by Alison Jack
Back in The White Lion champagne and canapés were waiting for the guests as they arrived in the bar. The adult bridesmaids along with the ushers guided everyone over to the refreshments, while Georgie and Chris greeted each of their guests as they walked through the door.
‘Lord William,’ said Chris, holding out a hand to the man he despised with an admirable attempt at hospitality, ‘glad you could make it.’
His Lordship looked at Chris's outstretched hand as though it were something threatening for a second, before shaking hands with his brother-in-law and mumbling congratulations. In the Unsponsored surroundings of The White Lion, Lord William found himself uncharacteristically ill at ease, and if he'd known how often his name had been ridiculed by the people around him in that very bar it would only have increased his unease. Smiling briefly at Georgia, knowing instinctively that she wouldn't welcome a kiss from him, Lord William moved on towards the champagne and did his best to pull himself together. Lady Rosanna didn't even make any attempt to congratulate her uncle and his bride; instead, she snatched a glass of champagne from Matilda's tray and gulped it down in one.
‘Don't mention it!’ said Matilda sarcastically, in reference to Rosanna's lack of thanks as she put her empty glass down and took another full one.
‘What did you say, underclass?’ snapped Lady Rosanna.
‘I said, I trust you slept well,’ replied Matilda, starting to laugh and leaving Rosanna too baffled to think of a retort before Matilda disappeared into the throng of guests.
Unlike his rude girlfriend, Adam Foster offered warm congratulations to Chris and Georgie, giving both a friendly hug and a big smile.
‘What a nice lad,’ Georgie whispered to her new husband as Adam went off to face a stinging barrage of abuse from Rosanna. ‘Why is he with Lady Bitch?’
‘It's one of life's mysteries,’ replied Theo, next in line to offer his congratulations and catching Georgie's whisper. ‘Lovely bridesmaid, I mean wedding! Congratulations, both of you! Georgia, you look stunning.’ As Theo hugged his uncle and new aunt, Georgie laughed and said, ‘Almost as stunning as Matilda, eh Theodore? You're looking good on so little sleep…’
Grinning wickedly, Theo kissed Georgie on the cheek then went off in search of Louis.
As the guests filed into The White Lion, all stopping to offer their congratulations to the happy couple, Louis was in rather intense conversation with Chloe and Brains.
‘So what's the plan, Louis?’ Brains asked. ‘We're often a bit out of touch in London despite Max's newsletters, and this isn't exactly something he can write about…’
‘What isn't?’ asked Louis, genuinely confused. ‘What's what plan?’
Brains and Chloe looked at each other, a little baffled by Louis's answer. Brains tried again.
‘Well; the plan for today of course, Louis? The plan to get Theo away? Today being the day of the great escape and all that.’ Abi joined the group as Brains was speaking and began to look as horrified as her boyfriend. Looking from Abi to Louis, realisation dawned on Chloe.
‘Don't tell me Dory's Avengers haven't formulated a plan to get Theo away. That's what getting him here today was all about, wasn't it?’
‘Umm,’ mumbled Louis, tapping his fist on his bottom lip. ‘Er, actually we, er, didn't really think beyond getting Theo to Applethwaite…’ Shaking her head in disbelief, Chloe turned to Alan and Dex who'd just joined the group, Dex carrying a full bottle of champagne in case anyone needed their glasses topping up.
‘What about you guys? Do you have any thoughts on how to get Theo away from His Lordshit and the thugs today?’
Looking as awkward as Louis and Abi, Alan reiterated what Louis had just said.
‘We were just so pleased that Theo had been given the go ahead to come to Applethwaite, we kind of didn't look beyond that…’
‘Oh boy,’ said Chloe in disbelief. ‘So no one's made a plan. Dory's Avengers have had all these weeks to discuss it, and yet it's been left until His Lordshit's in our midst.’
‘What did you think His Lordshit would do?’ asked Brains, as aghast as his daughter. ‘Just say: ‘‘Off you go, Theodore; now you're here you might as well stay!’’’
‘We thought maybe you'd think of something, Brains…’
‘Did you now, Alan. And what would be the point of me formulating a plan in London? We've got Theo away from London. It's the Applethwaite escape we need to think of now, and it should have been down to you…’
‘Theo's coming this way,’ said Chloe. ‘So who's going to tell him there's no plan?’
