Lizzie Marshall's Wedding (7 page)

The Beckleston Inn was a rambling fifteenth century building, too large for such a village but built in the days when Beckleston was on one of the main routes to London and when the village held a large market, attracting both vendors and purchasers, from miles around.

Those days were long gone; the railway had put paid to the market because better prices could be obtained by transporting goods to London and years later, the building of the motorway network meant that no one need ever pass through Beckleston, except by choice.

Terry and Trisha Walter inherited The Beckleston Inn from Trisha’s parents in 2001 and, after winning several thousand pounds on the National Lottery, they were able, not only to keep the place going but also to renovate it and hire a chef to improve the restaurant menu from standard pub fare, to gourmet dining. They sectioned off part of the Inn as an A La Carte restaurant whilst still serving traditional favourites like Ploughman’s Lunch and sausage and chips in the newly renovated “Bistro and Carvery Bar”. They also sold bar snacks such as crisps and sandwiches in the main public bar area as Trisha had decided, she would cater for all her patrons taste requirements.

Becky, Jess and Susie were seated at a table to one side of the large inglenook fireplace in the “Bistro and Carvery Bar” and were scanning the dessert menu when Max and Margaret Bedford strolled in.

Jess glanced up. ‘Speaking of something tasty, Max Bedford’s just walked in.’

Becky was facing towards the fire but she swivelled in her seat, blushed crimson then buried her head in the menu.

Susie let out a deep and meaningful sigh. ‘I know I said you could have him Becky but I’m beginning to regret it. I think I can honestly say that he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.’

‘I don’t want him! You’re welcome to him as far as I’m concerned,’ Becky said trying to force her eyes to focus on the menu. Somehow though, she seemed to be looking in the direction of the bar – and Max Bedford.

Max scanned the crowded room for a vacant seat, after buying drinks. He spotted Becky, Jess and Susie – who all seemed to be staring in his direction – and a smile formed at the corner of his mouth as he saw them hastily turn away.

As luck would have it, the couple sitting at the table on the opposite side of the inglenook, were just putting their coats on to leave.

He strolled over to the, now vacant, table and put the drinks down then glanced over to his mother who was studying a poster about a Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance. It was pinned to the wall near the front door and Max wondered why on earth she should be so mesmerised by it. He hoped she wasn’t thinking of finding herself a new man in Beckleston to go with the new house and new business venture then he realised, with a feeling of some dread, she was more likely thinking of finding him a new woman.

‘Good afternoon ladies,’ he said, turning his attention towards the opposite table and looking directly at Becky.

‘Hi,’ Jess said, ‘it’s nice to see you again.’

Susie just grinned and Becky threw him a brief smile then buried her head in the menu again.

Margaret spotted Max and made her way towards him.

‘May I introduce my mother to you,’ he said, when she reached the table. ‘Mum, I’d like you to meet Becky, Jess and Susie.’

Margaret beamed at them. ‘How lovely to meet you all. I’m Margaret Bedford. Do you all live in the village?’

She glanced from one to another, quickly appraising them and wondering whether one of them might be the, “something interesting” her son had mentioned. If she had to guess, she would say the one with the long blond hair and the large bust; definitely Max’s type – but the pink and blue-haired girl was rather stunning, in an outlandish sort of way and the brown-haired one was very pretty, even without any make-up. She prayed it wasn’t all three of them. In London, Max could get away with seeing more than one woman at a time but in a village, especially a village like Beckleston, if it was still the Beckleston she remembered, it would be impossible, not to mention, unforgivable.

‘It’s lovely to meet you too,’ Jess said, returning her smile. ‘Yes, we all live – and work in Beckleston. I own “Prime Cuts Too”, the hair salon and I live in the flat above, Susie owns “Beckleston Bridal Belles” and also lives above her shop and Becky lives in Rosemary Cottage – and she’s Superwoman.’

Jess winked at Becky who raised her head from the menu and was clearly, about to object.

‘Actually,’ Jess continued, ‘Becky is an Events Organiser, amongst other things. If you want something done, she’s the one to ask. From children’s parties to society weddings, she’s your girl. She organised the Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance Derby – I noticed you reading the poster – Oh! Becky painted that too. I forgot, she’s also an artist and –’

‘And
she’s
sitting next to you and getting more embarrassed by the second!’ Becky said, ‘Mrs. Bedford doesn’t want a sales pitch Jess – but thanks for the vote of confidence.’

