The Surprise Party

by Sue Welfare

  Struggling with a huge heap of self-pity, Liz waved away the waiter with his tray of champagne and headed for the bar instead. Ignoring Gregor’s sage advice, she ordered herself a large G&T before gazing around the room to see if she could spot anyone she knew, someone she could impress, someone who would stroke her ego and tell her how pleased they were to meet her at long last, to see her there in the flesh. She tried hard not to squint.

  The waiters moved to and fro with canapés and glasses between the guests. There were lots of familiar faces among the crowd, but no one really sparked her interest. Most of the people there were well over fifty, barring a few family friends, the grown-up children of wedding guests and the odd neighbour and work colleague. Most of them were faces from her childhood who remembered her when she was a chubby precocious eight-year-old with braces and lank, mousey hair.

  Which was exactly what she was thinking when she spotted Megan, Suzie’s younger daughter, who was already sitting at the top table, still dressed in her tee-shirt, cut-off denims and flip-flops, swinging suntanned legs as she watched the to-ing and fro-ing of the adults as they waited for her grandparents to come back.

  Liz sighed. There were moments when she wished she could go back to her childhood, relive those days of unself-conscious joy, when the whole of her life was ahead of her, with potential as far as the eye could see in every direction.

  ‘Penny for them?’ purred a male voice from behind her.

  Liz turned around slowly, adjusting her smile to a slightly warmer version of the one she used for the public at large. Careful not to screw up her eyes, she focused on the man standing next to her at the bar.

  ‘Sorry?’ she said.

  ‘For your thoughts. A penny for them. It’s a quaint old country expression. I’m sure you must have come across it before, you being a country girl.’

  ‘My thoughts?’ Liz laughed. ‘I’m afraid they’re not for sale,’ she said. ‘The tabloids would have a field day.’

  He smiled and nodded towards her glass. ‘In that case maybe some other time. Would you like another drink instead?’

  Liz held her drink up in a mock toast. ‘As I’ve barely touched this one, it’s my parents’ party and it’s a free bar?’ she said, raising an eyebrow.

  The man laughed. ‘Touché. I wondered if you might like a little company and I’m fresh out of new material so I thought I’d re-run a few old favourites.’

  ‘Do I know you?’ Liz asked, trying to focus in on the details of his face. After all, she was single now and from this distance the man looked more than presentable. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if she found someone this close to home, and when Grant rang begging her to take him back, be able to tell him that actually she had already met someone else? She could almost hear the surprise and indignation in his voice now. Serve him right, he had no idea what he was throwing away and no idea how to treat a real woman. All those bloody red roses. And then, when he started to get upset, she would say, ‘But I thought you told me you just wanted a little fun.’ God, that would give her such a lot of pleasure.

  She moved in a little closer. Her new companion was taller than her by a head at least, which was good, and he was slim – which was even better. He had a rugged, angular face and a mop of shaggy black hair, shot through at the sides with grey, giving him a distinguished, slightly rakish look. He was also wearing good clothes; glasses or no glasses, it didn’t take a genius to recognise quality when you saw it. Life was getting better all the time.

  ‘I’m Matt,’ he was saying. ‘And you are the famous Lizzie Bingham. Star of stage, screen and television.’

  Unexpectedly Liz felt herself reddening. ‘Hardly stage,’ she said lamely.

  ‘I’m sure it’s only a matter of time,’ Matt said. ‘Actually we’ve spoken several times on the phone over the last few months.’

  She peered at him some more. ‘We have? Really?’

  ‘I’m doing the catering this evening,’ he added after a moment or two, finally putting her out of her misery. ‘We’ve met before briefly when you were down visiting your mum and dad but you probably meet thousands of people in your line of work.’

  Liz laughed. ‘You’re too modest.’ She didn’t like to tell him that if he was more than about ten feet away he would have been little more than an attractive blur. So this was Matt. Matt who was going to make her big sister famous – damn, he was gorgeous. ‘And things have been a bit hectic just recently,’ she said.

