‘But your heart will always be with your “real dad”.’
I smile. ‘Exactly.’
‘Have you worked out what you’ll do about a singer for Friday night?’
I shake my head. ‘Not a clue, but I’ll think of something.’
‘Didn’t you say you and your dad used to do “bad singing” and make everyone fall about laughing?’ She grins. ‘Perhaps you could perform together – as a comedy routine.’
I chuckle at the thought. ‘Yeah, right, that would be entertaining for roughly six minutes, then everyone would be shouting for us to get off!’ I sigh, staring into space. ‘No, I’ll think of something. I’m going to have to, otherwise Katja will hate me even more for spoiling everything. But hiring a good singer at the last minute will probably cost a fortune. Still, if it means I can salvage the night…’
‘It’s probably best if it’s someone you know,’ says Carrie slowly. ‘Someone you’ve heard perform before, so you know they’ll be good.’
‘I guess so. But the trouble is, I don’t think I know anyone…’ I tail off as an idea strikes me.
Could it work?
‘Thank you for speaking to Adam about me,’ says Carrie, her face flushing at the memory of the text I sent her, reporting my conversation with him. ‘I can’t believe you talked him into going to the fair with us.’
I grin at her. ‘My plan is for us to meet up with him on Saturday night and then invent a sudden emergency and leave you two alone together.’
Carrie makes a face that’s half excitement, half stomach-churning fear. ‘But maybe it’s you he wants to be with at the fair, not me.’
I laugh. ‘No way. Honestly, he was so complimentary about you. I have high hopes for this relationship.’
‘Saturday is going to be amazing.’ Her eyes are shining.
I nod, feeling so pleased for Carrie. I think she and Adam would make such a lovely couple.
A shadow seems to darken the room.
That’s what I thought about Jack and me, but look how that turned out…
*****
Friday night rolls around. Bistro night at the Little Duck Pond Café. And the pressure is on.
An awful lot is hanging on the success of tonight. The tickets have been amazingly popular and Ellie has managed to fit in around thirty tables by spreading out into the function room at the rear of the café. The food will be simple but delicious, the ambience gorgeous (Ellie loves her soft, atmospheric lighting) and the entertainment? Well, that remains to be seen, but suffice to say, I haven’t been idle since I realised Marcus would be a no-show…
The evening – along with all the sponsorship events we’ve been doing - should bring in a sizeable amount of cash, hopefully enough for a second-hand van, so that Fen’s fabulous food bank scheme can keep on going.
I just hope the change of plan on the singer front is a success, that’s all…
Getting ready in the flat, I turn this way and that in the mirror, hoping my outfit of smart jeans, boots and a top in lovely red and gold autumnal shades is appropriate for tonight. At least I know Jack and Jo won’t be there, so I can just relax. (Ellie’s been selling the tickets, so she knows exactly who’s coming.)
Ellie, who’s been cooking up a storm all day with Katja, just phoned to make sure I’m okay to come over at five with the others to help dress the tables and do last-minute preparations for the guests, who’ll be arriving in three ‘sittings’ from seven onwards. She added that Fen’s just off the plane, but she’ll definitely be there, with not a clue about the surprise awaiting her.
I wish I didn’t feel so awkward about tonight. I’ve been avoiding Jaz and Katja, which thankfully has been fairly easy since I’m still working at the Brambleberry Manor Café. But I’ll have to face them both tonight and I’m not looking forward to it. I’ll just be my usual self, as if nothing’s happened, and anyway, we’ll all be so busy, there surely won’t be much time for chat…
When I arrive, just before five, the place is already looking amazing.
Ellie and Katja have been busy draping fairy-lights around both rooms. They will look amazing as night draws in – especially when all the candles on the tables are lit and glowing. The food smells amazing. I peer into the pot of pea, leek and mint soup, and the deliciously herby boeuf bourguinon and my tummy rumbles.
And then guests start wandering in, exclaiming at how amazing the ‘bistro’ looks, and soon the evening is in full swing. On arrival, guests choose between a margarita with fresh lime, or a delicious citrus fizz as a mocktail alternative, all orchestrated by Primrose, while Ellie and Katja are in the kitchen plating up the starters.
Even though I know Jack hasn’t bought a ticket, I still find myself glancing at the door every time a new group of customers arrives, wishing…
When Mum and Dad arrive with Chloe and Jasmine, I seat them at a table near the window and I serve them their cocktails myself. Dad smiles at me and jokes that he hopes the quality of service will be as good as this all night, and grinning, I assure them that as long as they behave themselves, it definitely will be.
Carrie comes in with Bertha and her husband, and I manage to engineer it so that when Adam arrives minutes later, he sits at their table, making up a jolly foursome. Carrie, looking overcome with shyness, nonetheless gives me a sly wink as I pass. She grabs her margarita and practically gulps it down in one, and I smile over at her, silently cheering her on.
And then the serving of dinner gets underway, with Primrose and me rushing between the kitchen and the tables with plates of soup and smoked salmon mousse garnished with watercress and served with Katja’s delicious home-made crackers.
The place is filling up as more guests arrive at seven-forty-five, and by eight-thirty, each table is full and the sound of relaxed chat and laughter is mingling perfectly with the tinkling piano music playing in the background.
Dashing around with plates of boeuf bourguinon for the very appreciative guests, I’d be feeling quite relaxed myself – if my levels of anxiety over our singer weren’t rising out of control. And by the time we’re serving the traditional apple crumble with vanilla ice-cream or cinnamon custard, nine-fifteen is nearly here, and the moment of truth almost upon me.
Will our entertainer be good enough to fill Marcus’s shoes?
I guess I’m about to find out…
Ellie looked understandably horrified when I told her about the change of plan, but I think I managed to convince her that all will be well. (Now I just really need all to be well!)
At last, with the coffee and chocolate mints served, it’s time.
Ellie stands between the two rooms, where people can get a view of her, and she calls for attention, thanking everyone for coming and supporting the fund-raising venture.
She clears her throat. ‘We have a special guest here tonight who thinks we’re raising money for one of the big charities. She has no idea that we have a big surprise for her tonight.’ Turning to smile at Fen, she says, ‘Fen, tonight is for you. We’re actually raising money to get your amazing mobile food bank back on the road.’
Everyone turns to look at Fen, who blushes bright red, mutters, ‘Oh, my gosh,’ and looks totally stunned. Knowing how much she hates being in the spotlight, I fill the sudden awkward silence by starting to clap, and soon everyone is joining in, whooping and cheering, making Fen blush even harder.