by Katie Fforde
With easy manners Fenella seated everyone, looking as if she was making the placement up as she went along, but Sarah could tell she'd thought about it carefully. She herself was placed between the two lawyers but she didn't feel like sitting down.
‘Can I do anything?' She spoke brightly as if totally confident that everything was under control.
‘Could you just take this water?' said Fenella, giving the same impression. 'And Hugo, can you pour wine for everyone?'
‘I don't drink-' Carrie began but Hugo's charm caused her to accept half a glass of wine from what appeared to be a very grand bottle. It even had dust on it.
Sarah was about to be impressed until she remembered that when there was building work going on, dust was inevitable.
‘So tell me, Carrie,' said Hugo, smiling into her eyes, 'what made you want a traditional English wedding?’
She smiled and shrugged. 'Well, you know Rick, my fiancé, is English, originally. But I guess I just fell in love with those great Jane Austen movies and when I saw Ashlyn's pictures..
‘Then it's my fault?' Hugo raised an eyebrow.
Carrie laughed, pushing him gently. 'Not your fault at all – just your skill that showed me what could be done.'
‘I promise you, Somerby can provide not only tradition but originality,' said Rupert with assurance. 'And that's a rare combination.’
Sarah smiled to herself. A rare combination indeed -virtually an oxymoron.
The meal was superb. Rupert was either a sensational cook or the beef was so good no one could ruin it, but it was tender and tasty. The roast potatoes were numerous and crunchy and the vegetables were piled high in platters, covered with butter. Gravy came in two-pint jugs, one up each end of the table.
To begin with, the two lawyers ate almost in silence, obviously relishing the food. Twice Rupert got up to carve more, and Sarah noticed that he'd cooked two huge joints of beef. Even Mandy and Carrie ate well. Hugo made sure that glasses were topped up, either with wine or with water, and everyone began to relax.
‘The thing about this place is its history, Carrie,' said Sarah, feeling obliged to get the conversation back to the matter in hand while Rupert retrieved massive apple pies from the oven.
‘Some of the rooms are a little bleak,' said Mandy. 'Carrie, you commented on that the moment you saw them, didn't you?'
‘Oh, Rupert!' said Hugo. 'Haven't you got your family portraits up yet, or are they still being cleaned?’
There was just the tiniest pause before Rupert answered and it could have been because he was finding space for a very hot dish. 'Oh yes, they are.'
‘Rupert has the most superb collection of family portraits going right back to the eighteenth century. Or did you get some of the earlier ones too?' Hugo went on expansively.
‘No,' said Fenella quickly, 'his brother got all those.' Hugo leant towards Carrie and whispered, 'His brother is a duke, you know.’
Sarah heard Carrie and Mandy gasp and wished that Hugo had chosen a less noble title for Rupert's brother to be. It would be so easy to check dukes – there weren't many of them. Still, if it did the trick, did she really care?
‘Family fortunes have declined a bit latterly,' said Rupert. 'Now, Carrie, if you'd kindly pass me those carrots, I'll have somewhere to put this down.'
‘You'd think the brother of a duke would have servants,' muttered one of the lawyers to Sarah.
‘Not these days,' said Sarah, 'very passé.’
Hoping he would know what passé meant, she sighed and took another sip of wine. It was very good, she decided, even if the dust was recent, and she really hoped Fenella and Rupert hadn't spent too much money on the lunch.
‘Cream from the farm next door,' said Rupert, putting a jug on the table that was almost as large as the gravy jugs had been. 'We feel strongly about food being as local and as seasonal as possible,' he added.
‘Does that mean it doesn't have calories in it?' asked Carrie, smiling prettily.
‘Only good calories,' said Fenella. 'Obviously we don't eat like this all the time or we'd be fat as pigs, but if you are going to have a traditional roast lunch, it's better if you know the provenance of everything.'
‘This pastry is fantastic. Melt-in-the-mouth,' said Hugo. 'Have another little slice, Carrie. Rupes, you really can cook.'
‘So can I,' muttered Fenella, 'but he's more flamboyant about it.’
