‘If Isla feels up to it. What do you mean?’ His brow creases in sudden concern.
‘I should have let Isla tell you herself but it’s too late now. She’s pregnant. She came to the house before the wedding that wasn’t and wanted to see you.’
Cal does a double take. ‘Pregnant? Isla?’ I can see he’s shocked and doesn’t seem to know what to say. The news is bound to be a body blow to him. He must be thinking that he and Isla could have had children one day; that their baby might have been his.
‘She wanted you to know first but she felt a bit shaky and had to confess. It’s a shock to you, I know.’ I braced myself for his reaction; he’s even more shocked than I expected – or hoped.
‘A shock? No, I’m happy for Isla and for Luke.’
‘Really?’
He frowns. Wow, he is serious. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’
‘I … I don’t know. There’s so much history between you.’
‘And that’s all it is. History. I’m happy she’s happy. Isla will be a fantastic mum but I’m not interested in the past any more. I’m only interested in now and the future.’ He holds both of my hands. My senses tingle, my knees feel ever so slightly weak; yes, it really does happen. He’s about to say something – momentous and scary.
‘Oh, Cal, tell me what you have to say. Put me out of my misery.’
‘OK. I’m not going to ask Robyn and Andi or Isla and Luke to take over this wedding – that’s not a wedding – thing because I want you and me to.’
‘Oh.’
The world stops. Did I hear what I thought I heard? Or has this whole surreal mad day finally tipped me over the edge into a parallel universe?
‘I realise that you said you’d never dream of marrying anyone. Even if Neil joining us today won’t be legal or binding I want to do it anyway. I want to tell all these people – strangers, friends and family – that I want to be with you at Kilhallon until we’re old and grey and turn to dust.’
My legs are wobbly. I can’t believe I’m hearing this, but it’s a good kind of shock. The kind I want to hear more about.
‘I heard you tell Rachel that hell would freeze over before you made that kind of commitment so I’m probably about to crash and burn here but if there’s one thing that the past year has taught me, it’s that life is precious and fragile and if you want to do something, truly want to do something, then you have to go for it and not wait for the tide to turn or the wind to change,’ Cal rushes on, babbling uncharacteristically. ‘So, I said I’d never be perfect, and life with me might be a bumpy ride and I know you’re young and could have your pick of men, but here you go.’
Finally he shuts up. His expression is agonised.
‘Wait a minute. Can I just check … this is you proposing to me?’
He smiles. ‘Yeah. I guess so. I know you’d have plenty of offers and let’s face it, lots of people don’t even bother getting married these days, but try me out. We can arrange a civil ceremony after today, if you want to. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be but I can see you might need time to be convinced.’
‘Unlike Lily I don’t need to convince myself and I didn’t mean that thing about hell freezing over. OK, I did mean it but I was only saying it because … because …’
‘What?’
‘Because I thought hell would freeze over before you’d want to make a commitment like that. After all you’ve been through I was protecting myself. I’d never thought of getting married, but I do know that I never want to think about leaving Kilhallon or you. I can’t imagine it, even though it’s only been just over a year since I met you.’
He holds my arms, rubbing my skin gently. ‘You’re shaking. Are you cold?’
‘No. I’m not cold, but I don’t know what to say.’
‘Say “yes”, and let’s enjoy the party. Do the thing. Let’s not waste the band, and the flowers and that bloody willow arch. Let’s watch Polly’s jaw drop through the floor and make Neil’s day worthwhile. There’s no point wasting him, is there, since he’s been cheated out of his special moment. Where is he? I need to find him fast if we’re going ahead.’
‘I think he’s with Polly …’ I laugh, because part of me is soaring somewhere above Kilhallon, and the other half wants to burst out laughing. I don’t need Cal to ask me to marry him to complete my life – far from it – but I can’t deny how happy it makes me feel. Float-up-to-the-sky happy.
‘So. It’s a “yes”, then?’ He peers nervously into my eyes.
‘Yes. I must be out of mind but yes. Let’s do it.’
