Before I Do(97)
“What did you tell everyone who didn’t get invited to Wedding Take Two, then?” he asked.
“That we couldn’t afford to do another one that size. Which is true,” said Audrey.
“I don’t have to get you two gifts, do I?” Hillary asked, and Audrey shook her head. “Good, because I haven’t even gotten you one yet. Oh, I have some exciting news to share. I’ve been cast as the lead role in the musical version of The Road by Cormac McCarthy.”
“They’re making that into a musical? Wow, that’s huge, well done!” said Audrey.
“Thank you. It’s incredible, and the best part is that the role doesn’t rely on my boyish good looks. It’s postapocalyptic, so they want me to be filthy and hideous and close to death. It’s a serious, weighty part. My agent says it’s going to open so many doors for me.”
“Well, I’m happy for you. I can’t really envisage that book as a musical, but I’m sure they know what they’re doing.”
“They’re pitching it as Matilda meets The Walking Dead. It’s going to be bigger than Hamilton,” said Hillary.
“While we’re sharing, I have some news too,” Clara said. “I’m pregnant. Again.”
Audrey turned to her friend and froze, not sure how to react.
“What? Why are you making that face?” Clara asked, frowning at Audrey.
“Wow, no, that’s great—if you’re happy about it. I just thought having three under two might be, well, suboptimal.”
“I’m thrilled.” Clara grinned. “I mean yes, it’s exhausting, and probably the hardest job I’ve ever done, but I can’t wait to have another one.”
“Well, I’m thrilled too then. Congratulations.”
“Work is going to kill me. I’ve only been back five minutes. Plus, I just got that promotion.” Clara grimaced.
Jay came over to join them and put his arm around Clara. “She told you? We’ll have enough for a band soon.” He beamed with a wink.
“It’s wonderful news,” said Audrey.
“So, I can’t believe you actually married Bad Jeans Josh. I guess we’re condemned to hang out with the sanctimonious prick forever now, are we?” Jay grinned.
“You are,” Audrey said, ruffling Jay’s perfectly coiffed hair.
“I better go have a beer with him then. Wind him up about how shit wind farms are. You want him to be all riled up before tonight,” Jay said, winking again and then kissing his wife full on the lips.
At the far end of the table, Miranda and Paul were kissing like teenagers. “I think those guys might out-cute you and Josh if you’re not careful,” said Clara.
“Isn’t it great? They’re tying the knot in Yorkshire next summer, in Granny Parker’s local church. They’re having Yorkshire everything, even Yorkshire wine. Paul is competing with me to become the favorite grandchild-in-law, but honestly, he can have that one.”
After the food had been cleared away, they all danced around the firepit to the playlist Audrey and Josh had chosen. They didn’t do a first dance; they wanted everyone dancing together. Vivien shimmied over to talk to Audrey.
“Are you enjoying yourself, darling?” she asked.
“Immensely,” Audrey said. “I know this is only the second wedding I’ve had, but it’s definitely my favorite.”
“I have a little news. I didn’t want to tell you earlier, I thought it might be somewhat crass to talk divorce just before the service.” Vivien pursed her lips in excitement and pulled Audrey to the edge of the dancing circle, away from the music.
“Lawrence has agreed, then?” Audrey asked.
“He won’t contest it, especially since he’s now shacked up with that Mexican dental assistant in Parsons Green. But that’s by the by. The thing is, this new divorce lawyer I’ve hired, Stephanie—quite the character, makes her own cheese—anyway, she’s done a little digging and she suspects my first marriage, to Kosmo in Greece, might not have been properly annulled. The paperwork was missing a signature or some such. Anyway, long story short, if the marriage was never annulled, then technically, none of my other weddings were legal. Stephanie thinks if we track down Kosmo, fill in the missing paperwork, get the annulment completed, then it will be as if I’ve never been married at all. Isn’t that the funniest thing?”
Audrey frowned. It didn’t sound all that funny to her. “So you were never married to Dad?”
“No, none of them. Brian thinks it’s all most amusing. If Brian and I were to get married next summer, it would be as though it were my first real wedding. Say you’ll be my matron of honor, darling? We’ll have such fun dress shopping and cake tasting. I really do feel in my element planning a wedding. It brings out the best in me.”
Audrey gave a noncommittal smile. She wasn’t sure if she agreed, but they could have that conversation another time.
* * *
After dinner and dancing and a few too many revelations from guests, Josh and Audrey wrapped up warm and took a stroll through the woods, just the two of them. They headed away from the party through to a woodland clearing lit by tiki lights. The moon was high in the sky and the air sharp and clear. Audrey hugged her white fluffy coat around her shoulders, and they had their first dance in silence, just the two of them.