A Dad of His Own Read online

  ‘I have one the same,’ Anna said, taking it from her, ‘though I forgot to bring it. We’ll be there before the guests arrive so it should be easy, I’ll also take one on my mobile and send it straight to you.’

  ‘Only if you’ve time,’ Lucy said. ‘I like to keep a record of all the ones I’ve done, and it’s good to have pictures to help other people choose what kind of cake they want.’

  Anna felt a little reluctant to leave this warm and noisy house and go back to the flat to get ready to go into the castle, but she knew the other people helping out, and with some sumptuous rooms shown at their best it would be a memorable occasion.

  It was weddings she still found particularly hard, all that love and goodwill for the future, when hers and Gary’s had ended so abruptly.

  ‘Have a great time. I’m longing to hear all about it,’ Lucy hugged her.

  ‘I’ll be back to pick you up, and Benny if he wants to, in the morning,’ Anna kissed Freddie before going out to her car to head back up the hill to the castle.

  As she passed, Anna noticed a few cars were making their way to the church. People had done their best to clean up after the flood but still there were puddles about and mud and such. The guests’ cars would be parked outside the quadrangle when they came up for the reception. Nell had told her that the bride and groom’s car would leave after they had been dropped off, as following the reception they were going away in their camper van, for a three-month honeymoon driving round Europe.

  After a long soak, Anna washed and blow-dried her hair; the blonde highlights blending into the brown, which fell in soft curls, framing her oval face. She had more colour in her cheeks from the fresh air and her body, never fat, looked more toned from all the walking she’d done. But why was she worrying so much about what she looked like, she asked herself, when she was not a guest or in competition with the bride, only someone on duty, supposed to be almost invisible to make sure it all went well.

  As planned, Anna joined Tessa and Nell at the door of their office and she was glad to go with them. Tessa was dressed in a wine-coloured silk suit, her hair newly done and rather too much make-up, while Nell wore a simpler royal blue dress and jacket and a thick cardigan over the top.

  ‘I’ll take this off when I get there,’ she said, ‘it will be even colder when we come home.’

  ‘I agree, I’m glad I’m in my coat, it is bitter,’ Anna said.

  ‘We’re only a step away,’ Tessa said, marching towards the arch of greenery close to the door of the castle, the other two following closely behind.

  Simon and Luke were already there and Cathie, looking very pretty in a floaty top and trousers, came soon after.

  Outside the main door of the castle, illuminated by a strong light, was a brand new camper van festooned in ribbons, and an old boot painted gold. Various messages had been stuck to it already, wishing the new couple luck and some spicy ones about keeping their eyes on the road.

  ‘They start off in the Alps as they both love skiing,’ Nell told her.

  ‘I think it’s a fabulous idea,’ Anna said, going closer to read some of the messages.

  Those on duty met up in the hall, along with other people, mostly retired, who used to work on the estate and sometimes came in for events in the castle. Although most of them were old hands at the work, there was an air of excitement among them. They were all spruced up in their best suits and smart dresses waiting to take the coats, and obviously enjoying their day out. Nell introduced Anna to them as they took off their own coats and left them hanging on the rack.

  Julius arrived dressed in a dark grey suit and a blue shirt and Anna did a double take when she saw how stunning he looked, reminding herself sharply not to make a fool of herself.

  He went down the passage to the kitchen to check everything there and then came back and reminded everyone to mingle with the guests, to be unobtrusive yet vigilant. There was to be no drinking, he reminded them cheerfully to groans, but sandwiches would be on hand for them in the kitchen later, though they must not all leave their places at once and work it out among themselves who would eat when.

  As they crossed the hall to the stairs, he was beside Anna. ‘You look wonderful,’ his eyes appraised her, ‘and it’s good of you to do this. But I think you’ll be pleased you did when you see the rooms in all their glory.’

