‘What’s up?’
‘The wedding food. Did you hear anything?’
‘No, not a thing.’
‘Oh no,’ she pulled out her phone from her back pocket and checked her emails. She felt as though she’d been kicked in the stomach when she read that they were unable to deliver due to the snow.
‘This is a nightmare. Mam,’ she said. She thought she’d better check the cake shop, so she brought up their number and called them. There was no answer. It was then she saw a text from Gareth.
Hey, there’s no easy way to say this, Darce, but there’s heavy snow here. I’m hoping to be back for Christmas. In fact, I’m going to do my absolute best to be back for Christmas. Don’t worry. I hope the wedding preparations are going OK? We are losing the mobile signal now and then, so if you can’t get a hold of me, try not to worry. Missing you.
‘Oh, Mam, it’s just one thing after another lately,’ she cried. ‘There’s heavy snow in the West Country so he doesn’t know if he can make it back.’ Upset, she left the pub and went into her room. She closed the door behind her, not wanting to be disturbed, but she knew that would be impossible with a pub full of guests. There was a tap at her bedroom door.
‘Is everything alright?’ asked Jess, standing in the doorway.
‘Not really,’ Darcy sniffed back tears. ‘The wedding is turning into a disaster. The food can’t be delivered and the cake shop isn’t answering.’
‘I can see that’s a problem. What are we going to feed the guests?’
Darcy shrugged. ‘No idea, I have ruined my best friend’s wedding and on top of that Gareth might not make it in time for Christmas.’
‘Oh, Darce,’ Jess came into the room, putting an arm around her. ‘We’re a team, remember? It’ll all turn out for the best, you watch.’
‘Yeah,’ she pulled out her phone from her pocket. ‘I hope so.’ She texted him back.
I really wish you could be here. The wedding is turning into a catastrophe. The food can’t be delivered and I’m at breaking point. Need a hug.
In a matter of seconds, a reply came through.
I’m doing my best, honest. Think about how they coped during the war when all they had was rations. Hint, hint! x
‘I swear he’s a bloody genius,’ she said. ‘If she wants an authentic 40’s wedding, she’s bloody well going to get one.’
‘What’s that?’ asked Jess.
‘A 1940’s wedding wouldn’t have had all the trappings of the 21st century, would it?’
Jess clocked on. ‘Oh, you’re right and it’s a brilliant idea, but what will Trudy think of it?’
‘Bugger Trudy. It’s out of our hands now. I’ll go to the supermarket, see what they got left and I guess we’ll just have to wing it.’
‘I’ll come with you, but we better be quick. People are clearing the shelves.’
Darcy got her coat and left the pub with Jess. ‘There’s only Tesco up the road, we’ll just have to see what we can find and use our imaginations.’
Walking up the snow-covered pavement, Darcy reached down, gathered a ball of snow and chucked it at Jess. ‘Tag, you’re it.’ she laughed.
Chapter Sixteen
'I think this wedding is going to be a disaster,’ cried Trudy on the phone.
Darcy had just finished icing the cake and looked up at the clock. It was 4.a.m. ‘How? Everything is fine here,’ she put the bowl in the sink thinking if only she knew what she had to go through.
‘At least fifteen people cancelled saying the snow was making the journey impossible.’
Darcy thought about Gareth. ‘Yeah, I know how you feel. Look, the people who matter to you the most will be here, now, get some beauty sleep will you?’
‘Why are you up so early?’
‘You rang,’ she lied, determined she wouldn’t tell her about the food delivery.
‘But you sound quite awake. I didn’t wake you up, did I?’
Rolling her eyes, Darcy headed for bed herself. ‘No, now get some sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours.’
Woken by her alarm at seven, Darcy sat up and heard her mother and father talking out in the pub. ‘Is everything alright, Mam?’ she shouted but thought she’d better get dressed and sort out the pub for the wedding.
‘Everything’s fine, Darce,’ said her mother when she finally walked into the bar. She looked around at all the decorations and flowers. ‘Thanks for doing this,’ she said, exhausted.
‘No bother, love.’ Her mother unfolded a white tablecloth and draped it over the table. ‘No news about your boyfriend?’
