Francesca, page 12
I drove to the town hall, picked up a list of registered childminders, and went home. Julie was sitting in the kitchen, while Elle was filling the dishwasher. I had forgotten she was coming. I put the folder on the table. Elle, seeing my sullen face, asked how Bobby had gotten on that morning.
Julie just grabbed my arm. ‘Never mind that now. We have a fitting. Oh, and your mother and brothers are being fitted today. I have organised a car to bring them near the day. So no worries there about trains and stuff. Is your mother going to walk you down the aisle? She told me your father was dead. Come on. We have bridesmaids to sort out.’ She was almost pushing me out the door.
She had spoken to my mother? That begged belief. More to the point, what had she said? Thank goodness my mam knew the full story and would have been on her guard if Julie had interrogated her. I was driven into the heart of London, near some very exclusive shops for the fitting of my wedding dress. All the while Julie constantly talked on about the next things we had to do. She even had a notebook with everything listed!
I was back in time to pick up Bobby and totally exhausted. Bobby was full of excitement and chatter, telling me all about his day and the new friends he had made. Elle had gone home, and for once, the house was empty. Tonight was going to be treat night, so I ordered some pizzas and chips. (I know, not exactly the slimming bride, starving herself to fit into her dress.)
After watching some cartoons, there were no arguments from Bobby when it was bath and bedtime. He was shattered.
For once, I was going to take advantage of that enormous Jacuzzi bath, instead of taking the usual quick shower. I had never been in a Jacuzzi before. Now, not only was it my chance to try one, it actually belonged to me!
As I soaked in the bubbles with the jets flowing, the warm water around me felt amazing. Meanwhile, I read through the childminders’ list. On the third page, I stopped and looked again. Elle’s name was on it. It was definitely her address. I felt it was strange that she had never said anything. I circled a few of the others and decided to call them tomorrow. I thought it was best not to mention anything to Elle yet about what I had discovered.
Feeling refreshed, I rang my mam and gave her an update on what had been happening. She knew most of it, especially the wedding arrangements. Julie had arranged for her and my brothers to go to one of the ‘posh’ shops in the town centre to be fitted for their clothes. My brothers had been measured up for suits.
At long last, there was something I could tell her she didn’t know. I had a job at the local doctor’s surgery. She was really pleased when I told her. She felt everything was coming up roses!
Once I had dropped Bobby off, I went on to the doctor’s surgery. It was a busy morning, and I got on well with the other women who worked there. When my short shift was over, I went home shattered. I had a couple of hours before picking up Bobby, so I telephoned around to some of the childminders I had circled. I liked the sound of one, and she agreed to look after Bobby on Saturday night. Another problem solved.
Saturday night arrived, and another charity dinner was ahead of me. I had not seen Mr Lambrianu for a few days and had not spoken to him since the car had been delivered. Tonight, I was wearing a black taffeta ballgown, which, of course, Julie had chosen on the day of the wedding dress fitting.
Elle was there in the afternoon when I picked up Bobby and offered to make his dinner while I got ready, as I was being picked up as 6 p.m. It had to be early because I lived an hour away from London. It may not sound much, but in London traffic, it can be a nightmare.
The telephone rang while I was putting my make-up on. It was the childminder informing me that she would have to cancel. She apologised and then promptly put the telephone down. Elle had heard the conversation, so I told her that I would have to ring Mr Lambrianu and cancel.
‘I could stay if you like,’ she said. ‘I don’t think Tony would be too pleased if you cancelled now at this time.’ She nodded her head towards the clock on the wall. ‘The chauffeur will already be on his way.’
I knew she was right. Maybe Chris would do it. And I would be driving through London. No, I thought to myself. She wouldn’t do it—not now. She had never remained in contact. I would be making a fool of myself to ask and then listen to her excuses not to.
I telephoned Mr Lambrianu anyway. Unlike him, he didn’t answer his telephone. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you were on the childminders’ register, Elle?’ I asked.
