Page 9 of The Widow's Irish Secret
‘But Granny…’ Lily started.
Nora got up and put food on plates and handed them around. ‘Maybe we could eat and then calm down a bit and discuss this? No need to argue on an empty stomach.’
‘Thank you, Nora,’ Sylvia said and took one of the plates. ‘I’m not arguing, I’m just sharing my thoughts. And I’m a little shaken by what I just heard, that’s all. Vi’s wedding could be my swansong, my last hurrah and the final big party that I’ll organise. You all know how much I’ve enjoyed doing all the big events in the family.’
‘We know that, of course,’ Vi said. ‘Granny, you’re the best, most popular hostess in Dingle. But this time, it’s about me and Jack. He wants our wedding to be casual and fun, not a big splashy do. I’d hate to disappoint him.’
‘So instead you’re disappointing Granny,’ Rose remarked.
‘I’m not…’ Vi started, glaring at Rose. ‘This is going to be our day, mine and Jack’s. It’ll be something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. Can’t you understand that?’
‘Yeah, but you have to consider other people, too,’ Rose argued.
‘Please calm down, Rose. Let’s eat and then talk,’ Tricia suggested. ‘Nora’s right. We’re all hungry and the discussion about the wedding can wait until later.’
‘Good point,’ Lily said. ‘But I still want to say that I love Vi and Jack’s plans for a wedding in the orangery. But let’s eat and enjoy this lovely dinner.’
‘I’m with Granny, just so you know,’ Rose cut in before she dug into her food. ‘A big glamorous wedding at Magnolia Manor that could be featured in a magazine would be fantastic publicity for the events side of our business. We could get an exclusive withOK!magazine for the photos. You might consider that side of things, Vi.’
‘No, I won’t,’ Vi said, still glaring at Rose. Then she started eating without another word.
Tricia looked around the table at the sullen looks between her daughters and the stern disapproval in Sylvia’s eyes. The welcome home dinner had turned into a battlefield with Lily, Vi and herself on one side and Sylvia and Rose on the other. She glanced at Nora for help but Nora just rolled her eyes, shrugged and started to eat, taking a sip from her glass of prosecco. This was terrible for Vi, who had been so happy about her engagement and the fun wedding she wanted.
They all ate in silence for a few minutes. Tricia was trying to see a solution when an idea came to her. ‘I know what we can do,’ she suddenly exclaimed. ‘Something that’s not quite a wedding but still a great party.’
‘What would that be?’ Sylvia asked, one of her eyebrows lifting.
‘An engagement party,’ Tricia said, now firing on all cylinders. ‘A big, glam event where we all dress up and get a lot of attention just for the one night. And we could do it as soon as Jack arrives. No need to plan for weeks, we’ll just invite everyone and it can be all over Instagram and all kinds of other places, whatever you want.’
Vi smiled, looking at once much happier. ‘That’s a great idea, Mum. And we could have a band and dance and serve posh food and all that jazz.’ She stopped for a moment and then grinned. ‘I have it! We could do aGreat Gatsbytheme. How about that? With jazz music and everyone dressed in that nineteen twenties style. Wouldn’t that be fun?’
‘Brilliant,’ Lily said, looking excited. ‘That would be amazing. We could have it in the afternoon so we won’t disturb the tenants of the senior apartments. A tea dance like they did in the old days. But with champagne.’
‘The ballroom and gardens are booked solid for weddings all through July,’ Rose said. ‘So I don’t think…’
‘Then we’ll have the party during the week,’ Tricia cut in. ‘In the late afternoon. How does the calendar look for the next week or two, Rose? For a midweek do, I mean.’
‘That could be doable, I suppose,’ Rose admitted.
‘A lot of people in town are away on holiday during July,’ Sylvia interrupted. ‘Most of my friends have already left for the summer.’
‘So what?’ Tricia countered. ‘They will at least get the invitation by email and can decide if they want to interrupt their holiday or not. I bet a lot of them will do anything to come to this party.’
‘Nobody will want to miss it,’ Nora remarked.
‘So can we do it?’ Tricia asked, looking at Sylvia. ‘An engagement party for Vi and Jack in the next two weeks or so?’
‘I suppose it’s possible,’ Sylvia said, looking only slightly mollified. ‘This takes the spotlight off the actual wedding, of course. So Violet and Jack can have their small ceremony and we can call it a secret wedding or something. With photos posted when they’ve left for their honeymoon.’
‘Perfect,’ Vi said, beaming a smile at her grandmother. ‘You’re the best virtual assistant, Granny. You can do all the Insta stuff. And we’ll send photos from the honeymoon in Cornwall.’
‘So romantic,’ Lily said with a happy sigh. ‘And all so perfect, Mum. You’re a genius. Don’t you think, Granny?’
‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ Sylvia said. ‘But we came up with a good solution, yes.’
‘High praise indeed.’ Tricia smiled, knowing she had won this time, even if Sylvia now pretended it was all her idea. The wedding would be another matter, but she was sure Sylvia would accept most of Vi and Jack’s wishes now that she was allowed to throw a big party in the ballroom, even if theGreat Gatsbytheme wasn’t really what she might have planned.
‘Phew,’ Nora whispered in Tricia’s ear as the girls and Sylvia chatted on about the engagement party. ‘You did a great job, even if the glory will be all Sylvia’s.’