  ‘So Suzie has been telling me,’ he said, and as he spoke he lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips.

  ‘Oh, very smooth,’ Liz said, with a sly smile, trying to work out if there was an edge to him or not. ‘So you’re the TV chef?’

  ‘Hardly the TV chef. More the chef who occasionally turns up on the box when the others are fully booked. My main job is still running restaurants.’

  ‘I thought it was quite a coup, my sister booking you to cater our party.’

  He smiled, all self-deprecation and good will. Liz recognised the expression because it was one she frequently used herself. ‘Kind of you to say so,’ he said.

  ‘Until of course I found out you two are in cahoots,’ she added slyly.

  Matt threw back his head and laughed. ‘Cahoots? Well, that’s a new one on me. So she told you, did she? Well, thank God she’s finally said something to someone. I was beginning to feel like some dirty dark secret that Suzie’s keeping hidden away in the attic.’

  ‘Maybe you’re right.’ Liz sipped her gin and tonic, swirling the ice around in the bottom of the glass. ‘Or maybe she just wants to keep you all to herself,’ Liz added mischievously, watching Matt’s face for a reaction. ‘Or am I way off beam here – is there nothing in it? Maybe Mrs Matt likes to keep you on a tight rein?’

  ‘Here, why don’t you let me freshen that up for you,’ said Matt, completely ignoring her question as he moved in closer to take her glass. He smelt wonderful.

  As she struggled to remember the name of the aftershave he was wearing, Liz tried to get a handle on Matt’s body language. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring and she guessed that he was the kind of man who probably would wear one if he was married, but he was being cagey. So, was he telling her that there was something going on between him and her sister, or was he just teasing?

  Certainly he was a slick act, and Liz could already sense that there was most definitely a little frisson between them. Playful and flirty – you’d have to have been dead not to warm to those great big brown eyes and that little-boy-lost expression. She smiled at him as he glanced back over his shoulder at her. Broad shoulders, muscular in all the right places. Why on earth should Suzie have all the fun? Liz glanced round the room to see if anyone was watching them.

  She could almost see the headline in the tabloids now: Celebrity chef and TV’s golden girl share a quiet drink at family party.

  As the barmaid tinkered with their drinks, Liz couldn’t help but notice that Matt chatted to the woman in the same easy way, which was both endearing and at the same time slightly infuriating. Liz wanted him to focus on her, wanted him to take notice, be impressed, and make her the centre of his attention.

  The woman behind the bar laughed at something Matt said, and he said something else, which made her laugh even louder, and then he thanked her profusely while she positively glowed under his undivided attention. Liz looked away; obviously the man had an ego the size of a house.

  ‘There we are,’ he said, handing her the glass. ‘Fresh as a daisy. Here’s to Rose and Jack,’ he continued, lifting his glass in a toast.

  ‘Do you always have that effect on people?’ she said, tipping her head towards the barmaid, who was now practically skipping around behind the bar like someone possessed.

  Matt laughed. ‘It can be a curse. Don’t you find?’

  Liz gave him a sceptical look.

  ‘I’m not joking,’ he said, holding his hands up in defence. ‘No one ever takes me seriously. My mother told me to always be nice to
women, so I am.’

  ‘And . . .’

  ‘And sometimes they mistake my intentions.’

  Liz laughed. ‘You don’t say.’ There was a funny, weighty little silence, and then Liz said, ‘Actually I was thinking that maybe I might be able help out in some way.’

  Matt, still smiling, tipped his head to one side, implying a question. ‘What, with the whole being-nice–to-women thing?’

  ‘With the TV thing.’

  ‘Ah okay, well, that’s very generous of you. What had you got in mind?’

  Put on the spot and not expecting such a direct question, Liz shrugged. ‘I don’t know at the moment. I’m sure there must be something though. Maybe we should get together and discuss what you need some time?’

  ‘Really?’ Matt smiled and stepped in closer. ‘Well, that’s great. In that case, perhaps we could talk about it over dinner? Although Suzie has already warned me that your boyfriend will be along later, and I wouldn’t want him getting jealous.’

