A Time for Friends (20 page)

‘I like you,’ she said sweetly, changing tack. ‘I’m going to sit beside you on the DART.’

‘I want to sit beside Carla,’ Sophie declared truculently.

‘You can sit beside me going, Jazzy, and you can sit beside me coming home, Sophie, OK?’ Carla said in a tone that brooked no argument.

‘You look nice. Have you dropped weight?’ Colette eyed Hilary up and down before air kissing her as they stood on the steps of the church watching the photographer
pose the bridal couple for a family photo.

‘I think it’s the dress, it hides a multitude,’ Hilary remarked as Des leaned over to kiss her before shaking Niall’s hand.

‘Hey, buddy, how are you?’ he said.

‘Great, thanks. Congratulations on the promotion,’ Niall reciprocated.

‘So where did you get the dress? It’s very flattering – you can’t see your love handles,’ Colette remarked as she stood on her tippy toes to kiss Niall.

‘Thanks for the backhanded compliment,’ Hilary said drily.

‘Oh you know what I mean. This is a Christina Stambolian. Diana wears her clothes. She has the most fabulous boutique in Beauchamp Place. It cost a fortune but how and ever. Do you like
it?’ She glanced coquettishly at Niall and did a seductive twirl in her figure-hugging black off-the-shoulder creation that was the height of style and sophistication.

‘Very nice. It shows off the sunbed tan!’ he drawled.

‘Actually it’s St-Tropez,’ she smiled sweetly, but she was irked at his smart remark. She turned back to Hilary. ‘Would you look at all those mutton dressed as mutton,
all those polka dots and big collars. Is Paul Costelloe the only designer anyone goes to here?’

‘Well he designs for Princess Di too,’ Hilary reminded her tartly.

‘And he designs lots of air hostess uniforms,’ Colette sniffed, unimpressed, as she surveyed the array of fashions on show. ‘Paula Devlin looks positively mumsy and she’s
younger than us! And what on earth is Shauna Finley wearing? She looks like a puff adder! And look at her hair. An eagle could nest in it. And Martin Kerr looks as though his dress suit came out of
mothballs – probably too mean to buy a new one.’ Colette gave a running commentary on their fellow guests.

‘I’ve heard he’s got a gambling problem. When I was playing golf in Foxrock the last time I was here they told me he’d lost a fortune and remortgaged the house to boot.
Had to let his golf club membership lapse.’ Des added his tuppence’ worth.

‘Rowena looks beautiful, so waiflike and otherworldly,’ Hilary pointed out, uncomfortable with their unkind, small-minded gossip. ‘She’s like a medieval princess. A
friend designed her dress and she made a terrific job of it,’ she added admiringly as Rowena caught a glimpse of them and waved.

‘I believe her mother was furious! She wanted her to go to the Emanuels, or to Phillipa Lepley, like I did,’ Colette said smugly. ‘Oh look, there’s Charlotte Wesley, I
must go and say hi. Come on, Des, let’s tell them your news.’ Colette’s eyes gleamed at the chance to boast to an old adversary on the social circuit.

‘What are they like?’ Niall groaned. ‘They’re never happy unless they’re dissing people. They’re
so
superior. And we’re stuck with them for the
day. I’m starving. Will we slip off and get a chippie, or coffee and a sandwich? It will be hours before we eat if this photographer has his way. They’re all heading to Merrion Square
for more photos – we won’t be missed.’

‘Brilliant idea.’ Hilary tucked her arm into his. ‘I married a genius. Let’s go add another pound or two to my love handles.’

‘She can be such a bitchy little madam. That’s why I said about the sunbed,’ Niall scowled.

‘I know, you’re very loyal.’ Hilary laughed. ‘She doesn’t mean it. It’s just her way. You have to look beyond it. She has to feel good about herself by
pointing out other people’s flaws. I’ve never seen her as bad as today though. They were cutting people to ribbons. I’d say it’s because she’s getting really anxious
about the move.’

‘You’re the loyal one. I would have ditched her long ago.’ Niall guided her across the street.

‘Dee says that too but I see that hurt little girl behind all that veneer. Jazzy’s exactly the same. The way you’re brought up moulds you. Our parents gave us their time as
well as their love. Colette always had to compete with Jacqueline and Frank’s work. Growing their firm was more important to them than anything else and she was a lonely, sad little girl who
hid it all behind that façade of bravado and that’s why I don’t take too much notice of her disparaging remarks. And she can be great fun when we’re on our own and
she’s not trying to impress anyone.’

