‘Are you alright?’ Helen asks with a laugh as tears wash down Charlene’s face.
‘Yeees’ Charlene squeaks, laughing and crying at the same time, shaking as she holds Helen’s hand to examine her rings. ‘I’m so happy’
‘Looks it’ Kester grins.
‘I am…I am…honest…ly’ she hiccoughs ‘Is that real?’ she breathes, eyeing the diamond solitaire in wonder.
‘I should hope so, otherwise I’ve been done!’ Kester huffs.
Helen nudges him sharply in the ribs with her elbow. ‘Yes, it’s real’ she confirms.
‘It’s ever so beautiful…and I’m real glad you gone an’ got married…but I wish I’d been there’ Charlene sighs wistfully.
‘None of us were there, Charlene’ Nathan puts a comforting arm around her shoulders and dabs at her cheeks with a handkerchief. ‘And none of us knew….not even Mrs. James...the other one, that is’ He grins at Helen.
‘No?’ Charlene croaks.
‘No’ he says, smiling down at her and trying to wipe smudges of mascara from under her eyes. ‘Sorry’ he says, handing over the handkerchief. ‘I’m not very good at this’
‘S’ok’ she mumbles. ‘I’ll go an’ sort meself out’ She gives both Helen and Kester a crushing hug. ‘Congratulations’ she says, starting to cry again.
Nathan watches her as she hurries away.
‘Better do the rounds’ Kester says as he and Helen move off.
‘Yeah, okay’ Nathan turns back again ‘Catch you in a bit’
‘You like Charlene, don’t you?’ Blythe comments.
‘I do’ he says, his smile still soft.
‘You going to ask her out?’
With a blink and a shake of the head, a frown replaces his smile. ‘Not like that. She’s a great girl, that’s all. Had it bloody rough at times’
‘Sorry…didn’t mean to annoy you’
‘No…it’s okay’ He says, putting his hands in his trouser pockets and jingling his change as he faces her. ‘I’m not annoyed. You took me by surprise that’s all. I suppose admire might be a better word. She tries so hard at everything’ He glances towards Charlene’s retreating back once more. ‘Thanks, by the way’ he says, picking up his glass and taking a swallow.
‘For?’
‘Being nice, taking an interest. She really is determined to make a go of that college course’
‘I was genuine in what I said, you know. I wasn’t being nice for the sake of it’ Blythe retorts.
‘Whoa! I thought we were trying to get on? Don’t go all stroppy on me again’
‘Me?’
‘Yeah…I know’ Nathan shrugs and gives a sheepish smile ‘I’m the stroppy one, right?’
‘Now you come to mention it’ Blythe smiles back.
‘Can I get you a drink…or would you like to dance or something?’
‘You dance?’
‘Nah…not really….not to this. I can shuffle around in a circle. I don’t do the whole bit like Kester…but we can give it a go if you like’
The Engagement Party
Chapter Thirteen
* * * * *
‘Had to persuade her before she got away’ Kester grins.
‘I know that feeling’ Chris James puts his arm around Lynn’s shoulder, smiling at her tenderly. ‘Congratulations to you both’ he says, looking back at Kester and Helen, ‘I couldn’t be happier. Bit of a surprise…but….’
‘It was a surprise!’ Lynn agrees. ‘Not a word to anyone. You didn’t know…not when we visited?’
‘It sort of just… happened’ Helen avoids answering and laughs up at Kester as his arm tightens around her. ‘He was having a moan in actual fact’
‘Hmm’ Kester narrows his eyes.
‘All this fuss over a flipping engagement party!’ Helen mimics ‘What the hell’s it going to be like when we get married?’ She prods his midriff with a finger. ‘And then he got a bit carried away with the idea and before I knew it, not only did I have a party to organise but a million other things to decide too!’
‘Yeah, right’ Kester scoffs ‘You hated the thought’ he grins, putting both arms around her from behind and rocking her from side to side, nuzzling her ear.
‘It was a bit of a rush…but a wonderful day’ Helen squirms and giggles under Kester’s ministrations. ‘Will you stop it!’
Lynn sighs. ‘I wish we’d known’ She takes Christopher’s hand, giving it a sympathetic squeeze.
