Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘Two or three days together should do the trick.' Vanessa was in her own little matchmaking world once more. 'He may feel it's not fair to jump on you when you're living next door in case you didn't appreciate it. It would be awkward if you didn't, after all.’

Bron sighed. 'I don't see what else-’

Vanessa patted her hand again in a mothering way. 'You'll think of something when you're thrown together in difficult circumstances, but you've got to remember that men can be very slow.' She stood up and brushed her skirt down. 'Leave it to me, darling. I love matchmaking!’

James did take Bron to Somerby. She didn't know exactly what Vanessa had said to him, but he'd agreed he could take the time off and that helping Bron was a good thing to do. He'd gone to park the car and Rupert was going to tell him where to put the fake-cakes and the pack of dogs had followed them. Sarah was giving Bron a tour.

‘They've done so much to it!' Sarah was saying. 'I keep forgetting you didn't see it before, but it was quite empty and barren-looking, but now, it's amazing!’

As they wandered around, Bron made suitably impressed noises. It was amazing. A real country estate, like in a novel. Imagine anyone actually living here. As Sarah rattled on about this cornice and that, Bron sensed she was quite tense. It was a big job, finally pulling every- thing together, especially when you had your sister's wedding to attend to too.

‘You look tired, Sarah, are you OK?' asked Bron.

‘Oh yes, just pre-wedding nerves.' She laughed, in rather a forced way Bron felt. 'All wedding planners get them, worse than the bride.'

‘Is everyone here? Hugo?' She was dying to ask if anything had happened between Sarah and Hugo the other night.

‘Yes, he's here, already snapping away.'

‘I hope he didn't take advantage of you after Lily's hen night,' Bron teased. 'Elsa and I were a little worried, leaving you alone with him, but he was most insistent.’

Sarah groaned. 'Don't talk to me about that night. The evils of drink.'

‘But he looked after you OK?' Bron persisted.

‘Yes, of course. He put me to bed, left a big glass of water and a bowl and went home.’

Bron detected a note of disappointment in Sarah's voice. 'Is that all?' she asked.

‘Well, it was all rather embarrassing. I told him I liked him.'

‘And?'

‘It's no good, he can't like me..

‘I'm sure he does, Sarah. He was awfully concerned for you. When we rang him, he didn't hesitate, he just got in the car.'

‘He's kind and I think he is fond of me but…' She hesitated. 'He's engaged to a friend of Fen and Rupert.’

‘What?' asked Bron in surprise. 'Are you sure? I thought he was single. He's certainly never mentioned her.’

Sarah nodded. 'I know, but he is, believe me.' She sighed.

‘Don't say anything. I don't want him to know I even care.' Bron frowned, but before she could reply Sarah continued. 'I mean, I don't, not really. Anyway, it's all too complicated and I've got far too much to do to be worrying about such things. Come on, here are your sleeping quarters.’

Sympathy for her friend made Bron drop the subject, but as she followed Sarah to a converted pigsty or whatever it was, she wished there was time to talk about it properly. She sensed Sarah wanted to tell her more. Was Hugo really engaged? If so, would he really have dropped everything like that when he'd heard she needed help? And shown such obvious concern for her? Bron might have been a little drunk herself that night but she could have sworn Hugo looked at Sarah with much more than just fondness.

Perhaps there would be a moment in the next two days when she would tell Bron everything. Bron was a good listener and she'd be there for her friend whenever she needed her.

‘They're going to rent these converted buildings out, but you're the first in here,' Sarah said as she opened the door. 'Gorgeous, isn't it?'

‘It is! I love the whitewashed walls and the rag rug. It's like a little place in Greece or somewhere.'

‘But as it's England, there's a wood-burning stove. Not that you'll need it now. I can't believe this weather! As long as it lasts until Sunday, it can rain all it likes after that.'

‘James says we need rain. He was worrying about his greenhouses. Vanessa has promised she'll water everything while he's away but I'm not sure he trusts her.'

‘Will he be all right in the caravan? I didn't want to put him in here, with you. I told Fen things weren't at that stage yet.’

Bron made a face. 'He'd better make a move soon or Vanessa will sack him.' She chuckled. 'Or I'd better make a move soon or she'll sack me!'

‘Is she that bad? Anyway, you don't work for her, do you?'

‘No, it's just that she was very firm about it the other day. And she made him bring me, with all my trees. She's wonderfully bossy sometimes.' She explained to Sarah about Vanessa's little pep talk.

‘Mm, I remember her as a bride's mother. Blunt isn't the word for her.' Sarah smiled. 'Right, I'd better get on. Come up to the house when you're ready and I'll show you where you can start putting your cake together.’

Sarah walked back up to the house, mentally ticking off various items on her to-do list. She must find her clipboard and start ticking things off for real. She was glad Bron had arrived safely, with the cake in tow. It seemed a lifetime ago that she had arrived herself, eager to be shown around, to see how much of a transformation had gone on.

The dogs had milled about her ankles as Rupert kissed her.

‘So, did you get everything done?' she asked Fenella laughed. 'You'll have to see for yourself, but I think we've done a pretty good job. There are the occasional grot areas, but I'm sure we can hide them. We've worked pretty much non-stop at it.'

‘Oh, well done! Please, show me everything.'

‘Does that mean that you don't want coffee first?' asked Rupert, ever the host.

‘If you'd be a love and make it, we'll come and get it soon,' said Fenella.

‘The path up to the chapel looks amazing!' Sarah was very impressed. 'And it's wonderful being able to offer the whole package. People could have always got married first and then had their own ceremony here, but this is just perfect.'

‘The local vicar has been so helpful,' said Fenella. 'And his roof fund is doing quite well too!’

Sarah laughed.

‘Carrie and Rick had to visit the vicar at least twice,' Fenella went on.

‘Oh, it's Rick now, is it?' said Sarah, teasingly. 'You'll be on first-name terms with all the stars soon.'

‘I really hope so!' said Fenella. 'But thank goodness they stayed in a hotel. If she'd seen the state of this place she'd have thought it would never be ready in time. The security's going to be mega.'

‘Yes, and you're lucky this time, once Somerby gets on the venue map, which it will after it's starred in Celeb magazine, you'll be papped all the time.’

Fenella looked horrified. 'You are joking?'

‘Well, only a bit.'

‘You mean you're only a bit joking? Or that I'll only be papped a bit?'

‘Both! But as I told Carrie that day, the situation does make it easy for it to be kept under control.'

‘Oh, Lordy! Well, come and see the drawing room.’

It was beautiful. The blend of gorgeous parrot-strewn wallpaper and mural was complete, with trompe-l'oeil plants creeping over the cornices on to the ceiling. The walls had perspective, giving the impression that a garden of Eden extended into the hills. Sun and light, both real and fabricated, filled the room with gold.

Real palm trees stood in pots in the corner, adding to the exotic atmosphere. Garlands of flowers linked painted pillars and actual ones so realistically that Sarah almost expected an antelope to come out of the mural and put its nose into a vase of leaves that covered the fireplace.