I let out a laugh. Thanks to Mum’s intervention and Gregbrook Manor’s extensive wedding package, that wasn’t strictly the case. Aside of my wedding, India’s bridesmaid and Sal’s matron of honour dresses, along with Leo’s suit, everything else seemed to be covered. “Our only major task is to sort out the marriage notification,” I said. “I would like to speak to the venue organiser first though, to make sure we’re happy with everything.”
“Sounds good to me.”
While Leo had got his head around our surprise all-inclusive wedding, I continued to have reservations. Yes, on the one hand, it meant I could get rid of all the lists and not worry about blue ticks. But on the other, I continued to struggle with the fact that we weren’t getting the day we’d hoped for. I screwed up my face in anticipation. “What did your parents say about us cancelling Father Joseph and Saint Oswald’s?”
“Dad was fine, but Mum was disappointed.”
An upset mother-in-law-to-be was all I needed.
“But she understood,” Leo said.
“Really?” I straightened myself up again, relieved to hear that.
Leo shook his head. “Nope. Not at all.”
I grabbed a cushion and threw it at him.
Leo laughed as he dodged out of its way. “I’m just glad the pressure’s off. Instead of stressing, we can enjoy the run-up to the wedding.” He plonked himself down next to me. “I did feel a bit bad telling her though. She’d set her heart on us having a church service.”
I pictured the evening ahead. Mum celebrating her Gregbrook Manor victory, while Grace commiserated her Saint Oswald loss. It seemed that despite having everything sorted, our wedding continued to cause problems. As if I wasn’t dreading the family introductions enough. “Tonight will be okay, won’t it?” I asked, looking to Leo for reassurance. “Everyone will get on, won’t they?”
“Tonight will be fine. Mum might be unhappy now, but she’s not one to hold grudges. Honestly, by the time we get to the restaurant, she’ll be over it.”
Chapter 46
“You did tell everyone the table is booked under your name?” I asked, as Leo and I drove to the restaurant.
“I did,” Leo replied.
“And the restaurant people know exactly how many of us there are and where to seat everyone?”
“They do.”
“Because you know what my lot are like. They’re not always the easiest people to organise. They’ll cause chaos as a group if they’re not herded properly.”
Knowing exactly what I meant, Leo smiled.
“Oh, and you wrote down the precise name of the restaurant for Mum and Dad, didn’t you?” I pictured my parents, Sal and Ryan sat in one establishment, while Grace and Bill waited for us in another. “Remember the occasion…”
“Tess,” Leo said, interrupting me. “Stop worrying. Everyone involved knows what they’re meant to be doing, where they’re meant to be, and at what time.”
Arriving at our destination, Leo pulled up on the car park. Turning off the engine and releasing his keys from the ignition, he turned to look at me. “Please, try to relax. You really are panicking over nothing.” He put a hand on mine. “Trust me. As evenings go, this one will be perfect.”
I smiled. As far as I was concernedperfectionwas a bit of a push. Then again Leo had always been a glass half-full kind of person. “You’re right,” I said, deciding to go with Leo’s positive flow. “The Cavendishes know how important tonight is. Of course they’ll be on their best behaviour.”
“Exactly,” Leo said, as we climbed out of the car.
“How do I look?” I asked. Not usually one for dresses, I wore a green boho maxi number with three quarter sleeves and tie cuffs. It had a floaty full skirt and I paired it with a pair of flat sandals.
“Gorgeous as always.” Leo took my hand. “Ready?”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Entering the restaurant, Leo gave the front of house our name while I glanced around. I could see why Leo had chosen it; the dining area was gorgeous. The space’s use of raw materials, old refurbished tables and chairs, and warm lighting gave the eatery a cosy atmosphere.
“Tess,” Mum called out.
I heard her before I saw her.
