by Sue Welfare
‘Foolish? ’ hissed Liz. ‘How can you say that? Foolish? You make it sound trivial.’
‘It wasn’t like that at all. Don’t tell me you’ve never done something foolish or something you’ve regretted, Liz? Janet and I were lonely and lost and great friends. We should have left it at that. We made one mistake, that was all – why compound it by making another? Janet had a second chance to be with the man she loved . . .’
‘And Rose had already told Jack that she wanted him back. He was trying to find a way to tell me but was afraid of letting me down. I often think that if Tony hadn’t shown up we might both have carried on – both unhappy . . . but anyway,’ said Janet. ‘We didn’t. Jack moved back in with Rose and Tony moved in with me. It was all a bit up and down at the time and I’d been feeling terrible for weeks. Anyway I went to the doctor’s, thinking it might be my nerves, and he told me that I was pregnant. Talk about a surprise. And given how far along I was, it was obvious the baby couldn’t have been Tony’s.’
Suzie looked from face to face. ‘God . . .’ she whispered. ‘How could you?’ gasped Liz, looking first at Jack and then at Janet.
‘They were married,’ said Rose defensively.
Janet nodded. ‘And of course when I went to the hospital they told me they thought we were having twins. Tony was brilliant about it. He said fine – we’d start over, just me and him and the babies. Move away. So we did, we moved up to Scotland. He was wonderful.’ She smiled fondly. ‘He still is.’
Suzie looked at her dad, who sighed. ‘It was a hard place for all of us to be in. We were young and – well, to be honest I would really have liked to have seen the girls, and for you to have known them and spent some time with them, but I had to respect what Tony wanted. He wanted them all to have a fresh start and I can’t blame him for that. He didn’t want me to support them or pay for them – as far as he was concerned he wanted to be their dad.’
Helen nodded. ‘It’s true, and he’s been the most brilliant dad.’
Nina laughed. ‘The best. We’ve always known that he chose us.’
Janet smiled. ‘We couldn’t have any more children – after all that, Tony found out that he had a problem, and so in a funny way we owe the wonderful family we have got to this mess. Ironic, isn’t it?’
Suzie looked from face to face, trying to imagine what it must have felt like to have been in the middle of it all. ‘Was he upset that you were coming here tonight?’ asked Suzie.
‘Tony? Well, yes and no,’ said Helen. ‘I think he understood why we wanted to come but there was a wee bit of him worried that we might look at Jack and wish he’d been our dad – or something like that – but we don’t know anything else. As far as we’re concerned he’s the only dad we’ve known and that’s the end of it.’ She grinned. ‘We love him and we aren’t planning to swap him any time soon.’
‘I wish he was here,’ said Janet wistfully. ‘So he could see. What you imagine is often so much worse than the real thing.’
And to Suzie’s surprise it was Rose who hugged Janet. ‘You should bring him down to visit if you want to – whenever you want.’
‘It’s been too long since we’ve seen you,’ said Jack.
Suzie thought of all the times they had spent together as a family, the brilliant, shiny, warm, loving man that her dad was, and realised how hard it must have been for him to have turned his back on his other two girls, who – now she knew about their parentage – she could see shared some of Jack’s features. He must have seen it as his way of making life right for all of them.
‘I wish you’d told us before,’ Suzie said quietly.
‘I know, we talked about this earlier upstairs, me and your mum, but it was so tricky,’ said Jack. ‘First of all, it was a different time back then. And if we’d told you I can see that we’d have felt you should meet, and that would have been hard for everyone – for Tony especially.’
‘But not impossible,’ said Rose gently, touching his hand. ‘I do see that now, but it all seemed so complicated at the time, and I think we all thought there was very little to be gained.’
‘And perhaps a lot to be lost?’ asked Suzie.
Liz sighed. ‘And so what we’re saying is that if we hadn’t had this party and if we hadn’t tried to recreate your wedding reception, we’d never have known about any of this?’
