A Rough Kind of Magic

by Louise James

  “I clean forgot about rings. Megan mentioned it once and I promised we would look that weekend you were ill. Then I went back to Hull and forgot all about it. I’ve had to pretend I hadn’t of course but that was a narrow squeak, if she had come here tonight and seen Olwen’s and hadn’t got hers I would have been dead meat. Thanks man, you saved my life.” They both exploded into laughter. Greg didn’t tell him that Olwen had bought his ring at the same time and it bore an inscription. ‘Gregory—Olwen December 24th always Christmas’ with a set of gold cuff links for his wedding shirt. He would leave all that to Megan. While they were in town they had purchased a soft green carpet and curtains with brass rods to hang them on. Olwen was happy.

  “When we get rich we will have a new three - piece suite until then these will do fine. Thank goodness the bedrooms are painted. I have a weakness for pretty duvets and matching curtains, they are all down at Granny’s with the rest of the stuff from my flat, I’ll fetch them up tomorrow, hopefully the curtains will fit but they are long so they should.’

  The days moved towards Christmas and the wedding with indecent haste. Olwen worked like a slave but refused to let Greg do more than supervise. If Greg could be happy it was now, getting ready for his wedding and the baby making its presence felt the second week in December. Their home building around them, surrounded by family and friends, for the first time he felt the faint stirrings of hope.

  The house was almost finished when Greg’s parents returned for the wedding. Thrilled, they wandered from room to room, congratulating Olwen on her taste. Sally was in raptures over the kitchen and settled happily to a couple of days baking, willingly helped by Megan in the evenings leaving Olwen to get her rooms ready and wait for her mother to return from London where she had gone a week earlier to meet her husband David who had been in France on business.

  John went to help Fred to prepare for guests parking and do what he could to tidy up outside although the weather was against them, it rained or snowed incessantly, never enough to stick but often froze making Greg worry over Olwen driving up and down although the jeep was four-wheel drive; she used to mountain roads and bad winters on the Welsh borders merely laughed and settled him down to write wedding invitations, Christmas cards and thank you letters for the presents that were beginning to arrive. There was so much coming and going that Greg felt very tired and made a habit of going to bed for an hour or so every afternoon. The first time he did this he frightened everyone to death until he explained how much better he felt by doing it. He would have preferred a wedding with only his parent’s, Ray, Megan and Bronwyn but wouldn’t say so for worlds.

  Then it was Christmas Eve and the morning of the wedding. The sun rose glittering on a fairy world. After a hard frost every tree was made of spun glass, every leaf etched in silver with tiny droplets gleaming like jewels in the air. If ever there was a perfect day for a winter wedding this was it. Greg had risen early to exercise and feed Rocky before he was shut in for the day. He was very out of breath although he had only taken the dog around the smallest field. On his return he stopped to lean on the gate and look at the farm in its fairy tale setting. No winter in Hull had prepared him for a sight such as this where everything was so clean, bright and new. Last night had been the hardest frost of the winter so far but how appropriate for a wedding day. There were signs of stirring in the house as lights came on. There was still a great deal to do before twelve o’clock when the wedding was to take place. He hadn’t seen Olwen she had been banished to Bronwyn’s the afternoon before. Yesterday everyone had been cooking cleaning and decorating the house, Greg had been glad to escape for a time with Ray, Fred, John and David to the Green man for a quiet meal and a drink. He had met David and Anwen for the first time yesterday. He had liked David, a good looking man in his fifties. They had spent some time chatting, he showed great interest in Greg’s project. He didn’t think that he would get on so well with Anwen, a pretty dark haired woman not resembling Olwen at all except for her big grey eyes. She didn’t seem a lot like Bronwyn either she had a sulky mouth and slightly demanding way of speaking. Greg could see why they might not get on too well. After his talk with Bronwyn he could see how things had turned out between them. However she was charming to Greg but he was secretly rather glad she lived in France and wouldn’t be inclined to visit too often.