  Before Liz could reply, there was a great flurry of activity around the door and then someone yelled, ‘They’re here, they’re here.’ An instant later this was followed by a loud burst of voices and excitement, and everyone’s attention turned towards the door.

  ‘I better be getting back,’ said Matt, sliding his glass onto the bar. ‘Maybe we can catch up later?’

  Liz rippled with delight. ‘That would be great. I’d really like that. And about dinner?’ she said as he was about to move off; after all, it paid to strike while the iron was hot.

  He paused. ‘So you’ll come then?’

  Liz looked up at him coyly from under her perfectly mascared eyelashes. ‘I don’t see why not. It might be fun,’ she purred. ‘I scratch your back . . .’

  He laughed. ‘Sounds like a plan to me. As soon as I get a chance to talk to Suzie I’ll ask her when she’s free and then I’ll get back to you about it. Okay? Presumably I can get in touch with you through her? Are you down here for a few days? Maybe you’d like to come along to my restaurant while you’re home? See what we’ve got to offer.’

  Liz stared at him in disbelief. Ask Suzie when she was free? That wasn’t what she had in mind at all. Liz was so stunned she couldn’t reply. How could she possibly have got it so wrong?

  ‘And it’s been great to meet you at long last,’ he said, shaking her hand as he turned to make his way back to the kitchen. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’

  Was he mad? Liz felt a knot of fury curling in her stomach. Ask Suzie? For God’s sake, had the man no idea what he had just passed over? She watched him as he made his way across the marquee, watched him share a joke with one of the girls who was finishing off the buffet, watched him wave to someone else, all smiles. Arrogant, conceited – her mind conveniently provided a whole rack of adjectives, while mentally she scratched a line through Matt.

  Shame though, he was very tasty.

  Meanwhile, at long last, her parents were making their way through the crowd towards the top table, stopping briefly to say their hellos and shake hands with friends on the way.

  ‘Hello, hello,’ called Rose, waving like the Queen as she and Jack pressed the flesh and waved to those people they couldn’t reach. Jack, dressed in an open-neck shirt, linen jacket and jeans, cut a real dash as he gallantly helped her up the steps of the little dais so they could take their place at the top table, centre stage.

  Liz made her way over to catch up with Suzie, Sam and Fleur.

  ‘The seating plan on the top table is a disaster,’ she said under her breath as they scurried up the steps on the other side. ‘There are going to be gaps. Grant has been delayed and where on earth has Hannah got to?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Suzie whispered. ‘I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Is Grant all right?’

  ‘Yes, yes,’ said Liz lied glibly. ‘He’s got caught up with something. But he and Hannah are going to leave a gap, aren’t they?’

  ‘It’ll be fine if we just move everyone up and then when they turn up they can sit on the end.’

  Liz sniffed. ‘I had it all planned. Mum and Dad flanked by Fleur as chief bridesmaid on one side, with Peter Hudson as their best man on the other. Then you and Sam on Dad’s side, with me and Grant on the other, and Hannah with you and Megan with us. A really nice symmetry.’

  ‘Well, nobody is going to know that if we don’t tell them, are they?’ said Suzie. ‘Why don’t you go and ask Peter to bring his wife up instead? Or what about Mum’s other bridesmaid—’

  ‘It’s a bit late now,’ Liz hissed as she pulled out her chair. ‘And to be honest, after his little revelation earlier, I’m not sure I want Peter sitting next to anybody. I mean, God knows what he’s going to say next.’

  Suzie smiled. ‘Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.’

  Liz stared at her. Oh really, she thought as she sat down Oh bloody really.

  After much whooping and cheering, Jack lifted his hands for silence, and the noise faded away. Liz glanced up at him, wondering if he had any cats he planned to let out of the bag.

  ‘Apologies for keeping you all waiting so long but you know what Rose is like – so many clothes, so little time.’

  There was a ripple of laughter.

