Page 108 of The Last Saturday In July
TOM handed Jess a list when he collected her from Simon’s flat on Saturday morning. ‘Your mother told me to give you this, love, so you wouldn’t forget anything.’
Jess glanced through it. ‘Everything’s packed, Dad, and Mam has the dress.’
Simon kissed her briefly and told her he wouldn’t be late. As her dad drove them back to Dunlaoghaire to pick up Carmel and Zoe, Jess wondered if Simon had felt the need to reassure her after her recent confession. He was the most punctual person she knew.
‘We got a grand day for it.’ Tom Bradley flipped down his sun visor. ‘Mam says your Auntie Anne has been lighting candles all week in the church for you.’ He grinned over at her. ‘They seemed to work.’ They drove in silence for a few minutes. ‘Are you all right, Jess? You’re not worried, are you?’
‘Um, I was thinking about Leo and Chelsea’s wedding. I just hope everything goes well for Finn.’
‘Don’t you worry about Finn. No matter what I think about that weird dancing he does, I can see he’s good. And sure, all those American celebrities love Irish performers.’
Jess nodded. After she’d got Finn to agree, her biggest job had been persuading Angel.
‘Please tell me this is your Irish sense of humour. We’ll have the whole world watching us.’ He’d sniffed loudly. ‘This isn’t amateur hour.’
‘They’re not amateurs, Angel. And they’re quick studies. You need a group that can go with the flow, not dancers who need weeks or months of rehearsals.’
Angel had given another disdainful sniff. ‘I’m the one who’ll be blamed if their flow doesn’t cut it at this wedding.’
Jess had held her ground. Finn and his troupe were good, and she knew instinctively that Leo and Chelsea and their guests would love their energy and flamboyance.
‘Angel, if you try to bring another troupe in from abroad at this stage, you’ll be doing it blindly. I can personally vouch for Finn’s troupe.’
He’d sighed dramatically. ‘Joie de Vivre were booked for the three days of the wedding. I assume these performers can deliver the same commitment and stamina?’
‘Of course. You’ll see for yourself.’
Angel had sounded less sure. ‘I’ll hold you to that.’
With Angel on board, Finn had had a video call with Chelsea and Leo. After he’d watched a video of Joie de Vivre’s final dress rehearsal, he’d assured the couple that once they agreed to trust the performers, he and his troupe would honour their broad vision. Jess wondered why she’d ever worried about the celebrity wedding: Ian had assured her that the management and staff at Linford had all the details under control. Everything was falling into place.
Tom seemed to read her mind as he pulled up outside the house. ‘You’ve done your job, pet. Let your colleagues look after that big celebrity shindig. You’ve your own day to look forward to. So, are you ready for your mam? Because she’s as excited and anxious as I’ve ever seen her.’ He glanced towards the house but made no effort to get out of the car.
She was ready, wasn’t she? Everything had been building to today, and she knew she should be more excited. But that would probably come later.
Jess took a deep breath and squeezed his hand. ‘It’s going to be an amazing day.’
By the time Jess, Carmel and Tom arrived at Burlington House shortly before midday, Zoe was already there, having insisted on driving down by herself.
Carmel had been a bit surprised that Zoe didn’t want to come with them, but Jess guessed she was feeling a bit smothered.
Jess figured it was an actual miracle they’d got there so early, given that her dad kept to a steady seventy-five kilometres an hour, even on the biggest motorways. Standing there in the foyer with her family, she had a fleeting memory of childhood holidays. When she was little, they’d taken self-catering breaks in Ireland, but by the time she’d turned twelve, her parents had opted for annual package trips to France or Spain. Her mam had read, swam and sunbathed, while her dad pottered about, trying his best not to burn his pale skin.
The manager shook everyone’s hand and handed Jess an old-fashioned key. ‘A very warm welcome, Ms Bradley. This is for our honeymoon suite. I believe your fiancé will use the best man’s room until after the ceremony. If there’s anything you’d like, please just ask.’
Carmel turned to Zoe. ‘Isn’t it a pity all the same, that Finn won’t be here.’
‘Finn is making his name and fortune at the celebrity wedding.Who knows, this time next year, he could be heading toHollywood.’ Zoe winked at Jess.
‘Have the Donohues arrived yet?’ Carmel peered around, as if they might be hiding behind the furniture.
The manager checked his screen. ‘Not just yet. I see the mother of the groom is also booked into our beauty salon.’
‘Would you look, I’d nearly forgotten.’ Carmel tapped her watch. ‘We all have hair and makeup appointments.’
The manager picked up the phone. ‘I’ll let them know you’ll be there in about ten minutes. And one of my staff will bring Dr McCardle-Donohue down to join you when she arrives. After that, we can offer you all a light lunch.’
‘That sounds perfect.’ Carmel beamed at her daughters. ‘So, hair, makeup and manicures. Your dad is even getting one of those wet shaves.’