‘Why would I, Francesca? I know you don’t like me interfering or looking after Bobby. But I can tonight if it helps. I have no other plans.’
She made me sound harsh. Maybe, I had been a bit full-on. All she had ever done was help me, even letting me borrow her car. I really didn’t fancy having to tell Mr Lambrianu that I was going to have to cancel and face his wrath.
‘Thank you, Elle. I would appreciate it if you would look after Bobby tonight for me. Thank you.’
I felt easier when I saw the big smile cross her face. This was not a chore, and she wanted to do it. Maybe she too was lonely. No sooner had I thanked her, than the chauffeur was knocking at the door.
Walking into the club foyer, I saw Julie Gold waving at me to attract my attention. Her chauffeur was holding an umbrella over her, even though it wasn’t raining. I walked towards her, dreading it and waiting for more instructions on my wedding. She linked my arm in hers and waved the chauffeur away.
‘You need to get your chauffeur to walk you, Francesca. All that time having my hair done—I won’t have a breeze of wind knock a hair out of place.’ She laughed.
Now I understood the umbrella. She walked us both through the crowd to the bar, which was roped off for its private party. Ralph, Jake, and Mr Lambrianu were standing with Sharon having a drink. Mr Lambrianu, as I still thought of him, held a glass of champagne out to each of us. Julie drank hers in one.
Mr Lambrianu! Hell, I had to stop thinking of him as that. It just didn’t feel right thinking of him as Tony when we weren’t in the public glare. Afterall he was still my employer.
He held out his arm to me to pull me closer and kissed my cheek. I could feel myself blushing. ‘You look beautiful,’ he said and put his arm around my waist.
I saw Julie watching and wondered what was so wrong.
‘Well, Tony, if Francesca here looks so beautiful and you’re about to marry her, what kind of a welcome kiss is that?’ She laughed at her own joke and kissed Ralph on the lips to prove her point.
I saw Mr Lambrianu look at her and then at myself. ‘You’re right of course, Julie.’ Still with his arm around my waist, he pulled me closer to him and placed his perfectly formed lips on mine. I felt my cheeks go red and pulled away as quickly as possible. Fortunately, they had dimmed the lights at the bar and rang a bell to indicate it was time to go into the function room. Taking his arm, I walked towards the door. I could still feel his lips on mine.
Julie held court with the other wives as usual. I watched them fawning over her, telling her how beautiful she looked. I knew now that each and every one of them was under instructions to do this by her husband, who wanted to ingratiate himself with Ralph. This really was a false world.
Mr Lambrianu, or Tony as I was having to remind myself constantly, not wanting to slip up in front of the others was very attentive and made a point of taking my arm to dance the last waltz with me.
‘Did you like your dice?’ he whispered in my ear.
I looked up at him and smiled. ‘I didn’t notice them until the next morning.’ I laughed. I breathed in his aftershave as we danced, trying hard not to dance too close.
The lights were going up, indicating the evening was over. Looking over, I saw a very tipsy Julie dancing with, or, rather, being held up by, Ralph. Jake and Sharon were dancing and very engrossed in each other. To anyone watching, we all looked like the perfect couples.
Ralph had won some award for a charity contribution. But this time, he introduced Tony and Jake as his new business partners. The smiles on their faces were a picture. It seemed they were achieving their goal.
Ralph walked them around the room, introducing them and shaking hands with some MPs and other influential businessmen who Ralph had in his pocket. Tony and Jake looked a picture. They were both on cloud nine. They looked like two little boys who had gotten what they wanted for Christmas.
Tony walked me to the car. The chauffeur opened the door, and I was surprised when Tony got in.
‘I need a lift back first, and then Graham will drive you home. Is that okay?’
I nodded and smiled at him. Now we were out of the limelight, it was business as usual!
It amazed me how quickly he could change. One minute he was holding me around the waist and whispering into my ear, and the next he sounded like he was boringly having to share a taxi with me.