When everyone was only just able to move, Fenella said, 'Well, I think we should have the proper tour now. Carrie and Mandy have only really seen the dining room, but I'd like them to see all the rooms, plus a couple of bedrooms that are finished now. More will be finished on the day, of course.’
Again Sarah could see how much work had been done since her last visit and, sometimes, what work hadn't. A lovely antique basin and ewer were placed strategically under a drip. Fortunately nothing splashed into it until after Carrie and Mandy had passed into the next room.
The drawing room was a masterpiece. Someone, maybe even Fenella or Rupert, had extended the wallpaper by turning it into a mural. Now the pillars and exotic birds were the foreground for an Egyptian scene, with pyramids and sand dunes in the background. It was a masterpiece of simple painting and trompe l'oeil
‘Tradition and exotica,' declared Hugo. 'I like that. You really feel that behind the wall you can see this view. Did you copy the idea from Hazlehurst? Family seat,' he muttered sotto voce to Mandy, who was near him.
‘Sort of. We had to scale it down quite a lot,' said Rupert, after exchanging desperate looks with his wife. 'These rooms may seem spacious, but to me they are on the small side.'
‘That's what you get from a venue like this that you never could from anywhere else,' said Hugo. 'The personal touch. I mean, you could rent a castle if you wanted, with a lake, a pagoda, anything. But at Somerby you'd get intimacy, style, a secret place that the tourists don't know about. One word sums it up perfectly – class.’
At that moment Sarah realised that only Hugo could have said those things. She certainly couldn't, or at least, not in anything like the same grandiose way. Rupert and Fenella were far too modest, but Hugo had no shame -thank goodness.
‘Another bonus, in my opinion,' said Hugo, 'is that yours would be the first wedding ever to be here. Others will follow, but you'll be the first.' He crinkled his eyes at Carrie in a way that no normal woman could resist. 'I think you are a trendsetter, aren't you?’
Carrie shrugged, raised her shoulders and agreed in her body language that yes, maybe she was. 'It would be quite cool to be the first to discover this place,' she said to Mandy.
Mandy shivered in agreement.
‘We do want something for you that is totally unique,' Sarah broke in. 'Nowhere else I've researched has anything like the charm of Somerby.' She paused. 'It's good from the security angle, too. The way the roads are, it'll be very easy to keep the paparazzi under control.'
‘That's a good point,' said one of the lawyers. 'That does have to be taken into consideration.'
‘We'll have that checked out later,' said the other.
There was a moment's silence while this all settled, and then Fenella said, 'Let's carry on with the tour,' and she led the party to the room that opened off the chapel.
The chapel should do it, thought Sarah, aware that Fenella was probably pinning her hopes on this too. There was a long silence when Rupert opened the door and Carrie, Mandy and her two lawyers regarded what was in effect a miniature church.
‘Holy cow!' said one of the lawyers under his breath.
‘This was for just one family?' asked Mandy eventually.
‘Originally, yes, but the villagers used it when their own church was being repaired,' said Rupert. 'It's why it has this other entrance here.' He opened the door.
By some miracle the sun came out from behind a cloud, shining on the wet path that led through the park down to the road. It glimmered like white marble.
‘Your carriage could take you all the way up to th
e chapel door,' said Fenella, 'if you liked.'
‘Or you could walk up, with your retainers – bridesmaids – behind you,' offered Sarah.
‘Then after the service and the outside photographs, you slip into the house while your guests go round the long way,' said Hugo. 'Giving you a few moments to freshen up before your greet them.’
Carrie bit her lip and nodded, still non-committal. No one spoke. No one from the Somerby side wanted to say anything that would scupper their chances and no one from Carrie's team appeared to have anything to say, obviously waiting for her approval before they dared speak.
At last Sarah couldn't bear it any longer. 'I'm just thinking how wonderful your cake will look silhouetted against that fabulous window, with the parkland beyond.’
There was a pause as long as the Forth Bridge before Carrie eventually spoke. 'Oh yes,' she said softly. 'That would be truly fabulous.’
And Sarah silently sent a prayer of thanks up to God.
Chapter Thirty
‘I can't believe we pulled that off,' said Fenella to Sarah as they watched the two black cars go down the drive. It had stopped raining and they were all standing in front of the house having said goodbye to their visitors.
