Kelly turned to face him. ‘I’ve only got ten minutes. No more talking.’ She smiled and leant in to kiss him.
Shannon was hopping from one foot to the other trying to keep warm. Kelly jumped off the bus and threw her arms around her.
‘I take it the date went well, then?’
‘It was amazing, he’s amazing. Everything is –’
‘Amazing?’ Shannon laughed.
‘Yes!’ Kelly twirled around. ‘God, Shannon, he’s so sexy and gorgeous, really nice too.’
‘Did you sit at the back of the cinema?’
Kelly grinned. ‘Yes, we did, and we kissed the whole way through.’
‘Anything else?’
Kelly blushed. ‘He may have had his hand up my jumper and I may have had my hands all over his gorgeous chest, but nothing more. We were in public.’
Shannon laughed. ‘It sounds brilliant. So are you seeing him again soon?’
‘Yes, we’re going to try to meet up next Saturday afternoon. I just need to come up with a good lie.’
‘I’ll help you.’
Kelly hugged her. ‘Thanks, Shannon, you’re the best. I love you.’
‘I have a feeling you love someone else.’ Shannon giggled.
They walked arm in arm up the road to Kelly’s house. Sure enough, Lucy was waiting up when Kelly went through the front door. She was in her dressing-gown, holding a mug of tea.
‘Good film?’ Lucy asked.
‘The best I’ve ever seen,’ Kelly said.
‘I’m glad you had a good night, pet. I know the last few weeks have been tough settling into St Jude’s. I’m really proud of you, Kelly. I hope you know that. You’re a fantastic girl and I love you so much. I know I’m hard on you sometimes, but I really want you to have the best opportunities and choices in life because you deserve it.’ She kissed Kelly’s forehead.
‘It’s okay, Mum, it’ll all be fine,’ Kelly said, as she skipped up the stairs to bed. Tonight everything was just perfect.
23
Lucy woke to the sound of her alarm. She reached for her phone to switch it off. She lay back in bed and checked her messages. Uh-oh, ten missed calls from Debbie. Five new text messages. The last one said: CALL ME!!!!!
Lucy sat up in bed and dialled Debbie’s number.
‘Oh, Lucy, it’s a total fiasco. I thought my mother not coming to my wedding was bad, but now the bloody restaurant we’re supposed to get married in has gone into receivership. They only told me last night. What the hell am I going to do? I have twenty guests coming to a wedding that now has no venue. They were organizing the hairdresser and the make-up artist and the flowers and …’ Debbie trailed off as she began to weep.
Lucy had to think fast. She wanted to help Debbie, plus she was relying on the seven-hundred-euro fee to pay for her car insurance and she wanted to treat Kelly to a new outfit to cheer her up. She could see her daughter was struggling to get used to St Jude’s, although she had been in much better form the last few days.
‘Debbie, this wedding is going ahead. Leave it with me. I’ll call you back in ten minutes. Sit tight.’
Lucy called Jenny.
‘Somebody better be dead. It’s eight thirty on a Sunday!’
‘Are you free today?’
‘I’m meeting Frank later, but I’m free until four.’
‘I need your help. Remember the lesbian wedding I was telling you about?’
‘No.’
‘Never mind, I need you to do wedding make-up. I’ll call you back with when and where.’
‘Whatever. I’m going back to sleep now.’
Lucy hung up and rang Sarah.
‘Hi.’
‘Listen, I have a big favour to ask. The wedding I’m supposed to be doing today now has no venue. Is there any chance I could use the salon? You’ll get a good fee for the day and I’ll have Kelly and Shannon to help me do it up. I’ll also need you to do the bride’s hair – actually, it’s the lesbian wedding I was telling you about, so two brides need their hair done.’
‘Sure that’s fine with me. But are you sure they’ll be happy with getting married in a hairdresser’s?’
‘At this stage she’d be delighted to get married in a cow barn.’
‘Well, I’m free this morning so I can help decorate too. What time is it at?’
‘Two o’clock.’
‘Grand. I’ll drag Shannon out of bed and meet you in the salon at nine. We can decide what we need to do to dress it up.’
‘You’re an angel. Thank you. Tell Shannon she’ll be paid well for her help.’
Sarah laughed. ‘That’ll certainly get her out of bed.’