In the next moment, we’re one person. We kiss each other softly and he holds my face between his hands. His stubble rasps my skin and I’m aware he’s still wearing the clothes he travelled in overnight. Nothing has changed. He’s still scruffy, unpredictable Cal; still with a lot of baggage and ready to flare up if someone gets to him. And I’m still me, ready to jump in with both feet whether I’m wanted or not. Still only twenty-two and agreeing to take on this place and Cal in all his moods.
It’s a big risk but I know I’d never have things any other way.
‘I’ve made some bad decisions in my life, and done some selfish things in the name of what I thought was “right” for other people, but was probably right for me,’ he says, his eyes shining. ‘I won’t stop making the wrong decision, I’ll probably get it wrong, and keep on getting it wrong but being with you is the right decision, and I know I’ll never regret it. If you can live with that, then I’ll be happy.’
‘I can live with it.’
A huge smile spreads over his face and we kiss each other like there will never be another tomorrow.
‘Come on, then. We’ve a wedding to sort out. Second time lucky, eh?’
CHAPTER FORTY
With me still in my safety shoes and Cal in his scruffy travel gear, we almost run down to the wedding glade. I feel as if I’ve been reincarnated as a glass of champagne, ready to bubble over at any moment.
Some people are walking past us, still stunned by the disappearance of the bride and groom, but judging by the noise at the tepee, most are inside tucking into the canapés and cocktail reception. Obviously, Lily and Ben’s immediate families have gone although her bridesmaids are still around.
Neil, the celebrant, has a pint in his hand and is chatting to Polly at a table outside the tepee. I can’t wait to tell Dad and Rachel our plans, but first we need to make sure Neil’s happy to ‘marry’ us instead of Lily and Ben.
We stop a few yards away from them and Cal takes my hand. ‘Ready?’ he whispers.
I take a deep breath. ‘No, but let’s do it anyway.’
The news has barely left our lips before Polly’s glass goes flying off the table, soaking Neil in expensive fizz. ‘What? You two? Tying the knot? Oh God, I’m sorry, Neil!’
She grabs a napkin and starts dabbing at Neil’s trousers while firing questions at us like a machine gun. ‘Getting married? Now? Today? Can you? Is it legal? Why now?’
Cal picks her champagne glass off the grass. ‘Yes to the first three and no, it’s not legally binding, and now because we both want to. We’re going to do the legal bit as soon as we can arrange it.’
Polly stares at us, breathing heavily. ‘I’m gobsmacked. Can you do that?’ She turns to Neil who’s staring at the unfortunate stain spreading over his trousers. ‘Can they, Neil?’
‘I’ve never been contracted to marry one couple and ended up doing another but I don’t see why not. It’s not a civil ceremony anyway, as Cal says, although most guests who attend events like this never actually realise that.’ He glances from one of us to the other. ‘However, as long as you’re both sure and sincere about the contract you’re entering into, and you’ve thought about it long and hard, I don’t see why not.’
‘We are,’ says Cal.
‘I’m sure,’ I say, deciding to ignore the ‘long and hard’ thought part.
‘Are you?’ Polly asks.
‘I know what I’m doing.’
Neil smiles. ‘Then, why not? I felt like a fraud anyway, turning up and not actually conducting the ceremony, so I’m up for it.’
‘Well. Well …’ Polly switches her gaze from Cal to me, and back again. He slips his arm around my back. It feels right, warm and right and as if it’s been there forever and should stay there forever.
‘You two. I’d be the first to admit I thought it was a bad idea him ever bringing you here to Kilhallon. I thought you’d get ideas and he’d get ideas of a different sort and that you’d both end up hurt. And until recently, I still felt the same way.’
Cal laughs. ‘At least you’re honest.’
‘I try to be though I’ve held my tongue more than a few times.’ She fixes me with a hard look. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re taking on, Demi?’
‘Of course I do!’ Cal protests.
Poly snorts. ‘Not you. Demi. Is she sure?’
‘As sure as I’ve been about anything.’
Polly shakes her head and sticks her hands on her hips. ‘Well, my bird, you’ve stuck with him and Kilhallon and all of us this long, through some of the worst times, and you’ve toughed it out so you may as well enjoy the best times.’ Her eyes glisten and her voice cracks. ‘I suppose you deserve each other. You’re definitely due some happiness, the pair of you.’