Rose reddened. ‘I don’t know. I suppose we would have had to tell you eventually.’
Liz stared at her. ‘Eventually?’
Janet smiled. ‘I have to say when I got the invitation I thought you must know. An invitation sent from both of you, it felt like an olive branch, a call to come in from the cold. Whatever else we were, your mum and me, we were always great friends.’
Suzie looked across at her mum.
‘It’s true,’ said Rose, in answer to the unspoken question. ‘Janet came round when she and Jack were first thinking about getting together to ask how I felt about it – to say that if I was unhappy with it then she would put a stop to it. And I know she would have done, and I said no, that I was really happy for them. They were both lovely people. And you know what?’ she said, looking first at Janet and then up at Jack. ‘They still are.’
A tear ran down Suzie’s cheek. ‘Oh Mum,’ she said. ‘It must have been really hard for you . . . for all of you.’
‘How about I go and see if I can get that champagne?’ said Jack.
‘I’ll give you a hand,’ said Sam. ‘You coming Max?’
The women all looked at each other.
And then Helen smiled. ‘You know how much I always wanted older sisters?’ she said with a warm grin. ‘I’ve been dying to meet you for years. We’ve got so much catching up to do.’
At which point Megan rolled up with Hannah and Simon in tow, and then Fleur came over with her arm through Frank’s.
‘We’ve just asked the band if they could pick up the pace a bit,’ said Fleur. ‘I asked them to play something with a bit of a beat, you know, cheer the place up.’ She looked around the faces and smiled. ‘For God’s sake, come on,’ she said. ‘It’s meant to be a party. Oh Janet, there you are – we were wondering where you’d got to – and are these your girls? Come on, they’re going to play some rock and roll, come and dance, you can talk later.’
Epilogue
‘And that brings us to the end of our programme,’ said Suzie, who was leaning casually up against a potting bench, dressed in jeans, tee-shirt and a snug fleece. ‘Next week we’ll be taking a look at the old gardener’s cottage and planning the planting for the courtyard, as well as looking at what Matt’s got in store for the inside. And I’ll be off to look at some of the stunning gardens in the Scilly Isles. So join us if you can here at Crowbridge, same time, same place.’
In the sitting room of their house, as the titles began to roll, Suzie leant over and pressed the off-switch on the DVD remote. She sat back. ‘So,’ she said. ‘There we have it. What do you think?’
Megan, who had been sitting on the floor in front of the fire, leapt up and burst into a spontaneous round of applause, quickly joined by Simon and Hannah, who added in a couple of whoops for good measure.
‘It’s really good, Mum,’ said Hannah sagely. ‘I really liked it.’
It was late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Outside it was almost dark and they were all curled up around the fire to watch the pilot of Suzie and Matt’s TV show.
‘Ace,’ said Simon approvingly.
‘Fantastic,’ said Megan.
Liz shook her head. ‘I hate to say this, but it’s brilliat: make-overs, cookery, grow your own, gardening tips, travel ideas – damn it, Suzie, you’ve managed to include every saleable trend from the last decade,’ Liz said as she raised her glass of designer water. ‘How about a toast? Here’s to the famous fabulous television sisters and your programme being a roaring success.’
Suzie blushed furiously.
‘Hear! Hear!’ seconded Sam and Max.
‘I think we should maybe break ou
t the champagne,’ said Sam, heading toward the kitchen.
‘I’ll clear a space for the glasses,’ said Suzie, tidying the coffee table.
‘You know I’m helping out down there part time now,’ said Sam conversationally as he came back in. ‘And I’m loving every minute of it.’
Liz raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? At the gardens?’ Sam nodded.
‘What about the factory?’
‘I’m taking voluntary redundancy in the New Year. It’ll give us a decent lump sum and Suzie and Matt really need someone at the gardens to sort out the business, the logistics, marketing, staff, the whole shebang really, so I’m starting there in January as general manager.’
‘Working together?’ said Liz incredulously.
