It All Started With You, page 22
‘Oh Frankie…’ she breathes. ‘Bring it over to the dress…’
I do as she says, holding it up against her dress, which, up close, is extraordinary.
‘It’s perfect,’ I say, which is usually what the bride says – but it is. ‘D’you think?’
‘I knew you’d get it,’ she says, touching the spikes of rosemary and breathing in the scent of the roses. ‘It’s gorgeous. Thank you so, so much…’
‘Thank you,’ I say, because with the bride happy, my job is done.
After a quick detour via the church to make sure that the flowers haven’t died, been stolen or eaten by rabbits, we all head back to the shop.
‘Guys. You have all been fabulous,’ I tell them. ‘This truly wouldn’t have happened without you.’
‘It doesn’t feel real,’ says Honey. ‘I mean, I can’t believe what we’ve done the last two days but what I really can’t believe is, we’ve finished… I feel like I need to be doing something. Please, Frankie. Give me something to do!’
‘Buckets?’ I say hopefully. ‘It’s adrenaline, Honey. Probably a bit like when you finish with a particularly trying court case – all of a sudden it’s over and you can’t believe it. I usually go for a run these days.’
‘I’ll try it,’ she says, looking dazed.
‘Thank you so much.’ I dish out some cash to the college students. ‘I shall write glowing reports about you all. You’re going to be fine florists.’
As they wander off, Honey glares at me. ‘You’re not supposed to pay them.’
Behind her back Skye raises her eyebrows at me.
‘Well I have. They deserved it and it wouldn’t have felt right, otherwise. Anyway, can I leave you two to finish up here? Only I, my friends, have a wedding to go to.’
How very strange this is, walking away from the shop and leaving them to just get on with it, but actually, I’m rather enjoying it. The first thing I do is make a pot of strong coffee, because already, my lack of sleep is catching up with me.
It’s even stranger later, when Lulubelle comes to collect me, very rock-princessy in a shimmering silver dress and high-heeled boots, with hair and make-up that shouts instantly of Bella Mac.
‘Decided against going incognito I see… I’m so glad! You look incredible!’ I tell her.
‘Thanks – so do you! You ready?’
‘Certainly am.’
But as I sit in the front of her car, I’m still buzzing.
‘I saw Maria earlier,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t think she slept a wink last night.’ Then I remember Lulubelle is still getting used to the idea. ‘Sorry. I keep forgetting.’
‘No,’ she says firmly. ‘Actually, it’s okay. Really. I’ve talked to Mummy about it and she says she’s fine with it. She’s only just told me but she’s recently met someone too, which I’m really pleased about. And I can’t blame Maria – she and Daddy got together after the divorce came through, so it’s not like she was the cause of it. I suppose in a way I’ve been selfish.’
‘How so?’ I frown. Lulubelle couldn’t be selfish if she tried.
‘Well, no child likes their parents splitting up. I really hated it – but they’ve both moved on and so I must too. It still feels funny, but I’m trying.’
‘Good for you.’ I’m full of admiration. ‘But you haven’t told me – how’s Cosmo?’
Her face lights up. ‘He’s been fine. Since that day I was really worried he’s been completely normal.’ A warmth comes into her voice. ‘We haven’t been back to the hospital. There didn’t seem any point. I’m crossing my fingers that this time really is it. That he’s beaten it. Wouldn’t that be amazing? For him to get better the same year I patch things up with Daddy?’
‘It would,’ I agree. ‘And if anyone deserves it, you and Cosmo do. Hey, look at all these cars.’
The road outside the church is packed with dozens of cars, from vintage Jags to Aston Martins, but as it’s only narrow, the traffic is building up in either direction.
‘I’m going to pull in here,’ says Lulubelle, reversing up a bank. ‘We’ll have to walk.’
We set off down the lane, as more guests pass us by. Then as we get to the footpath through the woods, a police car pulls up, the window winds down and a voice calls out.
‘Frankie?’
I lean down. ‘Good afternoon, Officer… Oh, hello! It’s you!’
Alex grins across from the driver’s seat. ‘You’re not going to this shindig, are you?’