‘Hello, everyone. Yes please, Dex,’ said Theo, grinning round the group and holding out his empty glass for more champagne. ‘What's this plan that doesn't exist then? As if I can't make an educated guess.’
‘I'm sorry, Theo,’ began Louis, still tapping his lip, ‘but as Brains has just pointed out, while we were all being so excited about you coming back to Applethwaite we should actually have been working on a plan to get you away from His Lordshit once and for all…’
‘It's OK, Lou, stop looking so worried! For what it's worth, I haven't been working on a plan either.’ Theo started to laugh, and added, ‘I suppose I thought I'd just stay. Refuse to go back to London.’
‘Won't His Lordshit force you to go?’ asked Abi.
‘I'm sure he'll try, Cuz, but he's a bit outnumbered by Unsponsored today. Besides, Philip Lorimer's here too, and His Lordshit's anxious not to let Philip know what an evil tyrant he is.’ A frown crossed Theo's face briefly as it always did when he mentioned his father, but it soon passed as he grabbed Matilda by the hand and pulled her to his side.
‘I could get trapped in Matty's bedroom. I'm quite used to being trapped in a bedroom, and believe me I wouldn't be complaining if it were Matty's. Once she's got those thighs wrapped round me I won't be escaping in a hurry… Oh, sorry Alan…’
Alan clapped his hand across his eyes in mock horror as everyone else in the group roared with laughter.
‘OK, Theo,’ said Alan, taking his hand away from his eyes and starting to smile. ‘I'll let you off that excessively lewd comment about my daughter if you let me play your Les Paul.’
‘My guitar? Oh my word, yes! I need to liberate it from that guesthouse. It's one of the only possessions I care about; that and a photo of my mother which is safe in Marina's bag at the moment. Oh, and this.’ Grinning, Theo briefly pulled the letter from Louis, Abi and Matilda from his pocket. ‘Of course you can play it, Alan; you'll probably get better music out of the poor thing than I do. I'll go and fetch it now, before the wedding breakfast begins.’
Dodging through the throng of wedding guests, Theo made for the door and was about to push it open when Lord William roared his name above the chatter in the bar.
‘THEODORE! Where the bloody hell do you think you're going?’
Turning away from the door reluctantly, Theo answered in the deadpan voice he reserved for his father.
‘I was going to fetch my guitar, Your Lordship.’
‘You'll do no such thing! I want you here where I can keep an eye on you.’
‘Shall I fetch it, Lord William?’ asked Adam, appearing by Theo's side.
Chuckling, Lord William replied, ‘You love that bloody guitar, don't you, Adam? Yes, off you go. Theodore, come here!’ Smiling gratefully at Adam as he handed over his room key, Theo then walked slowly over to Lord William as the conversation started up once more in the bar.
‘Now then, Theodore,’ said Lord William when his son was in front of him. ‘Would you like to explain what's gone wrong between you and Miss Lorimer?’
‘She dumped me,’ replied Theo.
‘Why?’
‘Because; well, we weren't really that well suited, were we?’
‘I thought I told you to keep the young lady sweet,’ hissed Lord William. ‘It's crucial that I am able to liaise with her father, especially with the Games coming up…’
‘For the last time, Your Lordship, I didn't ha
ve a relationship with Cathie to help out your damn Scheme. I had a relationship with her because I liked her, but it's run its course now and we've split up. Your business with her father is nothing to do with me or Cathie…’
‘I suppose she caught you sniffing round that tart, did she? The poof's daughter? I noticed you helping yourself to a little feel earlier…’
‘Let's get one thing straight, Your Lordship,’ said Theo furiously. ‘Matilda is not a tart. She only came to me after she was sure Cathie and I had split…’
At that moment the door opened and Adam walked in, Theo's guitar and amp in his hands. Glad of the excuse to get away from Lord William before he said something he'd regret, Theo took his precious guitar from Adam with a smile of thanks and beckoned Alan over. Not needing to be asked twice, Alan took the Les Paul from Theo's hands and plugged it in to the Dory's Avengers’ amplifiers. Making sure it was tuned to perfection, Alan then proceeded to make the guitar sing while the wedding guests relaxed following Theo's tense conversation with his father.