‘You’re a big softie, that’s what you are.’ Niall stopped and pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly in the middle of the footpath.

‘
And
I love your love handles,’ he teased when he raised his head.

‘And I love you,’ she sighed happily as they resumed their stroll to the nearest coffee shop.

‘Let’s ask Carla if Jazzy can sleep in the other room, cos I’m really sick of her.’ Jasmine stiffened as she heard the whispers behind the bedroom door.
She had gone to the bathroom to brush her teeth and left her two companions getting into their pyjamas in their bedroom, while Carla made them all hot chocolate.

‘We can’t do that, it would be mean,’ said Millie, sighing deeply. ‘We just have to put up with her! Mam says she’s just spoilt because she has no sister to play
with and she doesn’t know how to share and we have to be friends and be kind to her.’

‘Well I just don’t like that girl. She ruined our day!’ Jasmine heard Sophie say indignantly. Her heart gave a very painful twist and she wanted to cry. How
dare
those
girls talk about her like that? As if she wanted to be friends with them. She had
plenty
of friends in London. Her nanny was always bringing her to play in the park with them. She wished
Elisabetta was here to give her a cuddle and tell her everything was all right. If only she hadn’t got sick Jasmine would have been staying at her Grandma Jacqueline’s, in her lovely
room with the huge rocking horse and ginormous doll’s house that she loved playing with. It used to be her mummy’s bedroom when she was a little girl. But her grandparents were at the
wedding too and she was feeling very alone, as she often did.

Jasmine took a deep breath and swallowed hard and pushed open the bedroom door. Millie got a bit red in the face but Sophie just looked cross. ‘I think I might ask Carla if I can sleep in
the other room on that bed. You know I have my
own
room at home and at Grandma Jacqueline’s. With all my
own
toys. I don’t like sleeping with other girls and I
don’t really like sharing if I don’t want to,’ she announced defiantly. ‘It must be horrid to have to share your room and toys and wardrobe and everything. You see, if you
were rich like me you’d have your own bedroom each.’

‘Oh!’ Millie said, astonished at this display of bad manners. ‘Well my daddy has a very good job and we have plenty of money too,’ she retorted.

‘But are
you
going to Disneyland?’ Jasmine demanded triumphantly.

Sophie folded her arms across her chest and stared at her. ‘Didn’t your mammy tell you that caring is sharing?’

‘My mummy lets me do what I
like
. And
I
don’t share and
I
don’t care,’ Jasmine said haughtily and grabbed her dressing gown and marched
downstairs leaving the two sisters speechless at this display of impudence.

‘. . . and needless to say, Niall, I’ll be in the right place to keep an eye open for investment opportunities and I can give you the nod!’ Des scraped the
last bit of strawberry roulade from his dish and ate it with relish.

‘Is that not considered to be insider trading?’ Niall leaned back in his chair, wishing he was anywhere but where he was. The other man had out-talked everyone else at the table,
taking charge of the conversation and directing it back to himself and his ‘golden opportunities’, every chance he got.

‘Oh come on, now, it’s not as if you’re going to be investing millions,’ scoffed Des. ‘Everyone gives a few tips here and there. They don’t go after us for
helping out small fry. They’re only interested in the big players. Mind you I got a great tip two years ago that made me the guts of half a mil. It’s all about who you know.’

‘Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind,’ Niall said politely, thinking what a patronizing gobshite the other man was.

‘Now the boring speeches,’ yawned Des as the father of the bride clinked his fork against his champagne glass and called for silence.

‘Did you think any more about coming to London to be with me for my last couple of days?’ Colette leaned across Niall to speak to Hilary.

‘I’m not sure how I’m going to be fixed. The girls will be on holiday so I’ll have to sort them out,’ Hilary murmured, not wishing to be rude when Rowena’s
father was speaking.

‘Oh please try,’ she begged. ‘My nerves will be shot, you know what I’m like when I get in a tizzy. We’ll have some fun. I’ll bring you to San Lorenzo for
lunch, Di might be there.’

‘Couldn’t your parents go over if I can’t make it?’ Hilary whispered.

‘You must be joking, take time away from their precious court cases?’ snorted Colette, who had been lashing into the champagne they’d been served non stop since they’d
arrived at the hotel that afternoon.

