Design For Loving (11 page)

`You
know, we
are
a bit short-staffed,' said Sally, winking surreptitiously at Annis. 'I'm sure you could lend someone a hand, Mrs Lawrence. Perhaps you could check the seating plan and put out the place cards? They're so pretty, aren't they?'

It
wasn't the first time they'd had to deal with an overwrought mother, and a pacified Mrs Lawrence went off in the direction of the marquee, much to the relief of Annis and Sally.

`We'll
have to remember to send her packing around twelve o'clock or she'll never be ready for the ceremony,' Sally said.

It
was around eleven o'clock when the office door was flung open and a stocky, sandy-haired young man entered. He pointedly ignored Annis and she suddenly remembered where she'd seen him before. It had been in the antiques shop the previous day; he'd ignored her then, too.

`There's
a woman wandering around by the marquee,' he said to Sally.

`It's
OK, it's the bride's mother. She's supposed to be there and she'll be going shortly. This is my good friend Annis Fuller by the way. She's helping me out for a week or two.'

As
if noticing her for the first time, the young man turned to look at Annis and raised his eyebrows.

`I'm
Tristan Marsden. I wasn't aware we'd taken on any new staff. Your name rings a bell.'

Annis
met his hazel eyes levelly. 'I used to be engaged to Andrew.'

There
was a silence for a moment or two as he digested this piece of information.

‘B
ut, of course — forgive me.' He stretched out a hand and she took it rather reluctantly.

`Annis
and I go back a long way,' said Sally, getting to her feet. 'I'll leave you to get acquainted while I check on the caterers.'

To
cover an awkward pause after Sally had gone, Annis said, 'It should be a good wedding. Everything's in hand and it's a glorious day.'

Tristan
perched on the desk and flicked through the wedding folder.

‘Mmn
has the cake arrived?'

`Yes,
about an hour ago. Everything's going like clockwork.'

`You're
nothing like I imagined,' he said suddenly.

Then
he grinned, making her feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

`We
all have preconceived ideas, don't we? Look, if you're going to be around here for a few days then perhaps we could have a meal together. After all, you might well have an axe to grind with my sister but that's no reason why we can't be friends.'

She
caught her breath at his audacity, but then realised it would be a golden opportunity to find out more about what, if anything, was going wrong at Heathercote Mill.

`OK,
thanks, I'd like that — and, just for the record, I don't bear Stella any grudge. We both loved the same man — it was no-one's fault.'

She
saw the undisguised look of surprise on Tristan's face and suspected that this was not what he had expected to hear from her.

He
got to his feet. 'Yes, well, I must get on. I'm always a bit wary when things appear to be going too smoothly. Let's hope the bridegroom turns up, eh?'

Annis
swallowed back a retort, hoping he wouldn't find out about the band, at least not until after they'd arrived and had a chance to perform.

* * *

Everything went like a dream. It was a church wedding and so there was a little more time to prepare than if the ceremony had taken place at the Mill. Once the reception was in full swing, Sally breathed a sigh of relief and she and Annis ate a late lunch in the office.

`There
used to be a time when I could leave someone else in charge for an hour or so and slip over to the staff restaurant, but I daren't do that these days, because you can bet that if I do, something will go wrong.'

‘
Not today, surely? It's all gone splendidly so far.'

Tristan
came in at that point. `Everyone seems fairly happy. Just one or two minor glitches.'

Sally
visibly paled and Annis found it difficult to believe her ears.

`What
glitches?' Sally asked.

`Well,
it seems the buttonholes weren't quite right, and although the Lawrences aren't aware of it, they've been served a more expensive champagne, so — since it's our mistake — we'll have to pick up the tab.'

Sally
looked stunned. She looked at the wedding folder and then turned to check the information on the computer screen. She frowned.

`There doesn't appear to be any discrepancy here. They both say the same and . . . '

Tristan
interrupted her. 'They may well do, but it's the wrong champagne and it came from a box with the name Lawrence on it. You must surely have signed for it before it went into the cellars? Anyway, it's too late to do anything about it now. I'll see you later.'

As
the door closed behind him, Sally pulled a face.

`However
do you put up with him?' Annis asked.

`Oh,
I'm used to him by now. Like I said, I only stay for Uncle Bryn's sake and because I can see something of John during the day,' Sally said, looking thoroughly miserable. 'All I've ever wanted was just to get on and do my job, but I don't seem to be able to do anything right as far as Tristan and Ross are concerned.'