Page 42 of Old Girls Behaving Badly

Before the vicar could respond the door opened and noise filled the quiet space with the arrival of the others, but Peter’s words left Dorothy with something to think about. If she could get Gina to find the time to have a private word with him, they might learn more.

Caroline’s friend, Katie, and her husband, Dan, had arrived, so the bride now had her chief bridesmaid and there was much laughter and conversation. They did quieten down when they saw the vicar, though. Leonard was sporting a crutch and had an unpleasant expression on his face, but he hobbled down the aisle, pausing to nod a brief hello to Peter, before seating himself in the first position in the pew on the left, usually reserved for the mother and father of the bride. Paul and Sandra exchanged a glance before moving in the same direction.

There was then ten minutes of chatter about positions and who should walk and stand where, before everyone slipped into their roles and the bride and her father, along with the bridesmaid, disappeared back outside, making it clear they were ready to start.

Dorothy chose a pew a little away from the front, keen not to get involved in the social order of the seating and Gina sat down next to her.

‘I didn’t say thank you before,’ she whispered. ‘About your offer, I mean. I will think about it, and thank you.’

Dorothy stretched her hand across and patted Gina’s knee. Now the seed had been sown in her own mind, she was quite keen to have this woman come and stay with her.

Caroline walked in through the door, then, her arm threaded with Paul’s. There wasn’t any music and, of course no one was dressed-up, but Dorothy could hear Gina sniff beside her. She understood – it was the setting and with Gina’s marriage seemingly at an end, it was unsurprising she’d feel tearful. She could hear her taking long breaths and she pulled a tissue out of her handbag and handed it to her.

Juliet took her position next to her parents and pretended to look bored, but it was an act that didn’t come up to much scrutiny. Ever since she had revealed her recording of their conversation, Juliet had looked wired. Dorothy looked at Sophie rigid in her seat, her husband a little too far away, and she worried that theirs was another marriage that had run its course.

Caroline and Toby genuinely looked giddy with happiness as they took their places at the front to go through their vows and then Dorothy lost herself in the rehearsal service, hopeful that this young couple would be as lucky and as happy as she and Philip had once been.

‘It feels like we really are married now,’ Caroline was saying as they made their way back towards the house. ‘I’m not nearly as nervous now we’ve had the practice.’

‘You did so well, and it looked like you were really enjoying yourself. I’m so excited for you, Caro. Although, you do know that you have to sign the register for it to be official. The church is the fun bit, but not legal,’ Katie said.

‘So happy to hear the words fun and church used in the same sentence,’ Peter called from where he was walking with Lavinia and Miles.

Caroline and Katie laughed at his words. ‘Church gets a bad rep,’ Katie said, ‘but I always think that if you’re not interested in the sermon, then look around you, because you definitely have the most beautiful buildings.’

‘We do indeed,’ he said, laughing too.

Katie seemed like a nice young woman. Already married to Dan, she was officially the chief bridesmaid, but as there were no others, she was the only bridesmaid. Juliet had been asked, but had refused to be dressed up like a muppet, in her words. Dorothy felt the girl might regret her decision when the ceremony was in full swing, but it would be too late by then.

Toby had hold of Caroline’s hand, but her other arm was linked through Leonard’s. Whether for his physical support or his perpetual need to be the centre of attention, it was hard to tell, but Dorothy watched the face of Paul behind his brother. He looked a little like a schoolchild not picked for the team. All this time she had thought that Paul should be commended for his stoic attitude towards his brother, but what if it was all an act? For a moment, she wondered if it really was Paul who had sabotaged the saddle and the bike. If Leonard died, Paul would be in for a great improvement in his situation. She rather wondered at his methods, though. They were rudimentary, almost immature in their execution. Even if he was successful, he’d never get away with it.

Dorothy pulled Gina’s arm back and they slowed the pace until they were a little away from the others. She could just hear Leonard telling them all, that this time on Saturday they would be walking around to the orangery, but the rest of what he was saying was lost on the breeze that had picked up as they walked the length of the gravel driveway.

‘Do you really think Paul could be trying to kill Leonard?’ Dorothy asked quietly.

‘I did say I was joking earlier. I don’t really think someone is trying to kill him. I mean, think about it, Dorothy. How likely is that?’ Gina whispered.

‘As likely as someone breaking into my home, I would say,’ she said wryly. ‘If someone is trying to bump him off, I just want whoever it is to stop. I need Leonard alive for now, to face justice. There will be no relief for me if the painting is found and I don’t get to look him in the eye as he’s dragged away kicking and screaming by the law.’

‘Dorothy, I think it would be in your interest to lower your expectations somewhat. I don’t think there will be any kicking or screaming, whatever is found.’

‘We’ll see, we’ll see.’

The dining room was a picture when they arrived a few minutes later. The curtains were pulled right back, allowing the room a lot of light that it hadn’t had the last time they’d dined in there. Even though the decor was obviously unchanged, without that gloomy feel the whole place seemed more enchanting somehow. A clever use of lighting to create a completely different mood. Of course there was the addition of a lot of food. The table was heaving under the weight of what looked like a medieval banquet. Pies and platters of meat, cakes, bowls laden with fruit, puddings and jellies. It was impressive and it was also obscene. This food could feed so many more people than the present number of guests. It made Dorothy feel a bit angry, but she bit her tongue and smiled along with everyone else.

Leonard had disappeared off to get changed, he’d said, and Dorothy wondered what ridiculous outfit he’d be wearing tonight. She imagined him in a full Henry VIII costume complete with fake belly, but when he did arrive a few moments later, she was surprised to see he had taken on more the look of a court jester. Dorothy realised how much less intimidating he looked when dressed up and smiled a broad smile just for herself.

He encouraged them all to dig into the feast and no one needed telling twice as the group descended onto the table to fill their plates.

Harry had outdone himself again and despite Dorothy’s feelings about the amount of food that he’d produced, she couldn’t help but admire his skill. Leonard wasn’t eating, though; he had his phone to his ear and had slipped out of the room.

She wandered around the table to sit next to Juliet who had her phone out again too.

‘I hope you’re not recording,’ she said sternly to her granddaughter, who quickly switched it off. ‘It has to stop.’

‘Mind if I join you?’ Gina asked them.

‘Of course not,’ Dorothy said. ‘I was just telling Juliet that recording people’s conversations had to stop. She’s still doing it, you know.’