‘See you in half an hour.’
Lucy hung up, then called Debbie and filled her in.
‘Oh, my God, you are a lifesaver. Thank you so much.’
‘Now it is a hairdresser’s salon, so it’s not your ideal wedding venue, but we’ll do it up nicely. We’ll do hair and make-up there too, and I called Luigi’s, our local Italian restaurant, and they said they can book you a table for after.’
‘I’m so grateful, Lucy. Thank you.’
‘Don’t forget to tell all your guests about the change of venue. I’ll meet you at the salon at midday. That gives us two hours to get you two ready and have a final run-through of the ceremony.’
Lucy ran into Kelly’s room and shook her awake. ‘I need your help.’
‘What’s going on?’
Lucy filled her in and Kelly threw on a tracksuit and hoodie and followed her up to the salon.
‘How much exactly am I getting paid for slaving on a Sunday?’ Shannon asked, as soon as they stepped through the door.
‘If you do a good job, I’ll give you fifty quid each,’ Lucy said.
Shannon smiled. ‘Fair enough, I can buy those boots I saw in Office.’
I can buy new school shoes that won’t get photographed and slagged, Kelly thought.
‘Right.’ Sarah clapped her hands. ‘Ideas?’
It was going to take a bit of creative thinking to make it wedding worthy.
‘I think we should drape all the mirrors with tulle and white ribbons and fill the place with lots of flowers and candles,’ Kelly suggested.
‘Great idea,’ Sarah said, nodding.
‘Most people will have to stand, but we’ll need chairs for the older guests. I have six in the kitchen at home, and with your six, that should be enough,’ Lucy noted.
‘We can dress the kitchen chairs up with tulle and bows too,’ Kelly suggested.
‘Yeah, and we should get white balloons and a congratulations banner.’ Shannon was warming to the plans.
‘Great ideas. Let’s get to work,’ Lucy said. ‘The brides will be here at midday, so we’re on the clock.’
‘Brides?’ said Shannon, cocking her eyebrow. ‘Sorry, what?’
‘It’s a gay wedding,’ Lucy said. ‘We’ve two discerning women to satisfy, so chop-chop.’
‘What’s discerning? Is it a new LGBT word? A new weird type of gay?’
Lucy laughed. ‘No, they’re just regular lesbians.’
Shannon shrugged. ‘Cool. It’ll be my first gay wedding. Wait till I tell the girls at school. I’m going to get a selfie with the brides.’
Sarah rolled her eyes. ‘Less selfies and more work.’
Sarah persuaded Darren to drive Shannon and Kelly into town to buy tulle and ribbon, balloons and banners, while she gave the salon a thorough clean. Lucy went home to get Dylan to help her carry over the chairs before he headed to training.
Within an hour the girls were back, laden with all the materials.
‘The only tulle they had was pink. I know the lezzers are probably more into blue or black or whatever, but it’s all they had. They were sold out of white,’ Shannon said.
‘Everything else is white, so that should tone it down a bit,’ Kelly added.
The girls set to work blowing up balloons. Kelly then sewed white ribbons onto the tulle and dressed the m
irrors and chairs.
‘Great job.’ Lucy admired her daughter’s handiwork.
‘She’s so creative,’ Shannon said pointedly. ‘She has a gift.’
Lucy nodded but said nothing further. She went back to flower-arranging with Sarah. They made mini bouquets from white roses and lilies and tied them to the chairs with ribbon.
‘Bloody hell, it’s like Barbie’s grotto in here.’ Jenny had arrived. She laid her huge make-up case on a chair.
‘We wanted white, but that was all we could get at such short notice,’ Lucy said.
‘Once you turn down the main lights and there’s just the candles it won’t be quite so pink,’ Sarah said.
‘To be fair, guys, I thought this was a really stupid idea, but the salon has been transformed. It looks fantastic.’ Jenny was impressed.
‘Shannon and Kelly have been a huge help,’ Lucy said. ‘We’d never have got it ready without them.’
Kelly came out of the back room carrying a tray of coffees. ‘I thought you could use a break,’ she said.
‘Oh, you little star,’ Sarah said. ‘I need one of these badly.’
Lucy smiled at her daughter. ‘Thanks, sweetheart, perfect timing.’