‘Shush, you pair!’ ordered Niall.

‘Oohhh I love bossy men,’ giggled Colette. ‘Excuse me, I have to go and pee.’

‘I think I’ll slip out too and smoke a Robusto. Superb flavour. Woody but not too strong. Join me if you like,’ Des invited.

‘Thanks, I don’t care for cigars, but you go right ahead,’ Niall replied, clapping at a lame joke the bride’s father had attempted.

‘Oh you’re familiar with Cuban cigar brands?’ Des looked surprised.

‘Duty free
is
my business,’ Niall said coolly.

‘Oh of course, I must get you to get me a few cases at cost price!’ Des replied, ever the opportunist. ‘See you later.’

‘God, they’re so rude, I was glad they went out. She’s pissed,’ Hilary remarked when the speeches were over and people began to stretch their limbs and head for the
bar.

‘I wouldn’t mind getting pissed myself. It might be the best of food and drink here but this is more like a corporate do than a wedding and two hours non stop of Des’s waffling
is doing my head in.’ Niall glanced at his watch. It had gone nine. He’d been right about the food, it had been 7 p.m. before the meal was served, although there had been champagne and
canapés for the guests when they’d arrived from the church.

‘We’ll stay until about eleven and slip away,’ Hilary soothed. Her husband was right, the wedding was big, brash and corporate and she had no desire to sit listening to more of
Colette’s tipsy giggling. She need not have worried – the other couple never came back to their table. There were far too many High Society guests to mingle with and impress.

Hilary and Niall stayed chatting for a while to the other guests at their table before drifting up to the bar to order more drinks, where they met some of Pete’s relatives who felt
completely out of their depth at such an elite gathering. Niall and Hilary introduced themselves and they all ended up having a great bit of banter and a laugh.

‘We were dropped like hot potatoes,’ Niall murmured into her ear later as they smooched to ‘It Started With A Kiss’
.
They could see Colette and Des chatting
animatedly to Barbara and Ronan Dolan, a high-profile couple who owned several hotels, including a very luxurious spa hotel in Sandy Lane. ‘I bet they’re angling for an invite to
Barbados,’ Niall speculated, watching Des nodding in agreement with something Ronan said. The dance floor was heaving and the heat was overpowering. A girl weaving around boisterously to the
music bumped into Hilary, her stiletto heel stabbing into her foot. She apologized carelessly before being swallowed up in the swaying crowd.

‘Will we head off? My feet are killing me. These shoes are torture,’ Hilary suggested, grimacing in pain.

‘I thought you’d never say it.’ Niall couldn’t hide his relief that the ordeal was coming to an end.

‘Right, let’s say goodnight to Rowena and Pete and make a move.’ The bride and groom were chatting to Pete’s mother and sister and Rowena hugged Hilary when she saw her.
‘Listen, Pete and I have decided that when we move into the house we’re going to dress up in our wedding clothes and have a party with all our
real
friends. Niall, will you
bring the bodhrán and we’ll have a proper hooley with people we know and love?’

‘Sure,’ he said easily. ‘Great idea.’

‘This is mad, we don’t know half the people here.’ Rowena glanced around the room and made a face.

‘Oh listen; talking about the house, I have just the chap for you to help you decorate. You’ll love him,’ Hilary said. ‘I’ll get him to meet us in Illuminations
when we’re planning the lighting system and see what he has to say. His name is Jonathan Harpur, he’s fun,’ Hilary said enthusiastically.

‘Brilliant, I’d love that. The parents-in-law want us to go with Coburn and Taylor, they decorated their house, but it’s like a luxury hotel and it’s not the look I want
for our house. I want a home! I’d love to meet this Jonathan chap,’ Rowena agreed eagerly.

‘Right, I’ll sort it when you’re back from your honeymoon. We’re going to head off now and we just wanted to say thanks for a lovely day.’

‘No, thank you for coming, Hilary. I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend any time with you.’

‘Don’t worry your head about it, I’ll see you soon.’ They hugged again and then someone else arrived to claim the bride’s attention and Hilary and Niall made their
way along the side of the dance floor.

‘I presume they aren’t going to collect Jasmine tonight?’ Niall nodded in Colette’s direction.

‘I wouldn’t imagine so, but I’d better tell them we’re going,’ Hilary said, pushing through the throng.

‘We’re slipping away, Colette.’ She tapped her friend on the shoulder.