  ‘I’d like to welcome you all here this evening. It is such a pleasure to see so many of you coming to help us celebrate all the years Rose and I have shared together. Peter, our best man, Fleur, chief bridesmaid – it’s lovely to see you all.

  ‘I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering where all the years have gone. I won’t say very much because my family informs me that everyone is starving. According to the itinerary Suzie’s given me, there will be a buffet supper followed by speeches, toasts and a short film show of all our adventures over the years, followed by dancing. I’m sure Peter here has got a corker of a speech if the first one is anything to go by . . .’

  To his left Peter grinned and patted his top pocket.

  ‘So, before the festivities begin, I’d just like to say how much I admire your fortitude and stamina for volunteering to be here at all if you saw this list before you agreed to come. Many of you here have been friends since Rose and I were courting, one or two friends even before then – and I just want to say how wonderful it is to see you all. Old friends, new friends – it’s a privilege to be able to share tonight with you.’ His rich, strong voice crackled, tight with emotion. ‘Anyway before I make a complete fool of myself, enough of all that – let’s eat, drink and be merry, shall we?’

  And with that he took Rose’s hand and, raising it to his lips, kissed it. ‘I love you,’ he murmured, and then he sat down while the waitresses whipped the covers off the food. As the room filled with the rich aroma of the hot buffet, the staff moved around as if on oiled rails, some guiding people to the servery queues, while others brought out bottles of wine and jugs of water.

  Liz sighed with relief – at least her dad hadn’t let everyone know they were all there under false pretences. She glanced along the top table; it looked like a row of teeth with a few crucial ones missing. Maybe Suzie had been right and they should have closed up the gaps.

  ‘So,’ she said to Megan, trying to take her mind off the great raft of things that had gone wrong so far. Sitting alongside her, Megan was busy trying to persuade her paper napkin to become an origami frog and didn’t look up. ‘Are you having a lovely time?’

  Megan sighed. ‘No, not really. It’s all a bit boring, isn’t it? And I’ve eaten all the breadsticks and I’m still hungry and the lady said I couldn’t have anything else until everyone else has theirs. You’d think they’d let us go and get ours first, wouldn’t you? I mean, you and Mum organised all this. And I had to help do all the tables.’

  Liz nodded. She couldn’t have put it better herself. It was hard being a hero, as Liz knew only too well; people just never fully appreciated you or what you did. ‘It shouldn’t be long now,’ she said, patting Megan on the leg. ‘I thought you’d got a new dress for tonight?’

&nbs
p; ‘I have but there’s just been so much to do that I haven’t had time to put it on. Mum said she’d bring it back from our house, but I haven’t had a chance to change.’ Megan said, turning her attention to a small crusty scab on the back of her hand. ‘Maybe I’ll put in on later. When everyone starts dancing.’

  ‘And what about Hannah? Do you know where she is?’ Megan looked up at Liz with the world-weary expression of a nine-year-old who has seen it all before. ‘Up shit creek I reckon,’ she said grimly. ‘Mum and Dad are going to kill her when she finally shows up.’

  One of the waitresses was approaching their table. ‘Would you like to come and make your selection from the buffet?’ she said.

  ‘And not before time,’ sighed Megan, pushing away her chair.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Simon and Hannah were half way across the recreation ground, almost at the swings, trying hard to catch Sadie and Tucker, when Hannah had to call a halt. Panting hard, she bent over double, hands on hips, desperately trying to catch her breath and ease the stitch in her side. Truth was, she was in no shape to run anywhere.

  Simon looked at her anxiously. ‘You look awful, do you want to sit down?’ he said, crouching down alongside her. She wished he wouldn’t keep doing that.

  ‘No, I don’t. I’ll be fine,’ she snapped between snatched gasping breaths. ‘They can’t be that far ahead of us, surely?’

  Simon looked around. ‘I don’t know. I would have thought we’d have caught up with them by now. Maybe they went a different way.’

  Hannah ran her hand over her face, which was clammy. She still felt cold and shivery despite the run, and, as she straightened up, her stomach tried out another spasm, just to let her know she wasn’t quite off the hook yet.