New beginnings by the su.., p.23
New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs, page 23
‘What do you need me to do?’ Her brain had gone into meltdown.
‘Take a deep breath. That’s it. Now another one.’ Shani rubbed her back and smiled at Bea. ‘This is scary, but I can’t help feeling excited now that it’s time.’
‘Me too,’ Bea said, concentrating on trying to look calmer than she felt.
‘I’ll get myself down the stairs and give Paul a quick ring while you dress; he should be here in no time.’
Bea left Shani panting and phoned Paul. ‘Oh my God,’ he shrieked. ‘Give me ten minutes max.’
She ran to her room and grabbed the grass-stained jeans and tatty off-white sweatshirt she’d been wearing earlier. ‘Right, I’ll take this.’ Bea picked up Shani’s overnight case and ran down the stairs to the car.
With trembling hands she carefully fastened the seatbelt around Shani’s huge stomach. ‘Where’s Paul?’ She paced back and forth on the gravel. ‘We should have arranged to meet him at the hospital.’
‘Calm down, I can hear him,’ Shani shouted, wincing in pain.
‘Why don’t we just take his taxi?’ Shani suggested, waving Paul over as he paid the taxi driver.
‘No need, I’ll drive,’ Paul insisted.
‘No you won’t.’ Bea snatched the keys back from him. ‘I’m fine, I’ll get us there.’
‘Bea, will you please do me a favour and give Paul the car keys?’
‘What for?’ asked Bea, hysteria rising in her voice with each word.
Shani patted her lightly on the hand. ‘Because I want to get there in one piece and you’re making me nervous. Why don’t you have a stiff drink and go back to bed and try and get some sleep before the wedding tomorrow?’
Paul took the keys from Bea’s hand and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Stop stressing. We’ll be fine, and I promise I’ll call you as soon as baby puts in an appearance.’
‘But I want to be with you.’ Bea pushed her head into the window.
‘I know you do, and I love you for it,’ Shani soothed. ‘But to be honest, Bea, for once in his life, Paul appears to be strangely calm and I need that right now.’ She winced and sucked in her breath. ‘I think we ought to be going. Paul will call you as soon as anything happens.’
Paul turned on the ignition and the car flew backwards, only stopping when it collided with Bea’s low granite wall. Bea didn’t bother checking her car, and suspected Paul wasn’t as calm as he was making out.
Shani puffed. ‘Take it easy. I only asked for you because I thought you’d be a safer bet than her.’ She waved Bea away.
‘What?’ Paul screeched, becoming more panic-stricken.
‘Why am I the calmest one here? Everything’s fine; this is all perfectly normal. Now get a grip and let’s go. I should have taken your taxi and left the two of you here to be hysterical together.’
‘That’s enough,’ Bea shouted, opening the driver’s door. ‘Get in the back, Paul, I’m driving.’ Not waiting for him to argue, she grabbed hold of his jacket and pulled him out of the car.
Shortly after setting off, Shani frightened them both by bending forward, one hand on the dashboard and the other on the mound of her stomach and starting to puff and pant again. ‘Phew, that was a bad one.’ She winced, her face flushed with the exertion. ‘At least it’s the middle of the night and we don’t have to worry about traffic.’
With almost pathetic relief Paul pointed to the lights ahead. ‘Hospital. There’s the hospital.’
‘Thank heavens for that,’ Bea whispered, as they pulled up outside.
‘You’ve both done very well. Now let me out of the car.’ Shani pushed herself up out of the seat. ‘I’ll make my way in and start the registration process. You two park the car and bring my case.’
Bea nodded and watched her amble off, marvelling at her bravery before wheel-spinning towards the car park. Reaching the entrance Shani had indicated, Bea rang the bell. ‘This is terrifying.’
Eventually a tired-looking midwife unlocked the door. They followed her up to the labour ward and waited in the hallway. ‘What checks do they have to do anyway?’ Bea wondered.
Paul paced along the tiled corridor. ‘Why is it so quiet in there?’
Bea shrugged. ‘I suppose they’re getting her changed and checking the baby is actually on its way.’ She hoped it wouldn’t be too long until they could join Shani; Bea couldn’t bear to think of her being alone and frightened.
‘I’d be panic-stricken if I were her,’ Paul said, reading Bea’s thoughts.