  There was a stone staircase going up into the long gallery and Anna was struck at how lovely it all was with all the lights on. They showed up the gleaming wooden floor, the huge pictures hanging in their gold frames. Anna recognised the work of some of the artists, Sargent, Constable and Turner, and was amazed until Julius leant close and said, ‘Sorry to disappoint you but they are all copies, good ones though.’

  ‘Well they fooled me, but then I’m not an expert like Daisy is,’ she said, and Julius smiled, told her to enjoy herself, before speeding away for a last-minute check before the wedding party arrived.

  Anna looked about her, drinking it all in. It was dark outside and inside was lit by sparkling chandeliers, making the place she’d glimpsed before in plain light glow with beauty. Here and there against the walls stood fabulous pieces of furniture. The door to the dining room was open and she went in to admire the table laid with silver knives and forks and gleaming glasses. In the centre was a large silver bowl with an arrangement of dark leaves and deep crimson cyclamens; arranged on the wall was a collection of spears and a beautiful, ornate screen stood in the corner. On a table by the window at the end of the room stood Lucy’s cake in all its delicate beauty.

  Anna took a few photos of it now, while the room was empty, before following the others into the drawing room with its sumptuous curtains, thick rich carpets, elegant furniture and more paintings. She stared round her with wonder, the room was almost empty, so she could see it as a whole and wander round to examine the pictures and the furniture before the room became humming with guests.

  Julius, coming upon her and seeing her pleasure in her surroundings, joined her. ‘It gets you every time, the sheer magnificence and beauty of it all,’ he said. ‘Imagine living like this every day of your life, though I wonder if the family really noticed it or just took it for granted.’

  ‘Hard to know,’ she said. ’I suppose you’ve been to most of the weddings?’

  ‘Yes, quite a few over the years. The most we’ve had were six one year and we only allow weddings in the winter so we can open the castle for visitors during the summer. On a hot summer’s day these rooms would be wasted as people would want to be outside and we’d have to shut the rest of the castle to the public and that would be complicated.’ They were silent for a moment and then he said quietly, ‘I’m sorry you may find it hard being at a wedding after what happened to your husband.’

  ‘Yes, I do, but over the years I’ve had to come to terms with it. Just because I lost Gary so soon shouldn’t make me spoil other people’s happiness,’ she smiled at him. ‘Besides, this is different, I don’t know any of the people here and I’ve really come to see all the wonderful rooms and the setting.’

  ‘That’s a very brave way of looking at it,’ Julius smiled at her. ‘It may be unkind to say, but I think some people can put a dampener on other people’s happiness by trailing their own sorrows behind them.’

  ‘It can be very difficult sometimes, but grief gets better, I’ve found it so anyway, or maybe you just get used to it.’ She liked being close to him, she felt there was an affinity between them, but that was probably only her overworked imagination playing up being in such a romantic and beautiful place ready for a wedding.

  He held her gaze a moment before saying, ‘Well, I hope that you can enjoy the day, Anna.’ He smiled before glancing at his watch, ‘They will be here in a moment, catch up later.’ He briefly touched her arm, before dashing off to check that everything was in order.

  The guests began to arrive, goggling at the sheer beauty of the place, the pictures, the shining and sometimes gilded furniture and the magnificent stai
ned-glass windows either end of the gallery, cleverly lit to show off their jewel-like colours.

  When they had got their drinks, the guests were tactfully shepherded into the drawing room, equally rich in wonderful furniture and pictures, to mingle awhile until the dinner in the dining room next door was served. The door to that room was closed now, hiding another treat to be revealed at the sit-down dinner.

  ‘They look a nice crowd,’ Tessa said, coming up to Anna, ‘you can usually tell just by looking at them, and I love the bride’s dress.’

  Anna studied the bride’s dress, pearl white with a lace bodice. She wore a little silk hat, which Mattie would have approved of, Anna thought.

  The middle-aged bridegroom, his hair feathered with grey and wearing a colourful waistcoat under his morning coat, beamed with pride at his wife.

