‘Snowman?’ There’s an echo along the hall and a second later Gracie comes pelting in, followed by Rory swinging Teddie.
‘Jeez, where the hell have you been Holly Berry? We’ve been stuck out there for hours behind some car parked on the double yellows.’
However huge a problem looming in the future, a current one will dwarf it. And as current problems go they don’t come any bigger than a day out with Rory Sanderson that should have started ten minutes ago. At least he won’t be calling me Red Cheeks today.
Chapter 13
Friday 8th December
On the way to Port Giles: Tidemarks and burst bubbles
‘Are you wearing your pyjamas, Gracie?’ As I finally clamber up into the beer-mobile, a few drops of rain are spotting the windscreen. Which is a shame, seeing I was hoping for some sun. But as I turn and grin at the backseat passengers, I can’t help recognising the spangly star top from the other evening.
Rory shrugs. ‘That’s what happens when people refuse to put their clothes on. Unfortunately your helpful serving suggestion blew up into an almighty showdown. It turns out Gracie goes ape-plops if her cucumber arrives in sticks instead of circles.’
I’m screwing up my face. ‘Jeez, I didn’t mean you to give them veggie sticks for breakfast.’ What kind of numbskull would get that so wrong?
‘No worries, we’re here now.’ He stares across as I do up my seatbelt. ‘Holly, have you got white stuff on your face?’
Damn. ‘Probably Poppy’s icing sugar.’ It’s the first thing I think of. I sniff and make a big play of wiping my cheek. ‘All those cupcakes, it gets everywhere. Or toothpaste maybe?’ So long as it hides the red, I don’t give a damn what it looks like.
For some reason he seems to find that funny. Then he drags in a breath and goes all serious again. ‘You need to understand about Gracie. She’s a three-year-old who travels with her own iPad and a whole heap of attitude. She’s like one of those pets that think they have staff not owners. Although I reckon a cat would be more friendly.’
I turn to look at her. ‘If we sing along to someFrozensongs, we’ll soon get you smiling, Gracie.’ However much we’d both rather not be here, I’m not letting the children see that.
As Rory eases the monster truck out of the mews, he’s straight in there. ‘Absolutely not.’ He throws his phone across to me. ‘Find some festive tunes on there and stick them on.’
If he can veto, so can I. ‘Sorry, I’m not doing Christmas this year.’
‘Fine. So what else do you suggest? And don’t even think about girlie love songs.’
I’m wishing I’d taken Poppy up on her offer ofFive Tracks to Fight the Fear (It’s only a wedding! Dammit). That was the Spotify list she had to boost her courage, when she was new to the business and bricking it as much as I am. Although flicking through Rory’s playlist is like looking into a teenager’s head. ‘Green Day?’ It slips out because I’m gobsmacked to see it.
Rory grins. ‘Good choice, that’ll do.’
‘It was an exclamation of horror at your taste, not a suggestion.’ I let out a groan. Then put it on anyway in the hope that it’ll shut him up.
As the first few bars fill the car, he’s tapping on the steering wheel. ‘High energy, loud guitars, what’s not to like? Although I can see you might want something more wedding-y, given you’re such a novice. There’s a lot to learn in two days, which is why it’s a great move on Immie’s part to send me along to advise.’
As we roar out of town and take the road to the north, if the twangy rock and the whirr of the wipers wasn’t bad enough, now I’m drowning under the latest rush of Sanderson bullshit. ‘And when exactly didyoubecome the expert on weddings?’
He laughs. ‘Definitely not by getting married, that’s for sure. But I must have been to forty or more in the last few years. When you’re a perennial wedding guest you get to know how the days roll out. Don’t knock it, I could be useful.’
‘You havethatmany friends?’ Somehow I’ve managed to miss most of the weddings I’ve been invited to. And Nate and Becky are the first of Luc’s friend group to take the plunge since I’ve been around. Which is why I’m clueless.
‘A lot of my friends are in the marrying demographic. And a wine merchant with a brewery is a natural choice for a guest. Who wouldn’t want a crate of personalised Mr and Mrs beer and ten per cent off and sale-or-return on vintage Champagne?’ He pushes back the sleeve of his tartan shirt. ‘When I checked in my diary, I actually went to a wedding at this venue a couple of years back. So if you’re looking for information, I’m your man.’
‘Brilliant.’ Mr Know-it-all strikes again. As I glance into the back for some light relief, Gracie is already busy tapping her iPad and Teddie is kicking his bare foot in time to the music. ‘What are you playing, Gracie?’ I make a mental note to find the baby a pair of socks before we get out of the car.
She looks up for a second. ‘Popping balloons.’
‘Is it fun?’
‘Yep.’ Then as she cuts me off and looks back down straight afterwards, I’m kind of getting how she might be hard to get through to.
Rory clears his throat. ‘So, no Christmas for you, then?’
‘Nope.’ I swallow hard and decide to deal with this before trying Gracie again. More fool me for thinking I’d got away with that one.
