The Lover's Children novel Chapter 18

GEORGIE

The hall is set with ranks of dining tables towards the main window, giving everyone a view out over the snow and the river. The head table is about half-way along and a bar has been set up towards the back. Fire blazes in an enormous hearth, but the space is huge. They must have some other heating running too for it to be so warm. Perhaps from the vents I can see dotted around.

It’s quite a plain space really, but with the tree and the place settings, colourful in red and green, and the flickering light of the fire, casting a glow over everything, you could be fooled into thinking otherwise.

It all looks absolutely beautiful. Happy guests. Pretty bridesmaids. Handsome men in suits and hats. Congratulatory family and friends. Smiling groom. The clichéd blooming bride.

Couples. Husbands and wives. Boyfriends and girlfriends. Families. Friends.

And me.

What are my options?

People mill and surge and mingle. The bar’s packed, people jammed tight, ordering drinks, or collecting what they pre-ordered.

I’d like a drink myself, but it’ll take a while to get served. I wander, find my place setting. I’m well off the main tables. I was only invited because they’re friends with Dad and he didn’t want me left out. I try to catch his eye, but he’s busy, up toward the top end, guiding in the other guests to tables, cloakroom facilities, the bathroom. He doesn’t notice me.

So, I make my way to the main window, looking out. Although it’s only mid-afternoon, the lowering cloud dulls the daylight. Snow falls steadily, individual flakes picked out in the poor light by the sparkle from the tree and fairy lights strung across the vast window. Flakes fall, dull and dim, to suddenly glitter bright in red and green, gold and silver, then just as suddenly, fade and fall.

It’s entrancing.

“Enjoying yourself, Georgie?” My father stands beside me, elegantly dressed in his dark suit.

Jolted from my reverie, “Um, yes. It’s been lovely.”

He pauses. “Really? You don’t sound too certain.”

“Well, er, I’m not really sure what I’m doing here. Kirstie hardly knows me. She’s Charlotte’s friend, isn’t she. And yours. Rather than mine.”

“You’re here because I asked her to invite you. It’s a happy occasion. A reason to celebrate all apart from Christmas and the New Year. I thought you would enjoy yourself.”

He means well…

And I shouldn’t spoil the day for him…

Injecting as much enthusiasm as I can into my voice, “I am enjoying myself, Dad.”

Fake jollity comes back at me. “I’ll get you a drink. What would you like?”

His words are cut short. “Ah, James, there you are…” It’s Ryan with his lookalike brother in tow. “I didn’t get chance to introduce you properly. Kyle, this is James…”

He looks one way and the other, obviously wanting to talk to me, obliged to talk to someone else.

“It’s alright, Dad. I’ll get my own drink. You go look after the guests.”

He nods, plastering his smile into place, offering his hand. “Kyle, good to meet you. You’ve just flown in…?”

Pushing through to the bar, I find myself standing next to Larry, leaning back, a whisky glass in hand, surveying the crowd. He glances my way… “Hello, Georgie...” … then seems to search for his next words… “Are you enjoying the wedding?”

Please stop asking me that…

“It’s a bit crowded for me,” I admit. “I’m not too good at all this social stuff. Doesn’t matter what I do, I always find a way to put my foot in it.”

Eyes rising to the heavens, he lifts the glass to his mouth. “Tell me about it,” he mutters. His face softens. “Can I get you a drink, Georgie? I find a mild alcoholic haze is often helpful in these cases.”

Truth…

“Thanks. Red wine, please.”

He flags down the barman. “Any particular red wine?”

“Rioja if they have it. It’s what Dad always used to serve at meals.”

“He often still does… A Rioja for the lady. A large glass…”

“Larry…”

A voice calls out from somewhere and he turns, following the sound over the crowd. His gaze sharpens. “You’ll have to excuse me, Georgie. Mitch wants me.” He tosses down a few coins, knocks back his drink and vanishes into the throng.

Pity…

They say Larry isn’t safe to know. But he’s always been fine with me. Oddly, I’ve found I enjoy his slightly taciturn company.

A very large glass of wine stands on the bar…