Despite the bumpy ride, and the strange looks that we’d attracted along the way, Bessie managed to deliver us to the hotel with ten minutes to spare. Mad, who was standing outside the main doors, signalled that she wanted a word.
“There you go,” Mr Hosey said. “All safe and sound.”
“Thanks.” I was trying my best to get out of the small carriage without snagging my dress.
“You can call this my wedding present to you both.”
“Thanks again.”
He tooted his whistle, and away he steamed.
“You lot go inside,” I said to Kathy, Peter and the kids. “I’ll be in in a couple of minutes.”
“Don’t you dare run away.” Kathy looked genuinely concerned.
“I’m not going anywhere. I just need a quick word with Mad.”
“If you’d told me you were going to travel here by model train, I’d have come with you.” Mad grinned.
“It wasn’t planned, I can assure you. The roads are all gridlocked. Has everyone else made it?”
“I think so because there’s a full house inside. I hope you didn’t mind my bringing your adoptive parents over earlier? I didn’t know what to do for the best.”
“I’m really pleased you did. I didn’t think I’d ever see them again.”
Kathy appeared in the doorway. “Come on. It’s five-to.”
“Okay. I’m coming.”
“Jill, wait.” Mad caught me by the arm. “There’s someone who has been waiting for you.” She gestured to the side of the hotel.
“Who is it? I really should go inside.”
“It’ll only take a minute. Come and see.”
“Winky?”
“I’ll leave you to it.” Mad made her exit.
“I thought you were never going to get here.” He looked super smart in his tux. “Did you go to the wrong hotel too?”
“I—err—”
“I know you’ve been stressed about the wedding, but how did you manage to mix up the names of the hotels? When I realised your mistake, I had to hightail it over here from the Washbridge Hotel. You’re lucky I made it at all. We’d better get inside.”
“Winky, I—err—I don’t know how to say—”
“Come on. I’m really looking forward to this.”
Oh bum!
I’d painted myself into a corner this time. If I told him now that he couldn’t be my pagecat, he’d be totally devastated, but if I allowed everyone to see him, they’d think I’d lost my mind.
That’s when it came to me: a way to get out of this awful mess.
I quickly cast the ‘hide’ spell.
“Okay. Follow me, but once we’re inside, you mustn’t speak. At all.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“You have to walk behind the two bridesmaids.”
“No problem.”
“And be careful where you step. You mustn’t bump into anyone.”
“Okay, okay. Let’s go.”
I hurried inside to find Kathy, Peter and Lizzie waiting outside the room where the ceremony was to take place.
“I thought you were never coming.” Kathy looked more than a little flustered.
“I’m here now. Let’s do this.”
Peter took my arm, and Kathy and Lizzie fell in behind us. Moments later, when the music started, we walked through the door.
The next twenty minutes are a bit of a blur. I remember Jack looking back at me as I walked down the aisle; the smile on his face blew away all of my nerves. We made our vows and moments later, kissed for the first time as man and wife.
“We did it,” Jack said, as we walked through the French doors out onto the large patio.
Before I could reply, we were showered with confetti.
“How does it feel to be Mrs Maxwell?” Jack brushed a piece of confetti from his mouth.
“It feels great.”
“I hear you had a few problems getting here.”
“We did, but Mr Hosey came to our rescue.”
“You came here on Bessie?” He laughed.
“I just hope no one took any photos.”
“It’ll be something to tell our kids.”
“You’ll never guess who came to see me this morning.”
“It wasn’t more clowns, was it?”
“No, thank goodness. It was my mum and dad.”
“They were in church, weren’t they?”
“I mean my adoptive parents. I haven’t seen them since—well, since they died.”
“That must have been a shock.”
“It was, but the best one ever.”
“I was kind of hoping that my mum might—” His words trailed away.
“She will, Jack. One day. I’m sure she will. Give her time.”
The next thirty minutes or so were taken up posing for a million and one photographs. Marceau had hired the photographer—a man by the name of Brian Lyon. He was a fussy little so and so, who took an eternity on every shot.