‘Don’t say it like that. Sam and I make a great team,’ said Suzie, grinning at Sam. ‘We always have and given the choice between taking on an unknown quantity and taking on Sam, I’d be mad not to grab him with both hands. He’s got all the expertise we’ll need to help grow the business.’
Sam laughed. ‘Not to mention being cheap.’
Suzie slapped him playfully before turning to Hannah. ‘Hannah, would you please go and get the champagne flutes? Oh, and while you’re there, get yourself and Simon another can of Coke if you want one.’
Hannah nodded. ‘Is it all right if I have some crisps?’
Suzie nodded. ‘Sure, there are some in the pantry. Oh and some Christmas cake too if you’d like some.’
‘I’ll give you a hand,’ said Simon, getting to his feet.
Suzie watched Simon follow Hannah out. Between them Suzie and Sam had sorted out an awful lot of things since the anniversary party: the first being making the time and the effort to start talking to each other again – and not just about what they were doing, but how they felt.
Hannah had settled down and was doing well at school again, and although she wasn’t always easy, she was a million times better than she had been. Sadie and Tucker seemed to have faded out of her life and Simon, gangly and funny and lovely to have around, had crept in and it didn’t take a genius to see that he was a good influence.
Megan had grown two inches since the summer and was changing fast from little girl into little woman, but so far was cannily avoiding the pitfalls that had beset her older sister.
Suzie and Sam were still working life out, both realising that they had been horribly close to throwing away something very special. And now Sam was going to join Suzie in her grand passion. When Suzie and Matt decided they needed someone full time and hands-on to make the most of what they’d got down at the garden, it had been Matt who had suggested Sam for the job. Once he had, it seemed like a natural choice and Suzie had backed the decision all the way.
‘Mum’s hoping that we’ll all go to the midnight carol service with her tonight,’ said Suzie, ejecting the DVD and popping it back into its case.
Max got up to throw another log on the fire. ‘You know, it looks like it’s going to snow,’ he said, peering out of the window.
‘It’ll be lovely if it does,’ said Suzie. ‘We can all walk to church.’
‘Wouldn’t it be nice to be snowed in?’ Liz said dreamily.
‘Not with you it wouldn’t,’ said Sam, topping up their glasses. ‘Bloody hell, we have enough trouble getting into the bathroom as it is.’
It was almost exactly a year since they had sat around the fire and planned Jack and Rose’s surprise party. No one could have guessed what an impact it would have, nor how much things would have changed since then.
Suzie glanced up at the mantelpiece as Sam opened the champagne. This year there were cards from her new sisters, Nina and Helen, in pride of place, and a bright newsy letter about Helen’s engagement and how Nina’s new job was going. There was also one from Janet and Tony and alongside that another card in the shape of a palm tree hung with baubles from Fleur and Frank, standing beside an invitation to their wedding.
Sam made his way over to the sofa where Max and Liz were sitting. Liz held her hand over the top of her glass. ‘Not for me.’
‘Oh come on,’ said Sam. ‘One’s not going to hurt you. You’ve been on water all day. It’s not because of your famous dermatologist guy we’ve all been reading about in the papers, is it?’
As he said it, Suzie caught the look that passed between Liz and Max and felt her jaw drop.
‘No?’ Suzie whispered in surprise and delight. ‘You’re kidding me?’
Sam looked bemused. ‘What is it? What did I say?’
‘Not you,’ said Suzie, waving towards the sofa where Max and Liz were sitting. ‘Those two. Tell me I’m wrong.’
Liz threw back her head and laughed. ‘Trust you to guess. We were going to keep it a secret and tell everyone tomorrow at lunch.’ She paused and took a deep breath. ‘Yes, we’re going to have a baby. There I’ve said it now. Isn’t it brilliant?’
‘Oh my God,’ said Suzie. ‘I can’t believe it, that’s the most wonderful news.’ Then she pulled a face. ‘What about the big white wedding you always told me you were going to have?’
‘Give me a break, I was six,’ protested Liz.
