Page 67 of The Last Love Song
‘Listen, give me a call tomorrow morning. You’re the only girl I’ve seen so far. You look good and Tony says you’re a little brain box underneath that quiet exterior.’ The telephone rang. ‘Sorry, love, can you see yourself out? This call’s from the States. Speak to you tomorrow, okay?’ He gestured towards the door.
Helen nodded, stood up and made her way out into the narrow alleyway just off Carnaby Street. The afternoon was hot, the sun still high in a cornflower-blue sky. When she reached the main road itself, the energy was incredible. Everyone around her seemed to be smiling, exuding youth and vibrancy.
Helen suddenly experienced a surge of happiness unlike any she had ever known before. She had just been offered a job inthe heart of the most exciting city in the world. New experiences, new friends. She’d be mad to turn it down.
Turning abruptly, Helen retraced her footsteps. She pushed open the door of Metropolitan Records. The Barbie doll looked up at her questioningly.
‘Did you forget something?’
‘No. I...Could you leave a message for Brad? Tell him I will take the job. I’ll see him a week on Monday.’
The Barbie doll smiled. ‘Right, I’ll tell him.’
‘Thanks.’
Helen returned the smile and left the building.
20
Con, Sorcha, Lulu and the other three members of The Fishermen sat outside the registrar’s office waiting to be called in. Sorcha wore a cream mini-dress from Biba, bought with the twenty pounds she’d received from her modelling assignment. A short veil was secured by a mother-of-pearl crown and her striking red hair was piled up on her head.
Con held Sorcha’s hand tightly in his own. As the registrar emerged, the party stood up. Con hung back and let the others go first. Then he turned to Sorcha and kissed her gently on the forehead.
‘I’ll never forget how beautiful you look today and what a lucky man I am. You are the love of my life. I worship you. I was just wanting you to know.’
Sorcha’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I love you too.’
‘And one day, I swear I’ll have the money to give you the best of everything.’
‘Con, it doesn’t matter. I’m becoming your wife today and that’s what is important.’
‘Come on then. Let’s go, Sorcha O’Donovan. ’Tis the last time I’ll call you that.’
They smiled at each other and walked hand in hand into the office.
The ceremony was short and informal. Todd and Lulu werethe witnesses, and as Sorcha and Con came down the steps of the registry office, the others showered them with confetti.
The six of them went to a pub around the corner for a couple of drinks, then back to Todd and Lulu’s flat. Lulu produced a lunch of roast beef with all the trimmings and the champagne flowed.
‘I had no idea you could cook like this,’ said Todd as he placed his knife and fork neatly on his empty plate.
‘I can’t,’ Lulu smirked, ‘but the chef at the restaurant round the corner does a mean Yorkshire pudding, and he’s a fan of my movies.’ She gave Todd a wink. ‘More champagne, anyone?’
‘Yeah, fill everyone’s glasses. It’s time the best man made a speech. And as I am the best, I’ll make it,’ giggled Todd.
Lulu filled everyone’s glass and Todd stood up.
‘Well, Mr and Mrs Daly. I’m sorry I have no embarrassing stories to tell of Con’s youth. All I can say is that since I have known you both, you seem to have brought the luck of the Irish to the rest of us. I’m sure it won’t be long until Freddy gets us the deal that we all deserve.’
‘Hear, hear,’ murmured Lulu.
‘Sorcha, you’re a brave woman taking on Con. You’re beautiful, gentle, sweet-natured and loyal, whereas he’s a difficult, strong-willed, determined bastard...’ Todd paused and stared at Con. ‘All the qualities he needs to help The Fishermen make it. And, although I’m loath to admit it, you’re bloody talented too. With that and a wife like Sorcha, I should hate you.’ He smiled and raised his glass. ‘But I’m very glad you found your way into our lives. Congratulations to you both. To the happy couple, Con and Sorcha.’
They all raised their glasses and drank.
‘Okay, okay. Now, we have a present for you.’ Todd retrieved an envelope from his jacket pocket. ‘This is your wedding giftfrom the band. We all chipped in. You open it, Sorcha.’ He handed the envelope to her.
‘Thank you.’ Sorcha prised it open carefully. Inside, she found train tickets from London to Brighton, plus a letter confirming a room for two nights with full board at the Grand Hotel.