Kester straightens and moves forward. ‘Dad’ he says seriously ‘None of this was done to exclude anyone…least of all you’ He looks down at Helen who nods confirmation.
‘We didn’t want to wait’ she says, touching her father in law’s arm. ‘A big wedding would have taken months to organise. I’m so sorry if you felt left out. We…’ She glances at Kester ‘We decided it would be easier to keep it a secret …If we’d told one person, we would have had to tell everyone…it got very complicated. Although… I suppose…’ she hesitates, looking at Kester again. ‘Since people were invited for a party anyway…’
‘Noo’ Kester says softly. ‘It’s a great party…you did well…but it’s not what people would have expected for a wedding reception. We…you…would’ve had to start over. Then we’d be into that time factor again. It was the best way…Dad?’
‘Please’ Chris smiles ‘Helen…Kester’s right…and it was your day, yours to decide how you wanted it to be. I would’ve liked to be there…..’ He lowers his eyes. ‘See my son marry and share that with him?’ he says awkwardly. ‘Of course I would…and…’ He glances sideways at Lynn before looking back at Kester ‘I think what Lynn was getting at…from what she knows about the way I feel….was that…’ He sighs, reluctant to say what is on his mind. Lynn squeezes his hand again and he lifts his eyes to Kester’s, holding his gaze. ‘We’ve been estranged for so long…but if I’d been there…witnessed it all, I might’ve felt part of a family again…part of you…part of your life…’ He hesitates for a second time. ‘I would have known I’d been forgiven…She wants that for me so much’
Kester stumbles over his words, his voice cracking. ‘Dad…you will always be part of my life….our life…you and Lynn…and the baby. There’s nothing to forgive’
They stand looking at each other for a few moments, both holding their emotions in check until, with a simultaneous sob, they cling to each other.
* * * * *
‘Aye…it was as well tae get the honeymoon in afore ye got to drinking’ Jeannie teases with a snort of laughter.
Helen looks away with an embarrassed smile.
‘Och…awa wi’ye!’ She smacks Helen’s arm lightly. ‘You’ve no cause tae be blushing. Ye’ll be getting a lot more of the teasing before the night’s out’ She turns to Kester ‘What a thing tae be saying for all the world tae hear!’ she admonishes. ‘Tho’ it were a pleasure tae see the witch wi’out a word tae say in return’
Kester glowers. ‘I can’t believe she showed up’ he growls, putting his arm around Helen.
‘Och…don’t you be giving her any mind, the woman’s nae right in the heid. One of these days her tongue’ll choke her right enough. Will ye be taking a wee holiday now?’
Helen glances at Kester then lowers her eyes. ‘Just a couple of days’
Jeannie looks from one to the other of them ‘Hae I said the wrong thing?’
‘No…no…it’s fine’ Helen assures, pushing her hair behind her ear.
‘Helen couldn’t get any time off’ Kester explains.
‘Short notice… I have to organise cover if it’s outside my normal rota’ she says defensively.
‘Aye’ Jeannie says. ‘It’s all very well when you’re your own boss, ye can do these things’
‘Precisely’ Helen flicks another glance at Kester.
‘But there’s nae need tae be falling out. Isn’t every day a honeymoon when ye first merrit?’ She looks across the room to where her husband stands chatting to Harriet. ‘Was a time when yon bonny lad made me feel that way too…and he still does ’
‘Aaw. What a lovely thing to be able to say after so long’ Helen smiles.
‘Aye, hen…but it’s nae mair three times a day like he used tae’
‘Excuse me…’
‘What?’ Charlene says ungraciously, her attention taken from people watching. She eyes the man standing next to her over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip of her champagne.
‘I-I’m sorry’
‘Whafor?’
‘No….I..er…mean…Look’ he stutters, pushing a nervous hand through his hair. ‘W-would you l-like a drink?’
Charlene lifts her glass. ‘Er…I got one?’
‘Oh….yes...yes…of course….sorry’ He shuffles his feet and looks down at the floor. ‘My name’s Bruno’
Her face brightens. ‘I had a dog called Bruno, once’
‘Not really Bruno…’
‘Yes it was. I should know’
‘No…I-I meant me…My last name’s Brown…everyone calls me Bruno’
‘Oh’ She frowns ‘What do they do that for?’