‘Wow, he's good,’ said Theo to Adam, watching the rapid movement of Alan's fingers over the guitar's neck as Dex joined them.
‘He's brilliant, isn't he?’ said Dex proudly. ‘Alan's a little in love with your guitar though, Theo. I think I may have a rival!’
‘I don't think you've got anything to worry about there, Dex,’ Theo replied, laughing.
‘Seriously, Theo,’ said Alan, grinning down from the stage as he continued to play the beautiful guitar. ‘Not content with taking my daughter from me, you're now trying it on with my boyfriend?’
‘That's right, Alan,’ said Theo, grinning back. ‘I'm just a no good slapper. May I?’ Jumping onto the stage, Theo picked up one of Alan's guitars and held it out.
‘Be my guest!’ While the wedding guests continued to chat, laugh and mingle, Theo and Alan jammed happily together on the stage. Matilda joined them before long and started singing the songs they were playing; an impromptu performance by Dory's Avengers featuring Dory himself.
Louis caught up with Theo again as the wedding party moved over to the marquee for the wedding feast. Walking from the pub together, once Theo was happy that his beloved guitar was safe in the inn's living quarters, the friends had a whispered conversation.
‘What are you going to do then, Theo?’
‘Well, nothing for now, apart from eat.’
‘If you do make a break for it, head for ’Thwaite's Wood. You know where…’
‘I'd rather head for Matilda's bedroom,’ replied Theo, sticking his hand out into the pouring rain from underneath their umbrella. ‘Lovely weather for ducks!’
‘And albinos,’ said Louis, laughing briefly. ‘What went wrong between Cathie and you?’
‘She dumped me. Something to do with me being a cad and a bounder,’ Theo winked at Louis, then went on. ‘She pretty much told me to go to Matty. You and Gideon were right, Lou; Cathie wasn't right for me. Besides,’ Theo continued as they entered the marquee and caught sight of Cathie deep in conversation with Max, ‘it doesn't seem to have done her any harm…’
‘Ah there you are, Theodore,’ said Lord William, taking his son by the arm and ignoring Theo's disgusted look at his touch. ‘Our table's over there. Should you be drinking, Trevelyan?’ he added, spying the champagne in Louis's hand.
‘I find it keeps me from dehydrating…’
‘Don't be facetious! I meant should you be drinking alcohol?’
‘It's a one-off. Don't worry; I usually stick to water.’
‘Your Lordship,’ prompted Lord William.
‘No, really, I'm just plain old Louis,’ said Louis, laughing as he sprinted off before Lord William could roar at him.
The wedding feast was a tremendous success. There was a menu on every table offering guests a choice of three different meals, and the smartly dressed Unsponsored volunteers flitted around the room taking everyone's orders. Lots of guests were heard to praise the beautifully decorated marquee, making Alan beam with pride.
‘I knew they'd love it,’ said Dex on his way to take his place at the top table. ‘You've done a brilliant job for Georgie and Chris; I'm so proud of you, Al.’
Philip and his family were seated at the St Benedict table, it being too late to change the plans around following Catherine and Theo's recent split. It did cause Alan a moment of panic that it would spoil the ambience of his lovely marquee, but once again the sensitive and observant Catherine came to his rescue.
‘Really, Alan, stop worrying!’ she said, seeing his concern and taking his hand briefly before she sat down. ‘The room looks gorgeous; well done!’ Feeling vaguely guilty despite Catherine's kind words, Alan looked over to the top table where his daughter was regarding him with her eyebrows raised.
It was lucky for the Unsponsored waitress assigned to the St Benedict table that she had the Lorimers, Theo, Adam and Marina to serve as they did their best to atone for the continual rudeness of Lord William and Lady Rosanna. Rosanna in particular was on a mission to be as obnoxious as possible, and nothing was to her liking despite the food being declared delicious by everyone else in the room.
‘Oi, Unsponsored scum, I can't eat this muck!’
‘Unsponsored, get here now!’
‘Get me more champagne, Unsponsored filth!’
‘Unsponsored! Unsponsored! Unsponsored!’
