Page 78 of A Nantucket Wedding

“The guests’ gifts are marvelous, Heather,” Alison said.

Heather beamed. “I thought you’d like them. Now. Offshore Tents will arrive on Friday to set up the tents. Because they will be set on grass, they’ll use pole tents, which can provide a more romantic look, swooping up to peaks with flying banners. Very King Arthur. They helped me figure out how much square footage we’ll need based on the number of guests, how many guests we think will dance, the number of persons in the band, and so on.” She leaned forward to show David the charts.

Alison took a moment to close her eyes. She knew David wanted a great party, but if she had had to work with such numbers and graphs, she’d lose her mind. She took out her phone and tapped in a note to herself to buy something very special for Heather.

“Brie has typed up a mock program for your wedding. You both were going to decide on the processional music you’d like played, and also, I need you to go over the ceremony with me. You can take this home and make your decisions and email me. I’ll want to have it finalized within a week so I can have a program printed. Now, I need to be absolutely sure about this. You want the ceremony inside the tent, right?”

“Yes,” Alison answered. “That way, I won’t be fretting constantly about whether or not it’s going to rain, or worse, blow the way it did last September when hurricanes down south made the Nantucket winds powerful.” Also, Alison thought with a smile, she wanted to marry in the tent because it would have a floor, and she could wear her high heels and show off her great legs and not worry about sinking into the grass or sand.

“Great. Got it. Okay, if the weather’s good, everyone can go outside after the ceremony where tables of canapés will be set up on the lawn and waiters will have trays of champagne. If the weather’s bad, the after party could be held in the hotel’s library while round tables and chairs are set up in the tent for the dinner.”

“What about live music for the reception?” David asked.

“You asked for Coq Au Vin and they’ve signed on. And that’s it!” Heather said, clapping her hands on her lap.

Both dogs immediately sat at attention.

“Oh, sorry, sorry. Lie down, Charlie, Henry, false alarm.” Heather smiled. “They are so well trained—too well trained. David, Alison, do you have any questions?”

“I don’t,” Alison replied. “I might later, after I’ve studied all this. Heather, you are doing so much work. I’m so grateful.”

“Yes,” David said. “This is impressive. Thank you.”

Heather cleared her throat, and now she looked uncomfortable, troubled. “David, would it be possible for me to have a few moments to talk with you about…another matter?”

“Of course.”

“Would you like me to leave the room?” Alison asked, assuming Heather wanted to talk business.

“Yes,” Heather said, “well, no. I don’t know. It’s a personal matter…”

David touched Alison’s arm. “Stay.”

“It’s about Poppy,” Heather said reluctantly.

“Ah. Why am I not surprised,” David said. “Go on.”

“Please don’t think I’m telling tales or trying to cause problems. But I need some clear direction from you. Poppy does not want me to continue with the wedding organization. She said that it’s personal, not company, business. She told me to turn all this”—Heather gestured to the folders—“over to Alison. She said it is Alison’s task. That if Alison doesn’t want to do it, or can’t do it, she should hire a wedding planner to do it, to coordinate with Brie at the Wauwinet.”

Alison took a deep breath and looked down at her hands. Next to her, David’s body had tensed.

“I see,” David said at last. “Heather, I’m sorry you got caught in the middle like this. I’m still the head of the company, and I am continuing to task you with the responsibilities for planning the wedding. I’ll talk to Poppy about this as soon as possible.”

He hadn’t shouted, but iron had entered his voice. Alison thought he must sound like this during business negotiations.

“Good. Fine. Thank you, David.”

“Thankyou,Heather.”

—

Felicity was so engrossed in scanning preschool sites and organizing dinner that she didn’t check her cell until late afternoon, when a friend dropped the kids home from camp and they rushed into the backyard to play. When she saw that Jane had left several messages, her pulse quickened. Something was wrong. She called her sister.

“Jane?”

“Felicity, something’s happened to Scott. I’m at the airport. I’m going to Wales,” Jane blurted. “Well, Manchester first. Then a train to Bangor. A rescue group called me. The head of the group, I mean. They’ve found Scott’s cellphone somewhere on Mount Snowdon, but no sign of Scott. They’ve checked with his hotel and he’s not there. Derfel Aberfa told me—”

“Derfel Aberfa?”

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