Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights

by Carole Matthews

  ‘Why have we got a tent at all?’

  ‘Because our friends persuaded me that we needed to do a little more to celebrate our wedding than a few rounds of sandwiches in the café. I think they were right. I want everyone to know that we’re man and wife.’

  My hands go to my chest. ‘Oh my. I feel a little overwhelmed now.’

  ‘It’ll be great,’ Danny says. ‘All you have to do is relax and enjoy it. Everything else is taken care of.’

  Then I see Rainbow running down the garden, angel wings flapping behind her. ‘THEY’RE HERE!’ she shouts. ‘THEY’RE HERE!’ She snaps away on her phone, capturing the moment for posterity, and I’m so glad that they were all in cahoots with Danny’s secret plans.

  We swing into the jetty and are soon joined by a crowd of friends. I see people here that I’ve known for years from the local narrowboat club, regular customers from the café, Danny’s new friends from the boatyard – who seem to have not only done so much to help with restoring the Maid of Merryweather but have also put the icing on this day for us. There are Danny’s pals from London too and, for once, my heart doesn’t sink when I see the lovely Sienna. I’m Danny’s wife now and it’s me he’s chosen over all the other women in the world. I’m glad that she’s here with Henry and Laura to celebrate with us.

  One of the lads from the boatyard comes to tie up the boat and, hand in hand, Danny and I jump down from the Maid of Merryweather. Immediately, we’re engulfed by well-wishers.

  ‘I’ve organised a little extra ceremony,’ Danny says. ‘A traditional boatman’s wedding. Are you up for it?’

  ‘What a wonderful idea.’

  He grins, still very pleased with his subterfuge. ‘I thought you’d like it.’

  So we walk up to the marquee and there are fire pits burning outside, bringing some much-needed warmth to the winter day. The whiff of roasting pork is in the air and makes me realise that I’m hungry again. Musicians playing fiddles come out of the marquee and join us, serenading us with ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri. Hay bales covered in thick blankets are set out in front of a small gazebo to provide seating. Waiting for us is Tommo, the owner of the boatyard, dressed in traditional canal dress. He’s wearing a striped linen shirt with a red brocade waistcoat and neckerchief. His bowler hat, complete with red feather, is set at a jaunty angle.

  Our friends settle on the hay bales, wrapped up against the cold. The light snow is still falling as we stand in front of Tommo to say our vows.

  ‘Danny has written a few words which I’d like you both to repeat after me,’ Tommo says.

  My eyes fill with tears once more as he solemnly reads aloud, ‘You held my hand and knew my thoughts, you kissed my lips and captured my heart, you looked into my eyes and saw my soul.’

  Danny and I repeat them as we look into each other’s eyes. Danny’s are soft, shining with love. I know that these words have come completely from his heart and they mean more to me than anything in the civil ceremony. They take me back to the day Danny Wilde walked into my life and changed it for ever. ‘That’s lovely,’ I whisper to Danny.

  Then our hands are tied together with red ribbon. Two buckets painted with canalware roses are placed with a broom between them and our friends clap as, like canal folk for a hundred years before us, we ‘jump the broom’ to signify that we’re leaving our old life behind, sweeping away our troubles and concerns and are starting out on a new adventure together as husband and wife. It seems like a very good thing to do.

  The fiddlers play ‘Ho Hey’ by the Lumineers while the boaters from our local club hold their brass tillers high to form a guard of honour and we parade through it, being showered with confetti again while everyone cheers.

  At the end, Danny picks me up and twirls me round and round until we’re both dizzy. When he puts me down, I say, ‘Thank you so much for this.’

  ‘You’re welcome, Mrs Wilde.’

  ‘I’m not even going to ask how we’re paying for it.’

  ‘I borrowed the marquee from the narrowboat club and someone very special has paid for the hog roast and the band.’

  ‘Stan,’ I say. It has to be.

  Danny nods. ‘Our wedding present.’

  ‘He’s such a sweetie. How can we ever repay him? I must go to thank him.’

  ‘I bet he’s in the marquee chatting up Rainbow’s nana.’ Danny grabs my hands and pulls me towards the tent. ‘Come on, let’s get this party started.’

