Bea left Shani panting and phoned Paul. “Oh my God,” he shrieked. “Give me ten minutes max.”
She ran to her room and grabbed the first thing she could find, noticing as she ran into Shani’s bedroom that she was wearing her grass-stained jeans and tatty off-white sweatshirt she’d been wearing earlier “Right, I’ll take this,” she said, picking up Shani’s over-night case and ran down the stairs to the car.
“Let me help you with that,” she said taking the seat belt from Shani in her trembling hands and carefully fastening it around her huge stomach. “Now where’s Paul?” She paced back and forth on the gravel waiting for him to arrive. “We should have arranged to meet him at the bloody hospital.”
“Calm down, I can hear him now,” Shani shouted, wincing in pain.
“Why don’t we just take his taxi?” Shani suggested waving Paul over as he paid the taxi driver.
“No reason to, I’ll drive,” Paul said.
“No, you won’t.” Bea snatched the keys back from him. “I’m fine, I’ll get us there.”
“Bea, please will you do me a favour and give Paul the car keys.”
“What for?” asked Bea, hysteria rising in her voice with each word.
Shani patted her lightly on the hand. “Because I want to get there in one piece and you’re making me nervous. Why don’t you have a stiff drink and go back to bed and try and get some sleep before the wedding tomorrow?”
Paul took the keys from Bea’s hand and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Stop stressing. We’ll be fine, and I promise I’ll call you as soon as baby puts in an appearance.”
“But I want to be with you.” Bea pushed her head into the window and pleaded.
“I know you do, and I love you for it. But to be perfectly honest, Bea, for once in his life, Paul appears to be strangely calm and I need that right now.” She winced and sucked in her breath. “I think we ought to be going. Paul will call you as soon as anything happens.”
Paul turned on the ignition and the car flew backwards, only stopping when it collided with Bea’s low granite wall. There was a sickening crunch, and he immediately stopped, and took a few breaths.
Bea didn’t bother checking her car, but wasn’t so sure he was as calm as he was making out.
Shani puffed. “Take it easy. I only asked for you because I thought you’d be a safer bet than her.” She waved Bea away.
“What?” Paul screeched, becoming more panic-stricken.
“Why am I the calmest one here? Everything’s fine; this is all perfectly normal. Now get a grip and let’s go. We’ll get there in plenty of time. It’s not too far, thankfully. I wish I’d kept your taxi and gone in that and left you two here to be hysterical together.”
“That’s enough,” Bea shouted, opening the driver’s door. “Get in the back Paul, I’m driving.” She grabbed hold of his jacket and pulled him out of the car.
A couple of minutes later Shani frightened them both by bending forward, one hand on the dashboard and the other on the mound of her stomach and started to puff and pant again. “Phew, that was a bad one.” She winced, her face flushed with the exertion. “At least it’s the middle of the night and we don’t have to worry about the traffic.”
With almost pathetic relief Paul pointed to the lights ahead. “Hospital, there’s the hospital.”
“Thank Heavens for that,” Bea whispered.
“You’ve both done very well. Now, stop here and let me out of the car.” Shani pushed herself up out of the seat. “I’ll make my way in and start the registration procedure and you park the car and follow with my case.”
Bea nodded and watched her amble off for a second or two, marvelling at her bravery before wheel-spinning towards the car park. She and Paul found the back-door Shani had indicated and rang the bell. “This is terrifying,” Bea said, wondering how she thought she could give birth at any point in her life.
Eventually a tired-looking midwife unlocked the door. “How do you know we’re really here with one of the women in labour?” Paul asked.
Bea glared at him. “The security is not your problem, Paul, shut up.”
“Because there’s a certain look that partners of expectant women have,” said the woman. “And both of you have it right now. So, do you want to come in, or not?”
They followed her up to the labour ward and waited in the hallway for fifteen minutes. “What checks do they have to do anyway?” Bea wondered.
“I would have thought getting her bulk onto a bed would be top of their list.” Paul paced along the tiled corridor. “Why is it so quiet in there?”
