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‘Thank you,’ I say, smoothing out my new dress. For some reason, I’m not in love with it as much as I was when I tried it on in the shop.
‘Hello! Welcome,’ I say, grinning as I embrace several of Rob’s older relatives. ‘Thank you so much for coming.’
‘Wouldn’t have missed it,’ George says, shuffling over to the bar area.
The barn we’ve hired at the hotel venue – a ten-minute drive to the west of Clifton, our part of Bristol – looks beautiful now that it’s all decorated. It’s filled with beams, country chic, wild flowers, and the smells coming from the kitchen are delicious.
‘Amber, darling,’ I say. ‘Would you look after this for me, sweetie?’ I hand her my tote. I’ve been carrying it around since we arrived because it contains Belle’s gift, but it’s getting in the way as I put the finishing touches to the decorations.
‘Sure,’ she says, dropping down onto a chair at one of the round tables dotted about. Each one has a gingham cloth and a little vase of white flowers plus several tea lights. It’s Amber’s job to keep the candles replaced and lit throughout the evening.
‘Guard it with your life,’ I tell her, winking as I head over to a newly arrived group of guests – three girls from Belle’s school.
‘Where’s Belle?’ Jenny, one of my daughter’s best friends asks as she looks around. They’ve all been under strict instructions not to breathe a word about the party.
I make a face, rolling my eyes. ‘Skidding in at the last moment. She was delayed in France. Have you heard from her today?’ The little laugh I add at the end doesn’t do much to hide my anxiety.
The girls glance at each other and shrug as several of their boyfriends from school arrive and sidle up to them. ‘Sorry, Mrs Greene, we haven’t heard much at all since she’s been away.’
‘She posted a story on Insta yesterday though,’ Abby says. ‘Looks like she was having fun and—’ She scowls when Jenny nudges her.
I feel a twinge of relief. If she was posting online, then she must be fine. I don’t really use any personal social media myself – and besides, Belle has already made it clear she won’t add me as a friend – so I have no way of checking. ‘Right, have fun, girls. Go and get yourselves some drinks. Free bar, you know.’
I head off to the kitchen area to check how the cake is holding up. When Marcie brought it in earlier, I noticed that the hot car journey hadn’t done it any favours. Some of the buttercream was a tad soft.
As I pass by Amber, who’s already looking bored, waiting for her own little group of friends to arrive, I take my phone from my clutch bag. There’s a text from Natalia.
Belle just arrive home. But says going out for dinner! What to do?
Thank God she’s home, is my first thought, swiftly followed byChrist.
‘Rob!’ I call out as loudly as I dare above the ambient music the DJ is playing. Nothing too rowdy as people arrive.
He comes over. ‘Now what?’
I show him the text. ‘How could she do this?’
‘Because she doesn’t know we’ve organised a party for her, that’s why.’ He takes his phone from his pocket and dials Belle’s number. It rings out.
I text Natalia back, my fingers trembling.
‘I told her to ambush Belle if she has to –anything. Just get her in the car and make sure she gets here.’
‘That relies on Natalia actually knowing what the word ambush means,’ Rob groans. ‘This is getting silly now.’ He ruffles his hair in his usual Rob way. ‘Anyway, who’s she going out to dinnerwith? Surely all her friends are here.’
I glance around the barn. It’s getting full now, and noisier. The DJ has ramped up the music a notch. I send another message to Natalia, asking what’s going on, then another one to Belle.
Darling, glad you’re home safe. Natalia is bringing you to meet us. Please go with her xx
‘Mum and Dad have just arrived,’ Rob says. ‘I’d better go and get them settled with a drink.’ He heads off just as my phone pings.
Belle get lift with someone and follow my car. Think she knows something is happening but best can do.
At this point, I don’t even care if the surprise is blown before she arrives. I just need Belle here. With nearly fifty guests, I can’t stand the thought of my planned speech beginning with telling them that my daughter isn’t coming.
I go over to Rob’s parents and give them each a kiss. Every time I see them, pangs of regret flood my thoughts. Decent parents – parents who have always cared deeply for Rob and his sister, giving them the childhood I never had. I bat away the comparisons, though it never gets any easier.
‘Nancy, you look stunning,’ I say to Rob’s mum. ‘I hope you had an easy journey.’