Bea sat down on one of the chairs and tapped her foot on the floor. ‘Why won’t they call us in?’
The door finally opened, and the midwife waved them over. ‘Shani’s ready for you both now.’ She smiled at Paul. ‘You don’t need to look so terrified. Everything’s fine.’
Bea walked in first, her eyes widening at the sight of Shani lying with her long, slim legs up in stirrups.
‘And there’s another contraction,’ the midwife said cheerily. ‘Come in quickly, you two, and please try to stay out of the way.’
‘Glad you could— argh! —both make it,’ Shani grimaced.
Bea felt lightheaded and doubted it was due to the intense heat in the room; the look of pain etched on her best friend’s face was alarming. Paul shielded his eyes from the bottom end of the bed. ‘They could face the top of your head towards the door,’ he grumbled. ‘Or have a warning note outside.’
Bea glared at him. ‘Don’t be such a baby,’ she said through clenched teeth. She took Shani’s hand in hers, grimacing when Shani almost crushed her bones with a vice-like grip. ‘Ouch, Shan, can you let go a little?’
The young nurse smiled. ‘If either of you think you’re going to faint, then go outside. You’ll find a water cooler in the hallway.’
Paul shook his head. ‘We’ll be fine.’
‘Phew, that was a bad one,’ Shani said, turning to smile at Paul. ‘You look worse than I do.’ The midwife examined Shani once again. ‘Surely I’ll be ready to push soon.’ The woman nodded.
This was going to be a long night, Bea thought. Maybe the thrill of watching new life entering this world was a little over-rated. She decided should she ever feel broody again, she would just visit this place; it would soon put her off wanting babies.
‘She’s had a baby,’ Paul shouted down the phone to Guy two hours later, his voice trembling.
‘Well, that’s a relief,’ he teased over the loudspeaker. ‘What sort of baby?’
‘What do you mean, what sort? A baby.’
‘Is it a boy, or a girl?’
‘Oh, a girl. She looks like a little moonbeam, so cute and tiny. I think they said she was three kilos or something, though I’ve no idea what that means.’
Bea pulled a tissue from her sweatshirt sleeve and blew her nose.
‘Congratulations,’ Guy said. ‘I can’t wait to give her a cuddle.’ Paul said he’d see him later and ended the call. ‘You need to take it easy,’ he told Shani, and then frowning over at Bea. ‘You’re looking a bit washed out.’
‘You don’t look so hot yourself.’ Bea peered down into the clear bassinette and felt a tug at her heart as the baby took her little finger in her hand.
‘Gorgeous, isn’t she?’ Shani yawned and although her face was puffy from the exertions, Bea thought she’d never looked more beautiful. It felt strange to see someone as tomboyish as Shani looking so maternal and serene. She could tell by the adoring way Shani was gazing at her baby that she’d be an incredible mother, with or without Harry’s involvement.
‘You were so brave.’ She hugged Shani, careful not to disrupt the drip in her arm. ‘She’s perfect. I’m sorry I was so panicky before.’
‘Don’t be silly, you were both brilliant. Bea, you’d better get a move on; didn’t you have to be at Joyce’s like an hour ago?’
Bea took a moment to understand what Shani meant. ‘What?’ She rubbed her eyes and yawned. ‘The wedding, it’s today.’ Bea said, wishing she didn’t have to rush off.
‘You go and have a fantastic day. Give Mel my love.’
Bea retied her ponytail and checked her watch. She blanched. ‘I’m so late.’ Bea pulled an agonised expression, making Shani smile. ‘I don’t want to go.’
Shani giggled. ‘Behave yourself, you’ll look gorgeous, and you’re going to have fun. Take photos and send them to me.’
‘I will.’
‘Oh, and Bea – thanks for everything. You’ve been a star.’ Bea sniffed, aware her chin was starting to wobble. She blew her nose. ‘No, don’t you dare start crying,’ Shani said, welling up. ‘I’m allowed to – no one’s going to see me for hours yet. Mel and Joyce will never forgive you if you ruin the photos with bloodshot eyes and a big red nose.’ She pushed her friends away gently. ‘Go on, I’ll see you both when it’s all over.’