“Why is he taking so many?” I said under my breath, as Jack and I posed for the millionth photo.
“When we’re old and grey, and we look at our wedding album, you’ll be pleased that he did.”
“At this rate, it’ll be our silver wedding anniversary before he’s finished.”
While Brian (who should have been named Sloth) Lyon took photos of the guests, I managed to escape to the other side of the lawn where Kathy and Peter were having a breather.
“I think it all went okay in there,” I said.
“Jack looks amazing,” Kathy glanced over at him.
“What about me?”
“You look okay too.” She gave me a hug. “I’m only kidding. You look fantastic, sis. Mind you, I’d have a few words with the hotel manager if I were you.”
“What about?”
“Didn’t you smell it?”
“Smell what?”
“When we were walking down the aisle, I got the definite whiff of cat.”
“Yeah.” Peter nodded. “So did I.”
“I reckon they must have left a cat in that room overnight,” Kathy said. “You should complain.”
“Err—excuse me for a moment, would you?”
I’d completely forgotten about Winky. Where could he be?
I eventually found him leaning against a tree, looking very pleased with himself.
“So? What do you think?” he said.
“About what?”
“Did I make a good pagecat or what?”
“You—err—”
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, that cat is a natural. And you’d be correct. I blended in so well that no one seemed to think it was odd that I was part of the ceremony. Did you notice that?”
“I did notice that.” He obviously had no idea that no one could see him. “I don’t imagine you’ll want to stay for the reception? It’ll be terribly boring.”
“Are you joking? All that food and drink? That’s the best part. Am I on the top table?”
“Err—no, that’s just for family. I’m afraid you’re at the back of the room.”
“Never mind. As long as there’s plenty of salmon, I’ll be happy.”
“Jill!” Jack came hurrying over. “The photographer needs us again.”
“Okay, I’m coming.”
“Who were you talking to over there?”
“Just my invisible cat.”
“I never know whether you’re joking or not these days.”
***
Eventually, the photographer announced he’d finished, so we were able to go inside to the Crimson Room where the meal was to be served. Jack took my hand and led me to the top table where Kathy, Peter, Lizzie, Mikey, Grandma and Aunt Lucy were already seated. Also there, was Jack’s father, Roy.
Mrs V, who was on one of the front tables with Armi, Jules and Dexter, gave me a little wave. On the table next to them were the twins, Alan, William and Daze. Alan’s mother had volunteered to babysit the two Lils. At the table at the far side of the room were my birth mother and father, and their partners, Alberto and Blodwyn. Of course, to the majority of people, that particular table appeared to be empty.
“Where’s the food?” I whispered to Jack. “I’m starving.”
“It’s the speeches first.”
“I thought they came afterwards.”
“Marceau reckons it’s best to get them out of the way first, so that everyone can relax and enjoy their meal.”
At that moment, Peter struck his glass with a spoon. “Ladies and gentlemen. It was my great honour today to give away my sister-in-law, Jill. I’d like to say a few words which I hope her father, Ken, would have approved of.”
For the next few minutes, Peter spoke eloquently and from the heart. When he’d finished, I leaned over and said, “Thanks. Dad would definitely have approved.”
Jack was next up.
“On behalf of my wife and myself.” The corny opening line drew polite applause. “First, I’d like to thank Peter for standing in for Jill’s father today. I’d also like to thank all of you for coming here to celebrate our marriage. And of course, I mustn’t forget Alby, my best man, who made sure I got through the stag night unscathed. Relatively speaking.” He took a sip of water, and then continued, “Today, I feel like the luckiest man in the whole world. Some of you may already know that I lost my mother just over a year ago. My parents were a shining example of what a marriage could be. I never thought I’d find someone who could make me as happy as my mother made my father, but then I met Jill. Even though we didn’t immediately see eye to eye, I very quickly realised there was something very special about her.” He turned to me. “I just didn’t know how special. Jill, I want to thank you for agreeing to be my wife. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together.” With that he held up his glass. “Please join me in a toast to the bridesmaids, Kathy and Lizzie, who I’m sure you’ll agree look absolutely amazing. The bridesmaids.”
