“What about me?”
“You look okay too.” She gave me a hug. “I’m only kidding. You look fantastic, sis. Mind you, I’d have a few words with the hotel manager if I were you.”
“What about?”
“Didn’t you smell it?”
“Smell what?”
“When we were walking down the aisle, I got the definite whiff of cat.”
“Yeah.” Peter nodded. “So did I.”
“I reckon they must have left a cat in that room overnight,” Kathy said. “You should complain.”
“Err—excuse me for a moment, would you?”
I’d completely forgotten about Winky. Where could he be?
I eventually found him leaning against a tree, looking very pleased with himself.
“So? What do you think?” he said.
“About what?”
“Did I make a good pagecat or what?”
“You—err—”
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, that cat is a natural. And you’d be correct. I blended in so well that no one seemed to think it was odd that I was part of the ceremony. Did you notice that?”
“I did notice that.” He obviously had no idea that no one could see him. “I don’t imagine you’ll want to stay for the reception? It’ll be terribly boring.”
“Are you joking? All that food and drink? That’s the best part. Am I on the top table?”
“Err—no, that’s just for family. I’m afraid you’re at the back of the room.”
“Never mind. As long as there’s plenty of salmon, I’ll be happy.”
“Jill!” Jack came hurrying over. “The photographer needs us again.”
“Okay, I’m coming.”
“Who were you talking to over there?”
“Just my invisible cat.”
“I never know whether you’re joking or not these days.”
***
Eventually, the photographer announced he’d finished, so we were able to go inside to the Crimson Room where the meal was to be served. Jack took my hand and led me to the top table where Kathy, Peter, Lizzie, Mikey, Grandma and Aunt Lucy were already seated. Also there, was Jack’s father, Roy.
Mrs V, who was on one of the front tables with Armi, Jules and Dexter, gave me a little wave. On the table next to them were the twins, Alan, William and Daze. Alan’s mother had volunteered to babysit the two Lils. At the table at the far side of the room were my birth mother and father, and their partners, Alberto and Blodwyn. Of course, to the majority of people, that particular table appeared to be empty.
“Where’s the food?” I whispered to Jack. “I’m starving.”
“It’s the speeches first.”
“I thought they came afterwards.”
“Marceau reckons it’s best to get them out of the way first, so that everyone can relax and enjoy their meal.”
At that moment, Peter struck his glass with a spoon. “Ladies and gentlemen. It was my great honour today to give away my sister-in-law, Jill. I’d like to say a few words which I hope her father, Ken, would have approved of.”
For the next few minutes, Peter spoke eloquently and from the heart. When he’d finished, I leaned over and said, “Thanks. Dad would definitely have approved.”
Jack was next up.
“On behalf of my wife and myself.” The corny opening line drew polite applause. “First, I’d like to thank Peter for standing in for Jill’s father today. I’d also like to thank all of you for coming here to celebrate our marriage. And of course, I mustn’t forget Alby, my best man, who made sure I got through the stag night unscathed. Relatively speaking.” He took a sip of water, and then continued, “Today, I feel like the luckiest man in the whole world. Some of you may already know that I lost my mother just over a year ago. My parents were a shining example of what a marriage could be. I never thought I’d find someone who could make me as happy as my mother made my father, but then I met Jill. Even though we didn’t immediately see eye to eye, I very quickly realised there was something very special about her.” He turned to me. “I just didn’t know how special. Jill, I want to thank you for agreeing to be my wife. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together.” With that he held up his glass. “Please join me in a toast to the bridesmaids, Kathy and Lizzie, who I’m sure you’ll agree look absolutely amazing. The bridesmaids.”
Alby was as nervous as a kitten, and his speech wasn’t the best, but he managed to struggle through it.
At long last, it was time for us to eat. I was ravenous.
“I’m sorry to bother you.” One of the waiters appeared at my side. “A woman asked me to hand this to you. She said it was urgent.” He passed me a small white envelope, which I assumed was another card. “She said to mention her name was Chivers.”
“Where is she?” I looked around the room.
“She left as soon as she’d handed it to me.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I ripped open the envelope, and read the note inside:
Alicia sends her apologies that she couldn’t be at your wedding, but she doesn’t have long to live. Just a few minutes, actually. Just long enough for the scarlet to spill her blood.
Best wishes,
Ma.
I’d suspected all along that Ma Chivers had had something to do with Alicia’s disappearance. Not only did the note confirm that, but it also made it clear that her life was in imminent danger. Scarlet? If that meant what I thought it did, Alicia was in big trouble.
“Jack,” I whispered. “I have to nip out.”
“What? Why? They’re just about to serve the meal.”
“I’m sorry. It’s a matter of life and death.”
“Come with me.” He led the way out into the garden where we could speak without being overheard. “What’s going on?”
“A friend—err—well, not exactly a friend, but someone I know is in danger. If I don’t go to Candlefield now, she’ll be killed for sure.”
“Killed how?”
I hesitated.
“Jill? Tell me.”
“If my hunch is correct, she’s just about to become a meal for a scarlet horned dragon.”
“Very funny.” He smiled, but then realised I wasn’t joking. “You’re being serious, aren’t you?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“It sounds dangerous.”
“It isn’t. Well, not really. I’ve fought one before.”
“What shall I tell everyone?”
“You won’t need to tell them anything. Have you forgotten that time stands still here while I’m in Candlefield?”
“I’ll never get used to that.” He gave me a kiss. “Promise you’ll be careful.”
“Of course I will.” I did a quick check to make sure there was no one else around, and then magicked myself to the Range in Candlefield.
The place was deserted except for a scarlet horned dragon, which was making its way towards the far wall, where a woman was chained to a metal pole. Even from that distance, I could see the terror on Alicia’s face as the dragon advanced towards her.
I used the ‘faster’ spell to speed across the ground, and then placed myself between the dragon and its would-be meal.
“Jill?” Alicia’s voice was very weak.
“It’s going to be okay.”
The dragon seemed undeterred by my arrival; if anything, it seemed buoyed by the prospect of double helpings. After a moment’s hesitation, it charged straight at me. It didn’t get far though. The first lightning bolt slowed it down—the second one sent it scurrying away.
Once I was sure it wasn’t coming back for another go, I set about releasing Alicia from her shackles.
“I thought I was a goner.” She was breathing heavily. “Ma blocked my magic, so I couldn’t do anything.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll unblock it before I go back.”
Only then, did she seem to register my attire. “What are you wearing, Jill? It looks like a wedding dress.”
“I’ve just got married to Jack. We were about to sit down to the wedding meal when I got a note from Ma Chivers saying you were about to meet a grisly end.”
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” She gave me a hug.
“Enough of that. I have to get back. Will you be okay now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks. It’s great to be free again.”
I unblocked her magic, and then magicked myself back. I’d no sooner arrived in the hotel garden than Kathy appeared.
“Are you alright? They’re serving the starters.”