‘Mum, what’s wrong?’ asked Esmé, as she bustled into the foyer of the MacDonald Burlington hotel in a state of panic having received a brief text message from Kane. ‘I was going to call you later.’
Sue rose as Esmé entered the double doors, smoothed down the front of her peach and cream dress coat, and supressed the nervous giggle that rose to her throat.
‘You look nice. Why are you dressed like that?’ asked Esmé, oblivious to the fact that her first question hadn’t yet been answered.
‘Calm down, nothing is wrong… quite the opposite.’
‘Mum?’ Esmé stared about the foyer. ‘Kane said it was urgent, that I must make haste and now… where’s Dad? Is there an emergency?’ She’d dashed through town at break neck speed having left Asa at the tattoo studio paying for her additional ink. How rude was that? She’d quickly had dressing applied and thanked Asa, even she had to admit that the additional word ‘dream’ and the decoration now made a worthy enhancement to her skin.
Sue patted her arm and gently led her away from the double doors to sit on the elaborate couch upon which she’d been waiting for twenty minutes since speaking to Kane, her eldest.
‘Mum, what’s going on? Is this about my argument with Kane?’
‘Kane? No. Now, I know you’ve had the most unpleasant month and no one more than me understands just how much that has affected your relationship with Andrew…’
‘Mum?’
‘Esmé, let me finish, please. Anyway, I wanted to show you something,’ said Sue, standing to collect her belongings.
She led Esmé past reception, where Esmé had signed for a room just four weeks ago, down a long corridor to stand before a set of elaborate double doors.
Esmé was still not comprehending how Kane’s urgent message equated to this calm situation but still, all seemed well.
‘Please just think about it,’ said Sue, opening both doors to reveal an exquisite dining room of white linen cloth, decorated with crystal chandeliers and an array of cream and apricot flower arrangements at the centre of each table. ‘Go on.’
Sue led her inside to stand amongst the most perfect wedding reception breakfast that any bridal magazine could have photographed. A five tiered wedding cake stood in the corner complete with a silver cake knife and two empty champagne glasses ready for a toast.
‘Who’s this for?’ asked Esmé, looking around, her eyes wide and taking in every minute detail.
‘Well, it’s prepared for a wedding at four o’clock this afternoon, but I asked if I could show you exactly what this hotel’s wedding package looks like.’
Esmé turned round on the spot, every surface displayed a detail that she’d dreamt of had Andrew proposed just four short weeks ago.
‘Stunning, isn’t it?’
‘Beautiful, everything is just as I’d dreamed… but I don’t understand.’
‘Apparently the bride’s having a horse and carriage, eight bridesmaids, three page boys, though I think one is plenty for carrying the rings… top hat and tails, champagne and a honeymoon in Rome…’ Sue’s voice faded to silence, as she watched Esmé turn around, taking in the spectacular room.
‘Mum?’
‘Esmé?’
‘What’s going on?’
‘Now, please give him a chance to explain… hear him out… he’s been very busy and I have to say, I’m very proud of what he’s achieved in such a short time.’
‘Esmé.’ Standing in the doorway, dressed in a top hat and tails, complete with a carnation button hole was Andrew. His hair had been cut, his shave was impeccable and his eyes were locked on her. ‘Esmé.’
Esmé’s heart rate sounded like a drum beat locked within her chest. Andrew looked impressive, so smart, so fetching and so over dressed for a Saturday afternoon.
‘Do you like it?’ he asked, as he approached and stood before her.
‘Yes, it’s lovely. I’m sure the bride and groom will be delighted but what’s this got to do with me, and my mum?’
‘Esmé, I have something to ask you.’
Esmé watched in silence as he gently took her hand and slowly, but very deliberately, lowered himself onto his bended knee.
*
‘A bloody house meeting on a Saturday evening, are you having a laugh?’ moaned Asa, plodding barefoot down the stairs having been summoned from the shower with barely enough time to pull on a pair of jeans.
‘It’s not my idea, Kane said it was important,’ answered Dam, leading the way to the morning room.
As the door swung open Asa could see they had guests.
At the table sat Jonah, Russ, Kane and another chap, who looked familiar but Asa couldn’t place him.
Dam sat down, and Russ kicked out a chair for Asa.
‘I’ll cut straight to the chase,’ said the guest. ‘Esmé has decided to move out of this property and to return to our apartment at Symphony Court.’
Kane lowered his head and stared at his hands.
‘Where is she?’ asked Asa, looking around the kitchen for the missing housemate.
‘She’s decided that she will move out immediately and so I’ve come round to discuss the finances as I understand that it could potentially leave you guys in—’
‘Hang on a minute, who are you?’ asked Asa, his lip curled in distaste.
‘I am her fiancé, Andrew.’
‘Fiancé?’ chorused several males.
‘I don’t think so!’ spat Asa.
‘This is Andrew,’ introduced Kane, his eyes firmly focussed on his hands.
‘The ex-boyfriend, as far as I know!’ said Asa, adding ‘You arrived one night and harassed her – I asked you to leave.’
‘Not quite, but yes, that’s probably how you’d remember it. Anyway, today Esmé accepted my marriage proposal and so, she’ll be—’
‘No way!’ Asa stood up, his chair scraped against the tiles. ‘Where is she?’
‘Asa, sit down… it’s her decision,’ said Kane, not raising his head.
‘And you agree with this, do you? He cheated on her… she’s done pretty well the last few weeks and now, she is expected to revert back to what she had?’
‘Look mate, I really don’t understand what your problem is, but my fiancée and I will be getting married in sixteen days’ time, it’s the quickest I can organise things, given the special license, and I’m trying to be proactive to ensure you guys have a replacement housemate.’
Kane shifted in his seat.
‘So you’ve organised this in secret and then sprung it on her?’ asked Asa.
‘Hey, now I really don’t think it’s your place to tell me what I’m allowed to organise for my fiancée. In fact, my soon to be mother-in-law also organised—’
‘Cut the crap! I don’t want to hear it. Dam, what have you got to say about this?’ asked Asa, standing at the edge of the table.
‘Isn’t it her decision?’ said Dam, with an embarrassed shrug.
‘He’s got a point,’ added Jonah.
‘Russ?’
‘Asa man… it’s her choice, at the end of the day.’
‘Seriously?’ Asa looked around the group of forlorn faces. ‘Nah! I’m out of here. You guys discuss whatever you want. Kane, welcome to the house, because it looks like your sister’s made way for you after all.’
Asa stormed from the kitchen, knocking his chair over as he went.