‘No, I’m just going for a country walk in my posh frock,’ I tell him. ‘Of course I am! There isn’t any trouble, is there – you know, like vengeful exes?’
‘Not so far. Better move – have a good time!’
I lift a hand as he drives off. He was really friendly. Just like at the beginning – and a teeny part of me wishes he was coming with us.
Navigating through the woods in high heels is a new challenge for me, though Lulubelle does it like an old hand, but then I guess rock princesses do lots of gallivanting in heels. Ahead of us and behind are scores of glamorous-looking guests. It’s like a cross between a rock festival and Vogue magazine and the dress code is clearly anything goes, from hippy to couture. My excitement builds. It’s like I’m on a film set.
When the path opens out into the little churchyard, there’s a throng gathered outside – and then I realise, no way will we all fit inside. But as we get closer, I see someone’s set up a screen and giant speakers since this morning, and there are soft cushions spread all over the grass for people to sit on.
As we get to the door, Lulubelle’s greeted by so many old friends who are thrilled to see her, and then we’re ushered inside to the front where we squeeze into a pew.
Lulubelle looks around at the flowers. ‘Frankie! It looks incredible in here.’
‘Thanks.’ I feel a glow of pride because it’s just the effect I wanted, as though part of the woods has somehow crept in with the wedding guests.
Then the glamorous-looking woman in front of us turns round. ‘Bella! It is you! Thank God you’re here!’
‘Auntie Gloria!’
Auntie Gloria leans over in a waft of perfume and gin, kissing her. ‘I thought it was a joke when I heard it was in a church. I mean, your father of all people. I can’t imagine it’ll last. Incapable of being faithful, isn’t he,’ she adds bluntly. ‘Sees a bit of skirt, can’t help himself.’
Lulubelle glances at me. ‘Well, I’ve a feeling this time might be different, Auntie.’
‘I give them six months,’ she crows, just as a guitar sounds and there’s a cheer from outside the church. ‘Tell you what, dear. We’ll run a book. I’ll catch everyone on the way to the…’
‘Sshh, Auntie – it’s starting.’
Well, I suppose there was never any way Pete McNamara would have organ music at his wedding, not with a band like his, who it seems can turn their hand to anything, even ‘Here Comes the Bride’, though they can’t resist jigging it up a beat by the time Maria starts her walk down the aisle.
As she draws level with Pete, there’s a collective ooh from the congregation, and as I catch sight of her, I too am mesmerised – and not just by the bouquet, which, though I say it myself, is a triumph.
Quite simply, Maria’s stunning, but not at all in a showy way. Her long hair falls in loose waves except for the bit pinned messily up, just as she’d shown me. In her gorgeous dress of mermaid colours, she glows – not just her skin and her eyes, but more essentially, from inside, so you get the feeling that celebrity or not, whether Pete has a past or not, this is the real deal for both of them.
So there, by the light of candles and to the sound of guitars, Pete and Maria pledge their troth. Smiling to myself, I spare a brief thought for Josh, who will never see this, but I can’t bring myself to feel too sorry for him. Then remembering Honey’s warning, I shiver. He may be the other side of the country for now, but when he finds out he’s been had, I hope he doesn’t come looking for me.
32
Once I shed my paranoia that any minute all the flowers we’ve created are going to shrivel up and die in front of the guests, I start to enjoy myself.
After the second glass of champagne, a week’s worth of adrenaline is slowly dissipating and suddenly, I’m hit with this disembodied feeling as though I’m floating, even though I’m here in Roselin Castle hobnobbing with all these rich and famous people that Lulubelle keeps introducing me too. Musicians, movie stars, directors. I’m surrounded by them everywhere I look.
I completely lose track of the time, though it’s dark by the time we’re called to dinner. The path to the teepee is lit by towering torches, just as Maria wanted and as we step inside, it’s magnificent, with candles and ivy and fairy lights absolutely everywhere.
And it was me who dreamed this up. I can’t help but feel quite proud. The surreal feeling continues as I follow Lulubelle to our table, where I’m sitting between two guys from a band that everyone’s heard of. I’m completely spoilt here, with Danny on my left and Micky on my right – and it’s clear, they both know Lulubelle.
