Page 32 of Before You Say I Do
Cheers from the group was Jordan’s cue to go to the kitchen.
“Where’s Taran?” Abby asked. “She could help.”
Gloria rolled her eyes. “She’s chatting to Ryan.” They’d only been away for 12 hours, but it was already apparent that Taran and her husband couldn’t go a couple of hours without speaking. “I’ll come with you,” Gloria added.
They got to the kitchen, its shiny white surfaces cleared of this afternoon’s detritus.
“God bless those wonderful staff,” Gloria said. “We must tip them well.”
“Agreed.” Jordan busied herself getting white wine from the fully stocked wine fridge, while Gloria grabbed the glasses. They’d only been together a day, but Jordan and Gloria were already working as a well-oiled machine.
“I just wanted to say, too,” Gloria added, as they put their goods on a couple of metallic trays. “Thanks for doing all you’ve done so far. I know you’ve really taken a weight from Abby’s shoulders and even made her start to enjoy the run-up to her wedding. A few weeks ago, I didn’t think that was ever going to happen.”
Jordan didn’t meet Gloria’s gaze. “I’m just doing my job.”
Gloria put a hand on her arm. “I know, but you’re doing more than that. You’re making Abby relax and that’s a rare thing. Before meeting Marcus, she was always so focused on her job. If it was one she loved, I’d be happy for her.” Gloria frowned, tilting her head to one side. “I was hoping she’d get excited about the wedding with time, but it’s only since you’ve come on board that she’s really started to have a sparkle in her eye.” She squeezed Jordan’s arm. “So thank you. Seriously. I just want to see my only daughter happy.”
This time Jordan did meet her gaze. “That’s what I want, too.”
When they got back out to the terrace, Taran had returned to the group and was talking about her recent wedding. “Abby was such a star on the hen weekend and on the wedding day when I was having a meltdown. I wanted to do the same for her, but it seems like she’s covered, with Delta and now Jordan who’s just materialised out of thin air!”
There wasn’t a hint of disbelief in her voice, which allowed Jordan to breathe easy.
It wasn’t everyone else she had to worry about believing their story.
It was Delta blowing their cover.
“I’m just thrilled we reconnected in time.” Jordan put her tray on the table. “When we were little girls and talking about getting married, we always promised we’d have each other as our bridesmaids. But after nearly three decades apart, I never thought it would happen.” Why did this story seem more real than the others Jordan had taken part in?
Jordan poured the wine, passed the glasses around, then sat beside Gloria.
“I’m thrilled you did, too. You always were a good influence on Abby.” Gloria patted Jordan’s hand.
Jordan was pretty sure Gloria wouldn’t be saying that if she knew the full extent of Jordan’s thoughts over the past couple of weeks. When Jordan glanced up at Abby, her cheeks were flushed, and when she caught Jordan’s gaze, she looked away. Why was Abby looking shifty, too? She had nothing to look shifty about.
“Mind you, Abby’s always been a model daughter, which just goes to prove, the apple does sometimes fall very far from the tree.”
The group laughed at that.
“I dunno, Gloria,” Delta said. “You should have seen her in her 20s. She was a bit of a hellraiser. Especially at uni.”
“That much is true!” shouted Erin, her face split with a grin.
Gloria shook her head, waving a hand in the air. “There are some things a mother should never know, and what their daughter got up to at university is definitely one of them.”
When Jordan glanced at Abby again, she was shaking her head, shooting Delta an evil look. Jordan chuckled. She’d like to have seen Abby as a hellraiser.
“As for me, unlike Abby, I didn’t get my choice of husband right first time. I was flattered by my first husband’s attention, and he was a lovely man. Also, I was pregnant, and it was what you did. I had a miscarriage before we got hitched, but we still went through with it. Then we had Abby. It took me a year to work out that behind his dazzling smile and his money, we didn’t have that much in common. Second time around though, there’s never been a minute when I doubted him.
“Martin and me just click. When that happens, everything that’s gone before is suddenly cast aside. I’d be lying if I said that when I met Marcus, I didn’t have my doubts. Because he’s got money, and he’s got charm. The two things I fell for with my first marriage. But what Marcus has also got is heart. A big one. He’s generous, kind, and I know he loves my daughter. As a mother, I couldn’t ask for anything more.” She held up her glass, waiting for everyone else to follow suit. “A toast to what’s going to be a fabulous weekend. To Abby, and to Marcus who is currently wandering the streets of Dublin on his stag do.” Her eyes roamed the group with a devilish grin. “We know who won out on location, don’t we, ladies?”
Clapping all round.
“But seriously. May your smiles be wide and your worries small. Abby and Marcus!”
A chorus of ‘Abby and Marcus!’ rang out in the air.
Taran turned to Jordan. “I’m interested, though. Has Abby missed the boat on your wedding, Jordan? Could she still be your bridesmaid, and then both your childhood dreams could really come true?”
