Page 18 of The Last Saturday In July
God, she couldn’t let her mother drink by herself – she’d look like an alcoholic.
‘Let’s order a glass each, Mam.’ Jess beckoned the waiter over.
Once they’d given their drinks order, Jess cleared her throat, grateful to have something concrete to focus on.
‘So, I thought this would be a good time to chat about a few details of the wedding day.’
‘Speaking of which, Jess, did you get my email earlier?’ Úna said.
‘Um, yes, the one about the after-dinner drinks?’ Jess made an effort to sound enthusiastic. ‘I replied to say that’s fine. Do you want me to –’
‘No, you let me handle that.’ Úna waved her hand airily. ‘You’ve enough to think about.’
‘What’s that about after-dinner drinks?’ Carmel looked at Jess. ‘Sure, won’t people just go to the bar and get what they want after dinner?’
Úna touched the string of pearls at her neck. ‘Jess and I just thought it would be a lovely gesture to offer brandy and port at the tables afterwards, didn’t we, Jess?’
No, we bloody didn’t.‘Absolutely.’ Jess avoided her mother’s eye. ‘So, Úna, you know that Mam, Zoe, Kate and I will all be getting our hair and make-up done at the hotel? I was hoping you could join us.’
Úna raised a hand almost unconsciously to her fair hair. ‘Oh, I usually just wash and dry it myself – it’s an easy style to keep. But Jess, dear, have you given any more thought to having a veil?’
‘I don’t think Jess is having a veil,’ Carmel replied crisply. ‘You decided against one, didn’t you, love?’
Jess suppressed a sigh. ‘I’ll have something in my hair on the day.’
‘What something? Are you wearing it loose?’ Úna’s eyes narrowed, and Jess guessed she was having visions of a bohemian-style bride. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.
‘I’ve been helping Jess with ideas for her hair,’ Kate said, and Jess shot her a grateful look.
It was a total lie, but Úna looked relieved as she patted Kate’s hand.
The waiter returned with their drinks and the women took a moment to give their food orders. When he left again, Carmel turned to Úna. ‘You have to think of yourself too, Úna. Simon will only be getting married once, so you might as well go all out.’
Carmel delivered this in the sort of cheerful, no-nonsense tone Jess always imagined she used on her most stubborn patients.
Kate pulled out her phone and tapped on a file markedWedding. ‘We’re booked in for hair and make-up in the hotel’s beauty salon at 12.30. It’s no problem to add one more person.’
Úna looked like she was about to object but instead she thanked Kate graciously, and added, ‘How are we for numbers? Has everyone RSVP’d?’
Carmel cleared her throat. ‘We’re just waiting for three or four people from Tom’s side of the family. I don’t want to be hassling them. I’m sure they’ll be in touch soon.’
Úna gave a small gasp. ‘At this stage? Have they no idea how much planning goes into a wedding?’
‘I’m quite sure they do, Úna – they’re just fairly laid back, that’s all.’
Carmel’s unspoken inference hung in the air, and Jess wondered what had possessed Kate to organise a lunch with both mothers, then felt immediately guilty. Kate was a brilliant friend and, as far as Jess could tell, she was doing everything a bridesmaid was supposed to do.
She searched around for a safe topic. ‘I got an email to say the cake is ready and will be sent down to Burlington House the day before the wedding.’
‘I just hope they’re very careful with it,’ Úna said pointedly.
Jess knew she’d been a bit put out when Jess and Simon had opted for a profiterole mountain, rather than the traditional fruit cake Úna had suggested.
The food arrived and Úna took gentle control of theconversation, making sure everyone was included. It was a people-management strategy Jess had often seen her use, and she was happy to let her take charge, especially as she watched Kate blossom under Úna’s genuine interest in Luke. She knew Kate missed her own mother badly, and the two women had always got on well.
As they left the restaurant, Úna took an envelope out of her bag and handed it to Carmel. ‘Before I forget, perhaps you’d give this to Zoe? It’s a list of people and groups we’d like to have included in photos at the wedding.’
‘I’ll make sure she gets it.’ Carmel put the envelope into her own bag.