Bea shook her head and took one last look at the baby. ‘Right, here goes,’ she said, trying to raise a little enthusiasm for the next few hours. ‘The wedding’s finally here.’
‘I need a coffee so strong you could stand a ruler in it,’ Paul said, rubbing his face with his hands.
‘Bugger coffee,’ Bea laughed, hurrying down the corridor towards the car park. ‘I think I’ll need a couple of vodkas before I’m in the mood to face this lot.’
25
MAY 9 – ARCHWAY OF ROSES
Bea drove home in a haze of emotional exhaustion. She didn’t care what the time was; she had no intention of leaving her house until she’d had a quick nap and freshened up with a hot shower. She phoned her dad to let him know she’d be about an hour late and to ask him to break the news to Joyce and Mel as best he could.
After her nap she showered and washed her hair, unable to stop thinking about the emotional night she’d shared with Paul and Shani. She couldn’t imagine anything more worthwhile than giving birth. She allowed tears to flow as she scrubbed her face. ‘No time for regrets,’ she murmured, grabbing her electric toothbrush and cleaning her teeth before splashing her face with cold water.
After dressing, she drove to her dad’s house. ‘Hello, darling,’ her father said, smiling at her, relief obvious. ‘Give me a kiss and hang up your clothes, then come and let me show you inside that monstrosity.’
She looked past him to the enormous white marquee covering most of the back lawn of his beloved garden. ‘Red carpet?’ she said, wondering how long the whole construction had taken, down to the carpet that meandered from the driveway into an entrance decorated with an elaborate archway made up of hundreds of deep red roses, lilies and a mass of greenery. ‘Wow. You don’t do things by half, do you, Dad?’
‘This display wasn’t my idea.’ He puffed on his pipe. ‘When your stepmother refused to lower the number of invitees, I had no choice but to hire this damn thing. The temporary lavatories cost as much as a smaller marquee.’
Bea hoped he’d manage to relax at some point and enjoy the day. ‘Don’t let Joyce catch you smoking again,’ she whispered, following him into the massive space.
‘Let her.’ He straightened one of the chairs. ‘Look at the top table. We’re going to die of heat sitting in front of the windows.’
Bea agreed. ‘That is incredible though,’ she said, indicating the elaborately iced wedding cake displayed on a small round table.
‘Don’t even try to estimate the cost,’ he said, puffing on his pipe.
Bea looked at the tiny clouds of smoke coming out of the side of his mouth and gave him a hug. ‘Mel’s very lucky to have you,’ she said, kissing his cheek. ‘We both are.’ Chiffon bows were tied round the middle of each chair, matching the bridesmaid’s outfits. Bea squinted up at the silky lining of the marquee, lit by cascades of tiny prisms from the crystal chandeliers that would later be muted to a soft glow, which she was certain must have been Joyce’s idea.
‘She has a thing about lighting,’ her dad said. ‘I’m sure she needn’t have spent quite so much on this wedding. So much of it seems extravagant nonsense.’ Bea believed him. ‘The damn table arrangements cost more than your stepmother’s and my entire wedding. Look at them, ridiculously over the top.’
Bea murmured her agreement as she took in the elaborate creations, a large, cream cathedral candle bound in thin rope and ivy, with even more arum lilies woven into the rope and finished off with large pink feathers. ‘Flipping heck, she must have commanded an entire nursery’s stock of the things. I’d have been more than happy to help, you know. I have more than enough flowers in my garden.’
‘It’s almost obscene really, when you think you’re paying for all this for only one afternoon. Things have certainly gone up since you and Simon were married.’ He turned to face Bea and took her hands in his own. ‘Talking of which, I know I can’t help you pay him off, but I can help towards your legal fees. And before you argue, I insist. Annabel and I fell out over you many times over the years, but she loved you very much, and she wouldn’t have wanted him to have half her house, especially not after what he did to you.’
Bea gave him a hug. ‘Thanks, Dad. All I need to do is find a way to prove that Aunt Annabel intended to put a clause in her will to make sure he didn’t benefit from her death in any way.’
‘I don’t see how that house can even be considered a matrimonial asset when he was messing around with someone else. It’s not right.’
‘Don’t worry about me. We’ve got a brilliant day ahead of us.’ She laughed. ‘Even if it’s all a little over the top.’
