‘It’s … I’m not … big mistake … complicated …’ As usual Mr Sanderson’s put two and two together and made sixty six. Not hard for an idiot like him.
All these years on, it’s times like this when I miss Freya most. Actually, that’s not true. I’ll never get over not having her there to talk to at night. Or sitting around the family table, coming out with all the clever stuff. And lounging on the sofa, always ready with a cushion for when her wimpy younger sister bottled at scary films. That Child Catcher inChitty Chitty Bang Bangwho gave us nightmares for years still makes me shiver even now. But she was always the one who dared to creep into my bed and talk until I fell asleep. Without her, I was out of my teens before I dared to watch the headless horseman inSleepy Hollow, even though everyone else had seen it years before.
But if she were here now, even though it’s years on, I know she’d jump in with a fitting put- down. Squish Rory to the size and significance of a pea. Make me come up roses, looking bloody brilliant. She had the ability to whip out something more eloquent in a second than I could think of if I sat and pondered for a week.
I’m halfway through failing to explain myself when Poppy reappears from the kitchen. Then Immie and Gracie come galloping back from the loo. A bit like buses. I’ve been sitting so long opening and closing my mouth like I’ve got no brain cells at all, and now the two of them are here to save me at once.
‘You were quick. Everything okay?’ Funny how the words come out fine when I’m speaking to Poppy. The way she’s staring back at me like a guppie, it’s almost like I was with Rory. And, come to think of it, she’s galloped through the phone call with Jess. I’ve been pushed to get Jess to hang up inside thirty minutes. In the end I have to ask. ‘Is there a problem?’
Immie’s thinking the same, but expressing it differently. ‘Come on, Pops, spit it out. You’re dithering like a lily-livered walrus.’
Poppy blinks. ‘Okay, so here’s a thing. Zoe totally loves your pictures, Hols. See, I told you she would.’
‘Jess rang to tell you that?’ It’s great to know, but somehow it’s coming from the wrong place entirely.
From Poppy’s grimace, she’s agonising. ‘The other news is less good. Basically …’ She hesitates, then it comes out in a rush. ‘… Jess rang to tell me we’re a man down.’
Immie’s hands are on her hips. ‘Sorry, you’re going to have to do better than that. We’re still none the wiser.’ As her coat opens, there’s a flash of herDon’t f**k with met-shirt slogan.
Poppy groans at her. ‘Zip up Immie, thank Christmas Gracie can’t read.’
‘What?’ Immie’s expression is inscrutable. ‘For frig sake. This is my “going out when I’m cross” t-shirt. It’s only fair to warn people.’
As Rory leans towards her, for once he’s not joking around. ‘Don’t take it too hard, Immie. You and Chas are bound to get lucky soon. Fingers crossed for next month, eh?’ If it’s a shock that Rory can sound that sincere, it’s also a shock he’s in the inner circle of people in the loop about Immie’s baby disappointment. Although that’s St Aidan for you. It’s the only place in the world where a wine merchant would be commenting on your menstrual cycles and publicly cheering you on to fertilisation. What’s more astounding still, he’s getting full appreciation for his input.
‘Thanks, mate. I hope you’re right. Give us a couple of days, and we’ll be less gutted.’ Immie pulls the corners of her mouth down, then moves on. ‘So, who the hell’s dropped out of the team?’
The way Poppy’s stalling, maybe she has got baby brain after all. ‘It’s Jules. Jess rang to say he’s housebound.’ She drags in a breath. ‘So he’s asking if Hols could go out to a wedding venue up near Port Giles tomorrow. Check out a few angles and shots. Take a few pictures in advance of a wedding he’s booked for on Sunday. Nothing too difficult. If we can get someone to take you, do you think you could manage that?’ She raises an eyebrow at me.
I’m blinking, because I’m doubtful. ‘He wants me to finish the edits on Zoe’s pictures tomorrow.’
Poppy’s looking anxious. ‘Actually, Jules has offered to do a job swap on that. As he and Jess say, the pictures from the Port Giles venue will be great for your portfolio. It’s a converted lifeboat station an hour and a half up the coast. A fabulous place.’
I’m puzzled. ‘How come Jess is the one sorting this out?’
Poppy shrugs. ‘Just because Jess is in Switzerland, it doesn’t mean she’s not in control. She’s everyone’s go-to person if they have a problem, because she’ll always find an answer.’
From nowhere, Immie chimes in. ‘Why doesn’t Rory take you up to Port Giles, Hols. It’ll be a good way to get the kids out.’ From the way she catches Poppy’s eye, I suspect they could be colluding on this. Although when Poppy mentioned Rory as partner material the day of Zoe’s wedding, I had no idea they’d be this proactive.
Luckily for me, Rory couldn’t look more horrified as he jumps in with his own protest. ‘Even if I’d love to see how Supernanny stands up to a day of screaming from the back seat, I don’t think so.’
As I frown at Poppy and Immie, I can’t help my whine. ‘Why do I feel like you’re ganging up on me?’
Poppy sends me a soothing smile. ‘Not at all, Hols. We’re just over-stretched, due to unforeseen circumstances. Rory’s not working tomorrow, so he’s the most available of all of the team to take you. Immie’s completely right to suggest him.’
This is such a bad idea, for every reason. Although the kids are the least of the problems. ‘Actually I’d rather walk than spend two hours in a car with Rory.’ That would be on hot coals, by the way. ‘What’s more, he obviously feels the same way. And for the record, I only put edible stuff in my portfolio.’
Poppy’s straight in. ‘In which case you could pull in lunch too. If you’re wanting food pictures, you could find an award-winning real ale pub that does posh nosh.’ The triumphant smile she sends Rory is simply because he’s anyone’s for a mention of beer.
I’m going to close this down straight away. ‘Everyone, please. What part of “no” do you not understand?’
Rory’s tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. ‘It’s obvious Holly Pink Cheeks can’t take a day with the kids. We should all respect that.’
I’m glaring at him for ducking out and not taking the blame fair and square himself. Growling through clenched teeth. ‘Gracie and Teddie aren’t the problem here.’
