They jumped at my sudden business-like tone, but turned to listen.
‘Okay, so, Estelle and Coco are going to do the catering, thank goodness. And even better, they’re going to liaise with Mum and Douglas about what food they want, the budget and so on. Alexander, you said you knew the local wine merchants – are you good to talk to them about drinks?’
‘Yes, I can do that. I’ll just need some guidance on how much for the number of people coming. I’ll provide the gin, of course.’
‘Great. Numbers are still up in the air, I’m afraid. Mum and Douglas gave me a list almost immediately, which looked suspiciously modest. I sent out “save the dates” but since then she’s added at least thirty people, most of whom live in London. I have no idea how likely it is that they’ll make it, given that it’s a two-hundred mile journey a week and a half before Christmas.’
‘I’d put my money on most of them being here,’ said Sam shrewdly. ‘Who’s going to want to turn down an invitation to Jacqueline Honeywood’s engagement party, even if it is in the middle of nowhere? No offence,’ he added, glancing at Alexander.
‘None taken. I can’t be bothered to travel five miles for most parties, but I guess Jacqueline has a certain pull.’
‘Can I see who she’s added?’ asked Sam. I handed him my phone and he cast his professional eye down the list. ‘Clever Jacqueline,’ he said, grinning. ‘She’s not bothered with some of her nearest and dearest – saving those for the London party, Isuppose – but she’s added a fair few gossip writers and ladies who lunch, all of whom will be very useful for spreading the word about Her Future Ladyship’s exclusive stately home bash. I’d guess most of these will sack off whatever else they’ve got planned and make the journey. Is there a magazine coming?’
‘Well, I think that’s why she’s added these people. Everything was too crammed already to offer anything more than a photographer for the diary pages, so these people will boost the publicity nicely.’
Alexander shook his head.
‘This is a new world to me. Forgive me, but it all seems so…cynical.’
‘It is and it isn’t,’ I replied. ‘She knows that she has to keep bolstering her public profile, for the good of her career, so any opportunity is ripe for using. Look at how she pounced on her poor, broken daughter in order to produce some kind of Fairy Godmother transformation she could bung on her grid? But I don’t think it’s always for show.’ I paused, not quite sure how to express out loud the new feelings I had had recently about Mum. I decided to steer away from the subject of our relationship. ‘She really, really loves Douglas, I can tell. We may not be that close, but I know her well – or, at least, I’ve known her for a long time – and I’ve never seen her like this. I honestly believe that you could strip away the title and the stately home and the magazine deals and she’d still marry him in a heartbeat. It may not be her usualmodus operandi, but it’s the real thing.’
Alexander nodded slowly.
‘I’m glad. I thought so too. Thank you, Fallon.’
I dropped my eyes and returned quickly to my list.
‘Right, so our big focus now is getting the invitations printed and sent out, which is panicking me. We’ve so little time, but they’re both insisting on “proper” invitations, not digital ones.’
‘I think it’ll be all right,’ said Sam. ‘Because of the save the dates, we already have an idea of who’s coming, so we’ve got a rough idea of numbers, and we can ask for replies by email, rather than post. If they don’t mind printed envelopes, instead of handwritten, I’ve got a friend who does lovely stationery and owes me a favour. He’ll get something classic out tomorrow if I give him a ring. Or do they want to design them?’
‘Classic will be fine with Dad,’ said Alexander.
‘And I’ll take this one if Mum complains,’ I said. ‘Please make the call.’
We went on to plan for waiting staff, chairs and tables, flowers and entertainment, until we all had something to follow up.
‘At least they didn’t insist on it being themed,’ I said. ‘That would have been a step too far.’
‘Don’t say that too loudly,’ said Alexander, with his lovely smile. ‘Dad might hear you and you know his weakness.’
‘I’ll be careful. I wouldn’t put it past Mum to dig out that Octopussy outfit again.’
Sam laughed.
‘Your mother is priceless. I hope she likes the job we do on the party – maybe she’ll finally hire us once we’re home? Talking of which, I must confirm my train ticket for Sunday.’
‘You’re welcome to stay for Christmas, Sam,’ said Alexander. ‘We’d be glad to have you.’
Before I could stop myself, and before Sam had a chance to reply, I waded in.
‘Actually, Sam, I was thinking of coming back with you. I’m feeling much better now, and London is such fun at Christmas – we could go out for lunch together, seeing as your mum’s away?’
Both men were staring at me in surprise.
‘What about the Christmas Fayre?’ asked Alexander. ‘If you go on Sunday, you’ll miss it.’
In my confusion, I had forgotten all about it. Alexander looked so hurt and worried that I was desperate to run to him, throw my arms around him, tell him what a fool I was being. But, unable to stop myself, I just carried on.
