The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding (13 page)

I’ve been back at Chocolate Heaven for a week now and Marcus is behaving himself. More or less. He’s been in every day and there’s a lot of giggling in the staff room when he disappears with Ms France, but business is on the up already and he’s pretty much staying out of my hair.

I’m tidying the place, ready to leave for the evening, when his car roars up.
‘Hey,’ he says as he swings in through the door. ‘What’s new?’
‘We have some lovely pecan pralines on offer, if you’d like to try one.’
‘You know I’m not a big chocolate fan, Lucy.’
‘Strange for a man who owns a chocolate shop. I should educate you.’
Marcus grins at me. ‘That, I’d look forward to.’
I tut at him. ‘Don’t forget I’m leaving early tonight. I did text you to remind you.’
‘You did.’
I undo my apron and strip it off. ‘Because you are paying me a fabulous salary, it means I can afford to go and book my lovely wedding venue. So thank you for that, Marcus.’
‘Aw.’ He pulls a face. ‘Don’t marry him, marry me.’
‘We’ve been there before, Marcus. Remember?’
‘I was young, foolish.’
‘Now you’re older and even more foolish. You could be one of my bridesmaids, if you like.’
‘Harsh.’
‘Besides, I’m not sure how Ms France would like you proposing to me.’
‘Marie-France and I are just good friends.’
‘It looks like it.’
‘You’re determined to go through with this?’
‘Of course I’m going through with it. I’m in love. I’m happy.’
Marcus does his best sulk. ‘What has wotsit got—’
‘Aiden,’ I supply.
‘ . . . that I haven’t?’
‘Integrity. Loyalty. Fidelity.’
‘You could get a puppy if you wanted that. Don’t you like a challenge, Lucy?’
‘No. But clearly you do.’
‘You must miss us just a little bit.’
‘That’ll be a no again,’ I tell him. ‘I’m marrying Aiden and that’s all there is to it. Don’t waste your words, Marcus. Wish me well and let me go.’
‘If only it were so easy. You’re a hard woman to forget.’ He takes my hand, lifts it to his lips and graces it with a lingering kiss.
That moment, of course, is the one that Crush chooses to arrive. He’s all smiles, but when he sees me and Marcus, his expression darkens.
I pull away from Marcus, who stands there grinning smugly.
Crush nods tightly at my boss. ‘Marcus.’
‘Hello, er . . . ’
‘Aiden,’ I supply.
‘We’d better get a move on, Lucy,’ Crush says. ‘We’ve got an appointment with the
wedding organiser
soon.’
I don’t think any of us missed the emphasis on that.
‘Yes, yes. I’ll get my coat.’ So I rush into the back room and grab it off the hanger. I don’t want Crush and Marcus left alone together for more than two seconds. Goodness only knows what might happen. There could be a full-on brawl. Coat in hand, I scurry back.
When I return, they are, indeed, standing as if they’re squaring up to each other. Crush’s hands are clenched into fists by his side. Time to leave.
‘I’ll be in first thing in the morning, Marcus,’ I say. ‘Don’t meddle with anything.’
Marcus raises his hand. ‘Have fun.’
We swing out onto the street.
‘He’s not a problem,’ I say.
‘Marcus is
always
a problem,’ Crush counters. ‘I know only too well what he’s like. I can’t help it, Lucy; I just don’t like you spending time with him every day.’
‘He’s totally wrapped up in Ms France at the moment. He’s not bothering me.’ I stop still and turn to him. ‘And it’s you that I love. We’re on the way to book
our wedding
.’ I get a thrill just saying that. ‘Let’s not argue about Marcus.’
Crush breaks into a smile. ‘You’re right. I’m being an idiot. A possessive one at that.’
‘Don’t ever stop,’ I say and I wind my arms round him to kiss him.
‘I called Jacob,’ Crush says. ‘We’re meeting him at the venue. He’s never organised a wedding at this place before, so he’s looking forward to it.’
‘Me too.’
* * * One crowded, stuffy Tube ride later and we rock up at Golders Hill Park. Jacob is helping us with the planning and, as agreed, is waiting for us at the gates. We go into the park. It’s a beautiful evening. Every day is stretching out that little bit longer and the sun is still making a respectable effort to warm us. We walk down to the wedding pavilion that we’ve chosen and the area is bathed in a golden glow. It’s even better than I remembered. Jacob is suitably impressed.
‘This is a fabulous setting.’ He looks round him. ‘You’ve picked a great place.’
‘I want it to be casual and informal,’ I tell him. ‘There’ll only be a few family and our friends.’
‘Bridesmaids?’ Jacob asks.
‘The girls, of course. But I don’t even want them to have matching dresses. Everyone can come as they are.’
‘You want flowers, though?’
‘Maybe. Nothing starchy. I don’t want a prissy bouquet.’ What could possibly compete with the abundance of flowers cascading around us? And in June it will be fabulous.
‘You could have a simple, casual arrangement.’
‘Sounds just right.’
‘I’ll take some inspiration from here.’ Jacob studies the flowers around us, the colour of the rambling roses, the lavender that will soon be in bloom. He’s making copious notes on his iPad.
‘Then I thought we’d have a picnic here afterwards,’ I tell him.
‘What if it rains?’
‘Everyone says that! It
won’t
rain,’ I assure him. ‘Not on our wedding day.’
Jacob laughs. ‘I love your optimism, Lucy, but I might just make a contingency plan. Caterers?’
‘I’ll leave it to you, Jacob. But something fun. And, preferably, inexpensive.’
‘Involving chocolate?’
‘But of course.’
He taps that in, too.
‘Are you sure this is the place?’ Crush asks.
‘Absolutely sure.’
So when Yvette, the wedding organiser here arrives, we book the date – which, miraculously, is still free. That has to be an omen, right? When I watch her enter it into her diary it feels so positive that I could turn a cartwheel. Maybe two. We’re on the calendar! The date is sealed! Ain’t no stopping us now.
Jacob talks to Yvette about chairs and where the celebrant will stand and the form of our service, but I’m drifting on a cloud of happiness somewhere above it all. I’m finally marrying Aiden ‘Crush’ Holby and my little heart couldn’t hold any more love for him.
When Jacob has done his bit, we all say goodbye to Yvette. Then I kiss Jacob and Crush shakes his hand and he heads for home, leaving Crush and me alone. We sit on the worn stone steps surrounded by tendrils of luscious ivy, sweet honeysuckle and blousy clematis. The sun is sinking in the sky and Crush holds my hand.
‘It’s a done deal,’ he says. ‘Nervous?’
‘No. Not at all. You?’
‘Not one bit.’
‘This is heaven,’ I say. ‘I could happily sit here for ever.’ I lean against Crush’s chest. ‘I can’t wait to be your wife.’
Wife! Me, a wife!
‘I love you,’ Crush says. ‘For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.’
I think about what Chantal is going through and my heart goes out to her. Jacob is proving that he’s just as much here for her in sickness as in health and I know that Aiden would be exactly the same. He is a good person. One of the best. It’s true that you never know what’s around the corner and I want to spend as much of my life with Crush as I can. ‘I like the sound of that.’
We will love and cherish each other for ever. I know that nothing will come between us. And that includes Marcus Canning.