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  My bridesmaids, who have kept this secret so well, come to hug me. ‘You knew all about this! How on earth did you keep it quiet?’

  ‘Danny threatened to kill us and EVERYTHING if we blabbed,’ Rainbow says, wide-eyed.

  ‘You’re happy with it?’ Edie asks.

  ‘Delighted. I could never have imagined something like this. It couldn’t be more fitting.’

  I can’t believe they’ve been so busy behind my back. The marquee is beautifully decorated with ribbons and swathes of holly. On the tables there are lanterns with glowing candles. There’s a band playing a mix of folk and indie tunes. The beer and wine are already flowing. One of the tables is spread with a dozen different salads and breads courtesy, I’m sure, of Lija and Rainbow. In another pergola beside it, the landlord from the local pub is in charge of cooking and the hog roast smells as if it’s just about ready to eat.

  Lija comes to stand next to me. ‘OK, married lady?’

  ‘Yes. Wonderful.’

  ‘Is nice wedding,’ she shrugs. ‘Almost makes me feel romantic.’

  ‘Surely not,’ I tease.

  ‘I might ask Stinky Stan to marry me,’ she bats back.

  ‘It will come right for you,’ I say. ‘I’m absolutely sure.’

  ‘Yes. But you are loved-up idiot.’

  ‘I saw you crying at the register office.’

  ‘No. Flipping. Way,’ she says. ‘I have heart of ice.’

  ‘Wait until you’re a mum, that will soon change.’

  ‘Pah,’ she says.

  ‘I’ve got to go and thank Stan. I believe he paid for most of this.’

  ‘He is kind man,’ Lija says. ‘He will make very good substitute grandpapa.’

  ‘I don’t want you to overdo it tonight,’ I warn her. ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Fat and boring.’ She holds up a glass of orange juice.

  ‘No sly vodka in it?’

  She looks longingly at it. ‘I wish.’

  ‘You don’t need to drink to enjoy a good party.’

  Lija looks at me with disdain. ‘Said no one, ever.’

  I laugh and leave her to go off and join the queue that’s forming for the hog roast. Meanwhile, I scan around for Stan and see that he’s tucked in the far corner of the marquee sitting at a table next to a glamorous blonde. He has a pint of beer in his hand, a flush to his cheeks and a twinkle in his eye. They’re deep in conversation and the way she flings her hands around and those curls bounce when she talks, she can only be Rainbow’s nana.

  I make my way over to them, being hugged and kissed by everyone I pass en route. For someone who doesn’t usually like to be the centre of attention, I’m really enjoying the fuss. It takes me a good ten minutes to get to them.

  I kiss Stan’s cheek. ‘This is Rainbow’s nana,’ he says, clearly taken with her.

  ‘Hello, I’m Fay. I’ve heard so much about you.’ She stands up to kiss me. Rainbow’s nana might be sixty next year, but she looks as young as I am. She’s wearing a tight-fitting teal-coloured lace dress and lots of fastidiously applied make-up.

  ‘It’s lovely to meet you at last. Rainbow always talks about you. She thinks you’re wonderful.’

  ‘Rainbow thinks everyone’s wonderful.’

  Her nan laughs. ‘She does. She’s a tonic to have around the house. I don’t know what I’d do without her.’

  ‘We love her. She brightens our days too.’

  ‘You have no idea how excited she was to be your bridesm
aid. I’ve heard nothing but that for weeks.’

  That I can believe.

  ‘Have a nice evening,’ I say. ‘I’m delighted you could come.’

  She lifts her glass of bubbles. ‘To you and Danny,’ she toasts. ‘Rainbow says that you’re a lovely couple.’

  ‘They are,’ Stan chips in. ‘The very best.’

  ‘I understand that I have you to thank for all this.’ I gesture at the marquee, the party behind me. ‘I really appreciate it, Stan, and fully intend to enjoy every minute.’

  ‘A little token of my thanks,’ he says shyly.

  ‘Well, it’s wonderful.’ I kiss his soft, pink cheek once more. ‘Thank you for giving me away today. You did it with great aplomb.’

  ‘My darling girl, the pleasure was all mine.’

  ‘Tell me you’ll dance with me later.’

  ‘Nothing will stop me.’ He holds up his pint. ‘I’m just having a glass or two of dancing enabler. The more I have, the better I move. Or at least I think I do.’

