AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I feel terrible,” she groaned. “I think I’ve got a bug of some kind. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to the loo.”
“I think it might be the takeaway we had last night,” Iris said, sitting down on her bed and putting a hand on Beth’s forehead. “I’ve got it too. But not as badly as you.”
“Serves me right for being so greedy. I had about twice what you had. How’s Dad? He had something different, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he had the beef. He’s fine, which is why I think it must be the prawns.” Beth groaned and turned her head away. “Sorry,” Iris said hastily. “Shall I get you some water?”
“I’ve got some, thanks. What about the christening, Mum? If I’m still feeling like this, I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it.” Tears leaked from her eyes. “Sorry. it’s just that I really wanted to go.”
Iris reached out and smoothed her hair from her face. “You might still be able to. It’s only eight thirty, so you’ve got another couple of hours. I’m going back to bed for a while. Let’s see how things go. If neither of us feel better, we’ll spend the afternoon huddled under a blanket watching television.”
“Sounds lovely,” Beth said, making an effort to lift her head from the pillow. “But you have to go to the christening, don’t you? You’re Hamish’s godmother.”
“Yes, but I suppose if I really can’t make it, someone will stand in for me.”
When eleven o’clock came, Iris couldn’t pretend she wasn’t feeling better. Beth, though, was still horribly ill.
“Maybe I should stay with her,” Gabriel suggested, looking glumly at the suit he’d taken from the wardrobe.
“She’s ill but not that ill,” Iris said, giving him an exasperated smile. “Just a few hours, and then it will be over.” She paused. “By the way, I invited Hugh and Esme to come here after the christening. I thought we could have a light supper this evening and crack open a bottle of champagne. I invited Marcus too, but Esme said he’ll probably hang out with his cousins.”
“As long as Joseph doesn’t have the gall to come with them,” he growled.
“If he does, we’ll have to make the best of it. It’s good that they’re coming because Beth might be feeling well enough to join us by then. At least she won’t feel she’s missed out on everything.”
“True.”
The ceremony was scheduled for twelve, so Iris got ready, pulling on the yellow dress she’d bought especially for the christening, along with a light jacket. It was one of those beautiful autumn days, with bright sunshine and little wind. They arrived at the church and found it half full of villagers who’d been invited to stay behind for a glass of champagne after the morning service. Esme was already there, beautiful in an emerald green dress and matching shoes, with Hamish asleep in her arms. Iris and Gabriel made their way over.
“Thank God,” Esme murmured, when Iris mentioned how good he was being. “I don’t think I could cope with a screaming baby right now.”
“Is something the matter?”
“It’s Joseph.” Esme’s voice was grim. “He was meant to leave with us, but he wasn’t ready. And he’s still not here. I’m going to have to ask Hugh to go and look for him.”
Gabriel craned his neck. “Where is Hugh?”
“Over there, chatting to the vicar with Marcus. I don’t suppose you could go and interrupt them, ask him to go and get Joseph?”
“Why don’t I go and see where Joseph is?” Gabriel offered. “Hugh should really be with you.”
A sigh of relief whooshed from deep inside Esme. “Would you? Thanks so much, Gabriel, I really appreciate it.”
“Let me take Hamish from you,” Iris said, as Gabriel left the church. “Then you can go and say hello to people while we wait for Joseph.”
“As long as he doesn’t keep us waiting too long.” Her voice was tight with annoyance. She slipped Hamish into Iris’s arms, then looked around suddenly. “Where’s Beth?”
“She’s ill,” Iris explained. “She’s so upset not to be here. We had a takeaway curry last night that didn’t agree with her.”
“Oh no, poor Beth! What about you and Gabriel? Are you both okay?”
“Gabriel didn’t have the same as me and Beth, so he’s been spared. I wasn’t great this morning but I’m feeling better now.”
Esme laid a hand on her arm. “Thank you for making the effort to come when you’d probably rather be tucked up in bed.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you imagine if there was no godmother or godfather?”
Iris moved to the front pew reserved for the parents and godparents, and sat down, cradling Hamish. “It’ll be fine. Joseph will be here any minute now.”
65
