Page 102 of Just Say Yes
‘Lorcan, I promise you I will cope and if it bothers you, then fix it. Get one ordered or a chap in or whatever you have to do if it’s getting to you that much, but don’t ever think you haven’t done enough for your mum. It’s easy to see what you mean to her and, from what I heard tonight, there’s plenty more you’ve done over the years, not just for her but for your whole family.’
‘I knew I shouldn’t have let Aoife switch places with me. My younger sister loves a gossip, true enough.’
‘She wasn’t gossiping. She was telling me about your family and I was interested.’
He pulled an unconvinced face.
‘Too late now anyway. I know all your deepest secrets.’ I waggled my eyebrows, expecting Lorcan to make some comment, or quip or just roll his eyes. But he didn’t.
‘I’d better leave you to your bath. Been a long day. Like I said, shout if you need anything.’ Pulling open the door, he gave a brief, fleeting smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and headed out, closing it behind him.
Why was it, just when you thought you knew someone, they did something that gave the rug you were standing on a good, hard yank, just in case you’d got too comfortable.
* * *
‘It’s OK, sweetheart. Peyton and I go way back. I know what I’m doing.’
Calum’s face was fixed on a point just over the photographer’s shoulder while I was staring straight at him, wondering if I could take him and thinking I probably could.
‘First of all, Mr Benson, I would appreciate it if you didn’t call me sweetheart. Madeleine, or Miss Hart, will suffice.’
He rolled his eyes.
‘Secondly, I understand that you have known Peyton for a long time but, in this particular situation, that’s irrelevant. The wedding is between two people, and obviously the photographs need to reflect both the bride and groom’s wishes.’
‘What groom has an input on the shots? Especially an Irish one.’ He laughed at his own joke. ‘I’m sure he’d much rather be in the pub anyway.’
‘Mr Kelly does have views on both the style and particular photographs for the wedding. The bride and groom have been very much a unit in their decision making.’
Something about this man had my senses tingling, and definitely not in the good way.
‘As for your other comment, perhaps it would be better to keep such opinions to yourself in order to avoid offending either Mr Kelly, his friends, family or really anyone, if we’re honest. You are, don’t forget, in Ireland and, as such, it would be best if you gave its people, including Mr O’Shea here, the respect they deserve.’
Vance Benson opened his mouth to either protest or make some other snide comment but I’d had enough by now and swept on. ‘So now I think would be a good time to walk through the venue and decide exactly where the posed shots will be, then go over the plan to make sure you have all the ones that are required listed so that none are missed. Do you have an assistant to help you on the day?’
‘I’m quite capable of doing this by myself.’
‘I am sure you are.’ Actually, I wasn’t at all sure. My gut instinct was quite the opposite. ‘I was merely asking as many photographers I work with have an assistant, especially when it is a function of this size.’
‘Like I said, I’m good.’
Ugh.
‘Calum, would you mind taking Mr Benson through to the main doors and we can start from there with the staircase? I just need to take this,’ I said as my phone vibrated and the florist’s name showed on the display.
‘Of course, Maddie. This way, if you please.’ Calum’s back was up but his professionalism kept his attitude in check. I had no doubt we’d have a good old gossipy take-down later.
I stepped through a doorway to take the call from Fiadh, who wanted to double-check timings, pushing the door to as I did so. Just as I hung up, Lorcan came through another door hidden in the panelling that I hadn’t even known was there, smiling as he saw me.
‘Hi,’ he said, then turned his head, the dark brows snapping together as he heard Vance speaking loudly to Calum outside the room. It had become obvious from the first meeting that Vance appeared to have no other volume. It was loud or nothing.
‘Is she always that much of an uptight bitch?’
‘She’s lovely, actually,’ Calum replied, loyally, and I made a mental note to give him a big hug.
Vance gave a sniff of derision. ‘Strutting around like she owns the place, bossing people about.’
‘She’s the wedding planner. It’s her job to make sure everything is as it should be for the bride and groom. And she’s very good at it.’