‘Nothing. I guess if he can’t make it tonight, then there’s nothing I can do about it.’ She tried to remain rational about the situation and promptly got off the stool to take a shower and get ready for the service.
By ten o’clock, Darcy was ready and in full make up for the first arrivals at eleven. While she helped her mother in the kitchen prepping the salad, Jess called her into the pub.
‘You got a visitor,’ she yelled.
Darcy popped her head around the door surprised to see Mr. Jones accompanied by another, much younger man.
‘Mr. Jones, I’m so glad you could make it.’
‘Enough of the Mr. Jones, call me Sam,’ he said. ‘I’d like to formally introduce you to my son, James. James this is Darcy.’
‘Your son? Haven’t we met before?’ She said, shaking his hand.
‘I came to tell you about Dad. Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself properly, you know how stubborn he has been about telling the family who he was.’
‘I know too well. So what will it be a pint?’ she asked when her dad emerged from the bathroom with a mop bucket in hand. ‘Dad, I’d like you to meet James, Sam’s son.’
‘Gosh this pub has turned up some history, hasn’t it,’ he stuck out his hand. ‘It’s almost like an episode of Time Team,’ he chuckled. ‘So this makes us cousins, right?’
‘It does. Nice to meet you.’
‘You too. I'm sorry we didn't get to know each other sooner.’
‘Things happen for a reason, I guess. We should meet up for a proper reunion one day.’
‘Why don't you both come for Christmas dinner?’ asked Darcy. ‘There's plenty of room.’
‘That would be fantastic,’ James replied. ‘I think Dad would love that.’
‘So that's sorted then,’ said Dylan.
‘So I hate to break up this family reunion but I have a wedding to sort out, now excuse me gents.’ As she went back into her living quarters, her phone rang.
‘Merry Christmas,’ said Gareth. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m okay, you know, busy with this wedding. So, are you going to make it?’
‘I’m trying, I promise. If I don’t then I want you to have a nice Christmas, alright. Don’t let my absence spoil it for you.’
‘I’ll try, but it’s going to be difficult because I miss you.’
‘I miss you too. Very much.’
There was a clatter of glass smashing. Darcy jumped. ‘I’d better go and see what’s happened.’
‘I’ll call you later.’
Darcy rushed into the kitchen, horrified to find that her mother had dropped a tray of wine glasses. ‘Oh, Mam.’ She cried, on the verge of tears.
‘Don’t stress, just go and wait for the guests. I’ll clean this up.’
Darcy took a slow exhale, leaving her mother to clean up the mess. ‘You wouldn’t think its Christmas with all this going on, would you?’ She said to Mr. Jones as she went to open the pub. Aside from the blast of cold air that surprised her, a woman was standing by the door, ready to knock. She was holding the biggest bunch of red roses Darcy had ever seen.
‘Miss Tanner?’ She asked, reading the card. She looked up at Darcy and then handed her the flowers. ‘These are for you.’
‘Me?’ Darcy exclaimed. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. I was just about to shut shop for the day,’ the woman said. ‘I doubt we’d get many c
ustomers in this weather.’
‘I know, the snow is coming down heavier, isn’t it?’ Darcy read the card.
If I don't make it back, have a lovely Christmas. Love You.
‘He was lucky he caught me in the shop so early.’
‘Who?’ She asked, now noticing there was no name on the card. Thinking it had to be Gareth, she thanked the lady and read the note again. ‘Gosh, he loves me,’ she whispered and then realised she had said it out loud.
‘I love a bit of mystery. Hope he makes it home, Merry Christmas.’
‘Thanks, and yes, Merry Christmas to you.’
‘Who was that?’ Asked her mother, looking over her shoulder. ‘Oh they’re beautiful, are they for the wedding?’
‘No,’ she replied, going inside. ‘They’re from Gareth.’
She went to the kitchen and put them in a vase. A smile stretched across her face that it was hard not to notice.
‘So he’s coming back tonight?’ Asked Jess.
‘It doesn't seem like it.’
She grabbed her mobile from the counter and text him to say thank you for the flowers.