  I can see Danny making his way towards me, talking to our friends as he does. When he finally reaches me, he says, ‘We should cut the cake now, before we get too drunk and forget to do it.’

  ‘There’s a cake too?’ I had every good intention, but never got round to making one. Looks as if I didn’t need to.

  ‘Of course! I’d be very remiss in my duties as a husband if I didn’t provide cake for you. Lija’s baked it.’

  ‘You’ve all been so industrious. How could I not notice? I must have been going round with my eyes closed.’

  Lija’s already waiting for us beside the three-tier creation and it’s the only time I’ll feel happy to see my friend with a sharp knife in her hand. The cake is covered in ivory icing and has red bunting dotted with sprigs of holly winding round the tiers. On top is a sugar paste model of The Dreamcatcher, with a tiny replica of Diggery beside it. The cake is fabulous and I know just how much effort Lija has put into this.

  ‘Thank you so much.’

  She shrugs. ‘Is cake. Is what I do best.’

  ‘I think you’ve excelled yourself this time,’ I tell her.

  ‘Bottom is Christmas cake. Middle is chocolate, top lemon drizzle.’

  ‘It looks too good to eat.’

  ‘Cut flipping thing,’ she says, but I can tell that she’s pleased with how it’s turned out too. ‘I want a piece. Maybe even slice of each. Is wedding. And I am eating for two.’

  So Danny and I cut the cake with Rainbow snapping away on her phone. Then the music starts up again and Danny says, ‘I’ve chosen this as our first dance.’ He takes me into his arms and we spin round in a circle of our friends to ‘Iris’ by the Goo-Goo Dolls and I think that I’d be happy to spend the rest of my life dancing in Danny’s arms.

  When we part, Danny and I grab our friends to join in. I twirl with Lija as they play the song again and we sing at the top of our voices. When they finally stop, we’re laughing and panting with exertion. As I try to catch my breath, I look up to see a tall and very handsome man with blond dreadlocks striding up the garden from the canal. There’s also an unfamiliar narrowboat tied up by the Maid of Merryweather. I peer into the darkness. ‘I wonder who this is?’

  Beside me, Lija goes very still.

  As the stranger comes closer to us, I continue my appraisal. He has a kind face, broad shoulders and a full mouth. His chin sports a neatly trimmed goatee. He’s wearing a once-white T-shirt, faded blue hoodie and ripped jeans. There’s a necklace of wooden beads at his throat.

  ‘I didn’t realise that I’d be crashing a wedding,’ he says, apologetically. His eyes never leave Lija’s face.

  ‘That’s fine,’ I say. ‘You’re more than welcome.’

  ‘Congratulations,’ He holds out a hand and I shake it. ‘I’m Mog,’ he says. ‘I’ve come to see Lija.’

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Lija stands like a stone and I’m not sure what to say to intervene. Surely she must be pleased that her boyfriend has come back. They certainly have a lot to talk about.

  ‘You look great,’ he says and still she doesn’t speak. But it could be worse. At least there hasn’t been a volley of F-words. She loves him. I know she does.

  ‘Shall I go?’ Mog asks, anxiously.

  Lija shakes her head.

  He laughs. ‘Dance with me then?’

  Thankfully – as if in a trance – Lija steps into his arms.

  It’s an upbeat song yet they barely move. I watch them anxiously, like a mother hen, as first they shuffle awkwardly together then, as the music takes them, they gradually become less wary. Before the song has finished, they relax and sway in time.

  This song morphs into the next one and they continue their dance, bodies inching closer, and I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when Lija rests her head on his chest. This will be all right. I know it will.

  At the other side of the dance floor, Stan is throwing some moves. It looks as if Rainbow is teaching him to twerk. For a man of ninety-odd, he’s surprisingly good at it. I just hope he doesn’t throw his hip out. Danny is dancing with Henry and Laura while Sienna is sitting on the sidelines, narrowed eyes, mouth in a tight line, smoking as she watches. I wonder if she thinks that it should have been her rather than me. However, I’m not going to dwell on that now. This party is going to be the best one I’ve ever been to and nothing can mar that.

  My sister sidles up next to me, glass in her hand. ‘Having a nice wedding?’