Alby was as nervous as a kitten, and his speech wasn’t the best, but he managed to struggle through it.
At long last, it was time for us to eat. I was ravenous.
“I’m sorry to bother you.” One of the waiters appeared at my side. “A woman asked me to hand this to you. She said it was urgent.” He passed me a small white envelope, which I assumed was another card. “She said to mention her name was Chivers.”
“Where is she?” I looked around the room.
“She left as soon as she’d handed it to me.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I ripped open the envelope, and read the note inside:
Alicia sends her apologies that she couldn’t be at your wedding, but she doesn’t have long to live. Just a few minutes, actually. Just long enough for the scarlet to spill her blood.
Best wishes,
Ma.
I’d suspected all along that Ma Chivers had had something to do with Alicia’s disappearance. Not only did the note confirm that, but it also made it clear that her life was in imminent danger. Scarlet? If that meant what I thought it did, Alicia was in big trouble.
“Jack,” I whispered. “I have to nip out.”
“What? Why? They’re just about to serve the meal.”
“I’m sorry. It’s a matter of life and death.”
“Come with me.” He led the way out into the garden where we could speak without being overheard. “What’s going on?”
“A friend—err—well, not exactly a friend, but someone I know is in danger. If I don’t go to Candlefield now, she’ll be killed for sure.”
“Killed how?”
I hesitated.
“Jill? Tell me.”
“If my hunch is correct, she’s just about to become a meal for a scarlet horned dragon.”
“Very funny.” He smiled, but then realised I wasn’t joking. “You’re being serious, aren’t you?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“It sounds dangerous.”
“It isn’t. Well, not really. I’ve fought one before.”
“What shall I tell everyone?”
“You won’t need to tell them anything. Have you forgotten that time stands still here while I’m in Candlefield?”
“I’ll never get used to that.” He gave me a kiss. “Promise you’ll be careful.”
“Of course I will.” I did a quick check to make sure there was no one else around, and then magicked myself to the Range in Candlefield.
The place was deserted except for a scarlet horned dragon, which was making its way towards the far wall, where a woman was chained to a metal pole. Even from that distance, I could see the terror on Alicia’s face as the dragon advanced towards her.
I used the ‘faster’ spell to speed across the ground, and then placed myself between the dragon and its would-be meal.
“Jill?” Alicia’s voice was very weak.
“It’s going to be okay.”
The dragon seemed undeterred by my arrival; if anything, it seemed buoyed by the prospect of double helpings. After a moment’s hesitation, it charged straight at me. It didn’t get far though. The first lightning bolt slowed it down—the second one sent it scurrying away.
Once I was sure it wasn’t coming back for another go, I set about releasing Alicia from her shackles.
“I thought I was a goner.” She was breathing heavily. “Ma blocked my magic, so I couldn’t do anything.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll unblock it before I go back.”
Only then, did she seem to register my attire. “What are you wearing, Jill? It looks like a wedding dress.”
“I’ve just got married to Jack. We were about to sit down to the wedding meal when I got a note from Ma Chivers saying you were about to meet a grisly end.”
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” She gave me a hug.
“Enough of that. I have to get back. Will you be okay now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks. It’s great to be free again.”
I unblocked her magic, and then magicked myself back. I’d no sooner arrived in the hotel garden than Kathy appeared.
“Are you alright? They’re serving the starters.”
“Honestly, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I thought you’d gone outside because you were feeling off it.”
“Really, I’m fine. Let’s get back inside.”
“What happened to your dress?”
I glanced down to see that the bottom of it was covered in mud from the Range.
“I—err—it’s quite muddy over there.” I pointed to nowhere in particular. “It’ll brush off. Come on, let’s get inside. I’m starving.”
“Are you okay?” Jack said when I took my seat next to him.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“And your friend?”
