The Holiday Home

32


Snow was falling gently on the churchyard, muffling the footsteps of the small wedding party.

Henry was looking very handsome in a handmade tweed suit woven in the softest of heathery green wool. His black suede waistcoat, snow-white shirt and paisley cravat were Dorothy’s choice.

The bride, wearing an Alice Temperley lace wedding dress in a subtle cream that brought out the colour of her skin and eyes, was carrying a bouquet of mistletoe.

The Reverend Louise was waiting for them at the ancient door of Trevay Church.

‘Welcome, welcome, on this happiest of days!’ she said, a huge smile creasing her face.

The bride and groom walked down the aisle together, with Emily and Abi as bridesmaids.

The congregation was small. Pru and Francis. Connie and Jem. And Belinda, of course.

The months since Greg’s death had been difficult for Connie. Her main focus had been Abi. Painful as Greg’s betrayal had been, Connie was careful to avoid all mention of it. Abi didn’t need to hear about his failings; it was better to let her remember the father she’d loved as a hero. And for all that he had been a philanderer and a lousy husband, there was no questioning his devotion to Abi. So Connie kept her feelings to herself – except on those occasions when she ran to her sisters for support, and vented the hurt and rage she couldn’t acknowledge when Abi was around.

As her parents exchanged their vows, Connie bowed her head when it came to the line about forsaking all others. She could still recall her own wedding day, still hear Greg’s voice intoning that vow. Living without him was hard, but living with the truth was harder.

It required an act of will, but Connie pushed all the negativity away. This was a special day – and one to celebrate. It wasn’t every day you got to go to your own parents’ wedding, after all.

The wedding breakfast at the Starfish Hotel was a low-key but convivial affair. Photos were taken and Dorothy flashed her new wedding ring and the diamond engagement ring. The waiters fussed about with champagne and lobsters; and the cake, when it was carried through the dining room, drew applause from the other diners. Simple and elegant, it was two-tiered with intricate lacy icing with a bride and groom on the top.

Henry stood and hushed the party.

‘Before my wife and I cut this cake, we both want to express our gratitude that you are all here today. To have my children and grandchildren here is the greatest gift of all.’ His voice broke a little and he coughed lightly. ‘The last few months have been a difficult time for all of us here. For Connie and Abi especially, losing a husband and father. But I think we can all say that the last few months have brought our family closer together. And I know that we are all looking forward to getting to know the new members of our family all the better.’ His voice caught as he looked at Belinda and Emily.

‘This may seem an odd choice of timing on my part, but I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement regarding my plans for the family business.’ He paused and looked down at the new gold band on his left hand. ‘My wife and I have been to see our lawyer. In addition to drawing up a will, we have made certain arrangements that will be set in motion with immediate effect. As of today, Carew Family Board Games is no longer in my name: I have transferred ownership to Pru, Connie and Belinda. The three of them must run it as they see fit as joint chief executives.’

Pru and Connie looked at each other in shock. ‘But, Daddy,’ said Pru, ‘I have a job. And Connie and Belinda have no experience of running a company.’

‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ snapped Connie, dangerously veering back into old territory.

‘She’s right, though,’ said Belinda.

‘Hey, don’t start ganging up on me, just because I’m the youngest.’

Dorothy quietened the three of them with a loud ‘Shhhh’.

‘If I may continue,’ said Henry. ‘In my final act as chief executive, I took the liberty of appointing a new company secretary. He is an excellent organiser who can be trusted to keep a keen eye on the balance sheet and to ensure that the company sticks to its budget.’ He turned to Francis: ‘After managing Pru for eighteen years, my boy, I think you’ll find the company a piece of cake.’

‘What?!’ spluttered Francis. ‘But—’

‘We’ll need to recruit a new MD, of course,’ continued Henry, ignoring the interruption, ‘but as joint chief executives, the future of the company is in your hands.’

He turned his gaze to his grandchildren.

‘Jem, Abi and Emily – when this lot are retired, the company passes to you. If anyone wants to sell the company in the meantime, it has to be a unanimous decision between you all. The will states this most particularly. Do you all understand?’

He looked around at his family, who nodded solemnly. ‘Good.’ He picked up his glass of champagne. ‘And now I want to make a toast. To my family, and in particular, to my long-suffering new wife, Dorothy. I love you all.’ He raised the glass: ‘Here’s to us!’