  ‘Fabulous.’

  ‘Let’s hope it’s your only one.’ There is the whiff of the sardonic in her statement.

  ‘That’s my plan.’

  ‘You’ll do it,’ she says. ‘I’m the family fuck-up.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to be like that, Edie. We can all have a fresh start. The new year is going to bring big challenges to us all. Danny and I have got some great plans. It would be nice if you would stay and be a part of those.’

  ‘I’ve got nowhere else to go,’ is Edie’s reply, which I guess is a guarded agreement.

  ‘You’ll make a lovely aunt.’

  ‘I won’t.’ She glugs at her fizz. ‘I can’t stand babies.’

  ‘Maybe this is your chance to love them.’

  ‘No bun in the oven yet for you?’

  I shake my head.

  ‘Won’t be long,’ is her view. ‘You and Danny will be blissfully happy and will bang out a couple of fabulous-looking kids before too long.’ She empties her glass. ‘Is there any talent here?’ She scans the dance floor. ‘I seriously need to find someone to shag.’

  Before I can say anything else, my dear sister wanders off. It breaks my heart to see her lost and lonely, but changing her life is in Edie’s hands, not mine. Still, I hope she settles here so that I can help.

  I see Stan making his way off the dance floor and go over to him. ‘That was an impressive display.’

  He laughs. ‘I’ve worn myself out though.’

  ‘One last dance with me. I promise I won’t make you do any hip-hop or anything.’

  ‘A waltz is more my level.’

  ‘A waltz it is then.’ I have no idea what the music is, but we waltz to it anyway. Slowly but surely making our way round the floor. At the end of the song, my dear friend pats my hand. ‘That’s enough for me. I’m off to my bed now, Faye. It’s been a fabulous day and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’

  I give him another kiss. ‘You’re like a father to me, Stan. I can’t thank you enough.’

  ‘I need a word with you and Danny,’ he says. ‘Call him over.’

  So I beckon to Danny, then I help Stan as he shrugs on his coat.

  ‘Going, Stan?’ Danny asks. ‘I’ll take you back.’

  ‘I can manage,’ Stan insists. ‘I don’t want you to leave your party.’

  ‘It’s no problem,’ I assure him.

  We each take an arm and help to steer him towards the path that leads from Canal House to his cottage. The music and the noise of the
party fade away behind us until the three of us are standing in the peace of the countryside under the starry night. ‘I wanted to tell you that I’ve got a little wedding gift for you.’

  ‘You paid for most of the party, Stan,’ Danny reminds him. ‘That’s more than enough. There’s no need for anything else.’

  He shakes his head. ‘You’ve been good to me. Both of you. I don’t think you know how very grateful I am. But for you, I’d be a lonely old man, limping along. You treat me like family and I won’t forget that.’

  ‘We love you,’ I tell him. ‘You are family.’

  ‘I’ve left you my cottage,’ he says. ‘In my will.’

  ‘Stan, you can’t do that—’

  He holds up a hand to shush me. ‘I’ve been to a solicitor and EVERYTHING,’ he says, mimicking Rainbow, which makes me laugh. ‘I’ve no other family, so there’s no one to contest it.’ Perhaps he’s thinking of the pain that I went through before with this house. ‘When I shuffle off this mortal coil, it’s yours and everything in it. You can do whatever you want with it. Live in it, rent it out, sell it. The place is yours with the very best of my love.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’ My legs feel weak and I could do with sitting down.

  ‘Say you’ll enjoy it. I hope it will help you out in the future.’

  It could be the answer to our prayers.

  ‘I’m sure I speak for Fay too when I say that we’re both humbled by this.’ Danny looks stunned by Stan’s generosity.

  ‘I hope that we don’t inherit it for years and years to come,’ I tell him. ‘I don’t want your house to remember you by, I want you around.’

  ‘Oh, I’ll be here,’ he says. ‘For a little while, at least. My time is coming, Fay. I know that.’ There’s a twinkle in his eye when he adds, ‘But not just yet.’

  ‘I don’t want to let you go.’ I seize his hand which feels cold in mine. ‘Come back to the party. Let’s have another drink. I haven’t danced with you enough yet. You can surely manage another waltz?’