“Well, a hundred is really the minimum or they’d be lost in here. Any less and I’d suggest The Viking Suite.”
“Oh no, I want it in here and we’ve planned for a hundred,” Ellie butted in quickly. She hoped David would have fifty guests to invite.
They made their way back to the Indigo Lounge to discuss menus and Ellie was beginning to despair about David turning up when she got a text from him to say he’d arrived. She breathed a sigh of relief. She so wanted him to see the Great Hall and how beautiful it all was and secretly hoped he’d agree that it was the perfect venue for their nuptials. She texted him back, telling him to come to the Indigo Lounge.
A minute later he arrived and she introduced him to Gabriella.
“I think the Fairytale Wedding Package is the best one for us and the menu is lovely. What do you think, David?”
He glanced briefly at it. “Fine, that looks fine to me. Whatever you decide, darling.”
“Just wait till you see the Great Hall where we’ll hold the reception. It’s wonderful.” Ellie’s eyes were glowing as she turned to Gabriella. “May I show him?”
“Of course,” Gabriella smiled, pointing the way.
Ellie took David’s hand and eagerly led him down the corridor. They entered the Great Hall.
“Wow!” said David. “That is something else!”
“Isn’t it fabulous? Can’t you just see it?” Ellie’s eyes were shining.
He loved her when she was excited like this.
“As long as you’re happy, my love,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
They went back to the others where Marie-Noelle asked him if he had decided on his list of invitees.
“More or less,” he replied, taking a sheet of paper from his pocket. “There may be a few more.”
Ellie took the paper from him and looked down through the list, blanching as she did so. “But David, there’s over a hundred names here. I said fifty each.”
She continued reading, dismayed that there were so many strange names on it. David had a small family and she’d met them all at his father’s sixtieth birthday, earlier in the year. She knew all of his friends and some of the people from Buckley Steadman, but there were dozens of names here that she didn’t recognise at all.
“Who are all these people?” she asked, pointing to the bottom forty or so people on the list.
“Oh, they’re people from work.”
“But David, this is not a business thing, it’s our wedding!” she wailed.
“I know but I can’t ask one and not another. It’s very difficult.” He looked glum as he sawher downcast face and Marie-Noelle frowning.
“Look, why don’t you two discuss this later and let me know the number when you’ve decided,” Gabriella suggested helpfully.
“That’s a good idea,” Marie-Noelleagreed, as she stood up to take her leave.
Ellie thanked Gabriella and said goodbye, promising to let her know the final figure once they’d decided.
Once they were safe in his car Ellie spoke, her voice trembling.
“David, how could you? I asked for fifty names. That’s all I have. How could you do this?”
“I have forty from my familyand friends alone,” he tried to explain. “The other sixty are my colleagues from Buckley Steadman and their partners.”
“But I don’t even know most of these people,” she cried. “They’re not friends, they’re just work people that you’ve only met in the past two months!”
“These people might be our friends in the future,” he insisted.
Ellie was close to tears. “My father is paying for the reception. He can only afford to pay for one hundred. I can’t ask him to pay for all these extra people.”
“Money isn’t a problem. I’ll pay for it. After all, it is our wedding day and hopefully it’s the only one we’ll ever have. Why don’t you invite another fifty and your dad can pay for your hundred guests and I’ll pay for mine. Let’s do it in style and have a big wedding.”
Somewhat mollified, she thought about it. She’d had a problem keeping it to fifty herself and she knew there would be friends and relations miffed at not being invited – and she supposed, if David was willing to pay for it, why not? It would also mean that the Great Hall would be filled with people. It wasn’t what she’d planned but there didn’t seem to be anything else she could do.
“Okay, if that’s what you want. As long as you can pick up the tab for your guests, then Dad can pay for mine.”
All in all it was a good solution and, both happy, they went for lunch in the Bay restaurant on the Clontarf Road.
Ronan drove down to Blessington on Sunday to visit Fiona and her mother Doris, as he’d promised. He was certainly being wellfed these days – much better than when he’d been married to Louise. He’d enjoyed a lovely meal with Rachel on Friday, another at Conor’s last night where Betty had cooked a wonderful Indian curry and now here he was enroute for a delicious Wicklow lamb Sunday roast. He’d better watch it or his weight would balloon. He planned on going back to the gym the following week, so that should help.
He hadn’t heard a word from Louise since she’d left and he wondered how things were working out for her. He was sure, if she needed money, she’d have been in touch. Long may it last, he thought.
He received a very warm welcome in Blessington. Fiona’s brothers John and Brendan, along with Brendan’s wife Frances and their five children, were also at the lunch and it was a big happy family that laughed and loved around the table.
Ronan agreed with Doris that Fiona was looking much more content and relaxed as she awaited the birth of her baby.
“’Tis the good Wickla air,” Doris announced in her flat Wicklow accent.
They all laughed at this.
“Gosh, I don’t know how you could want to live in Dublin when you have a beautiful place like this at your disposal,” Ronan said to Fiona as they sat having tea later that afternoon.
“I know,” she sighed.