She hugs me until I can barely breathe and want to cry, and then she hugs Cal who pats her back warmly as a tear falls down her cheek. ‘Your mum and dad would be happy for you. I know your mum would, especially.’
‘She’d think I had the best of the bargain,’ says Cal.
‘Oh, I’d say that was a fair assessment.’ Polly gives a big sniff. ‘So, we’d better get this show on the road, if it’s OK with you, Neil?’
‘We need time to let everyone know at the cafe and in the tepee to see who wants to stay on. It’ll be weird that some aren’t our guests but it’s been a very weird day so what’s new?’ I say.
Polly smiles. ‘Neil and I will speak to the caterers and band and let them know they’ll be required for the rest of the day. I know some were hoping to pack up and go after the meal but they can stay on now.’
‘How long do you need before we can go ahead with the ceremony?’ Neil asks.
‘We need to break the news to a few close friends and family first and then can you make an announcement? Everyone who wants to stay for our moment and the party is very welcome. So what about we go ahead at around seven p.m. when there’s still sunlight in the glade?’
‘Sounds perfect. Demi?’
With the state of excitement that I’m in, I’d probably say yes to anything. ‘Yes, yes … seven o’ clock. Where’s Tamsin? I need to tell her too.’
Polly rolls her eyes. ‘Search me. I haven’t seen her for a while.’
‘Kit, then?’ I ask.
‘Haven’t seen a lot of him, either. Oh, wait, isn’t that them?’ Polly shades her eyes and points towards the edge of the glade.
Kit and Tamsin are sitting on a rug under a tree with a bottle of wine, laughing and chatting.
‘I don’t want to disturb them,’ I say.
Cal grins. ‘Then don’t. They’ll know about our news soon enough. Come on, let’s find your dad and Rachel.’
‘Congratulations, love.’ Dad hugs me and shakes Cal’s hand. ‘And to you, Cal. This is a surprise.’
‘I wish Kyle could be here,’ I say to Dad.
Secretly, I wish my mum could be here too, but I don’t want to upset Rachel or spoil today by mentioning it. Maybe she is watching me. With that hopeful thought, I enjoy the excited chatter around me.
‘Yes, I know, but it wasn’t planned, was it? Maybe we can sort out something later when he’s home on leave again.’
Rachel hugs me too. ‘Wow. That’s another twist to the story that I didn’t see coming.’
‘Neither did we. At least Demi didn’t. I had slightly more of an idea that it might happen. I hoped it would happen,’ Cal says with a smile for me. ‘But probably not today. Now, I think it’s the perfect moment. Why wait? Life’s too short.’
‘Too right. Congratulations again.’
‘You don’t seem as shocked as I thought you’d be,’ I say.
My dad laughs. ‘We’re not shocked. Surprised that it’s today, though it makes good sense. Save you money too – and me.’
‘Gary!’ Rachel hits him playfully on the arm, but I laugh.
‘We wouldn’t have expected you to pay for it anyway.’
‘I know you wouldn’t have expected it but I’d have wanted to make a contribution.’
Rachel smiles. ‘I’d do as the bride and groom have told us: enjoy the party. When else will we get to drink vintage champagne and all of this?’
Dad nods. ‘True.’
‘Why would we be shocked? You were with Cal when we first found you again. You both invited us into your home and you’ve both been together ever since, through thick and thin from what Polly’s told us. Since we all got together again, you and Cal have been a couple and we can see how much he means to you and vice versa. The fact that you two want to be together is the least surprising thing about the whole day.’
My dad gives me another brief hug and shakes Cal’s hand.
‘I wish Freya could be here,’ I say.
‘Oh she has to be! How about I phone my parents and ask them to bring her down here?’ says Rachel.
‘I’d love that! Will it disrupt her routine too much?’
‘Routine? What routine?’ Rachel laughs. ‘I think she can cope just for today. It’s not every day you see your big sister get married, even if she won’t remember the details.’