  The men had been told not to come back until Olwen had left with her mother in the afternoon. Greg was glad when his mobile rang, he had been feeling tired and weak for the past hour but not for the world would he admit it and spoil the others enjoyment. They had been joined in the pub with the builders Dean and Len, Martin Chimes and Glen Roberts who had refused to let Greg buy any drinks and kept everyone laughing.

  This morning Greg could only pray that his heart behaved and allowed him to enjoy this day. He watched Rocky rolling in the frosty grass making soft ecstatic snorts of delight. He would soon be shut in so that he didn’t jump over the guests wedding finery. He would be safe here today as two women from the village and their teenage daughters who were going to wait on tables would be arriving any time soon. Although nothing had been seen of Luke Jeffries lately due to the hive of activity, He still had that funny feeling that the man was biding his time to do something unpleasant.

  Greg sent up a fervent prayer that he might be spared to see his little one born and safe and the farm ready to provide an income for his family also the others who would be dependent upon it. He had talked with Olwen long and deeply on this subject and he knew beyond doubt that although heart –broken, if something should happen to Greg she was adamant that the project would go on not only for his sake but because she believed in it too. He was amazed at the response already to Bronwyn’s appeals. The bank account opened was growing at a good rate while the money that she herself had put forward was enough for the builders to start on the new building, already the shed was down and the site cleared, it only waited on the frost to let up before the foundations would go in.

  It had been a surprise to find that David had been so interested in the project. He was a business man, involved in tourism, he had questioned everything deeply and then to Greg’s surprise offered to help in any way he could.”

  “If you wouldn’t be offended Greg, I have a brilliant accountant who has a feel for charity work. He practices in London but I could bring him down for a break after Christmas. He is a friend of mine and we play golf together here and in France. Are you a golfer?” Greg had to admit he wasn’t but said he would like to meet his friend.

  “Good, I’ll get in touch with him when you are settled after the wedding. I will have a word with my colleagues too. I should think we could find a few more sponsors there. Bye the way, don’t think of buying frozen foods for the farm when you start up. I will take care of that as my contribution, just send me an order when you need it and I will set it up so that you can just order and it will be delivered to your door. Just another tax dodge you know.” he was laughing.

  “David, what can I say except thank you very much, I do appreciate it.” He shook his hand. “All this and you haven’t seen the farm yet.’

  “I am looking forward to doing so tomorrow but later on I would like you to talk over your plans if you would?’

  John who had been listening to this exchange with interest, moved closer.

  “My wife and I are looking forward to meeting Olwen’s mother tomorrow and getting to know you better, Sally especially is dying to meet her.’

  Greg smiled to himself. Anyone less similar to his mother than Anwen would be hard to find… Still it would be interesting to see them all interacting tomorrowSomeone calling from the house startled him out of his reverie. He whistled Rocky shutting him in the stables with food and water until they returned from church. Entering the warm kitchen shivering he realised how cold he had become.

  “Where have you been? Your breakfast has been ready this last half hour.” Sally still in her dressing
gown was bustling about the kitchen. “I have to get on. There are still things to do and Joan and the others won’t be here for another hour. Megan is making beds and tidying upstairs. I can’t think where your father and Ray have gone.’

  “I’ve just had a bath and Ray is seeing to the fires. Calm down woman or you’ll be worn out before the day is over else.’