  There were three grown-up bridesmaids dressed in blue and Tessa whispered to Anna that they were their daughters, ‘Not together of course, but it’s nice they seem to be quite friendly with one another.’

  ‘Everyone looks so happy and it’s certainly a wonderful venue, so romantic,’ Anna said, not liking to ask how much it must cost to rent for the day and probably half the night too – not that she’d ever have occasion to rent it herself, but it was lovely that other people could.

  Thirty

  There were photographs taken of the bride and groom. They kept looking at each other as if they could not believe that this was happening. It seemed more poignant somehow than a young couple starting out, Anna thought, and perhaps more stable. She thought of her own wedding and what a day of happiness it had been. Who could have known how short a time they would have together. She was touched by Julius’s concern for her, not wanting this wedding to cause her more pain, and she determined to put that aside now and enjoy today with this happy couple in these beautiful surroundings.

  Luke, looking quite different out of his work clothes in a smart suit, his hair newly cut and tidy, came over to her.

  ‘Wow, you look great,’ he said with an appreciative grin.

  ‘So do you,’ she laughed.

  ‘Looks like a good turnout and I don’t think we’ll get any trouble here,’ he said, ‘do you, Nell?’ he asked her as she joined them.

  ‘Hope not, but let’s wait until there’s been more booze consumed. It’s usually that which sets people off.’

  ‘Have you had some bad experiences?’ Anna asked, thinking how cheerful and pleased to see each other everyone was, obviously old friends from way back.

  ‘Not many, some of the security guards are good at keeping a watch on that,’ Nell said.

  The speeches were started and after them Lucy’s beautiful cake, which had now been brought into the drawing room, would be cut, as not everyone was staying on for the sit-down dinner.

  Anna was determined to see the cake being cut and on Lucy’s instructions she’d promised to try and taste a bit. Lucy always worried if the cake was too dry or not quite cooked in the centre and it was difficult to know how well it had cooked until it was cut. The dinner was to be served at 8 o’clock and after dinner there would be dancing until midnight, so while the speeches were going on Anna wandered back into the gallery, which was almost empty now with just the waiters collecting up the empty glasses and empty bottles of champagne. The door to the dining room was slightly open, so she peered in to have one last look at the beauty of the room before it was filled with people sitting down for dinner. To her astonishment she saw a woman there hastily putting something from the table into her handbag, the lit chandeliers above catching the glint of silver in her hand.

  Anna stood transfixed for a moment; the woman was obviously a guest as she was dressed in a maroon silk suit with a pink feathery fascinator on her head.

  She turned and saw Anna and said, ‘Just checking my place.’ She picked up a place card in front of her, studying it rather theatrically. ‘I like to see who I am sitting next to.’ Her expression dared Anna to dispute her. She snatched shut her large black handbag and made to leave the room.

  Anna glanced at the table which was laid with silver cutlery and saw there was a spoon missing by one of the places where the woman had been standing, and looking further round the table she saw there were other pieces missing too. She’d seen the table when she first arrived, and she couldn’t swear to it, but she was sure the table was fully laid.

  She moved in front of the woman and with her heart beating fit to burst, she said, ‘Excuse me, but I think I saw you put a piece of silver into your bag.’

  ‘Are you accusing me of stealing,’ the woman drew herself up to confront Anna, her mouth in a snarl, her eyes flashing at her. ‘How dare you, I’ll report you to…’

  ‘I’m sorry, but I’m sure I…’

  ‘Is something wrong?’ Julius came into the room. He looked from one to another.

  ‘Are you in charge here?’ the woman barked at him. ‘This woman has accused me of being a thief, I have never been so insulted in my life.’ She began to march towards the door.

  Julius looked at Anna, his face stricken. ‘What happened, Anna?’ he asked quietly, moving in front of the woman as she tried to leave the room. ‘Just a minute, let me sort this out, can you tell me what happened, Anna?’