Lord William backed up all his elder daughter's complaints, enjoying a chance to make life difficult for the Unsponsored waitress and roaring at Theo every time he admonished Rosanna for her rudeness.
‘Don't think you need any more booze, Rosanna,’ said Theo as his sister demanded yet more champagne.
‘IF YOUR SISTER WANTS MORE CHAMPAGNE, SHE SHALL HAVE IT, THEODORE. MORE CHAMPAGNE HERE! NOW, UNSPONSORED!’
Theo just shrugged and tucked into Rosanna's discarded meal, having already finished his own, while everyone else in the room did their best to hide their disgust at her bad behaviour. With the exception of His Lordship and Lady Rosanna, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the wedding feast and the speeches that followed. Dex's nerves turned out to be as unnecessary as Alan's; his speech was moving and beautiful. He summed up with his well-chosen words the love he felt for his younger sister, and how happy he was to see her married to someone as perfect for her as Chris. Welcoming Chris to the family, Dex led the guests in a toast to the bride and groom, and even Lord William stood to raise his glass. Only Rosanna stayed slumped in her chair, Theo whispering to Marina that their sister was probably too drunk to stand.
Chris's speech was equally moving, but it was Gideon's speech that really stole the show. Hidden beneath the gruff exterior was a very humorous man, and everyone roared with laughter at Gideon's tales of Chris's mishaps when he'd just qualified as a vet, his tentative courtship of Georgia, and his drunken attempts to play football ‘better than Elliot’ one silly night in Carlisle. Touchingly taking Abi's hand, Gideon mentioned absent friends who would have loved to have joined the celebrations. Marina squeezed her brother's arm, both thinking of their gentle mother, while Lysander put his arms around Louis and Jenny. The moment passed quickly; Gideon was determined not to let the guests become maudlin on Chris and Georgie's wedding day, so he raised his glass in a toast once again to the bride and groom.
‘And more champagne!’ demanded Lady Rosanna with a belch, so drunk that she didn't realise the roar of laughter that followed was at her expense.
‘No! There are children present! I won't have drunken and loutish behaviour!’ shrilled Alan, doing his best imitation of Lady Rosanna and laughing with Louis as they sat down to enjoy the rest of the feast. The party at the top table was the most jubilant in the room, now the speeches were out of the way, and the mood was infectious. Soon the marquee rang with the sounds of friendly chatter and frequent bursts of laughter.
Once the cake had been cut signalling the end of the formalities, the wedding party moved back through the pouring rain and into the pub for the evening. Dory's Avenge
rs had made a last-minute decision to provide the entertainment, Adam saying he'd play bass so that Georgie could continue to chat to her guests. Alan caught up with Theo as he went back into the cheerful bar of the Unsponsored Inn.
‘May I…’ Alan began to say, but Theo interrupted, laughing.
‘Yes, Alan, you can go and fetch my guitar!’
‘Yesss! Yessss!’ yelled Alan, throwing his head back in glee and sprinting upstairs as Matilda appeared at Theo's side.
‘You and your dad are so alike, as I'm sure you've been told before,’ said Theo, smiling as he pulled her close and bent his head to kiss her.
‘And you are so unlike yours, thank God,’ replied Matilda, snuggling her body against Theo's and returning his kiss with enthusiasm.
Dory's Avengers were very smartly dressed that evening. Matilda fronted the band still wearing her bridesmaid's finery, while Adam, Dex and Alan all kept their suits on as they played. Only Max had discarded his jacket and tie, giving him more freedom to belt merry hell out of his drums. The other two bridesmaids danced in front of the stage with several female guests including Chloe, Marina and, to everyone's surprise, Catherine. Louis and Theo stood chatting over by the bar with most of the menfolk. To Lysander's dismay, he found himself cornered by His Lordship.
‘Nice wedding, wasn't it, Lysander? I do love a celebration, don't you?’
‘Well, it beats a funeral, WSB,’ replied Lysander tartly, looking around to try and find someone else to talk to. Lord William wasn't going to be put off that easily.
‘Of course it does, Lysander, of course it does,’ he boomed with a huge grin, clapping Lysander on the back. ‘Any chance of you coming back to London sometime soon?’