‘It was touch and go,' said Rupert.
‘I think it was your stately background that clinched it,' said Sarah, laughing. 'You'll have to produce some family portraits now. You can probably pick them up from auctions quite cheaply.'
‘No need,' said Rupert. 'There are dozens in the attic at home.’
Sarah glanced at Hugo who was laughing.
‘I'm going to let the dogs out,' said Fenella, unaware of Sarah's discomfort. 'The poor darlings have been cooped up all day. You excelled yourself with the roast, Rupes.'
‘Yes, the lunch really was fantastic,' agreed Sarah, on safe ground again. 'The apple pie was truly heavenly.'
‘Fen made it.' Rupert watched his wife go into the house. 'She doesn't do such a good roast as me and refused to take her share of the credit.'
‘Well, it was all stunning,' said Sarah.
‘We'd better make a list of what still needs doing before the big day,' said Rupert. 'I can't believe we've done it. How much will we be able to charge, do you think?’
Sarah told him. 'Wow,' he said. 'Fan-bloody-tastic.’
And they grinned at each other, Rupert shaking Hugo's hand and hugging Sarah.
With mugs of tea now in their hands, they toured the house again. Everyone made notes and Hugo took photos from every angle. 'Remember, you'll want a before and after album,' he said. 'And maybe some shots for a brochure.’
It was only when they were alone for a few moments that Sarah turned to him. 'Hugo, I can't thank you enough. If it hadn't been for you, she never would have gone for it.' She wanted to make some gesture, to mark her gratitude and was about to kiss his cheek but, suddenly feeling a little awkward, she stood back on her heels again. She would have liked to say something about his exhibition too. She opened her mouth to tell him how impressed she'd been, then caught his glance. He looked quizzical and wryly amused, and yet slightly wistful.
‘Hugo…' she said.
‘Sarah,' he said back, but before either of them could go on, Rupert came back and the moment was gone. She couldn't tell if he'd sensed her desire to say something or not.
‘Are you sure you won't stay for supper? Cold beef and apple pie?' asked Fenella as they stood in the hall.
‘No, really, I should get back. It's six o'clock already and I've got loads to do,' said Sarah.
‘You could stay the night,' Fenella went on, 'test out the spare beds. As you saw, we have several.'
‘Honestly, Fen, we'd better make tracks. Sarah's not the only one who has to work in the morning.' Hugo put his hand on Fenella's shoulder and kissed her cheek.
‘Not a wedding, surely?' Fenella asked him, kissing him back.
‘Nope, thank God,' said Hugo and turned his farewells to Rupert.
Sarah was hugged firmly by both of them and it was only when she was in Hugo's car and they were halfway down the drive that she realised she'd never asked them if the chapel was now licensed for weddings. She said so to Hugo.
‘Do you want to go back and ask now?' he said, braking slightly.
‘No, they'll just be relaxing with a glass of wine. I can always ring them tomorrow. There are bound to be lots of things I need to ask them.' She yawned. 'Wretched Carrie, she still hasn't decided what wedding dress to have. Elsa begged me to try and get her to commit.'
‘I don't think she means to be unreasonable, she just doesn't realise that things take time to make or organise, or whatever.'
‘I know,' Sarah agreed. 'I also forgot to confirm that her wedding cake will have to be sponge and not fruit. Bron says a pole wouldn't take the weight of a traditional cake. But at least she decided on Somerby. And I know it's the right choice. Fen and Rupert will do a fantastic job.' She chuckled reminiscently. 'You were outrageous, saying that Rupert was the son of a duke.'
‘Oh, but he is,' said Hugo, glancing at her. 'Not a very grand one, but a duke's a duke.'
‘Oh my goodness!' said Sarah. 'And he seems such a nice guy.'
‘The two are not mutually exclusive, you know.’
Sarah stretched back in her seat, feeling relaxed, if a little weary. They'd done a good day's work between them. 'I know.'
‘Why don't you close your eyes and have a doze?' said Hugo.
‘You must be tired too.'
‘I'll chew gum. That'll keep me awake. And put on some music.’