Autumn lay in bed next to Miles, both of them drifting in and out of sleep, neither wanting to fully wake and face the day. She was meeting Willow for the second time later and already she was nervous and excited.

A moment later, Florence jumped on the foot of the bed, crawled up and plonked herself between them. ‘I’m awake, Daddy,’ she bellowed.

Autumn smiled to herself. For someone so delicate looking she could be quite a bruiser. Still, fair play to Flo – it probably was time that they all got up.

‘Oh, no,’ Miles said. ‘Does that mean it’s time for your first tickle of the day?’ He pulled his daughter onto his chest, while she shrieked with happiness.

‘I wish you were both coming with me today,’ she said as she turned to Miles.
‘Me too.’ He put Flo down and settled her against his pillow. ‘But you need time on your own with her.’
‘I know. I hope she enjoys the exhibition.’ Autumn had booked for them both to see Hollywood costumes at the V&A museum. It was the hot ticket. If conversation was difficult between them, then surely that would give them a lot to chat about.
‘If it goes all right, maybe we could meet up for something to eat later. Ed’s Diner might go down well. Or Bill’s. Text and let me know. What time is her train home?’
‘Not that late,’ Autumn said. ‘I wish she was staying over.’
‘That’ll be the next step,’ Miles assured her. ‘A little bit at a time.’
An hour later, Autumn was up, showered, dressed and ready to head out of the door. She was meeting Willow’s train at Paddington mid-morning and didn’t want to be late. There’d be nothing worse than leaving her daughter waiting for her. Autumn wanted her to know that, although she may have let her down once, she could be relied now. She’d never do anything to hurt Willow again.
Kissing Miles and Flo goodbye, she headed to the station. It was a good half hour before Willow’s train was due to arrive, but that was fine. She grabbed herself a coffee and a chocolate croissant while she waited.
At the allotted time, Willow’s train pulled in. Autumn’s heart lifted when she saw her coming along the platform. Willow was dressed head to toe in black again, wearing a short black lace dress and black denim jacket with her Doc Martens. This time her hair wasn’t straightened and her mop of curls mirrored Autumn’s.
‘Good to see you again,’ Autumn said as she hugged her tiny, tense body. ‘You look great.’
Willow studied the floor. ‘Thanks. It’s just something old.’
‘Did you have a good journey?’
Shrugging, she mumbled, ‘It was OK.’
Willow had retreated again and was shy, reluctant. But that was fine. At least she was here.
‘It’s the first time Mum has let me travel to London on my own.’
‘Hopefully not the last,’ Autumn said. ‘We can head straight to the museum. We’ve got timed tickets, but I think it’s going to be really busy. We’ll grab something to drink before we go in and then have a bite to eat afterwards. Does that suit you?’
The girl nodded and they fell into step together. Autumn felt emotion well in her chest. This was her daughter and, beyond her wildest dreams, they were going for a day out together.