Margaret’s eyes darted towards Max whom she noticed had his eyes firmly fixed in the direction of Becky then she glanced back towards the poster by the door then back to Becky.

‘Well ... it just so happens that a sales pitch may be exactly what I do want and please, call me Margaret,’ she said. ‘The poster’s awfully good; was the original a watercolour?’

She removed her coat and passed it to Max to hang on the hook, on the wall near their table then directed her full attention back to Becky.

‘Um. Yes. I painted the watercolour then scanned it in to my computer and added the text.’

Margaret thought Becky seemed slightly taken aback by the remark and couldn’t help but notice her flushed cheeks. She wondered whether that was from the wine, the fire or because she found compliments awkward to accept.

‘And you’ve organised the Valentine’s bash? Why the “Derby” part? Is it a race to find a partner? That sounds rather fun. You would enjoy that wouldn’t you dear?’

She grinned at Max and he grinned back.

‘Well, not exactly. It’s actually a dance competition, in the church hall. Judges watch all the couples entered and each couple has a number; when a couples’ number is called, they leave the floor. The dance continues until there’s only one couple left and they’re the winners. It’s just a bit of fun really. It’s been held for several years.’

‘Oh I see. That does sound like fun. “Strictly” comes to Beckleston. I noticed there are various ticket options.’

‘Yes. There are tickets for the dance at the hall or tickets for dinner here in the Bistro and Carvery, from a set menu, and the dance combined. It’s really good value. You can buy them from Trisha, at the bar. The profits go to charity.’

‘And, it’s this Tuesday? Well, we’ll certainly have to see if there are still tickets available for that, won’t we Max?’

‘We certainly will,’ he said, meeting her eyes, ‘I’ll go and ask right now, and whilst I’m there, I think I’d better buy these lovely ladies something to drink.’ He rose from his chair. ‘Another bottle of wine?’

‘Oh no! Thank you. We’re just leaving,’ Becky said.

‘Are we?’Jess asked.

‘Yes,’ Becky said.

‘That’s a pity. Mum, would you like wine with lunch?’

Margaret raised her eyebrows.

‘Silly question,’ Max said, ‘Of course you would.’ And he headed to the bar.

‘And, you’ve organised weddings too?’ Margaret resumed her questioning.

‘Yes. Quite a few. In fact, I just finished one a couple of weeks ago, as it happens.’

‘Really? Well, that is interesting. Do you have a portfolio or some such thing? I’d love to discuss this further but I’ve interrupted your Sunday lunch for quite long enough already. Perhaps you could come and see me at the house, one day next week – would that be convenient? I’m at Beckleston Hall and I’ve got a few things that I’d like to chat with you about, including a wedding I need to arrange.’

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘So, d’you think Max is getting married again?’ Jess asked, as soon as they left the pub. ‘And why did we have to run off? I thought we were having dessert.’

‘We didn’t “run off”; I just didn’t want him buying us drinks and as to whether he’s getting married again, I have no idea and couldn’t care less. Possibly I suppose but the bride’s parents would usually organise things, not the groom’s so it could be for someone else in the family.’

‘There is no one else in the family. It’s just Max and his mum,’ Jess said.

‘Really? No cousins then or aunts and uncles or –’

‘Oh. Well possibly. I must ask Connie Jessop, she’s bound to know.’

‘Yes do,’ Susie said, linking arms with Becky in a gesture of support. ‘I’ll be
so
disappointed if it’s Max. I really thought the two of you would be perfect together. He has so much to offer you.’

Becky tutted. ‘To be honest, I’m more interested in what his mother may be thinking of offering me. It sounded as if she’s looking for someone to arrange not only a wedding but some other things too. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? Assuming she hires me, of course.’

‘Of course she’ll hire you!’ Jess said, wrapping her scarf tightly about her neck. ‘Bloody hell it’s freezing. It wasn’t this cold when we went into the pub was it?’

Susie shivered, visibly. ‘No, it wasn’t. Perhaps we’ll get more snow.’