  His eyes were on her, and she felt anxious. Had she imagined seeing this woman lifting the silver from the table? She glanced back at the table. There were quite a few spaces where the cutlery had been laid and surely the professional staff here would not have been so lax as to have forgotten or not bothered to lay each place correctly, and surely if they had she’d have noticed it the first time she’d come into the room earlier to photograph the cake?

  ‘I saw the door was open after Simon had closed it, so I came in, really to see the room again before it’s full of people, and I… saw this… woman and I’m sure I saw her…’ Anna paused. She was facing both the woman and Julius; the woman stared at her menacingly, Julius looking anxious.

  ‘Go on, Anna,’ he said quietly.

  ‘I thought I saw her put a piece of silver – a spoon – in her handbag, I saw it glint under the light,’ she said firmly, though inside she was petrified. Had she imagined it and the staff were slapdash at laying the table?

  ‘What a preposterous idea,’ the woman snapped, opening her bag and holding it out for them to see.

  Anna and Julius peered inside; there was a wallet, a handkerchief, some make-up and a set of keys, nothing else.

  ‘There,’ the woman snapped it shut. ‘I expect this… person to be instantly removed for telling lies and making false accusations about the guests here. I shall be taking legal advice.’ She eyed them dramatically before moving closer towards the door.

  Julius looked at Anna, ‘Are you really sure?’

  ‘Look at the table, there are quite a few bits of cutlery missing and I’m pretty certain there weren’t when I saw it before anyone arrived. I came in to photograph the cake for Lucy,’ Anna said, her heart in overdrive.

  The woman was still some way from the door in the long room, but Julius stayed where he was to block her exit. He glanced at the part of the table nearest him, ‘It’s always laid up the evening before so the flowers can be arranged and what I can see seems all right.’ He glanced at the part of the table nearest to them. ‘You are sure, Anna?’ He put his hand gently on her arm, looking into her face, his expression troubled.

  ‘Yes, I only saw her take one piece, from the other end of the table. I’m sure I did,’ she felt faint now, unsure.

  ‘I believe you,’ he said, quietly.

  The woman had moved away from him and was now at the side of the room, trying to edge to the door.

  At that moment one of the security guards passed by, they did the rounds every so often and Julius called to him. ‘Pete, would you mind just a minute, Anna thought she’d seen this woman taking some of the silver off the table, there are some pieces missing at the top, but perhaps it has not been laid properly, though I find that strange as the sta
ff are known for their attention to every detail. I can’t see anything in her bag, so Anna might have been mistaken, but just to be certain.’ He smiled as if it was nothing of great importance.

  The woman tried to dart away but Pete stopped her.

  ‘Let’s just make sure,’ Pete said, managing somehow to get her bag off her. He opened it and carefully looked through the things they’d already seen in it.

  ‘You see, there is nothing, I have never been so badly insulted in all my life, I shall report you, make sure the company who runs this show is not used again,’ she blustered and put out her hand to take her bag.

  Anna felt ill; she must be going mad imagining such things, and yet she was certain she’d seen her taking a piece of silver from the table. Why was this woman the only guest in the room? Did she really want to see where her place card was and if she didn’t like it change it to sit next to someone else? A not unheard-of thing; Anna and her friends had done it sometimes, but when they were much younger.

  Pete, still holding on to the bag, said, ‘you haven’t much in it, but it is very heavy. He examined it and tugged at the side of the lining, which was secured by Velcro, and it ripped open. Pete put in his hand and pulled out three silver spoons, a couple of pairs of silver salt and pepper pots, two silver forks and a silver sugar sifter. ‘How did these get in here then?’ he asked quietly.

  Julius said to Anna, ‘Please go and fetch Simon and ask him to bring another security guard with him, then go and sit down. You can have a glass of champagne, only one though.’ He smiled at her and she felt a great surge of relief, she was not going mad after all. She ran out of the room and into the gallery, there was another security guard there and she told him to go into the dining room as Julius needed him, then she went into the drawing room and saw Simon, with Cathie hanging round him, and she went up to him. He saw by her face something was up.