‘He should be here any minute,’ I reply.
She gives me a cool nod. ‘Great, I’ll get that champagne for the table.’ She leaves and I try to relax my shoulders and enjoy myself. We’re here for my sister and Graham, not for me.
‘Can’t believe it’s been a year,’ I say. ‘It was such a gorgeous wedding day with that dusting of snow when you left the church.’
‘It really was,’ Elizabeth replies dreamily before turning to look at me. ‘That will be you soon, Alice. Are you going to book the church at Ellingham?’
‘Definitely. But I was wondering about maybe having the reception here. Of course, I want to see what Seth thinks first.’
‘Oh, yes,’ Mum says. ‘A reception here would be lovely.’
‘You could probably get married here too,’ Elizabeth says. ‘Have it all in the one place.’
‘No, just the reception. I really want the church for the service. But lunch and a party here afterwards would be amazing.’
Dad grunts and I see Mum bat his arm to be quiet. I can read him like a book. Dad will be wondering about the cost.
‘Just to let you know,’ I say, aiming my words in my parents’ general direction without any actual eye contact, ‘Seth and I would like to chip in for our wedding. His mum and dad want to put something towards it too.’
‘No, no,’ Dad replies. ‘We did your sister’s, we’ll do yours too.’
I take a breath and try to think calming thoughts. How does my father always manage to make me feel so guilty? ‘Okay, well, thanks so much. That would be incredible.’ I shift in my seat. The only problem with my parents paying for the wedding is that Seth and I will have to rein in what we want. I’m not too concerned with having a lavish wedding, but I know for a fact that Seth and his parents want to splash out on a big event. I check my phone again. Still no message.
Our waitress returns with a bottle of Veuve and six champagne glasses. She pours one for each of us, and I give my sister a happy glance. But I can’t help eyeing Seth’s empty glass, then throwing another hopeful look at the entrance.
Still no sign of him.
I press a hand to my abdomen, trying to quell the sloshing mix of disappointment, anger and anxiety. But it doesn’t work. I don’t think he’s coming.
‘Are we ready to order?’ Sienna asks brightly.
I haven’t even picked up my menu yet. I fumble for it and slide my gaze down the page, the words blurring slightly.
‘I’ll have the Portland crab to start and the duck to follow,’ Dad announces.
‘Shouldn’t we wait for Alice’s fiancé?’ Mum asks tentatively.
I shoot her a grateful smile.
‘I’m pretty hungry,’ Graham says.
‘Me too,’ chimes in Elizabeth.
‘No, of course,’ I reply. ‘Let’s order.’
Sienna gives me a clenched-teeth smile like she’s sharing an awkward moment. But I pretend not to notice.
‘The spinach gnocchi please,’ I say, picking the first thing I see on the menu.
‘Any starter?’ Sienna prompts.
‘Oh, just a salad or something.’
Elizabeth frowns at me. ‘Don’t sound too enthusiastic, Alice.’
‘Sorry.’ I blink rapidly and try to focus. ‘I just meant there’s so much choice. It all looks so good. Umm ...’ I frantically scan the menu. ‘The asparagus. I’ll have the asparagus to start.’
‘Do you think your fiancé’s actually coming?’ Graham asks. ‘Only it doesn’t feel like we can really relax until he gets here.’ He whispers something to Elizabeth who hisses something back at him.