‘Oh well, I’m sure he’ll let me know if he can make it or not, now what do you want me to do?’ she asked, with a new found spring to her step, despite feeling cold.
Her mother handed her a tray of sandwiches which she took into the pub.
‘There’s a problem,’ cried Trudy on the phone. ‘The bloody registrar can’t get in.’
Darcy took a deep breath, cussed and then covered the speaker on her phone. ‘Woah, wait up everyone. The registrar can’t get in.’ she raised a finger for them to hush then went back on the phone. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know. My whole day is ruined because of that bloody white stuff.’
Darcy didn’t know what to do and looked around the room for suggestions.
‘There’s a church up the road. I’ll go and ask the vicar if he’s willing to help out,’ said Mr. Jones.
Darcy gave him a thumbs up. ‘We may be able to get a vicar, so get ready. I’ll see you in a bit.’ She exhaled and switched off her phone. Her father said he’d go with Mr. Jones and left the pub.
‘What a start to the day, eh?’ She poured herself a glass of wine and looked up at the clock. It wasn’t even midday.
‘At least the wedding can still go ahead,’ said her mother. ‘Not sure how Harvey will feel about exchanging vows in a pub but serves his right for picking the busiest night of the year.’
Darcy laughed, spitting out a bit of her wine. ‘Looks like the first lot of guests are arriving.’ She gave a nod to the window where a minivan had parked on the roadside. ‘I think I’d better go and welcome them. I won’t be a minute.’
Darcy stood on the doorstep, shivering as she watched Trudy step out of the car looking elegant in her silk dress.
‘It’s not the way I’d hoped things would go, but how many can say they had a white wedding.’ She flashed a genuine smile that put Darcy at ease.
‘Come inside you must be freezing,’ she said and then welcomed her parents to the pub.
‘Darce, I’ll just go and wait in the back until Harvey comes.’ said Trudy.
‘Yes, I’ll be with you in a moment.’ Flustered she greeted another lot of Trudy’s family into the pub and then went to check on her in the back.
‘Everything alright?’ She asked, walking into the room where Trudy’s bridesmaids were fussing over her.
‘Did you arrange for the vicar to come?’
‘Yes, don’t panic,’ she replied thinking how her father hadn’t come back yet. ‘You look gorgeous, let me take a photo of everyone.’ She picked her mobile up from the coffee table and as she was about to assemble everyone, she heard the floorboards creak above her. She looked up.
‘What’s the matter?’ Asked Trudy also looking up at the ceiling.
‘Did you hear the floorboards creak?’
‘No.’
‘Weird.’
‘Isn’t whatshisname back yet?’
‘You mean Gareth. No, he isn’t.’ She said gloomily.
The living room door burst open bringing with it the noise of the now packed pub. ‘Darce, the vicar will be here in half-hour,’ said her father. ‘I said you’d bung him a few pints, alright?’
‘Yeah of course.’
‘And Harvey has arrived, so I’ll keep him out of trouble for a bit,’ he winked and then left the room.
Darcy turned to Trudy. ‘There, no panic now. I still can’t believe we pulled it off.’
Trudy raised her eyes to the ceiling.
‘What?’ Asked Darcy following her gaze.
‘I think you’re right, I think there may be someone up there.’
‘Well I can’t let myself in to look,’ said Darcy. ‘It’s not right.’
‘Phone to see if he’s home.’
Darcy rang his number but it went straight to answer machine.
‘Hey, it’s me. Are you home yet because I thought I heard you upstairs? Anyway, miss you. Talk soon.’
‘You’re his girlfriend and landlord for God sake if you think there’s something wrong you have every right to check it out. Go, quickly...’
While everyone was busy, Darcy went into the hallway and turned the handle of the door leading upstairs to Gareth’s flat. She stood at the bottom, waiting for a reply or an indication that he was home but there was nothing.
‘Strange.’
‘Everything alright?’ Questioned her mother,
Everyone had now taken their seats that had been arranged into rows.
‘Have you seen the vicar?’ She asked.
Thinking he hadn’t shown up, she covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Don’t tell me he can’t make it now?’
