Page 37 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“Why you asking, why wouldn't I? She's my daughter.”

“I know that, but you might have had things of your own to do.”

“Nope, you got me all week.”

“Good, I love family time.” I stand up and give him a peck on the cheek. “I love you so much,” I turn and walk out the door.

“Love you too.” I hear him say.

“You know what you have to do don't you?” I say to Jayne.

“I do, now stop worrying. Do you think he knows what you have planned?”

“I've no idea, but I think if he did know he’d have said something to Owen or even you.”

“True, he can’t know,” she says with a smile.

“Right I’ll be back in a bit, I'm just popping into the bar,” I say as I walk to the door.

“In a bit,” I hear as the door closes behind me.

I walk down the stairs and just as I'm about to enter the bar I see Mary and Owen huddled together, whispering. “So what are you two up to then?” At hearing my voice they both jump, as I make my way over to the bar. “You both look very cosy.” I lean on the bar, arms crossed in front of me. I start to laugh, both of them glaring at me like I’ve got two heads. “What's wrong with you? You look like someone caught in a headlight.”

They both look at each other, it’s all very suspicious. I squint my eyes at them both. As Owen starts to talk, so does Mary, both coming out with different things. I shake my head at them. “If you're going to lie for whatever reason, make sure you both know what to say.”

“I never lied,” Owen says.

“Nor me,” Mary counters.

Again I cut my eyes at them. “Anyway whatever is going on here - you,” I point my finger in Owen’s direction, “better not be fucking my friend about cuz I’ll have your balls on a platter.” He throws his head back, laughing profusely. Now he is pissing me off, so I decide to ignore him. Today is not the day, but I will be keeping an eye on them. I turn my attention to Mary. “Word of warning, stop it now.” She goes to protest but I put my hand up to stop her. “I just want to make sure you will be okay for the hour or so that we will be away.”

“I’ll be okay, stop worrying. And Abi, there is nothing going on with us. I can promise you that.” She smiles at me.

“Okay,” I say as I turn and walk away. I go back upstairs and flop myself down on the sofa.

“Fucking hell, you’re joking,” Jayne’s laughing, talking to someone on the phone. “Thanks for ringing,” she says as she finishes the call and places her phone on the arm of the chair. “You alright?” she asked me.

“Yeah, is Rob still in the bedroom?”

“The shower,” she tells me.

The day is flying by and everyone seems to be rushing about but doing nothing. The time has come to leave for the church, Alice looks beautiful in her christening gown. I walk out with Alice and Rob takes her from me and straps her into the car seat. When we arrive at the church I notice lots of cars. “Must be a couple of baptisms going on today,” I say to Rob as we get out of the car. He looks at me all sheepish. I start to think he might know what I have planned, I’ve tried my hardest to keep it under wraps. I mean, after all it is my wedding day. As much as I liked the idea of the big white wedding, I'm happy to do it this way. I mean it's my idea and I'm hoping that Rob wants to do this. My stomach is in knots as we approach the church doorway. We make our way inside.

“I never realised that you invited people from the studio,” I say.

“That's okay, isn't it?”

“Of course it is,” I tell him with a big smile. I’d already invited them, swearing them to secrecy. I had to say something, otherwise he might be a little suspicious with people being here that he works with. We walk down the aisle together, with Alice in his arms. We take our seats on the pew on the front row, I see the vicar standing by the font smiling. I just happen to see Jayne and some lady walk out of a side door with Owen behind them. The vicar greets them and starts chatting to both of them. I look at her, noticing she’s done her hair and makeup. “Bloody hell, I’m going to kill her,” I whisper to myself, but not quietly enough.

“What are you saying?” Rob asks me. He follows my eyeline to see I’m looking at Jay.

“Oh it’s nothing, I'm just mumbling. I think the vicar is about to start.”

On that the vicar starts to say: “Can the parents and godparents of Alice Jayne Roberts please make their way to the altar and gather round the font. Jayne looks over in our direction just as we stand up, she has the biggest smile on her face. Before I know it she’s at my side, kissing my face all over.

“I love you, I love you, I love you,” she keeps saying as she covers my face in kisses, Rob stands there laughing at her till she turns her attention to him. “Thank you, this means the world to me.” She pulls us both into a big hug.

“I know it does. Alice loves you and you are my girl's best friend so it makes sense to me.” She walks over to Owen standing back at his side.

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