Some African jazz music filled the car with the limpid notes of a saxophone and Sarah let her eyes close. Count your blessings, she told herself. Carrie's wedding is on its way. Rupert or Fenella would have told her if there was a problem with the licence. It was going to be really beautiful. Somerby was idyllic – beautiful even in the rain, though of course it would be much better if it didn't rain. She was fine with Hugo. Yes, he was gorgeous, but they could be just friends now, and so what if he was engaged to someone else. Far better to have him as a friend. And she wasn't remotely jealous. She wasn't that sort of woman. She'd enjoyed those kisses but they seemed almost a lifetime ago now. And to show how cool she was about it all, she'd offer to take him out for something to eat when they got home. She owed him.
‘Your phone is ringing,' said Hugo.
Sarah snapped awake, found her bag and then scrabbled for her phone. It was Lily.
‘Sarah! Can you come over? I'm not feeling very well.’
‘What sort of "not very well"? Is it the baby?' Sarah was wide awake now.
‘It might be. I've got a pain. Oh, Sarah, I'm so frightened!’
‘Hush, it's going to be all right,' she soothed. 'But where's Dirk?'
‘Spending the night with his best friend. I've rung him but he said to ring you. He's miles away.'
‘Sweetie, I'm miles away.'
‘He's in Liverpool.'
‘Oh,' said Sarah.
‘Where do you want to be?' asked Hugo.
‘Just a minute, Lily.' She turned to Hugo and told him Lily's address. 'How long to get there?'
‘About an hour. Less if we're lucky with traffic.'
‘Lily? I'm about an hour away. I'll get to you as quickly as possible, but really you should ring the doctor. Or Dad.’
‘No. I want you.' Lily sounded tearful.
‘I'll be there soon. Don't worry, Lily, please. Why don't you have a bath while you're waiting? It might ease the pain and if you do have to go into hospital or anything you'll be nice and clean.’
Lily accepted this was good advice and they disconnected.
‘I can't believe I said that,' said Sarah, 'about her being nice and clean. I'm barking!'
‘Well, it did the trick. Lily will be occupied until we can get there. It'll distract her.'
‘That was what I thought, but how do you know it would? You've never met Lily.'
‘I've met plenty of girls like her. They reve
rt to childhood if they're frightened.'
‘Lily is a bit like that. Better than she was though, and being pregnant must be quite nerve-racking sometimes. I really hope there's nothing wrong. I know she got pregnant by accident but she'd be devastated if she lost the baby. But Hugo..
‘What?'
‘You don't have to take me to Lily's. Home is much nearer. You've been such a star already, you don't have to do anything else. Take me there then I can pick up my car. You don't want to be involved in Lily's dramas.'
‘Don't be silly, it would take you much longer to get there that way. We don't want Lily to be alone a moment longer than necessary. Besides, I want to help.’
Sarah spent the rest of the journey trying to work out if Hugo had insisted on driving her for her benefit or for Lily's.
Lily was enveloped in white towelling from slippers to her head. 'Oh, Sarah! You should have told me you had someone with you!' she said, smoothing her hair and going all girly the moment she spied Hugo. It was a reflex action with some women when confronted by an attractive man, Sarah realised.
‘I thought you must have guessed,' said Sarah, examining her sister for signs of imminent miscarriage. 'Can we come in?'
‘Of course.' Lily smiled at Hugo. 'Who's this?'
‘This is Hugo. Hugo, Lily. Are you all right?'
‘Let me get you something to drink or a snack? I could make a sandwich or something.' Lily was looking at Hugo, over the embarrassment of being seen en dèshabille.
Sarah looked at him too. He may well be hungry. It was hours since lunch and although Fenella had offered cake with their mugs of tea she was fairly sure that he hadn't had any.
‘Don't worry about me, how are you?' said Hugo. 'Sarah's been really worried about you.’
Lily glanced at her sister a little guiltily. 'Oh, I think that may have been a false alarm. The bath helped.'
‘So you're not in pain any more? There hasn't been any -you know – other signs anything might be wrong?'
‘Shall I put the kettle on while you two have a chat?' Hugo, the epitome of tact, left the room.