‘No,’ she whispered. ‘You’ve got to see what he’s turned up in.’ She laughed and covered her face.
Darcy looked around the room, catching Harvey’s horrified expression.
‘What’s happened?’ As she spoke she caught something red appearing from the bathroom at the corner of her eye. ‘Is that...?’
‘That’s the vicar, alright.’
The vicar gave her a wave wearing a Father Christmas suit.
She slowly raised her hand to her mouth, forcing herself not to laugh. ‘Trudy is going to go mental.’ She whispered.
‘She’s going to have to put up with it. Besides, he’s dressed for the occasion, isn’t he?’
‘Oh Mam, don’t make a joke of it will you? Do I tell Trudy or give her a surprise when she comes out?’ she asked and thought it was best to let her know.
When she went back into the living area, Trudy was standing by the door to the upstairs flat. ‘What’s the matter?’ Asked Darcy.
‘I think you were right, someone must be up there.’
‘I’ll look in a moment but first, you are going to want to hear this.’
‘Oh no, what’s gone wrong now?’
‘It’s the vicar. He’s wearing a Santa suit.’ She laughed, not meaning to.
‘You’re kidding?’ She went to take a look but Darcy stopped her.
‘He was helping out at a local hospital, so count yourself lucky he could step in at the last minute.’
‘Can this day get any more bizarre?’
‘There are still at least twelve hours to go, so who knows.’
Darcy stood at the bottom of the stairs, bit her lip, and thought she‘d take a look. Tentatively, she walked up the stairs, and got to the top of the landing and tapped lightly on the door. She felt like an idiot as she knew there was nobody home.
Shuffling could be heard inside and Darcy stepped back.
‘Hi, is there anyone home?’ She asked, and twisted the door handle. To her surprise, the door swung open. At first, she thought Gareth had come home, but when she stepped into the living room, the place was empty.
The curtain blew and Darcy jumped and walked into the coffee table. ‘Oh my God,’ she screamed, and then realised the window
had been left open ajar. She pushed herself up from the table and happened to notice a black and white photograph. She picked it up and covered her mouth with her hand. It was a picture of her grandmother with a man she thought was Gareth at first.
‘All ok?’ Asked Trudy.
Darcy handed her the picture, unable to speak.
‘Is this your guy?’ She asked, stunned by the likeness.
‘No, it’s definitely the 40’s and that’s definitely my grandmother.’
‘So what’s it doing here?’
‘I don’t know. I found it on the table.’ Darcy walked up and down the room, checking the kitchen and the bedroom. ‘I did hear someone in here, I swear I did.’
‘I don’t know what to say, Darce. But you want to check out this guy. What was his name again?’
‘I can’t remember, I’ll go and ask Mr. Jones, see if he can shed some light on this.’
Darcy ran back downstairs, into the hubbub of the pub.
‘Alright, Darce?’ Asked her father as she stood in the doorway looking for Mr. Jones.
‘Huh?’ she turned to face him. ‘Sorry, Dad, I can’t talk a minute...’ She saw Mr. Jones leaving the pub and sashayed around the customers to the exit. The snow was chucking it down and she stood on the pavement, yelling after him.
‘Where are you going?’ She said, eventually catching up with him.
‘Did you find the picture?’ He asked.
‘That was you?’
‘My job here is done, Darcy. It’s time for me to go home.’
Darcy shook her head quizzically. ‘What on earth do you mean? You live that way, don’t you?’ She pointed towards the pub.
His voice softened. ‘Darcy, it was never a coincidence that your grandmother left you the pub. It was always meant to be yours.’
‘Sorry, I don’t quite follow.’ She held out the photograph. ‘Mr. Jones, Walter looks like Gareth. How?’
‘You see, Darcy, sometimes, the past will play out throughout multiple lifetimes until there’s a happier ending to the story. It’s nothing to be concerned about.’
Darcy shook her head. ‘This is bizarre, Mr. Jones... I ... Who are you? I mean, really?’
Mr. Jones smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. ‘I’m your friend.’
Christmas Eve at Piccadilly Circus Page 8