Her heart sank. What could have happened now?
I’m at the café. Where are you? x
Finn replied:
Be there in five. x
As a wedding planner, it was her job to deal with wedding emergencies, and so she would deal with this one. It probably wasn’t something awful, but even so, she stood up and gathered her things, then wandered down to the café to meet him.
Five minutes later, she sat at a table inside as Finn and Reggie arrived. They both looked harassed, and she suddenly wished she had a vodka in front of her rather than a glass of water. Finnwas usually such a chilled person, but as the wedding had got closer, he’d turned into a bit of a bride-zilla — or was that groom-zilla?
‘What’s wrong?’ She went to stand up, but Finn put up a hand.
‘No need to get up.’ He looked around. There were a few customers in the café, but most were sitting outside enjoying the fine weather. ‘Reggie came home from school today to find that his wedding shoes had arrived. You remember we ordered them in London?’
‘The very expensive Italian suede leather shoes?’ she asked.
‘The very ones.’ Finn nodded.
Reggie opened his rucksack and pulled out a box that he set on the table.
Out of nowhere, Pearl appeared and whisked the box off the table. ‘Oh no! No! No! No!’
‘What is it?’ Finn asked. ‘The box is clean.’
Pearl shook her head at him. ‘Never put new shoes on the table.’
‘What?’ He frowned.
‘My dear old gran used to say it was bad luck, and while I’m not sure I believe that, it’s not worth taking the risk, is it?’ Pearl cocked her head to one side and smiled at Finn.
He paused as if he was about to argue but then shrugged. ‘Good point. Not worth the risk.’
‘Can I get you all something?’ Pearl asked.
‘Something refreshing?’ Finn asked.
‘We have a delicious elderflower lemonade that Ellie made this morning,’ she said.
‘Perfect!’ Finn nodded.
‘And for you?’ Pearl asked Edith and Reggie.
‘Yes please,’ they both replied.
‘Coming right up.’ Pearl handed the box to Reggie then went to the counter.
‘So what’s wrong with the shoes?’ Edith asked.
‘More than one thing.’ Reggie opened the box, and Edith winced as a strange smell hit her. ‘They smell like they just came from a farm.’
‘Oh…’ Edith wrinkled her nose. ‘Perhaps the smell will fade and is just strong because they’ve been in the box? You could air them for a bit?’
Reggie seemed to consider her suggestion, but Finn said, ‘There’s more. Put them on, Reggie.’
Reggie sat down, slipped off his trainers then slid on the loafers and stood up.
‘Now show her.’ Finn gestured at the café floor.