‘How?’ I’m puzzled.
‘Well, it kind of goes back to before Bella here packed it all in. It’s time you came back, baby,’ Micky tells her. ‘It’d be massive – we’re playing Glastonbury – you could like, come out on stage and surprise everyone!’
‘Oh wow – you should so do that,’ I tell her excitedly. ‘Just imagine! It would be so cool, Lulubelle.’
But even though she shakes her head, I see a flicker of something in her eyes.
‘So I’m guessing the band tonight might be interesting,’ I say casually.
Danny and Micky grin at each other. ‘Hope so. Actually, might be really interesting.’
I have this feeling then, they’re planning something. And it’s official. I no longer feel like a gatecrasher as Danny and Micky treat me like another old friend, as does everyone else at our table. I forget Auntie Gloria’s cynicism, I forget that I’m merely the florist, I drink the champagne, eat the gorgeous food and enjoy myself – but every so often, remind myself that I’m not at one of Honey’s dinner parties and must behave beautifully, though I have to say, as I look around, most of the guests are steadily getting rat-arsed.
After the speeches, I look round to find Danny and Micky have disappeared, but not for long. They reappear a short while later on the stage, just as the entire marquee is plunged into darkness. Then as myriad multicoloured fairy lights are switched on, the music starts.
The first dance is the song of Pete’s he played at the ball – ‘Star Flight’ – and there’s a cheer as the bride and groom take to the floor. Suddenly Alex is in my head. I can’t believe how vividly, as the music reminds me of dancing with him. Then as it finishes, they up the tempo and suddenly everyone’s on their feet.
It’s as well I don’t have anyone to dance with, because I’m fast running out of steam. I’ve had about two hours’ sleep in as many days and it’s catching up with me. But I don’t want to miss a second of this, especially when after several songs, which end to rapturous applause, there’s a break and Danny takes the mike.
‘Thank you!’ he shouts, to loud cheers. ‘Thank you.’ When the noise subsides, he continues. ‘It’s a special night.’ More raucous cheers. You can’t shut this lot up, it seems. ‘And…’ He’s really winding everyone up. ‘It’s about to get even more so, because I want to tell you a story.’
At last the cheers quieten. ‘Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a beautiful princess… who lived in a castle and had such a magical life that everyone wanted to be her. Anyway, something happened and the princess disappeared….’
It elicits huge cries of disappointment from the floor.
‘Then, as if by magic, she was found again…’
He waits, then holds up a bass guitar.
‘This is hers, by the way…’
Beside me, Lulubelle is rigid. ‘Fuck,’ she mutters, the only time I’ve ever heard her use the word. ‘I’ll fucking kill them.’
‘Bella? Bella Mac?’
If the cheers were loud before, this time they’re deafening and then it starts, a chant, growing louder and louder. ‘Bella, Bella… Bella, Bella…’
As she stands up, a spotlight finds her and I realise then it’s a set-up. It has to be, otherwise how would her old guitar be here, the spotlight ready to be trained on her… and how did they know she’d agree? But then, she’s grown up with all these people. It’s not like performing to strangers and then I realise, she’s doing this for Pete.
I’m nervous for her, so nervous I’m shaking, but I don’t need to be. As she steps up on the stage, she looks as though she were born to be there. Taking the guitar, she seems to morph into another being, one that belongs in this other world at which I can only wonder.
Danny and Micky appear either side of her and the music starts up again and when Lulubelle joins in, I’m blown away. The three of them together are phenomenal and I can hardly believe that it’s my friend up there. Her voice brings a richness that wasn’t there before and though she fumbles, just slightly, she’s incredible.
At the end, she smiles and it’s her who starts the next track. And suddenly I’m incredibly humbled. I’m witnessing rock history here – only no one will ever know that Bella Mac came back, just once, to play at her father’s wedding.
At the end of this one, she calls out. ‘I’m out of practice! But thank you! Daddy, Maria – this is for you.’
