the rooms. I mean how sexy are chilblains?’
By lunchtime, Molly and Jess had a mass of pages bookmarked on the computer and dozens of post-it notes stuck on magazines, and definite plans were emerging. Although it was fun looking at different styles, places and prices, Molly could see that she could very soon die of boredom, whereas Jess looked as if she could go on for ever.
Nick came through to help them sort out lunch. ‘How’s it coming along?’
‘Good,’ said Jess.
‘We need to talk to Jonathon and Max,’ said Molly, clearing away the champagne glasses.
‘Even though I love him dearly, trying to plan all this I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m marrying a man I know nothing about,’ Jess hiccupped. ‘I don’t even know what religion he is.’
‘In that case he is most probably Church of England,’ said Nick, sliding a plate piled high with buttered slices of freshly baked bread onto the table. ‘Otherwise you’d probably have heard something about his Jewish roots, his Catholic guilt or his minority oppression. Here, you should eat some of this and soak up some of the alcohol.’
Jess nodded. ‘I’ve only had a couple of glasses. Maybe I should ring him and ask him? After all, it is lunchtime. Surely even Max stops for lunch?’
‘Maybe it’s not a good time, not if he’s at work,’ said Molly.
‘Oh no, he’ll be fine, he won’t mind,’ said Jess, waving the words away. ‘Besides, I want to tell him that I love him and I ought to let him know how we’re getting on. And anyway he said it was all very casual today, all hands to the pumps, installing this new system, everyone mucking in. I’m sure he won’t mind. Really.’ She pulled her mobile out of her bag.
While Molly set about helping with lunch Jess and Bassa went outside for a bit of privacy and a better signal.
‘How’s it going?’ asked Nick, picking over the last of the nachos.
Molly groaned. ‘It’s fine. The trouble is in my head Jess is still three, running around in her wellies with a net curtain on her head, a sword in one hand and a water pistol in the other.’
‘Feisty bride?’ said Nick.
Molly laughed. ‘You better believe it. Jonathon used to say we’d have to pay some man to take her off our hands.’ Molly’s gaze moved instinctively to the kitchen window to watch Jess walking across the grass.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Nick said.
‘She’s still my baby,’ said Molly, voice tight with tears. ‘And why isn’t Max here helping her? He should be here. We don’t know anything about him.’
Nick slipped his arm around her. ‘No, but we will. And Jess is sensible – we have to trust her.’
‘That’s what I said to Jonathon.’
‘And?’
‘I didn’t believe it then either.’
Outside the rain had stopped, so Jess headed over to the swing that Nick had fixed up under one of the big apple trees at the bottom of the garden. Bassa bounced alongside her, tail wagging, glad to be out. As Jess walked the phone rang and rang, and she was about to ring off when someone picked up.
‘Hi, honey,’ said Jess. ‘Not working too hard, are you?’
‘Oh, hello,’ said a very polite female voice. ‘This is Max Peters’ phone. I’m terribly sorry but he’s not here at the moment. May I take a message?’
‘Oh,’ said Jess, totally wrong-footed and almost instantly sober. ‘Oh, sorry – where is he?’
‘He’s left his phone on the table. I thought I’d better answer it.’
‘Oh, right,’ said Jess. ‘Well, if he’s busy could you give him a message for me? Can you tell him –’
But before she could finish the woman’s voice warmed. ‘Jessica, is that you?’
‘Yes, yes it is,’ she said, still not quite able to place the voice.
‘Oh, I’m so glad you rang. Max told me you were terribly busy at work this weekend, which is such a shame. We would have loved to have seen you and congratulate you both on your wonderful news. We are so pleased. But I do appreciate things are a little busy at the moment. I just wanted to say that we couldn’t be more delighted for you both, my dear. Congratulations.’
‘Mrs Peters?’ Jess began, the penny having dropped.
‘Do call me Mummy, or is that too old-fashioned? I’ve never been terribly keen on Mum, or Mother come to that. Maybe you should just call me Daphne.’ Max’s mother laughed. ‘Anyway I was telling Max that the two of you really must come down as soon as possible. I was wondering if you would like me to arrange the cake? We can obviously discuss the design but I have a very good friend. Marjorie. Cordon bleu – fabulous cook. She did the cake for – well, what I’m saying is, if you’d like me to arrange it then I’d be absolutely delighted to call her.’
Jess didn’t know what to say, so she settled for, ‘That sounds wonderful, and I’m sure we’ll be down to see you soon.’
‘Lovely. We were all just planning to go out for lunch at the Lion. Which reminds me, perhaps you and your parents might like to come down for lunch? Max said you were busy next weekend and I know Hampshire is a terribly long way from Norfolk, but it would be lovely if we could all get together – maybe the weekend after? Do let me know.’ She laughed, the sound like the tinkling of cut glass. ‘After all, there is so much to organise and we haven’t got that much time. I’ll tell Max that you rang, shall I?’
‘Yes, please,’ said Jess, totally dazed. ‘That would be lovely.’
And then Daphne was gone and Jess found herself staring at the phone. It rang in her hand seconds later.
‘Jess,’ said Max.
‘What is going on, Max? You told me you were working all this weekend.’
‘I was, I am,’ he blustered. ‘Well, I am tomorrow.’
‘That isn’t what you said when you dropped me off at my place last night. You said you couldn’t stay because you had to be up early to get some system in. And your mother said you’d told her that I was working.’
‘Jess, I’m really sorry.’ His voice was barely above a whisper. ‘The thing is, I wanted to talk to my parents on my own. They’re a bit old-fashioned when it comes to this sort of thing. I just wanted to break it to them gently, that’s all.’
‘You make getting married to me sound like bad news.’
‘That isn’t what I mean at all – but it was just something I needed to do. Please try and understand.’ He paused, presumably waiting for a reply, but Jess couldn’t find the right words. ‘You’re upset,’ he said.
‘Of course I’m upset! I’ve just spent most of the morning trying to organise a wedding without you,