Bea shrugged. “I suppose they’re getting her changed and checking the baby is actually on its way.” She hoped it wouldn’t be too long until they could rejoin Shani; Bea couldn’t bear to think of her being frightened.
“I’d be shitting it, if I were her right now,” Paul said, reading Bea’s thoughts. “There’s no going back now, poor girl.”
Bea sat down on one of the chairs and tapped her foot on the floor. “Why won’t they call us in?”
The door finally opened, and the midwife waved them over. “Shani’s ready for you both to come in now.” She smiled at Paul. “You don’t need to look so terrified, everything’s fine.”
Bea walked in first, her eyes widening at the sight of Shani lying with her long, slim legs up in stirrups.
“And there’s another contraction,” the midwife said cheerily. “Come in quickly, you two, and please try to stay out of the way.”
“Glad you could, argh, both make it,” Shani groaned.
Bea felt lightheaded and doubted it was due to the intense heat in the room; the look of pain across her best friend’s usually unlined forehead was shocking. Paul shielded his eyes from the bottom end of the bed. “They could face the top of your head towards the door,” he grumbled. “Or have a warning note outside somewhere.”
Bea glared at him. “Don’t be such a baby, you’re not having to do anything,” she said through clenched teeth, not quite certain she had heard him murmur something about being traumatised for life. She took Shani’s hand in hers, wincing when Shani almost crushed her bones with a grip most men would be proud of as she panted frantically through her contraction. “Ouch, Shan, can you let go a little?” she complained as Shani sucked on a tube she was holding in her free hand. “Gas and air?” she asked. Shani nodded.
“I could do with some of that,” Paul said, concentrating his wide-eyed gaze on Shani’s face.
“What’s the matter?” The young nurse, smiled. “If either of you think you’re going to faint, then go outside. You’ll find a water cooler in the hallway.”
Paul shook his head and grimaced.
“Phew, that was a bad one,” Shani said, turning to smile at Paul. “You look worse than I probably do.” The midwife put on her gloves and examined Shani once again. “Surely I’ll be ready to push soon.” The woman nodded and smiled.
This was going to be a long night, Bea thought. Maybe the thrill of watching new life entering this world was a little over-rated. She decided should she ever feel broody again, she would have to visit this place; it would soon put her off wanting babies.
“She’s had a baby,” Paul shouted down the phone to Guy two hours later, his voice trembling.
“Well, that’s a relief,” he teased over the loudspeaker. “What sort of baby?”
“What do you mean, what sort? A baby.”
“Is it a boy, or a girl?”
“Oh, a girl. She looks like a little moonbeam, so cute and tiny, though she’s a bit crumpled still, but I think she’ll plump out a bit. I think they said she was three kilos or something, though I’ve no idea what that is in real terms.”
Bea pulled a tissue from her sweatshirt sleeve and blew her nose.
“Congratulations,” Guy said. “I can’t wait to give her a cuddle.” Paul told him he’d see him later and ended the call. “You need to take it easy for a while after what you must have been through,” he told Sh
ani, and then frowning looked over at Bea. “Never mind her, you’re looking a bit knackered.”
“You don’t look so hot yourself.” Bea peered down into the clear bassinette and felt a tug at her heart as the baby took her little finger in her hand.
“Gorgeous, isn’t she?” Shani yawned and although her face was puffy from the effort of pushing, Bea thought her friend had never looked more beautiful. It felt strange to see someone as tomboyish as Shani looking so maternal and serene. She could tell by the adoring way Shani was gazing at her baby that she’d be an incredible mother, with or without Harry’s involvement.
“You’re so clever and you were so brave.” She hugged Shani, careful not to disrupt the drip in her arm. “She’s lovely. I’m sorry I was so panicky getting you to the hospital.”
“Don’t be silly, you were both brilliant in the end. You’d better get a move on; didn’t you have to be at your stepmother’s an hour ago?”
Bea frowned. “An hour ago?” She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
“The wedding, it’s today.” Bea stared at her trying to take in what she was saying. “You go and have a fantastic day. Give Mel my love.”