They sat down in the decorated kitchen chairs and sipped their drinks.
‘Right, if you don’t need us any more, I’ll be happy to get paid now,’ Shannon said. ‘I want to get those new boots today.’
Lucy opened her wallet. ‘You’ve earned it, girls. There you go.’
‘I can stay if you need more help?’ Kelly said.
‘Come on, you bloody martyr. Let’s get out of here before they ask us to clean the loo or something.’ Shannon tugged at Kelly’s arm.
Lucy laughed. ‘Go off with Shannon and treat yourself. You deserve it.’
As the girls left, Debbie and Kerrie appeared. They stood on the threshold, their eyes wide.
‘Wow!’ Debbie said. ‘Look what you’ve done!’
‘Oh, my God, it looks fantastic,’ said Kerrie, who was already in tears.
‘Sorry about all the pink,’ Lucy said, ‘but they had no white tulle left.’
‘Pink is Kerrie’s favourite colour! We love it!’
‘So who wants to be transformed into a goddess first?’ Jenny asked.
‘Me, please!’ Debbie laughed. ‘I’ll need the most trowel work.’
‘Excuse me, I’m an artist, not a plasterer,’ Jenny said, pretending to be insulted.
The two brides laughed.
‘Of course, I beg your pardon,’ Debbie said, bowing to her. ‘Just don’t do one of those subtle, natural looks – I want to be transformed.’
‘I’ll do your hair, Kerrie, while she’s getting her make-up done.’ Sarah led Kerrie over to the basin and got her sitting comfortably.
An hour and a half later, the two brides were beautifully made-up, coiffed and dressed in their matching cream trouser suits.
‘If I say so myself, you look sensational,’ Jenny said.
‘Gorgeous,’ Sarah added.
‘Just stunning.’ Lucy smiled. ‘And I can see the photographer pulling up outside, which is perfect timing. We can get the first shot of you two as brides.’
‘Thanks, guys, you’ve been incredible. I’ve never looked this good in my life.’ Kerrie beamed.
‘Today started so badly,’ Debbie said, her lip quivering. ‘I was so upset when we got the news about the restaurant. All I want to do is marry this amazing woman. But you turned it around for us, Lucy. You’re a force for good in the world, you really are.’ She grabbed Lucy in a tight hug.
‘I’m thrilled we could help,’ Lucy said. ‘This is going to be a day to remember, all the more so because of the drama.’
The photographer pushed open the door. ‘Is this it?’ he said, sounding puzzled.
‘Yes,’ said Debbie, grinning. ‘This is the venue.’
‘Right so,’ he said. ‘I have me work cut out to make it look good, but I’ll manage.’
‘Cheek of you!’ Sarah said. ‘The place looks bloody brilliant!’
‘Come on,’ Kerrie said. ‘First picture is the whole team, all of you over here beside us.’
The photographer snapped away and would have had them there for a hundred photos if they’d let him, but Lucy checked her watch and said, ‘Right, ladies. It’s a quarter to one, so we need to run through the ceremony.’
She led them into the back room and took her folder from her bag. ‘So, you two will hide out back here until all your guests are accounted for. I’ve set out twelve chairs for your older guests, then the others will have to stand or lean on counters. When they’re all ready, I’ll give you the nod to go around and come through the front door, so you can walk up the “aisle” together. I’ll be waiting for you at the top of the room.’
‘Right! That sounds like a grand entrance,’ Kerrie said. ‘We can manage that.’
‘Then I’ll do my introduction and welcome everyone,’ Lucy went on. ‘I’ve noted you’ve an aunt, Debbie, who’s come all the way from America, so I’ll give her a special mention. Then I’ll ask you two to light a candle each. Please, God, they light and stay lit because at my last one the buggers refused to light and the bride ended up in tears thinking it signified the marriage wasn’t meant to be.’
The brides laughed. ‘Ah, we’re not that particular,’ Debbie said. ‘I’m marrying this one, come hell or high water – cancelled venues or uncooperative candles be damned.’
Lucy laughed. ‘That’s the spirit! After that, your son is going to read the Pablo Neruda poem, Kerrie. And then Debbie’s niece is going to sing “I Would Rather Go Blind”, accompanied by her boyfriend on the guitar.’