“She’s okay.”
“What about the dragon?”
“He’s not feeling so good. His legs will be sore for a few days. Now, where’s that soup?”
The caterers had done us proud. All three courses were delicious, and judging by the empty plates on most of the tables, everyone else thought so too.
“Jill,” someone whispered in my ear.
“Mum?”
“Can I have a word, please?”
“Just a second.” I turned to Jack. “Sorry. My mother wants a word with me.”
He looked around. “Where is she?”
“Right behind me.”
“Hi,” he said in her general direction. “I’m sorry you couldn’t sit up here with us.”
“Who are you talking to?” Kathy chimed in.
While Jack tried to explain his strange behaviour to Kathy, I followed my mother out into the corridor.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t like to complain, Jill, but when you said we’d have to sit at the back, I didn’t realise we wouldn’t actually get any food.”
Oh bum! When I’d agreed that my parents would take the ‘empty’ table at the back of the room, it hadn’t occurred to me that they wouldn’t be fed.
“I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay. We don’t want to make a big fuss. If you could just see your way clear to grabbing a few nibbles for us, that would help.”
“Of course. I’ll go and see what I can get now.”
“Thanks, Jill. I’d have done it myself, but I thought it might cause a few raised eyebrows if the nibbles suddenly started to float away. We’ll be in that small room across the corridor. No one will see us eating in there.”
“Okay. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“Oh, and Jill, while you’re at it. See if you can find any salmon. That invisible cat of yours has been driving us insane.”
“I’m very angry with you,” Winky said when I delivered the food to the side room.
“Why? I’ve just brought some salmon for you.”
“You made me invisible.”
“You know?”
“Yes, I know. Why would you do something like that?”
“I’m sorry, but it would have been too difficult to explain why I had a pagecat.”
“All the effort I put into my outfit, and posing for photographs. Totally wasted.”
“It wasn’t wasted. You were an important part of the ceremony.”
“When no one could see me?”
“I could see you, and that’s all that matters. You looked great. I was proud to have you as my pagecat.”
“Really? Are you just saying that?”
“No. I mean it. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“I did look good, didn’t I?”
“Absolutely. And I’m really sorry I had to make you invisible.”
“Sorry enough to make it up to me?”
“Err—what did you have in mind?” As if I didn’t already know.
“Salmon every day for a month when you get back from honeymoon.”
“Okay.”
“Red not pink, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
On my way back to join Jack, the twins intercepted me.
“You look really beautiful today, Jill.” Amber gave me a hug.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah, you and Jack make a great couple,” Pearl said.
“Thanks, girls. That means a lot.”
“Where are you going on honeymoon?”
“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you both.”
Just then, the DJ put on a slow number.
“I’d better get back to William,” Amber gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “They’re playing our song.”
“That’s mine and Alan’s song!” Pearl said, but Amber was already on her way back across the dancefloor.
“Are you and Alan having a good time?” I said.
“Great, thanks, but we miss Lily.”
“Lily? Don’t you mean Lil?”
“Not any longer. Alan and I decided it’s silly for both girls to be called by the same name, so from now on our little girl will be known as Lily. That should avoid any confusion.”
I wouldn’t bank on it. “That sounds like a great idea. I assume you haven’t mentioned this to Amber yet?”
“We haven’t told anyone yet. We only decided last night.”
“You should definitely tell Amber.”
“I will. Anyway, have a lovely honeymoon wherever it is you’re going.”
“Thanks.”
So long, Lil and Lil. Hello, Lily and Lily.
Snigger.
***
The rest of the day went without a hitch. After I’d changed out of my wedding dress, Jack and I danced the night away, and as far as I could tell, everyone had a great time.
“It’s time we called it a day,” Jack said when it had just turned eleven-thirty. “We have an early flight in the morning.”
“I don’t want this day to end.”
“Who said it has ended?” He led the way upstairs to the honeymoon suite where we—
Never you mind what we got up to. Let’s just say, it was magical.