“Sure, I want her to stay here with me when the littlefella’s born,” Doris told him. “’Tis a much healthier place to bring up a child than the big city.”
Ronan was inclined to agree with her and he could see that Fiona was not averse to the idea.
“Yes, and it’s important to have family support around you when you have a baby,” heagreed. He left unsaid the fact that the baby’s father was nowhere in sight to support her at this time.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Fiona replied. “We’ll see. I’ve plenty of time to decide.”
He hugged them both goodbye, making sure that Doris had his phone number so that she could notify him when the baby arrived.
41
Zita had been oddly unsettled all weekend. Carl was on her mind and she couldn’t get him out of it. Even Marcus had got annoyed with her when he realised that she wasn’t listening to a word he’d been saying.
“What is the matter with you? Don’t tell me that Carl Dunne has bewitched you?”
“Of course not,” she snapped at him, confirming what he’d suspected, that Carl had indeed got under her skin.
She’d spent Sunday evening working on her The Women Behind Our Successful Menprogrammebut she found it hard to concentrate. She checked her phone every ten minutes expecting that Carl might text her, but he didn’t. She felt strangely disappointed. She had made an arrangement to film Rachel doing her thing on Thursday week which meant she would get to see Carl then as she would be filming them in their home. However, she hoped she’d see him before that. She felt a flutter in her stomach at the thought.
The long-awaited text finally arrived on Monday: Really enjoyed Friday night and not just the fab meal. How about a replay? Carl xx
Zita wanted to play it cool but before the day had ended she had replied: Sure. When do you suggest?He texted her back immediately. Tomorrow night?She badly wanted to say ‘No, sorry, I can’t make it then’ but instead found herself texting back: Great, look forward to
it.
She was annoyed at herself for being so easy but she couldn’t help it. Damn him!
At the wine course everyone seemed in good form. It was obvious that the two youngsters, Keith and Karen, were by now madly in love and Sam found it difficult to capture their attention as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Dave, his other young employee, was turning out to be a very bright student, genuinely interested in wine. Sam felt that he had great potential and saw him as someone who could certainly manage a wine shop in the future. The biggest surprise of all was Hayley who, rather than spending her time texting her friends, was now hanging on Sam’s every word. He was impressed.
During one of the breaks, Ellie found herself standing beside Hayley.
“Hi! How are you enjoying the course?”
“Oh, I love it. Isn’t Sam just fantastic?” Hayley enthused.
“Eh, yes,” Ellie responded, seeing the adoration in the teenager’s eyes.
“I think he’s just divine,” Hayley continued, “and so cool. He’s like a film star.”
Ellie tried not to smile. Poor Hayley! It was obvious she had a major crush on Sam. Well, if it means she learns a lot about wine, she thought, I suppose that’s not a bad thing. She felt like giggling, thinking how embarrassed Sam would be if he knew how Hayley felt.
“Well, I’m sure he’s very impressed with how you’re doing,” she said.
“I hope so. I study every night and I want to go on and do my Higher Certificate Course too,” Hayley beamed.
“Good on you. I’m sure Sam will be pleased.”
“Oh, I hope so,” the young girl said dreamily. “He’s so fabulous.”
Luckily Sam had called the class back for the tasting session just then or Ellie would not have known how to continue. Poor little Hayley! Ellie didn’t think she had a hope in hell of attracting Sam’s attention in that way. Still, you never knew with men. They were the strangest creatures with the weirdest tastes.
They decided to go to The Yacht that night for a change and as they walked there Ellie fell into step with Ronan.
“How are you, Ronan?” she asked, her voice full of concern.
“I’m just fine, sweetie. I had a lovely weekend.” He smiled brightly at her to assure her that this was the case and she had to admit he was looking back to his normal self.
“Oh. I am glad,” she smiled back, linking her arm through his.
To his surprise she was up way past his shoulder. He’d always thought of her as a tiny wee thing. Looking down, he saw the reason why.
“Holy God, how do you walk in those vertiginous heels?” He couldn’t believe the height of them.
“They’re very comfortable really,” she explained, stopping and lifting up one foot to show him.
“Dear Lord, those heels must be at least five inches high,” he exclaimed, bending down for a better look.
Ellie giggled at his expression. “Six actually. But they’re very clever. See this platform here?” She pointed to the sole of the shoe. “Well, that’s two inches high so the heels are actually only four inches high.”
He roared with laughter. The logic of women! He’d never understand it. They had an answer for everything! As they continued walking he was surprised to see that she was actually walking along quite briskly in them. Being on stilts didn’t seem to impede her progress at all.
“Well, how are the wedding plans coming along?” he asked.
Ellie launched into the whole story of Saturday and the now-extended guest list. Ronan smiled at her enthusiasm. Ah, the innocence of youth, believing in a golden future with all their dreams fulfilled. Life wasn’t like that, as he’d discovered. It was full of disappointment and heartache – but no doubt that was something Ellie would find out in due course. He certainly didn’t think much of her fiancé David and had disliked the way he’d treated her the night of Rachel’s party.
“I hope all your dreams come true and that you have a wonderful wedding,” he wished her as they arrived at The Yacht.