‘I’d rather go blind than have to listen to it, but my sister thinks her daughter is very talented so we have to suck it up.’
‘Is the boyfriend any good on the guitar?’ Lucy asked.
‘Horrendous.’ Debbie rolled her eyes.
Lucy grinned. ‘All weddings have these moments. I did one where the cousin did a fifteen-minute solo on the flute – it was pure torture. But it made everyone laugh afterwards. After the music I’m going to talk a bit about you two,’ Lucy said, smiling. ‘Nothing salacious, I promise. Just to say what it’s been like to work with you and how touching it is to see how devoted and committed you are to each other.’
‘You’ll have us crying,’ Kerrie said.
‘Tears are always welcome.’ Lucy winked. ‘And then Debbie’s uncle is performing the speech from The Princess Bride about marriage, yes?’
Debbie sighed. ‘Yes, another mad relation. Poor Kerrie, all her family are normal. Ted is insisting on doing the speech in the silly voice. You know, “mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement”.’
Lucy looked at her uncertainly. ‘Can you live with that? I could try having a word with him?’
Debbie laughed. ‘Asking him to tone it down will only make it worse, believe me. Let him at it.’
Nothing surprised Lucy any more. She’d seen it all in the last five years of ceremonies – cousins who ‘played’ the violin, crucifying songs, friends saying ‘a few words’ that went on for twenty-five minutes, and even one best man who turned up so drunk he passed out cold in the middle of the ceremony. A goofy uncle was no big deal. ‘After your uncle, we get serious. I’ll invite you both to say your vows. Have you learned them off or do you have them written down?’
‘We learned them,’ Kerrie said.
‘So we can gaze lovingly at each other while we say them,’ Debbie said.
‘Don’t mock, you,’ Kerrie said, swatting her arm. ‘It’ll be gorgeous.’
‘There won’t be a dry eye in the house,’ Lucy said.
‘There’d better be,’ Jenny said, coming into the back room. ‘Don’t you two dare ruin all my work by crying your mascara off.’
The women laughed. ‘Ah, Jenny, will you stay for it?’ Kerrie asked. ‘We’d love you and Sarah to be here.’
Jenny grinned. ‘I wouldn’t miss
it for anything. I’ve already told my fella he’ll have to wait longer to see me today.’
‘We’re honoured,’ Debbie said.
‘Finally,’ Lucy said, ‘once you’ve said your vows, Kerrie’s niece is going to sing “My Baby Just Cares For Me”.’
‘And she can actually sing. She has a gorgeous voice.’ Kerrie smirked.
‘Glad to hear it.’ Lucy chuckled. ‘Then I’ll invite you two to blow out the individual candles you lit earlier and light the big one together. And then I’ll let you kiss the bride and you’ll be married.’
Kerrie grabbed Debbie’s hand. ‘Oh, God, I’m nervous, but I can’t wait.’
‘Now for the big question,’ Lucy said. ‘This is the most important thing I’ll ask you today. Did you bring the marriage certificate I asked for one thousand times?’
‘I nearly went mad you asked so often,’ Debbie said, ‘but, yes, I did bring it.’
She went over to her handbag and riffled through it. They all watched her. She continued searching. Lucy felt her heart skip a beat. Please, please, don’t have forgotten it, she thought. This had happened before, and she’d been unable to marry the couple that day. The rule was unbreakable: she had to view the certificate before the ceremony, and all three of them had to sign it. Without that, there was no wedding.
‘Debbie?’ she said. ‘Do you have it?’
‘Oh, Christ, I definitely put it in,’ Debbie said, her voice rising in panic. ‘Jesus, where is it?’
‘I thought you weren’t allowed to ask Him for help,’ Jenny said.
Lucy stifled a grin. ‘It’s okay, take a deep breath. It might be looking at you and you’re not seeing it.’
Kerrie went over to help. They emptied the contents of the bag onto the table. No certificate.
‘Oh, no!’ Debbie said, a sob catching in her throat.
Kerrie hugged her. ‘Don’t worry, love. We’ll find it.’
‘But I put it in,’ Debbie said. ‘I’m sure of it.’
‘Check the floor,’ Jenny said, jumping into action. ‘It might have fallen out.’
Darren walked into the room as they were all searching, Lucy and Jenny on all fours.
Our Secrets and Lies Page 15