Sennen laughed. ‘I figured she can get into the coach down the drive and make her entrance into the courtyard. Then, if we do go the Singing Tree route, we’ll ferry guests up from the barn in the Land Rover. I’m sure we can borrow Jago’s Defender, too, if we ask him nicely.’
Suddenly wondering if she should spill the beans on her current situation, Rita’s brow crinkled. But it was too complicated and she wasn’t ready, not just yet.
‘Aren’t harps heavy? That will need a lift up, surely.’
‘Oh shit. I didn’t think about that.’ Sennen laughed. ‘Weddings by Sennen may have to employ you from now on for your common sense alone.’
Rita shook her head and laughed. ‘I’ve got enough to bloody do, missus!’
‘It will be fine. It’s only twenty guests – small, very intimate – and a few of them will be staying here anyway the night before, so they’ll know their way around.’ Sennen was thoughtful for a second. ‘So, for food?’ She looked to her mum cautiously. ‘They’ve asked for this. What do you reckon, and should we get in caterers?’
Sennen went to the back of her notebook and began to read aloud. ‘Starter: prawn cocktail in flat martini glasses with freshly buttered brown bread, served with a flute of champagne.’
Rita nodded. ‘Easy and nice.’
‘Main.’ Sennen grinned and looked at her mother. ‘Fish and chips, served in faux-newspaper-printed cones with the headlines of their choice on them. Served with vintage bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.’
‘Red wine and fish and chips?’ Rita screwed up her nose.
‘It’s what they want.’ Sennen looked down again. ‘And for dessert: sticky toffee pudding, and clotted cream with a cheeky shot of brandy on the side.’
Rita smiled. ‘Fancy, funny, but not over the top. We can easily do that. How about they provide the booze to make life easier. The guy who did my website could design the fish and chip cones, I’m sure.’
‘Aw, thanks, Mum. Shall we charge corkage on the drink, then?’
‘Oh, Sen, that’s up to you, darling. I’m more than happy with the thousand pounds you’re giving me to use the barn.’
Sennen scribbled furiously. ‘And flowers? I haven’t spoken to her about them yet. They’ll be eating down here, wherever theceremony is, so we could do flower-enhanced garlands along the barn beams, with little fairy lights twinkling amongst them…’
‘I take it the bride-to-be is going to come and see the barn first?’
‘She said she hasn’t got time. I sent her photos and a video of when we first set it up for yoga with twinkling lights, plus the view from the Singing Tree, and she has the resort website. She’s happy.’
‘Well, that’s easy.’ Rita stood up. ‘Make sure to add chairs, tables, the order of ceremony, where the cake is coming from and where it’s going to sit, and whether you might need extra blankets if the evening turns chilly – and what’s she walking down the aisle to, do you know?’
‘“SoThis Is Love” fromCinderella,’ Sennen replied, whimsically.
‘Of course she is,’ Rita laughed.
‘Talking of love, are you and Jago OK? I’m surprised I haven’t seen him around this weekend and thought for sure he’d be here for you in the storm.’
Rita blew out a lengthy breath. ‘You know Betty mentioned his ex-wife?’
Sennen drew out a long, ‘Ye-e-e-e-e-s.’
‘Well, she’s been staying with him, with her five-year-old daughter in tow. Her boyfriend has kicked her out, evidently.’
‘Ah. And how do you feel about that?’
‘I’m furious, clearly. He says there’s nothing going on, but I want her out of there.’
‘Oh, Mum. He obviously loves you. The way he looks at you, what he does for you. So don’t worry. And you know what he’s like; he’d give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Remember how much he helped you after Dad died.’ She gave a small, teasing shake of her head. ‘And also, remember what you’ve always told me about being needy? Keep your cool.’
Rita grimaced. ‘A bit too late for that. He’s already had the wrath of a Jory.’
Sennen laughed. ‘He’d have got used to that from Hilda.’ When Rita had finally told her daughter about the Jenken–Jory feud, Sennen had been equal parts horrified and amused that her mother was now dating… well, essentially her uncle! ‘I tell you what, why don’t you go to the Winking Pilchard tonight, relax over a large glass of wine, and then work out how you are going to say sorry to him?’
‘Sorry to him! I’m not sure I want to.’