The exhibition was all Autumn could have hoped for. The range of costumes and memorabilia from Hollywood films old and new was quite staggering. There were costumes from the Indiana Jones films through to Marilyn Monroe’s dress from
Some Like it Hot
, plus sumptuous period dresses from
Dangerous Liaisons
and
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
through to Morticia’s gloriously gothic gowns from
The Addams Family
. Surely Willow would like those? It was a feast for the eyes. The slow-moving queue snaking through the halls meant they could take their time and look at everything.

Soon the awkwardness fell away and they were chatting more easily about the displays.
‘Look,’ Autumn said. ‘There’s the ruby slippers from
The Wizard of Oz
.’ She bent down to point them out to Willow, who broke into a rare smile.
‘Cool.’
‘It was one of my favourite films as a child.’
‘I like the old films,’ Willow ventured. ‘I was never into the whole Disney thing. Audrey Hepburn in
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
is an icon.’
‘Her dress is here too, I think,’ Autumn said.
‘Wow.’ The smile was nearly a grin.
This had been a very good choice and Autumn thanked her lucky stars that she’d been able to get her hands on tickets.
‘I wanted to be in the drama group at school,’ Willow admitted, as they moved along in line. ‘But that’s where all the It girls hang out. I don’t belong. They spend their lives as if they’re auditioning for
Glee
. It’s nauseating.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Autumn said. ‘I was never one of the cool girls either.’ She wondered if Willow was bullied at school. Anyone who didn’t fit the mould tended to be. ‘But you have your own style and you’re an individual.’
‘I stand out like a sore thumb.’
‘Don’t let them thwart that. And don’t let them mess with your dreams. You should follow what your heart wants to do.’
‘I’d like to come to drama school in London,’ she said. ‘Or maybe do something with fashion. I hate the countryside. I don’t fit there either, but Mum won’t let me go.’
‘It’s a tough world,’ Autumn said, ‘and I’m sure that Mary’s only worried about you.’
‘I’m not a kid,’ she said defiantly and Autumn smiled to herself. ‘I know my own mind.’
‘I wish I’d been half as feisty as you at fourteen.’
‘Maybe you wouldn’t have given me away then.’ Willow’s chin jutted.
Autumn took the jibe. ‘There’s no question about it. I was too weak to stand up to my parents and I can only apologise for that. The decision was taken out of my hands and I simply went along with it. I felt that I had no choice, but I should have fought harder for you and I’ve lived with that regret ever since.’
‘It’s OK.’ Willow’s lip quivered. ‘Mary’s been a great mum.’
‘I never want to step into her place. I want to assure you of that,’ Autumn said. ‘But you’re my flesh and blood and we’ve spent too many years apart. I hope that we can become good friends.’
‘Yeah,’ Willow said. ‘We’ll see how it goes.’
That’s all she could ask and, for now, she’d hold onto that crumb. Then the line moved forward and they inched past a plethora of costumes until they finally stood in front of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic little black dress.
‘That is one
sweet
dress,’ Willow said in awe. They both gazed at it in admiration.
‘You can be anything you want to be, you know,’ Autumn said. ‘You’re bright and you’re beautiful. Let the world see what you’ve got. You know that if I can do anything to help you, then I will.’ Autumn grinned at her. ‘I’ve got your back, kid.’
Willow smiled back and tears sprang to Autumn’s eyes when she felt her daughter’s arm hesitantly link through hers.

The day ended too soon. After the exhibition, the two of them went for a cream tea at the café in the V&A. They sat in the old part, beautiful with its stained-glass windows and dark wood panels, enjoying the hubbub. A pianist played in the corner while they chatted easily about what they’d seen in the exhibition. Here in London, with all its different fashions and cultures, no one turned a hair at Willow’s appearance and she seemed a lot more relaxed than when she’d arrived. Despite all her bravado and fierce style, did she really just want to be like everyone else?