We find Isla and Luke enjoying drinks in the evening sun on the cafe terrace. I’d suggested that Cal could break the news on his own but he insists on us doing it together. I’m almost getting used to saying it now, after telling Polly and my family. Almost. It’s that split second after we say the words ‘We’ve got some good news. We’re getting married’ and before they react that’s the most nerve-wracking.
Isla has more colour than she did earlier and is sipping tea from a china cup on the outside terrace. There are a couple of other people at the far end of the tables but it’s about as private a location as we’re going to get today.
We take each other’s hands, without really thinking about it, as we walk up to them. They both smile.
‘Cal. Hello. I’m happy to see you home safe.’ Cal kisses Isla on the cheek.
Luke shakes his hand warmly. ‘Hello, mate. Happy you made it home in time.’
I’m relieved to see Cal on good terms with Luke again, even though Luke did some shitty things to all of us under pressure from the Cades. Maybe Cal has forgiven his friend, even if he can’t forget.
‘Are you feeling better?’ Cal asks Isla.
‘Yes, better than earlier …’ She glances at me. ‘Has Demi told you my news?’
‘Yes. I hear congratulations are in order.’ He bends down and hugs her warmly and with love – the love of an old friend.
‘How many weeks are you?’ he asks.
‘Thirteen.’
‘Mornings are the worst,’ says Luke and grimaces.
‘For both of us,’ says Isla, with a smile. ‘Luke’s used to holding my hair out of my eyes while I throw up. I’m sorry about the disaster with the wedding. I had no idea that Ben and Lily wouldn’t go through with it at the last minute. They’re capricious, they’re a law unto themselves sometimes, but I genuinely thought they were in love.’
‘I think they were in love,’ I say.
‘Once,’ Cal adds. ‘But not enough to make a lifelong commitment. Not even enough for a temporary commitment in Lily’s case. I’ve spoken to Ben and he’s pretty chilled about it.’ Cal shakes his head. ‘He said he was cowardly not to have put a stop to the whole bandwagon sooner and I agree with him.’
‘Even if the split is the best thing for Lily and Ben, I’m still sorry that you two have had to deal with yet more unscr
ipted drama and trouble,’ Isla says.
Cal shrugs. ‘The publicity won’t be bad for Kilhallon and we still have one hell of a party to enjoy.’
‘Still, it’s a shame that all your hard work is going to waste and the guests have turned up for nothing. You can have a wedding without all the trappings but not without the happy couple.’
Cal and I exchange a look, each waiting for the other to speak, but he knows and I know that it has to be him to break this news to Isla and to Luke. I feel no triumph or gloating. I just feel happy. Deeply and quietly happy that for one moment, right now, life is completely perfect.
Cal rests his arm on my waist and pulls me closer. ‘Actually, the party can still go ahead because Demi and I have come up with a cunning plan …’
‘Only the staff at the cafe to tell, now,’ I say after we’ve shared our news with Isla and Luke. ‘If telling people we’re getting married is this exhausting, I’m not sure I’ll have the energy for the actual event.’ I’m joking but it is almost six p.m. now and the sun is starting to mellow. The light is softer and I can tell there’s going to be an amazing sunset from the cafe.
‘As long as you make sure you save plenty of energy for the really important part later,’ says Cal, before stopping me on the path to the cafe and giving me a long and glorious kiss in full view of the guests on the cafe terrace.
We walk into the cafe. Jez has his eyes closed, listening to music on his phone. The girls are chatting over a cup of tea. As soon as we walk in, Nina jumps up.
‘What’s happening? How’s Ben? Has he gone mad? Should we carry on doing cocktails?’
‘Ben’s going to lie low for a while. He seemed OK,’ Cal says.
‘And yes we’re still going ahead as planned with the party – apart from one slight change.’
‘What now?’
Jez pulls his headphones out and folds his arms.
‘There has been a change of bride and groom.’
‘What?’ Nina cries.
Shamia holds up her hands. ‘Who?’
‘Um. Us. Me and Cal.’
‘You and Cal … what?’
Confetti at the Cornish Café Page 27