As we pulled up outside of the club, it did cross my mind to wonder who was waiting for him in his apartment above it.
The chauffeur got out and opened the door for him. Tony turned towards me, and for one brief second, I thought he was going to kiss me. But that is what too much champagne does for you!
‘I will be in touch. Goodnight,’ was all he said as he stepped out of the car and walked away. He turned around as the car started up again and watched us drive away.
I don’t know why, but I felt a heavy ache in my heart. After such a nice evening, I felt discarded. But that was what I had signed up for. I had gotten what I wanted, and it seemed both Tony and Jake were getting their hearts’ desire too.
10
The Wedding
Stepping out of the white Bentley with my mam, I noticed ushers were standing outside the church in their grey tuxedo tails and top hats. Some photographers with journalists were outside, taking pictures as I got out of the car and shouting my name out to attract my attention, so that I would turn around and they would get a better photo. My main thought was the horror of tripping up in front of them. Now that really would have made the front pages.
I was nervous, trembling inside. Julie Gold was in the car behind me, I had decided to ask her to be my maid of honour, considering all the hard work she had put into this day. Candy and Sharon had agreed to be my bridesmaid’s, and Julie had picked the other four. Apparently, they were wives of some very influential men who did business with Ralph and now would be doing business with Tony and Jake. It was politically correct that their wives were asked, she told me.
They had jumped at the chance to be part of this celebrity wedding. This meant they were also the centre of attention and not just guests. This, of course, pleased their husbands, which again pleased Ralph, Tony, and Jake. Julie definitely had her head screwed on. She knew through years of experience how to keep the equilibrium. Happy wives meant happy husbands.
Julie had gone out of her way with Maria to make this a Christmas wedding. The bridesmaids were all in full-length red bustier ballgowns, with little shoulder-length red capes trimmed in white fur. Of course, this had nothing to do with the fact that it suited her blonde hair perfectly!
I hadn’t seen Tony for a week. Julie had all of us ‘girls’ at the beauty spa being tanned, waxed, and God knows what else. She was the master of ceremonies, and all of these women hung onto her every word. We were all in a hotel and were to stay there until the hairdressers and beauticians had done their job. Elle had been given, alongside Julie’s nanny, the job of looking after Bobby and my brothers while all this was going on. The wedding planner and her assistants were hopping from place to place checking everything was in order and on time. My mam loved it. She had never been so spoilt in her whole life. Then again, neither had I.
The wedding planner had done me proud. She certainly knew her job and had gotten the full measure of what I wanted. The top of my dress was white lace with a sweetheart neck and long laced sleeves. From the hips, it was A-line, white satin, with just a small train. Julie had insisted that I wear a tiara and had chosen the biggest one she could find, which looked more like a crown and was very heavy. Flowing from the tiara were layers of white netting, creating a full white veil, which, seemed to make me a foot taller. It was beautiful, the stuff that dreams were made of. I felt like a princess.
Elle had explained to the school about the arrangements, and with Bobby not being five years old yet and not missing anything important, he was allowed the absence from school without any consequences. I had telephoned him for a couple of nights, only to find out I was disturbing the fun he was having with my brothers and the fantastic activities Elle had planned for them all.
My bridesmaids were all in place outside of the church, and the wedding planner had straightened my dress out. All I needed to do now was put one satin shoe in front of the other and start walking down the aisle. The church was an old one with character. It had stained-glass windows and a huge bell tower. This was such a far cry from my first wedding!
My mam, dressed in a rose pink suit and hat, took my arm, which I was grateful for, as I could lean on her. ‘Are you ready, Fran? Take a deep breath,’ she said, holding my arm tighter.
Standing at the back of the church, I saw all of the people awaiting my arrival. It was packed to the hilt with people I didn’t know. I started walking, clinging on to my mam much more tightly than I should have.