‘Oh I hope not!’ Becky stuffed her hands in her raincoat pockets. She could feel the icy wind biting right through to her skin. Her winter coat was still saturated from the soaking she’d received earlier and she’d had to resort to her summer raincoat, which was totally inadequate in this weather. Her teeth chattered and every bone in her body suddenly ached; she prayed she hadn’t caught a chill.

They all quickened their pace and arrived at Becky’s moments later.

‘Want to come in for a coffee and some cake? The Coopers won’t be here for another couple of hours.’

‘Definitely! I can hardly feel my hands,’ Susie squealed.

Large flakes of snow began falling the moment they stepped inside and Becky poked at the banked-up fire to revive it, while Jess and Susie went to the kitchen and started making coffee.

The telephone rang as Becky threw some logs on the rekindled flames and seeing from the caller display that it was the Coopers, she grabbed the handset, unable to stop a sudden rush of fear running through her.

‘Hello. Is everything okay?’ She tried to control the panic gnawing at the pit of her stomach.

‘Hello. Yes, everything’s fine here – except for the snow.’ Sarah Cooper said. ‘It started an hour ago and there’s at least a couple of inches on the roads already. We would have left immediately but we were having lunch and we thought it might just be a quick flurry. We didn’t expect this. Harry’s still happy to bring Lily home but we wondered what it’s like there and we don’t want to get stuck somewhere. What do you think? We’ll do whatever you want us to.’

Becky could feel tears pricking at her eyes. She had really been looking forward to having Lily home. She missed her so much when she went to stay with Jeremy’s parents. At least she would be safe there though. The thought of her being stuck in a car in a snowdrift or worse – being involved in an accident didn’t bear thinking about. Becky forced painful memories to the back of her mind.

‘I think you should stay home. It’s literally only just started snowing here but the flakes are huge and it won’t be long before it settles. It was pouring earlier too and now the temperature’s dropped, the roads will turn to ice. Better to be safe than sorry.’

‘That’s what I thought you’d say. If it had been forecast, we’d have left this morning, but all they said was rain!’

‘Same here. It’s not your fault Sarah. May I speak to Lily?’

‘Of course. Lily darling, Mummy’s on the ‘phone. I’ll call you tomorrow and see what the weather’s like then.’

‘Mummy! Mummy! It’s snowing! Can I make a snowman! Will you come, help me?’

Becky could feel her heart breaking from love and missing her child. ‘I wish I could sweetheart but the snow has made the roads dangerous. Grandpa will help you. Don’t stay out for too long though; it’s very cold. I miss you darling.’

‘Miss you Mummy.’

‘Have you had a good time?’

‘Uh huh. We did lots and lots.’

‘That’s good. What did you do?’

Lily spent the next ten minutes telling Becky about the zoo, the cinema, the theme park and all the other places she’d been during her week with her grandparents. By the time she’d finished Becky was missing her so much, she had tears running down her cheeks; she wanted desperately to hug her daughter.

‘She’s not coming back today then?’ Jess said, handing Becky a mug of coffee when she’d finally been able to bring herself to say goodbye.

Becky shook her head, too upset to speak.

‘Was she upset?’

Becky wiped her eyes with her hand and sniffed, grabbing a tissue from the box beside her and blowing her nose. ‘No. You know Lily. Nothing fazes her. She was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t go and help her build a snowman but she got over it when Harry said he’d get the sledge out and pull her around the garden.’

‘Which naturally, upset you even more,’ Susie said.

‘Naturally. I miss her so much. I could really use a hug right now.’

‘I’ll hug you.’ Jess grabbed Becky in a bear hug. ‘Is that better?’

‘Apart from the fact that I can hardly breathe, yes. Thanks.’

Jess grinned and let her go. ‘Why don’t we open a bottle of wine and watch a DVD later?’

‘Or we could build a snowman too,’ Susie suggested. ‘What? Why are you both looking at me like I’m a raving loon?’

‘I suppose,’ Jess said, ‘it’s because you are!’

The next morning, the snow was several inches deep and still falling and, as Becky had predicted, the reporters on the radio were warning of hazardous driving conditions and advising people not to attempt to drive unless absolutely necessary.

Becky stood in her kitchen, cradling a mug of coffee and watching the snow. She could picture Lily rushing out to check on the snowman she’d built yesterday. Harry had helped her send Becky a photo via his mobile phone and Lily had been thrilled when Becky had called her and told her how wonderful it was.