Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘Here,' said a voice.

She jumped and turned to see a glass of champagne held by Hugo.

‘Hello.' As she didn't need to ask him anything at the moment, she didn't know what else to say.

‘Drink?'

‘No thanks. I'm working. And so are you,' she added with mock severity.

‘It takes more than a couple of glasses of champagne to fuddle my head and I haven't had one yet. Here, drink it up and stop being bossy.’

She was about to protest at the 'bossy' but realised that she was, because her job demanded it. Whether the job or the bossiness came first she didn't care to speculate.

She smiled a thank you. 'Why are you still here?' she said, having taken a welcome sip. 'I'd have thought you'd have had somewhere else to go.'

‘There're the going-away shots, and all sorts I haven't taken yet. Besides, I'm staying over – my sister and her family live not too far from here and I need to see my nephew.'

‘Need?'

‘Oh yes. He's just painted a really good dinosaur. I need to see it.'

‘Oh.' This surprised Sarah. She didn't see Hugo as an adored uncle, being scrambled over by little children and enjoying it.

‘And just now, I want to share a quiet drink with you.’

This was rather a surprise. 'Why me? Wasn't there another unattached female you could find?’

The corner of his large, humorous mouth lifted. 'Weddings are full of unattached females. I chose you because while you're possibly unattached, you're not noticeably needy.’

Sarah laughed. 'I'm not needy at all! I don't need a man to complete me as a woman, thank you very much. The idea!'

‘I wouldn't dream of suggesting that you did, Ms Spiky,' he said.

Sarah looked sideways at him. She suspected that Hugo was far too adept at flirting and far too used to getting his own way with women for anyone's good. But was he flirting now? If he was, she could think up a suitable put-down, but if he wasn't, and she said something emasculating, he would realise she thought he had been flirting. And then he would probably think he wanted her to flirt with him. She took a gulp of champagne that made her choke. He patted her on the back while she snorted into her handkerchief.

‘Are you all right?' he said, when she had finally recovered.

‘I just choked, all that spluttering wasn't an expression of my feelings, you know. It was just the bubbles going down the wrong way.'

‘That's OK then.’

The next sip was very small and very carefully drunk. She put her glass down.

`So, fancy a dance?' Hugo asked in a way that made Sarah wonder if he was expecting her to say yes or no.

Actually, Sarah's feet had been twitching under the tablecloth and she longed to confound him by accepting. But she wasn't a guest, it would be inappropriate. 'Better not. I'm working.’

He must have noticed her silent sigh. 'I'm quite sure no one would mind if you took a few moments off to enjoy yourself. Although I suspect you don't do that much, even when you're not on duty.'

‘You really have no idea what I'm like when I'm not working, Hugo. And you shouldn't speculate, either.'

‘Oh, I don't think you can stop people speculating if they want to.’

Sarah thought she detected a slight edge to his voice, but perhaps she had imagined it. 'Of course not, but you can hope they have the manners to keep their speculations to themselves.' She made a careless gesture. She and Hugo had worked together often but they didn't get a chance to chat and she realised she didn't know him very well at all.

‘Hope springs eternal, obviously,' he drawled now, 'but be prepared to be disappointed.'

‘I am always prepared to be disappointed,' said Sarah, 'and I am never-' She stopped abruptly, aware that somehow he'd backed her into a very stupid corner. She bit her lip to hide her smile.

‘You're never disappointed in your disappointment?’

‘No! People are always disappointing, that's all.' She shrugged.

‘What, all people, all the time? Hell, I knew you were cynical but surely you have some faith in human nature?’

She let slip an exasperated sigh. 'I have infinite faith in human nature, it's just…' She shook her head, searching for a way of expressing herself clearly.

‘What? Dogs? Cats?… Men?' he added more softly. 'Yes, if you must know.' If he could be direct, so could she.

‘So tell me, how many times has your heart been broken?’

This was not territory she was prepared to put even a toe on. 'I'm not speaking personally – at least, not me, personally. But I've known – do know – lots of women who've been very let down by men.'

‘And these women were perfect, were they?'

‘Well no, but – no one's perfect, obviously.'

‘Except you, of course.’

Although she was used to their banter she was not sure if he was still teasing her. 'I'm not claiming to be perfect, of course I'm not,' she said. 'But I am good at my job.' It was only after she heard the words that she realised it sounded as if she were justifying herself.

‘And I'm not?'

‘No, that's not what I meant. Of course you're good at your job. I just think I'm better.' He laughed. At her, not with her, she was certain. 'Oh shut up,' she muttered. 'Go away and annoy some other poor woman.'

‘I'll go away and get you another drink. You seriously need to lighten up, Sarah. And then, we're having that dance.' He headed over to the bar.

Sarah decided there must be something that required her immediate attention somewhere. It had to be a real task, or she'd just look pathetic. While she was thinking, Mrs Lennox-Featherstone came up on the arm of her husband.

‘Darling Sarah!' She was obviously just a little bit drunk. 'I do hope you're enjoying yourself. I know you're working but you must have some fun too. It's all going so well. Oh, Hugo!' She kissed him. 'Are you looking after Sarah? Not that she needs looking after but she does need a little break.'

‘Just what I was telling her, Vanessa,' said Hugo, handing Sarah another glass of champagne.

‘I am on duty,' said Sarah firmly.

‘But you haven't got to drive anywhere afterwards! I've booked you a room, remember. I'm sure it'll be a broom cupboard, but as we've taken over the entire hotel they were perfectly happy to let us have it for half nothing.' She kissed Hugo again. 'Come on, Donald. When we've checked everyone's enjoying themselves I'm going to get you on that dance floor.'

‘Oh, Nessie, must you?' muttered the bride's father. 'Deffo,' said Vanessa and led her husband away.

‘So you're staying over?' said Hugo, when Donald and Vanessa had gone.

‘Yes. It's lovely of Vanessa to do that. I have to check everything is in order at the end and it saves me having to drive home too late. As she said, the hotel were quite happy as they could hardly put someone not involved with the wedding in it.'

‘Is it a broom cupboard?’

Sarah shrugged. 'Well, it was probably a powder room or something once upon a time. It's quite narrow and definitely only a single. The bathroom's nice though. Slightly bigger.’

Hugo chuckled. 'I haven't been to see my room yet. I'm sure it's fine. It's handy for me as it's quite a way from where I live to my sister's and this is halfway.'

‘Have you lots of nieces and nephews?'

‘One of each, but the niece is tiny. Jack and I are sticking together, boys against the girls.’

Sarah laughed; it was nice hearing him talk about his family like this, but she found his use of language significant. She doubted the girls would win.

‘So, come on. Let's dance.’

As they approached the dance floor she realised it was a slow dance and everyone on the floor was clinging to their partners, resting their heads on shoulders wherever possible. Never mind, she thought, it'll change in a minute, and if I back out now it'll look like I'm scared to wander round in Hugo's arms for a few minutes. Which would be the truth, she added. She liked him as a friend, but attractive though he was she didn't dare even consider him as anything else.