Bea retied her ponytail and checked her watch. “Shit.” She blanched. “I’m so late.” Bea pulled an agonised expression, making Shani smile. “Nooo, I don’t want to go.”
Shani giggled. “Behave yourself, you’ll look gorgeous, and you’re going to have fun. Take some pictures with your mobile if you get the chance and send them to me.” Bea nodded. “Oh, and Bea, thanks for everything. You’ve been a star.” Bea sniffed aware her chin was starting to wobble again. She blew her nose. “No, don’t you dare start crying,” Shani said, welling up. “I’m allowed to. No one’s going to see me for hours yet. Mel and your step mum will never forgive you if you ruin the photos with bloodshot eyes and a big red nose.” She pushed her friends away gently. “Go on, I’ll see you both when it’s all over.”
“This is one hell of a lot of trouble to go to, to get out of Mel’s wedding,” Paul teased.
“Perfect timing though, don’t you agree?” Shani arched an eyebrow. “I know. I couldn’t have really planned it any better, could I?”
Bea shook her head and took one last look at the baby. “Right, here goes,” she said, trying to raise a little enthusiasm for spending the next few hours with her hysterical stepmother and bossy sister. “Finally, the wedding day.”
“I need a coffee so strong you could stand a ruler in it,” Paul said, rubbing his face with his hands.
“Bugger coffee,” Bea laughed, hurrying down the corridor towards the car park. “I think I’ll need a couple of vodkas before I’m in the mood to face this lot.”
TWENTY-FIVE
Ninth of May - Archway of Roses
Bea drove home in a haze of emotional exhaustion. She didn’t care what the time was; she had no intention of leaving the house until she’d had a quick nap, freshened up and had a hot shower. She phoned her dad to let him know she’d be about an hour late and to ask him to break the news to Joyce and Mel as best he could. Bea washed her hair, unable to stop thinking about the emotional night she’d shared with Paul and Shani. Now the baby was safely here, all Shani’s cries of pain didn’t seem so disturbing. She couldn’t imagine anything more worthwhile than giving birth. She felt the tears welling up and scrubbed her face. “No time for regrets,” she murmured, grabbing her electric toothbrush and cleaning her teeth.
“Hello, darling,” her father said smiling at her, relief obvious on his lined face. He glanced at the plastic-covered outfit she was holding. “Give me a kiss and hang your clothes inside, then come and let me show you inside this monstrosity.”
She looked past him to the enormous white marquee covering most of the back lawn of his beloved garden. “Red carpet?” she said, wondering how long the whole construction had taken to put up, down to the carpet meandering from the driveway into an entrance decorated with an elaborate archway made up of hundreds of deep red roses, lilies and a mass of greenery. “Wow, you don’t do things by half, do you, Dad?”
“This display wasn’t my idea.” He puffed on his pipe. “When your stepmother refused to lower the amount of invitees, I had no choice but to hire this damn thing. The temporary lavatories cost as much as a smaller marquee. They’re out the back. Smart wood panelled ones with porcelain basins and proper towels, no less. None of the usual tat, or so I’m told.” He shook his head.
Bea hoped he’d manage to relax at some point and enjoy today. “Don’t let Joyce catch you smoking again,” she whispered, following him through inside the massive space.
“Let her,” he said, straightening one of the white-covered chairs. “Look at the top table. We’re going to die of heat sitting in front of the windows.”
Bea agreed. “That is incredible though,” she said, indicating the elaborately iced wedding cake displayed on a small round table.
“Don’t even try to estimate the cost of that thing,” he said, puffing on his pipe.
Bea looked at the tiny clouds of smoke coming out of the side of his mouth and gave him a hug. “Mel’s very lucky to have you,” she said, kissing his cheek. “We both are.” She touched one of the large chiffon bows tied round the middle of each chair to match the bridesmaid’s outfits and squinted up at the silky lining of the marquee moving gently in the light breeze, lit by cascades of tiny prisms from the crystal chandeliers, later to be muted to give off a softer glow, that she was certain must have been Joyce’s idea.