‘You know…Brown…brun….Bruno’
Charlene’s brow creases further. ‘Right’
‘I hope you don’t m-mind me coming over…b-but I just had to s-say’ Given a short burst of confidence, he lifts his head ‘You were magnificent!’
‘I was?’
‘You were!’ he beams.
‘What did I do?’
‘You put that awful woman in her place. You were superb. The way you stood up to her…. the way you didn’t let her intimidate you. Absolutely brilliant!’
‘Oh…right…thank you’
He lapses into nervous silence again. Charlene fidgets uncomfortably.
‘My name’s Charlene’ she offers after a while. ‘But nobody calls me nothing’
‘I’m a friend of Helen’s’ Bruno explains his presence.
‘So am I’
‘Yes’
‘And Kester’s. I’m a friend of Kester’s as well’
‘I’ve met him once or twice’ Bruno says, nodding ‘Seems a nice chap’
‘Yeah’
‘All okay here?’ Nathan bounds up and puts his arm around Charlene’s shoulder. ‘Everything alright?’ He beams. ‘Great party isn’t it?’
‘Yes…yes it is’ Bruno backs away ‘Sorry…I didn’t realise…Please excuse me’
‘Hey, mate!’ Nathan calls after him ‘Don’t run off…you got it wrong…..Shit!’ He grimaces at Charlene ‘Sorry….did I butt in at the wrong time?’
Charlene shrugs ‘No…it’s alright…we was only chatting…sort of’
‘Sort of?’
‘He dint have much to say after what he said I was magnificent’ she giggles.
‘Ooops, I did come at the wrong time then’ Nathan grins. ‘Heavy!’
‘Nooo…...For giving Kester’s Mum a mouthful. I don’t think he was trying to chat me up nor nothing’
Nathan looks through the throng and catches Bruno watching them from the bar. He turns away as Nathan raises a hand in greeting.
‘Think I’d better put him straight’
‘Nooo! Don’t do that!’ Charlene catches his arm. ‘He might think he’s GOT to chat me up then. I’m all right, honest. I’ve talked to loads of people. I’m only on me own cos Jeannie’s gone to the loo. I’ll go and talk to that little man what come with Martin Gunnery’ She makes a swooning noise and fans her face with her hand. ‘Is he as gorgeous in real life or what!’
‘Martin or Jeremy?’
‘Is that what his name is? He’s ever so sweet… but I meant Mister Gunnery. He only went and pinned me dress to be bra for me’ she says, putting her hand to her shoulder. ‘Not him…the other one. Save it slippi….You didn’t really need to know that did you?’
Nathan grins.
Charlene sighs at her perceived faux pas but carries on. ‘He could see it was annoying me…and he just…It was like having me mum there. I dint feel like ooer it’s a man nor nothing. And he tidied me hair for me’
‘And very lovely it looks too’ Nathan brushes his fingers along her hairline at her temple.
‘He wanted to know where I got me streaks done…’ she continues ‘And I said to him what I didn’t think they’d suit him…cos he’s old…well, I didn’t TELL him that bit…but that’s what I was thinking’
‘He’s not that old!’ Nathan laughs ‘He can’t be more than forty…forty-five. He’s not much older than me!’ He waits for her to agree, chuckling when no sort of compliment is forthcoming.
‘I just said what perhaps he should get some a them pin in things and see how he liked em first…and he said that might be an idea cos Martin might not like them…What’s it got to do with him?’ she huffs. ‘Up to him innit’
‘Ah…’ Nathan grabs another glass of wine from a passing waitress and downs it thirstily, plonking the glass back on the tray again. ‘Him and Martin…’ he says, wiping his mouth and taking his cigarettes from his jacket pocket. ‘They’re…together’
‘They ARE?’ Charlene squeaks ‘You mean…Martin Gunnery is……’ She manages to look aghast and confused at the same time. ‘He’s not is he? But he give me a cuddle! Ohhhh…my Mum’s gonna be soo disappointed. She really fancies him!’
‘I think it might depend….’ Nathan says, cigarette in mouth and trying unsuccessfully to strike his lighter. ‘Which side he’s batting for at the time…’
‘You what?’
* * * * *