‘Good girl. You remind me so much of your mother when she was your age.’ He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked slowly back to the house. ‘I still miss her, you know,’ he said, lowering his voice. Bea swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Right, you’d better get in there, they’ll be panicking if they don’t see you soon.’ He stopped, looking thoughtful. ‘How come you were delayed, anyway?’
She took a deep breath hoping her emotions wouldn’t get the better of her again. ‘Shani went into labour during the night. She had a baby girl a few hours ago.’ Bea cocked her head in the direction of the upstairs windows. ‘I’d better go and make my presence felt.’ She hugged him and raced up to the spare room.
‘Your hair looks gorgeous, Mel,’ she said seeing her sister having her hair primped and curled. Before Mel could answer she raised a hand. ‘I’ve got exciting news. Shani had a little girl last night.’
Mel squealed, batting the hairdresser’s hand away. She twisted in her seat towards Bea. ‘Is she okay? Is the baby gorgeous?’
Bea tried not to laugh at the hairdresser’s irritated expression. ‘Yes, they’re both doing great, although Shani’s a bit tired after everything.’
‘Melanie, sit still. You don’t have all day to get ready,’ Joyce said, taking Mel by the shoulders and facing her towards the dressing-table mirror once again. ‘That’s wonderful news, Bea. But you’re already late and we still have to do something with your hair before you can get changed.’
She held Bea’s fascinator up for the hairdresser to see. ‘We need this in Bea’s hair as soon as she’s changed into her bridesmaid outfit.’ She gave Bea a condescending smile. ‘What a relief Shani didn’t spend the night here after all. It would have upset Melanie’s entire routine.’ She gasped. ‘Imagine how ghastly it would have been if her waters had broken over my new spare linen.’
‘Mum,’ Mel snapped. ‘What a thing to say.’ Before they could descend into a row, Bea left them and went downstairs to the kitchen to make some tea and toast. She was starving and hoped that breakfast would keep her going for the next few hours.
‘Coping?’ asked her father, listening out for Joyce’s high-pitched voice. ‘I’m keeping my distance from those two.’ He pointed upstairs. ‘They’re getting more anxious as the hours pass.’
‘I know, they’re driving each other nuts already.’ Bea buttered her toast and ate it hungrily.
‘Thankfully the caterers are here. The florist has left, and it appears that we’re keeping to schedule – touch wood.’
‘Beatrice, get up these stairs immediately.’ Bea grimaced at the sound of her stepmother’s command.
‘I suppose I’d better do as she asks.’ She rolled her eyes.
After being made up and her hair fussed with, Bea was relieved to change in to her outfit, then help Mel with her elaborate dress and veil.
‘You look sensational, Mel,’ she said, happy to see her sister so excited. For some reason they looked even less alike today. Mel, with her shiny, almost black hair all glossy and up in a French pleat, and Bea with her blue eyes and wild blonde hair that never managed to look very sleek. No wonder people found it surprising to discover they were half-sisters.
‘I do, don’t I?’ Mel said, smoothing down the corset of her dress. ‘I can hear the cars. Bea, hurry up and put your shoes on.’
Bea slipped her feet in to the towering heels and went to rescue the small bridesmaids from Joyce. The youngest one’s jaw was set. Bea could tell she was on the brink of rebelling. She took them by the hand and followed Mel and her mother out to the cars. The phone rang, but her dad grabbed it. ‘Get them in the car, I’ll see who this is,’ he said, waving them outside.
A few minutes later he joined them. ‘That was Tom,’ he said. ‘He sends his apologies but has been unavoidably detained somewhere.’ He motioned to the back of Joyce’s head as she rearranged her wide-brimmed hat in the back of the second car. ‘She won’t be impressed to have her table plan out of kilter,’ he said, unimpressed with the late cancellation. ‘At least Shani has a decent excuse for not being here.’
Bea couldn’t imagine what Tom could be doing. It was a Saturday and surely even he didn’t have to work over the weekend.
‘He said he would give you a call later to explain,’ her father added, looking stressed.
Bea sighed. It didn’t bother her whether he turned up or not, but she wasn’t looking forward to Joyce finding out. She settled into the back of the limousine, soothed by the smell of the vintage leather seats. Her phone bleeped and she saw it was a text from Tom.