My bridesmaids were in full procession behind me, and I noticed Bobby and my brothers, all dressed in their grey morning suits. I was glad the veil covered my face. I was nervous and feeling quite shy with all of the attention. As I walked closer to the front, I saw the priest fully adorned in his finery. I had asked about Tony’s parents and thought that maybe I should meet them before today. He had just told me not to worry about that. There wasn’t anyone I should meet. So again I was dismissed. I wasn’t good enough to meet my in-laws!
Looking through my veil, I saw a large array of coloured hats and wondered which one his mother was behind. It was only then that I saw Tony. He looked very handsome. His grey morning suit and tails, with his red cravat, matched his blonde hair to perfection. He took my breath away.
With Jake at his side, as always, we knelt before the priest as rehearsed to start with a Catholic mass.
When I stood up again, slightly aching because the prayers seemed to go on forever, I turned right towards Tony again. His fresh haircut had still left the wavy floppy side fringe that shaped his face. I was surprised that he had turned to look at me. He was smiling at me with those intense blue eyes of his, which made me blush.
During the vows, which I nervously stumbled through, I discovered his name was actually Antonias! How ridiculous was that? I was marrying a man whose name I didn’t even know. And then it dawned on me. He was Italian! I had never thought to consider the origin of his name—Lambrianu? Of course, he had wanted a Catholic wedding. You didn’t see many blonde Italians, though. I figured the colouring must have been on the other side of his family.
At last the proceedings came to an end, and the priest pronounced us man and wife. It was now time to ‘kiss the bride’. Tony turned and slowly lifted my veil up from my face and over the top of my tiara. Playfully, he looked at the crowd and smiled and then turned towards me and kissed me with those perfectly formed lips of his. My heart skipped a beat. This was surreal. The guests all clapped their hands and cheered, possibly glad because the long Catholic ceremony had taken so long. Their bums were probably numb!
As Tony took my arm to walk back up the aisle to the exit, we were met by people reaching out to shake our hands and wish us well. All I could do was smile. I thought I recognised a few famous faces from theatres and television. But apart from that, I didn’t know any of them.
As we walked outside of the church, confetti flowing through the air, I saw the photographer the wedding planner had organised snapping away with his camera and making us all stand together to make the perfect wedding pictures. The daylight had almost gone. Julie had suggested a late wedding so that people didn’t have to hang around before the reception.
‘Mr Lambrianu, over here,’ I heard people shouting to him, shouting out the names of their magazines, which I had only ever read before, wanting photos of us both.
‘Come on, Francesca, over here,’ they shouted, all in good spirits with a lot of hype.
The ushers guided us through the chaos, albeit Ralph and Tony’s bouncers let them take their photos and then nicely pushed them out of the way.
Then the snow machine Julie had promised started pouring out white flakes of fake snow. At the end of the path was a white carriage drawn by four white horses!
What a beautiful perfect setting. It truly was a fairy tale wedding.
Tony escorted me into the carriage, and I turned to look at the crowds of people throwing confetti and some of the fake snow towards us. I saw Bobby and my brothers running around catching the snowflakes. We were waving to the crowds like royalty as the horses took us to the large manor house were the reception was being held.
I looked down at the gold ring on Tony’s finger. I was surprised he had chosen to wear one, considering it might put off his lady friends. Obviously not—he was arrogant enough to know it didn’t matter to them. I suppose if anything it would create more of a challenge—taking the newly married Tony Lambrianu from his dull wife! In the end, I guessed it was all for the sake of appearance.
Sitting back in the carriage, Tony took my hand and kissed my wedding ring. ‘Would it be inappropriate, Mrs Lambrianu, if I told you that you look beautiful,’ he said, smiling at me.
‘Would it be inappropriate, Mr Lambrianu, if I told you that you also look beautiful.’ I laughed.
It was an odd moment. He didn’t have to act now. No one could hear or see us. Maybe he too was caught up in the moment.
I was glad when the carriage stopped and the door was opened for us to get out. We were greeted by another photographer, who promptly carried on taking more wedding photos, while all of the cars and guests arrived.
