Page 104 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Good girl.’ Moira sounded brisk. ‘Now, text me your bank details and I’ll put it straight into your account today. After that, I’d advise you to transfer it. I’ve always found post office savings reliable, but that’s up to you. Just one last thing.’ Moira paused. ‘If you decided you weren’t going to get married after all, I’d still give you the money. It might help you to get out on your own.’
Jess tried to process this. Did Moira privately think she was doing the wrong thing also? And how much money was she planning to give her? She might have a bit of a chat with her dad, to make sure Moira wasn’t leaving herself short. She thought about having a nest egg that she’d never tell Simon. Until her hen weekend, she’d never kept secrets from him. But maybe having a few secrets was the key to a successful relationship. Small ones, anyway. Just not the whopper she’d been keeping.
He’d suggested booking their honeymoon tonight, so Jess guessed he saw this as their fresh start, and he wasn’t taking anything for granted. Moira was worrying for nothing. Her phone buzzed and she opened a text from Moira:Please let me know when you get the full amount later today.Jess’s eyes widened when she saw the figure Moira had included. With a flash of insight, she knew how she was going to use a little of that money. With a bit of luck, it wasn’t too late to make one more thing right.
Carmel sounded a bit worried when Jess phoned her later. ‘Jess, love, is anything wrong?’
God, she’d been so wrapped up in herself, so focused on keeping secrets that she hadn’t seen the hurt she’d caused. Jess deliberately injected an upbeat tone into her voice. ‘Everything’s great, Mam. Actually, I’ve a bit of good news.’
‘I’m all ears.’ Carmel sounded relieved.
‘A while ago, Laura from Burlington House sent me the hotel’s floor plan, and I noticed our dining area has French doors that open into the grounds. Anyway, I rang her today, and she’s agreed to attach a small marquee, so we can invite extra guests.’ Jess’s flash of inspiration had come after she remembered Seán telling her that he and Catriona might use a marquee for their own wedding.
Carmel didn’t reply immediately. ‘Won’t that be dreadfully expensive?’
‘You have to trust me; I have the money.’
‘Okay, love, but it’s very last minute.’
Her mother was right, but Jess was determined to fix things. ‘Just tell people the truth, Mam. Invite whatever friends and neighbours you like and tell them to wear what they want. Oh, and offer to split it with Úna. Just make sure we don’t go above forty.’
‘You’ll have to make it up with Faye and Sarah first – they were very hurt.’
Jess was dreading it. ‘I know. I’m going to phone them now and grovel.’
‘I’ll get busy my end.’ Her mother sounded brisker. ‘Well done for sorting this, Jess. I’m proud of you.’
After she hung up, Jess tried Sarah, but her phone was busy.
Faye sounded cool when she picked up. Jess spoke quickly. ‘Hi, I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.’
‘I wasn’t sure either,’ said Faye.
Jess turned her chair to face the window. There were no sign of the swans on the canal this morning but it was warm and dry enough that a number of people were sitting at the picnic benches outside Butlers. She wondered if Kate was among them. Maybe she’d start having coffee with her colleagues in Accounts, the same ones she’d been out with on Simon’s stag night.
‘I don’t blame you. I screwed up completely, but I never meant to hurt you or Sarah.’
‘You’ve already said sorry, it’s fine.’
Jess took a breath. ‘It’s not fine. Look, I called to say that Burlington House just agreed to attach a marquee to our reception room, so we can have forty more people. I’m an idiot for not thinking of it sooner, but I’m hoping everyone we couldn’t invite will be able to come. Especially you and Sarah. And I’ll move people around so you’ll be in the main room. You can come by yourselves or bring partners. Please say yes.’
In the silence that followed, Jess dug her fingers into the palm of her other hand.
Finally, Faye spoke. ‘Have you talked to Sarah?’
‘I couldn’t get her.’
‘I’ll talk to her.’
‘Does that mean you’ll come?’
‘Yeah, hun, we both will.’
Jess breathed out. ‘Thank you. I don’t deserve you guys.’
‘I think you were put in a difficult position. I know Simon’s mam is probably okay, but she’s not exactly chill.’
‘She’s definitely not chill.’ Jess laughed.
