Page 130 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

ChapterFifty-One

Owen noddedat the registrar standing discreetly between two columns of white roses as he settled uncomfortably on one of the antique chairs set in the front row.

‘You’ve got the rings?’

‘Of course.’ George leaned into Owen. ‘You okay, mate?’

‘I am.’ Owen nodded.

‘You were a long time talking to Henry.’

‘Lot to catch up on.’

From somewhere in the house, a clock chimed noon.

George checked his wristwatch.

Owen stared at the life-sized oil painting on the wall behind the registrar. It was of a man who looked like a slim, more athletic version of Roger. The pianist at the other end of the room came to the end of whatever she’d been playing and started a new melody.

‘Unusual,’ George said. ‘A piano at a wedding … usually an organ.’

‘Not unless you’re in church.’

‘No, true. Nice though … the pianist, I mean. Do you think she’s a family member?’

‘How would I know?’ Owen growled, tension breaking the ties of restraint. Snap, snap, snap.

‘Sorry.’ George looked at his watch again. ‘She’s late.’

‘Bride’s prerogative,’ Owen said and stared fixedly at the oil painting, the knuckles of his clasped hands going ever white.

* * *

The hallwayat Meadow Bank was crammed like an underground train in the rush hour. Elizabeth Scott was backing out of the kitchen trying to close the door on Poppy, the spaniel puppy, at the same time telling her to behave while they were gone. Gran was standing in the doorway to the drawing-room, repeatedly asking which car she would travel in, and no one was answering her. A couple of distant cousins were rammed up against the coat rack, the only spare space. Emi was trying to undo the ribbon that Kate was fastening into her curls, and Xander was standing at the front door shouting out into the garden, ‘Dad! Come along, leave that now. It’s time to go.’

Everyone was so caught up in their own moments no one noticed Lexie arrive on the stairs.

‘What’s Dad doing?’ she asked.

‘Would you believe gardening?’ Xander turned to his sister. ‘Lex … you look fabulous.’

‘Are the cars here?’

‘Yes, they’ve just arrived – three Rolls Royces. One’s a Silver Ghost – true vintage, I kid you not. Done out in umpteen ivory ribbons. I’m guessing that one’s yours.’

Lexie ran down the last of the stairs and pushed her way through to Xander. ‘You get everyone loaded into the cars and on their way, and I’ll sort, Dad.’ She slipped out of her delicate satin court shoes and stepped into some wellingtons that someone had left by the coats.

‘Don’t you think you should go first?’ Kate said, trying to secure the blue bow in Emily’s hair for the third time.

‘No, off you all go. Dad’s giving me away, so he’s got to travel with me. Off you go.’

‘I could give you away if he’s throwing a sulk,’ Xander suggested, adding with a grin. ‘It’s not like I haven’t been trying to get rid of you for years.’

‘No, it’ll be fine.’ Lexie shooed everyone out into the drive. They piled into two of the three limousines. Leaving the bridal one festooned in ribbon still waiting for Lexie and her father.

Lexie gathered up the ivory silk of her dress and marched over the newly mown lawn in the direction of the garden shed.

‘Dad?’

---