NOW
Serving platters are brought out and laid on the dining table by the waiting staff, who then give us a detailed account of the gourmet finger foods artfully arranged before us.
‘I hope you’re hungry,’ I say, eying up the amazing selection. I thought the view of the forest through the mullioned windows was spectacular, but the sight of this food is just as incredible.
‘I’m starving.’ Madeline’s eyes are wider than the plates. ‘I actually skipped breakfast in preparation for this.’
Celia and I laugh at my sister-in-law’s blissful expression.
The three of us are having a taster lunch at the five-star Regis Hotel where Toby and I got married. It’s a beautifully restored country house just outside Shaftesbury, set on a hillside overlooking ancient woodland. The décor is laid-back luxury and it’s a real treat being here for lunch.
It’s coming up to Toby’s and my ten-year wedding anniversary and we thought it would be lovely to have a party here to celebrate. It’s quite extravagant, but Toby and Nick’s landscaping business is doing really well these days, and he said he wanted to celebrate our life together. We laughed at the cheesiness of that line, but at the same time, it warmed me. Made me feel safe and loved. Celia and Madeline have been helping me organise the party, and today we’re choosing the food.
‘It’s so nice to eat something that I haven’t prepared myself.’ Madeline runs a catering company and offered to do the food for our anniversary, but Toby and I thought it would be a bit mean if she had to work while everyone else was enjoying themselves. She has such a generous nature; we didn’t want to take advantage.
‘I can’t believe we’ve been married ten years already.’ I sigh. ‘It only seems like a couple of years ago.’
‘And what a wonderful ten years it’s been, Zoe.’ Celia pats my hand. ‘I couldn’t have asked for two more perfect daughters-in-law.’
Madeline and I share a smile. ‘And we couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous mum-in-law,’ I reply.
‘Hear, hear,’ Madeline agrees, raising her glass.
Madeline met my brother-in-law Nick the year after my wedding and married him the year after that. She and Nick are perfect for one another. She’s been really good for him – we’ve all noticed his confidence and happiness grow since they’ve been together. And although she’s nothing like my usual friends, who tend to be feisty, sharp-witted and sociable, Madeline is calm, loyal and kind, and we get on surprisingly well. I bring her out of her shell, and she always gives me good advice. The four of us have grown really close, and our kids adore each other. I feel extremely lucky to have the whole Johnson clan in my life. This party will be a celebration of that as much as anything.
‘Okay, well I don’t know where to start with all this food!’ I sit back in my chair, feeling a little overwhelmed by everything.
‘I’m going to go for the shrimp and avocado,’ Madeline says, diving in. ‘And these little Caprese bites look yummy.’
We load up our plates and start tucking in, oohing and aahing over each delicious morsel.
‘Didn’t you have your newspaper interview yesterday, Madeline?’ Celia asks, dabbing at her lips with a napkin.
‘Oh, yes!’ I turn to my sister-in-law. ‘I forgot to ask you about that. How was it?’ She’s been campaigning to stop developers building new houses on a patch of land next to the forest. Unfortunately, planning permission has already been granted, but the campaigners have requested an appeal and created a petition. If the development goes ahead it will really spoil the view from this hotel for a start, not to mention that the area in question is on a flood plain. You’d think with my husband also being a town councillor, he’d have been able to help, but he has no sway with the planning committee.
‘I think it went okay,’ Madeline replies. ‘The journalist was really nice, and she seemed quite sympathetic. It should be in this week’s edition, but she couldn’t guarantee it.’
‘Fingers crossed you get the appeal. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help. More wine?’ I hover the bottle above Madeline’s glass.
She thinks for a moment. ‘Why not. I can leave the car and we can share a taxi home, can’t we?’
‘Good idea.’ I top up all our glasses. ‘May as well enjoy ourselves.’
‘How’s work going?’ Celia asks me.
‘Yeah, it’s pretty good. Crazily busy though. The salon’s booked solid right up to Christmas Eve. We just have to hope no one goes off sick or we’ll be stuffed.’
‘Good thing I already made an appointment,’ Madeline says, fake-wiping her brow.
‘You never have to worry about that,’ I reassure. ‘I’ll always make sure you’re both taken care of.’
‘It’s good to have friends in high places,’ Celia jokes.
‘Talking of friends in high places,’ I say. ‘Cassie Barrington has an appointment at the salon next week.’ Even saying her name makes my body tense up.
‘Barrington?’ Celia frowns. ‘Any relation to Myra and Geoff Barrington?’
‘She’s their daughter,’ I confirm.