To his surprise she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Ronan,” she smiled, her dimples making her look about fourteen years old, not a woman on the cusp of marriage. He patted her arm as they entered and took their seats.
Zita and Rachel had walked down together, discussing what would happen at the shoot the following Thursday week. It was all so exciting, Rachel thought, and she’d arranged a very full day to show people exactly what a politician’s wife had to go through. They needed to know it wasn’t all cocktails and lunches! She’d also had a brilliant idea for the evening. She waited until Sam arrived – he’d had to stay back to make some calls – to make her announcement.
“Listen, everybody,” she said. “I’m doing a film shoot with Zita on Thursday week and she thought it would be nice if I were to host a dinner party that night for some friends and, I thought, what better people to have there than my wine group? Will you all come? Just yourselves, no spouses this time.”
Ronan was relieved to hear that. “I’d love to, but I work Thursdays, unless I could get Dermot to change nights with me.” He looked at Sam expectantly.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. You can ask him tomorrow,” Sam replied. “Count me in too, Rachel,” he added.
“Great! And you, Ellie?” Rachel turned to her.
“Well, I work late every second Thursday but I’m sure I can get someone to change with me too.”
“That’s settled then. Thursday week, seven thirty. And I’m sure the TV station will arrange for taxis, won’t they, Zita?”
Zita grinned. “If it means you’ll all get drunk and make for entertaining television then I’m sure it could be arranged.”
“A bit like Come Dine With Me,” Ellie giggled.
“Oh Lord, I certainly hope not.” Rachel put her hands to her face, horrified at the thought.
They all erupted with laughter.
42
Zita was in a tizzy waiting for Carl to arrive on Tuesday evening. She’d prepared an osso bucco earlier and it was now cooking away gently in the oven. She’d found a recipe on Yahoo which used lamb shank instead of veal and could be cooked in the oven, which meant she could entertain her lover and not have to stand over the cooker all night. She’d cooked this before for Marcus and it had been a great success. She hoped Carl would be impressed. She’d also called into Susan Hunter and bought some sexy lingerie which was something she’d never done before in her life. She didn’t dare tell Marcus or he’d never let up on her. As it was he was teasing her unmercifully about becoming a boring housewife. To be honest, she was annoyed with herself. This was so out of character for her, yet she had this need to please Carl like a silly teenager in love.
He arrived as before, brandishing champagne and wine, but this time they had barely time to put the champagne in the ice-bucket before they were heading for the bedroom, unable to wait a moment longer.
“Mmmm . . . very nice,” Carl murmured huskily, excited by the sexy lingerie. “Come here, you sexy vixen!” He pulled her to him and slowly opened the laces of the basque she was wearing while kissing her neck and the top of her breasts as he did so. She longed for him to take her nipples in his mouth but he was teasing her, kissing and caressing her breasts but avoiding the most sensitive area of all. She was crazy with desire by the time he slipped the basque from her shoulders and laid her on the bed. Finally he gave her what she wanted and she moaned with pleasure as his lips closedaround one nipple and his fingers caressed the other.
Their lovemaking was even better than before and she marvelled at his stamina. She couldn’t get enough of him and yet he was able to pleasure her again and again. Finally, exhausted and satiated, she lay back on the pillows, smiling lazily at him.
“You are one hell of a sexy woman,” he said, tracing her lips with his finger.
All she could do was sigh with pleasure. Now she knew why people made such afuss about sex.She’d never understood it before and had ridiculed those who
did. She stretched, thinking of what she’d been missing for all those years.
“Now, I thought you were going to feed me, woman,” Carl said, smacking her bare bottom as she got up out of the bed.
She put on a robe and went into the kitchen where she put the dauphinoise potatoes she’d left ready into the top oven. Then she ran a bath and brought the champagne into the bathroom.
After a lovely bubble bath together, where they sipped the glorious fizz and laughed and joked like an old married couple, they got dressed again and she checked on the lamb and potatoes. They were both perfect and shortly afterwards they sat down to the delicious meal.
“Mmmm . . . I could get very fond of being here with you,” Carl said, stroking her hand. “You make me feel so relaxed. You’re a very special woman.”
She looked into his eyes and saw that he meant what he was saying. There was something vulnerable about him that was extremely attractive.
“Can I see you Friday night and this time I’d like totake you out to dinner?” he asked. “I guess I owe you one by now.”
“You don’t owe me anything but, yes, I’d love that.” Her heart soared at the fact that he wanted to see her again in three days.
“I wish I could stay the night with you,” he admitted as he kissed her goodnight, holding her head in his hands. “Maybe I could stay on Friday night?”
“Oh, yes,” she whispered, kissing him back. “I’d like that more than anything. But how would you manage it?”
“Leave that to me. I’ll think of something.”
After he’d gone, she lay in bed hugging the pillow that held the scent of him still. She was acting crazy, she knew, but she didn’t care. She’d never felt so whole and complete as she did with this man. Could this be love? The very thought scared her but she realised that, if it was, she was powerless to do anything about it.
43
On Thursday night Ronan was just coming back from his tea break when Louise’s friend, Melissa, came into the shop.
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