“She has a thing about lighting,” her dad said, shaking his head once again. “I’m sure she needn’t have spent quite so much on this wedding, so much of it seems like extravagant nonsense.”
Bea believed him. “The price of the pink feathers in each table arrangement were enough to make my eyes water.”
“The damn table arrangements for each table cost more than your stepmother’s and my entire wedding. Look at the damn things, ridiculously over the top.” Bea murmured her agreement as she took in the elaborate creations, each displaying a large, cream cathedral candle bound in thin rope and ivy, with even more arum lilies woven into the rope and finished off with the large pink feathers. Very odd. “Flipping heck, she must have commanded an entire nursery’s stock of the things. I’d have been more than happy to help, you know. There are so many flowers in my garden right now.”
Her father shrugged. “It’s almost obscene really, when you think you’re paying for all this for only one afternoon. Things have certainly gone up since you and Simon were married.” He turned to face Bea and took her hands in his own. “Talking of which, I know I can’t help you pay him off, especially since this production has expanded into something out of one of those glossy magazines.”
Bea kissed him on the cheek. “Dad, it’s fine, honestly,” she assured him, although she couldn’t help feeling a little choked, although she wasn’t too sure why, because it certainly didn’t have anything to do with Simon. Tiredness probably, she decided.
“No, it isn’t, but I can help towards your legal fees. And before you argue, I insist. I want you to beat that sod in court. Annabel and I fell out over you many times over the years, but she loved you, very much, and she wouldn’t have wanted him to have half her house, especially not after what he did to you.”
Bea gave him a hug. “Thanks, Dad that would be wonderful. Now all I need to do is find a way to prove that Aunt Annabel was intending putting in a clause in her will to make sure he didn’t benefit from her death in any way.”
“Damn law. Whether you inherited the house when you were still together or not, I don’t see how that house can be considered a matrimonial asset; he was messing around with someone else. It’s not right.”
“Please don’t worry about me, Dad. We’ve got a brilliant day ahead of us.” She laughed. “Even if it’s all a little over the top and I’ll just have to find a way to sort Simon out.”
“Good girl, you remind me so much of your mother when she was your age.”
He put his arm around her as they walked towards the house. “I still miss her, you know,” he said, lowering his voice. Bea swallowed the lump in her throat. “Right, you’d better get in there, they’ll be panicking if they don’t see you soon.” Bea nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “How come you were delayed, anyway?”
She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “Shani went into labour during the night. She had a baby girl a few hours ago. By the time I got home, unexpectedly dosed off for longer than I’d intended and then showered, I ended up being late.” she explained, relieved to have something else to talk about. Bea nodded her head in the direction of the upstairs windows. “I’d better go and make my presence felt, before I’m missed.” She hugged him and raced up to the spare room. “Ooh, your hair looks gorgeous, Mel,” she said spotting her sister having her hair primped and curled. Before Mel could answer she held a hand up. “I’ve got exciting news. Shani’s had a little girl last night.”
Mel squealed, knocking the hairdresser’s hand away. She turned to Bea. “Is she okay? Is the baby gorgeous?”
Bea tried not to laugh at the hairdresser’s irritated expression. “Yes, they’re both doing great, although Shani’s a bit tired after everything she’s been through.”
“Melanie, sit still. You don’t have all day to get your hair done,” Joyce said, taking Mel by the shoulders and facing her towards the dressing-table mirror once again. “That’s wonderful news, Bea; now please can you get changed? You’re already late and we still have to do something with your hair.”
She held Bea’s fascinator up for the hairdresser to see. “We need this in Bea’s hair as soon as she’s changed into her bridesmaid outfit.” She smiled at Bea. “What a relief Shani didn’t spend the night here after all. It would have upset Melanie’s entire routine and imagine how ghastly it would have been if her waters had broken over my new spare linen.”
“Mum,” Mel shouted, indignant on her friend’s behalf. “What a thing to say.” Before they could descend into a row, Bea left them and went downstairs to the kitchen to make some tea and toast. She was starving and hoped that breakfast would keep her going for the next few hours.
The Jersey Scene series box set Page 27