‘How did you know?’ asked Sam in amazement.
Suzie grinned. ‘It’s something to do with being sisters.’
‘So are you going to get married?’ asked Sam.
Liz smiled as Max said, ‘Actually we already are, we nipped off as soon as we found out about the baby. But before you get all upset about it, Liz thought we’d have a big white blessing next year, once the baby’s here and we’ve had a chance to plan.’
‘And invite everybody,’ said Liz. ‘I’m already trying to arrange it. I was thinking maybe we should try and talk Mum and Dad into getting married too – it’s high time Dad made an honest woman of her.’
Suzie groaned. ‘Remember what happened last time we tried to organise a party?’
Liz looked fondly at her husband. ‘I found Max,’ she said.
‘So will your big white blessing be included in Hello! magazine?’ Suzie said. ‘If so, I’m thinking we’re probably going to need a bigger marquee.’
Liz shook her head. ‘No. We were thinking just family and friends – all of them,’ she said, nodding towards the Christmas cards. ‘Time Nina and Helen got to know what their big sisters are like.’
‘Well, I couldn’t be more pleased for you,’ said Sam. He handed her a champagne flute. ‘You can have one glass, surely?’
Liz glanced at Max. ‘Maybe just a little one.’
‘I can’t wait to be an auntie. It’s the most wonderful news,’ said Suzie.
‘It certainly is,’ said Max, eyes bright, as he took Liz’s hand. ‘And you know what? We’re having a boy.’
Suzie looked at him incredulously. ‘No. That can’t be right? No one in our family ever has a boy.’
Liz giggled as she gently stroked her stomach. ‘Well, we’re going to start a new trend.’
A guide to Family Get-Togethers And
How To Survive Them
So – you’ve booked the marquee, the church hall, cleared out your sitting room, the catering is all organised, the drink, the streamers, the magician and the music – but what about those things you can’t change? The guests, your family and friends!
As you sit down to write the invitations are you having flashbacks to the horrible icy silence at your last Christmas party? The time Auntie Gena got drunk and took a swing at your Cousin Sal . . . the row your dad had with his big sister? The barbeque when your man swore at your brother? How could you ever forget?
Hopefully with a little extra planning and forethought you can get through it and minimise those stress levels!
The first and most important thing to remember is that this is supposed to be fun, and most probably it will be! But if it isn’t, the party isn’t going to last forever, even if it feels like it. So if it truly is the event from hell, worst case scenario you grin and bear it and be glad it’ll soon be over.
Just console y
ourself with the thought that in a couple of years you’ll be trotting tales of your big night out as an after dinner story!
Meanwhile, here’s my survival guide:
First off, always have comfy shoes on standby. Start the evening in something impossibly high and stunning but as soon as the party gets going change into something stylish and comfortable! A few glasses of wine, a bit of crowd, people dancing or deep in conversation and no one is going to notice that you’ve opted for the comfortable option.
Make sure you eat something before people arrive – okay, so no ones wants to be caught grabbing a burger in an evening dress or nipping round the supermarket to buy a sandwich in all their finery but it is so much better than seeing yourself totally wrecked on Youtube or plastered all over Facebook, face down in the flower bed.
Wear something that you love that doesn’t constantly need pulling up, pulling down, doesn’t have shoulder straps that constantly slide off or buttons that slip undone. In my book there is nothing worse than clothes that constantly need fiddling with. If you feel comfortable you’ll be more able to cope.
Don’t over-stretch yourself, far better to plan a drinks party with nibbles and snacks than fret over whipping up a full sit-down dinner.
Don’t drink too much. There will be other nights when you can let down your hair and party, but if you’re the hostess your big party night is not the night to let rip! Pace yourself. A champagne flute full of lemonade and a splash of bitters looks like the real thing, a tumbler with tonic and a slice of lemon looks remarkably like a G&T and both will stop other people topping up your glass or insisting you have another drink.
So that’s you – now what about those family and friends?