  Greg made himself tea and toast, he couldn’t face anything else. Sounds of the hoover came from upstairs. Ray came in for his lighter, gave him a wink and disappeared again. Greg looked around the room, everything was transformed. He hadn’t realised until now how much had been achieved. The long pine table had been extended to form a horseshoe, draped with white lace and sprinkled with confetti. Ivy trailed along the centre with tiny golden chrysanthemums set at intervals along it. Gold table mats waited for the hot dishes which were set near the Rayburn to be warmed at the last minute. He had already seen great dishes of salads, cold meats and vol-au-vents which stood in the pantry along with fruit flans and jellies. There was enough food to feed an army without a sign of the roast turkey dinner scheduled for tomorrow, Christmas Day. He peeked in the lounge, while they had been at the pub last night, someone had brought in a Christmas tree and it stood glowing with tiny coloured lights in a corner of the room while holly, ivy and mistletoe were woven into a canopy in the beams above. Rooms had been raided for side lamps to shed a golden glow over two side tables set one each side of the tree filled to overflowing with gifts one side marked wedding the other Christmas, more piled beneath the tree. Large bowls that Greg had never seen before stood on a rosewood bookcase and were filled with holly and Christmas roses. Every easy chair that could be fitted in had been brought in and arranged. Christmas and wedding cards ran in strips along the beams, pinned into place with red ribbon amid green boughs. The wood burner was beginning to give warmth bringing out the scents of the fir tree and the oranges, nuts and rosy apples which stood in baskets on the hearth. Ray could be seen running coloured lights through the trees outside the door through the porch and back inside around a small bar that he had set up in the deep window recess. Although Greg had bought quite lavishly himself, he had no idea where the more exotic bottles he could see had come from. He was suddenly childishly weepy. The house was under some magic spell, transformed from the tumbledown ruin with a tin roof to a glowing country farmhouse filled with celebrations. He turned brushing his hand over his eyes almost bumping into Megan who was pulling on her anorak.

  “Greg! Will you please make your mother sit down for five minutes and eat something or she is going to collapse?’

  “Where are you going?’

  “To get your bride dressed. I am her bridesmaid so I had better be off. See you in Church.” Pausing only to kiss Ray under the mistletoe, she drove away.

  For the next two hours the house was a beehive with everyone getting ready at once.Fred arrived to see to the horses and chickens. He and Mrs Fred would see them all in church he was followed by the postman with armfuls of parcels, letters and cards. John hauled him in for a coffee and a hot sausage sandwich for which he was grateful as the frost had not given in the slightest. When the women arrived from the village Sally was sent upstairs with a cup of tea and a biscuit, they assuring her they could manage and she had better get her bath before the men took all the hot water. It was almost time to go.

  Chapter 34

  In the old church at Graigwen, the organ played softly piece after piece which seemed to Greg to go on for ever. His heart raced he surreptitiously slid a capsule out of his pocket praying he wouldn’t have a turn now.

  “Are you alright?” Ray leaned forward.

  “Sure.” But his hands were shaking. He took a quick look around at his mother, pretty in a soft brown coat and pink feathered hat. She smiled at him. Bronwyn regal in royal blue sat behind with the Captain. Anwen beside them wearing lime green with a silver fox fur over her shoulders complimenting her dark hair, next to her his Aunt Eddie in grey tweeds, Uncle Walter beside her. He noticed a plain woman wearing heavy glasses who he believed to be Olwen’s great Aunt Glenys. Tom Gregson entered, Betty in furs. There seemed to be a lot of people arriving that he couldn’t see properly and he wondered who they were. The vicar’s wife continued to play softly, a blond woman was sitting near her at the organ; he wondered who she was. A rustle of expectancy, a change of tone from the organ, Olwen had arrived. To the wedding march she entered the church on David’s arm. Greg turned to look and was stunned, always lovely, on this her wedding day Olwen was beautiful. Her medieval style dress, cream velvet, its soft folds gathered at the front swooping into a train which swept the floor behind her. Long sleeves hung in points below her waist. In the folds of her dress and in her hair which she wore in a coronet of braids tiny stars gleamed as she moved. She wore no veil and carried a sheaf of dark red roses and green ferns which trailed to the hem of her gown. Head high she swept glorious to where Greg stood his eyes misty at the sight of her. Following her walked Megan breath taking in ink-blue velvet, her curls caught in a hoop of Christmas roses, carrying cream carnations she was a perfect foil for Olwen. There were murmurs and gasps of admiration from the congregation as they rose to their feet several women sobbed audibly.

  Olwen came to Greg, her great grey eyes smiling into his as they turned to take their vows the vicar meeting them at the steps as he nodded to his wife at the organ. The woman in blue rose stepping to the altar rail she sang’ I know that My Redeemer liveth’ in a clear haunting soprano. This was a surprise to Greg who had left all arrangements to Olwen after he had seen the vicar and helped pick the music. Olwen whispered “This is a wedding present to you, Darling,” He squeezed her hand, tears in his eyes. The wedding continued traditionally but very moving.