Nothing could have prepared me for what follows. Suddenly the band fades from the stage, leaving Lulubelle standing there alone holding Danny’s guitar. Then she starts. It’s the simplest rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’ I’ve ever heard. It’s from the heart – sweet and haunting, and when I see her eyes, I know she’s also singing for Cosmo. As she finishes I can’t stop the tears streaming down my face as rapturous applause sweeps the room.
‘You should so do this again,’ I tell her. ‘Don’t pretend – you loved it!’
‘I did!’ She’s breathless and her eyes are shining like I’ve never seen. ‘But it’s a one-off, Frankie. Everyone here knows Bella Mac – and away from here, with Cosmo, I can’t explain, but it’s different.’ The faraway look comes back. ‘Maybe one day – just not yet. It isn’t the time.’
33
It’s a weekend after which my life will never be the same. I sleep most of Sunday, but on Monday, it’s business as usual.
As we drive over to Roselin Castle to clear up, I bore Skye and Honey with all the details several times over – with the exception of Lulubelle being Bella Mac, because it’s her secret not mine and anyway, I have plenty of other stuff to tell them.
‘I sat with the band,’ I boast. ‘You’d have been proud of me, Honey – I behaved impeccably. They were so cool and Maria looked out of this world. Honestly, you wouldn’t believe it. And our flowers, of course, were just brilliant…’
I don’t hear from Josh, which surprises me. I’m not expecting to get off scot-free – but on Tuesday evening, just as I’m cooking my tea, there’s a knock on my door – quite a loud one.
When I open it, there he is, clearly angry and it’s not a pretty sight. I don’t invite him in.
‘Josh… er, I wasn’t expecting to see you.’
‘I suppose you think that was funny,’ he snarls at me. ‘Sending me off on a wild bloody goose chase.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ I say coolly.
‘Maria Bristow’s wedding,’ he snaps, then stands there looking nasty.
‘Excuse me,’ I say slowly. ‘But you really do have a nerve. Firstly, I wasn’t aware that her wedding was anything to do with you, Josh. And secondly, it’s not my fault if people keep changing their minds, just because they want a tiny bit of privacy from the gutter press on one of the biggest days of their lives.’
His lips curl like a Rottweiler’s as I say gutter press. But he knows I’m right.
‘I’m in the middle of my tea – goodbye.’ I go to shut the door but he wedges his foot in the way, his face contorting into a strange expression as he struggles to control his fury.
‘You were there, weren’t you?’ he asks through gritted teeth.
‘What if I was? It’s none of your business.’
‘If you had photos, I’d make it worth your while.’ It comes out sounding strangulated, as though it’s hurting him to ask.
‘You really are a low life,’ I say quietly. ‘Now go away, please.’
‘You fucked me about, Frankie,’ he starts, this time sounding really angry. Then he steps closer. ‘First you lead me on, then you send me running all over the countryside… People like you really piss me off.’
Suddenly, I’m starting to feel frightened and like a dog scenting blood, he knows it. He takes another step towards me. But fortunately, just as he closes in for the kill, a car pulls up outside and I fear footsteps running towards us.
‘Frankie?’
I’ve never been so pleased to see someone in my life. ‘Oh, er, Constable Clifton,’ I say, my voice quavering slightly. ‘Josh here is having a problem leaving my flat, and er, my tea’s getting cold… in fact it’ll be stone cold by now.’
Alex looks from me to Josh and draws himself up. ‘So you’re going, are you?’ He stands there, arms folded. ‘Don’t let me hold you up.’ Then he adds, ‘Oh and I think you’ll find you’ve parked on a zigzag line, so if you don’t want a ticket I’d get moving if I were you.’
There’s a split second stand-off, but then Josh turns and stalks off.
‘And don’t come back,’ Alex calls after him. ‘Not unless you’re invited.’ He follows me in. ‘What was that about?’
I turn round and, to my horror, I’m shaking and my eyes are full of tears. ‘He’s a journalist I know – he was sniffing around about Maria and Pete’s wedding, so I sent him on a wild goose chase to keep him out of the way. It worked, but he’s mad at me.’