  They left the church to the sound of the bells in the frosty air. Another surprise waited at the gate. Ray had driven Greg down in his car but someone had brought the Land Rover covered in fake snow, ribbons and flowers, the inside fitted with a red carpet with white material laid across the seats. ‘Patience waited to take them home.’ Too cold to stand long for photos, these were kept to the minimum then in a shower of confetti they climbed in the Land rover, Olwen first throwing her bouquet which was caught with much laughter by Glen Robert’s girlfriend, Jenifer to Glen’s embarrassment as he had only been going out with her a few months. Greg drove them slowly home to wait for their guests.

  Bronwyn lent them her cottage for their wedding night while she stayed with a friend. It was bitter-sweet longing to consummate their marriage, they made love gently, undemanding aware that it could trigger severe pain for Greg. They held each other, holding back the passion with kisses, caresses and tender words. The fact she carried his baby was almost enough for Greg who prayed he would live to see the day of its birth.

  At the end of December they went to Swansea to stay with Greg’s parents for the new year, Olwen met more of Greg’s relatives and renewed her acquaintance with those she had met at the wedding, they took in a few shows and walked a little on the beach with Rocky who thought it a wonderful idea but only went once in the sea preferring to catch sticks. Greg kept fairly well with Olwen and his mother watching him he did little more than rest; of which he was secretly glad. They returned home on the third of January to find a furious Fred. He had caught Luke poking around the house and buildings. As Ray had returned home to prepare for his move and Fred had only been coming morning and evening Luke obviously thought he was safe to visit after Fred had left at lunchtime but that morning Fred had worried that a hinge had come loose on the stable door so had come back early to see to it, catching sight of Luke slipping around the corner of the house. He had run off down the lane when Fred spotted him. “If I had been a few moments earlier or a few years younger he wouldn’t have got away” Fred fumed “Especially when I saw him trying the back door. I rang Jeff Arnott I did as soon as I got home. Told the missus I wouldn’t be back fer a day or two and camped in yer kitchen fe
r two nights. Good job yer gave the key ter see ter the stove. Op yer didn’t mind? I went ’ome fer me dinner and fetched a bit of bread and cheese fer me supper but I don’t trust that varmint. Jeff said as e couldn’t do much about it as nothing ’ad ‘happened but I seed ’im drive up and down more than a couple of times.’

  “thank you Fred but you could have slept in a proper bed rather than the sofa and you should have helped yourself to food, there’s any amount here since the wedding and you are always welcome; we are more than grateful.’

  “That’s not my way. Missus said mind yer come ’om fer yer dinner Fred, when they’re away, I shouldn’t like someone poking in my pantry when I was away.’

  Olwen hugged him. “You are always welcome Fred. What on earth can the man be wanting here all the time.’

  “I don’t know but I’m glad the dog was along o you. I wouldn’t leave ’im here with that one about fer a thousand pound.’

  “No it will be a relief when Ray moves in, then there will always be someone about. Thanks again Fred.’

  “No need, now I must get on. Glad yer back safe ’om’

  Rocky was racing up and down glad to be back. It was good to be home. They spent the next couple of hours enjoying the opening of wedding presents that were oiled on the table with letters and more cards and two large parcels that had arrived while they were away. The first was marked fragile, Greg took his time getting through the straw and packing. Inside was the most exquisite tea service bone china, tiny pink rosebuds on a cream background with a matching tea-pot.

  “This must have cost the earth.” gasped Olwen. “There’s no card.’

  “It must be from Ray.’

  “No, Ray and his parents and sister gave us that beautiful dinner service. They wouldn’t have done this as well.’

  “Perhaps it’s from one of the aunts?’

  “No. They were towels and sheets. Your parent gave us this coffee table and coffee set. Mother was duvets and towels. Oh! I don’t know. How can we thank anyone? They are so beautiful. I never could afford to buy them. Let’s clear the rubbish and see if there are any clues.’ On clearing away the straw Greg found an envelope attached to an inner wrapping, tearing it open Greg drew a sharp breath. “I don’t believe this.’