Grace was out with Tara and Abby for a couple of drinks. It was the first night they’d been out together on their own for months and they were all raring to go. Grace looked great in her blue Guess jeans and pink cami. Tara was wearing a figure-hugging black corset top with her blue jeans that showed her curvaceous figure off perfectly, with Abby wearing low-slung hipsters with a skin tight T-shirt.
‘So come on Abby – spill with the latest in your love life!’ Grace asked.
‘I have nothing to report unfortunately. Nada, zilch! Gerry persuaded me to go to another speed-dating event, which I can’t believe I agreed to.’ Abby had dated two of the four guys from the first event – Fergus and Richard – which were both disasters. She decided against dating the second of the South Africans, feeling he was probably more of the same, and unfortunately Shay, the architect, didn’t contact her.
‘No luck then?’ Grace asked.
‘There were two of the same guys from the first event there!’ she said with a laugh. ‘That’s the end of speed dating for me. I’m going to try the traditional way of meeting guys for a while again!’
‘What’s that?’ Tara asked.
‘Flash some flesh,’ Abby answered, pointing to her bare midriff, ‘and position myself strategically near the bar!’
‘Oh to be young and single again!’ Tara said with a sigh. Then seeing her friends’ faces, she continued, ‘Don’t worry; I’m not thinking about ditching Sean or anything drastic! I love him to death, but sometimes when I realise that I’ll never have that wonder of who might be around the next corner it depresses me!’
‘Thanks a lot Tara, for putting that into a newly engaged head!’ Grace answered with a laugh.
‘I never knew Liam had it in him to be so romantic!’ Tara said, taking another look at Grace’s engagement ring. ‘He took me totally by surprise!’
‘Me too. There wasn’t even a hint of it to me before the party. He’d robbed one of my rings to make sure he got the right fit and everything; I didn’t even notice!’ Grace said dreamily.
‘Any ideas when the big day’s going to be?’ Abby asked.
‘Well, now that you mention it, we’re going to get married this Christmas. Neither of us wants to hang around and we both want a small service.’
‘That’s fantastic!’ Abby said, totally enthralled. She almost sighed, wondering when it would be her turn. But she checked herself quickly. This wasn’t about her, it was about Grace.
‘Well we just need to find a venue, but we’ve decided that we’re definitely going to Florida for our honeymoon.’
‘I take it Jack is going with you too!’ Tara said.
‘Yep, we both talked about going somewhere on our own, but I don’t think I’d enjoy myself without Jack,’ Grace said smiling.
‘Can you imagine Jack when he gets to meet Mickey Mouse? He’ll lose his mind!’ Tara laughed.
‘I know I can’t wait to see it. But, guys, I’ve one big question to ask you,’ Grace said with a smile. ‘How do you fancy being my bridesmaids?’
The whoops of delight from the two girls were answer enough!
‘Liam is asking Tom to be his best man tonight,’ Grace informed the girls. Liam was at home babysitting and the boys were all joining him for a game of poker. ‘He’s going to ask Sean to be his groomsman too,’ she told Tara.
‘They’ll be made up. I can imagine Tom pretending to be cool about it as he tries to stop himself crying!’ Tara laughed.
‘What about Gerry?’ Abby asked.
‘Don’t worry, we’ve thought about him. I’ve asked him to be my wedding planner!’
‘What did he say?’ Abby giggled.
‘Have you ever seen Father of the Bride?’ Grace asked her friends. When they both nodded, they all started to laugh and said at the same time ‘Franc!’
‘Yep, he started quoting bits from that movie in a very bad ‘Franc’ accent! He’s going to do my head in, I know, by the time the wedding arrives, but at least it will keep him happy!’ Grace said laughing.
‘Speaking of Father of the Bride,’ Tara said softly, ‘have you had any thought as to who should walk you down the aisle.’ Tara had thought that maybe Grace would have asked Tom. She knew that Grace thought of him as an older brother.
‘Well, I’ve been thinking of it for ages now, wondering what to do. I did think about asking Catherine.’
‘That would be nice,’ Abby said with a smile. ‘I bet she would be so honoured.’
‘I know. It would make her day, but something about it doesn’t sit right with me,’ Grace answered with a sad smile. ‘I’d never say this to her, so please don’t repeat it. I love Catherine and I’m so happy she’s in my life, but I don’t think she’s earned the right to walk me down the aisle. Does that make me sound like a right bitch?’
‘No pet, not at all,’ Tara answered. ‘I’d find it weird too, to be honest. If it wasn’t Uncle Mick, I’m not sure it would seem right for Catherine to step in.’
‘That’s how I feel,’ Grace said earnestly. ‘I feel like I’d be disrespecting Mam and Dad if I asked Catherine. But you know what, I reckon if I really wanted her to do it, they wouldn’t mind.’
‘You’re right,’ Tara replied. ‘They hadn’t a bad bone in their bodies and would support Catherine totally if they were here. I bet Annie and Catherine would be great mates if Annie were still alive.’
‘I’ve thought the same thing myself. But it’s not an issue anymore, I’ve already asked somebody to give me away,’ Grace stated.
‘Who?’ Tara and Abby asked together.
‘Jack, of course!’ Grace responded with a laugh. ‘And who better than my darling son?’
****
Over at Grace and Liam’s the boys were having a similar conversation. Jack was tucked up in bed and the guys were sipping cans of beer, with the exception of Gerry who was drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Liam had asked Tom to be his best man and Sean to be groomsman and the two of them were busy pumping his hand up and down, thrilled with themselves! Gerry was running around looking at each of them critically, muttering about shades of grey or navy for morning suits!
‘Now hold up buddy!’ Liam said with a laugh at Gerry. ‘We’re having a really small wedding with only immediate family and friends. There will probably only be about fifty there in total. So we don’t want anything flash, okay?’
‘Are you mad, me do flash?!’ Gerry shrieked. ‘I’ve never done anything flash in my life! But just because it’s going to be a small wedding doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant! You just wait Liam; you will be thanking me when you see what I’m going to pull together for you guys! Now first things first, you have to decide venues! Here’s a shortlist of suitable venues I’ve pulled together. Grace said you want a hotel somewhere with its own chapel in the grounds?’
Liam couldn’t believe that Gerry already had a list of venues for them to decide upon. Grace had only asked him to be the wedding planner that afternoon!
Seeing his friend’s look of amazement, Tom said, ‘When Gerry puts his mind to something; nothing’s going to stop him!’
‘You know one of the venues on Gerry’s list is Rose Tree Manor. It’s absolutely stunning and has its own chapel in the grounds, but I’m not sure what Catherine would think about it?’
‘See what you mean, Tom,’ Liam answered. ‘I’ll have a chat with Grace about it, but if she wants that venue, Catherine will have to accept it.’ Liam was firm on this point. He wanted their wedding day to be perfect and if Rose Tree Manor was the ideal venue, then that’s where it would be. Gerry had narrowed the list down to four venues all within two hours’ drive of Dublin, all ranked on various criteria from the size of the venue to the food options. This was great!
****
As the boys started their poker game, the girls started getting into the swing of things. They were on their third Baby Guinness shot and were feeling quite tipsy. Abby was on her way back from the bathroom with a shocked expression on her face!
‘Oh my God – look over at the bar!’ she mouthed to the girls, pointing behind her dramatically. Tara and Grace did as requested, but couldn’t see what they were supposed to be looking for.
‘Shit, I forgot you don’t know what he looks like!’ Abby said with a smile. ‘Remember that guy I met at the first speed-dating event? Shay the architect?’ Both girls nodded in response. ‘Well he’s only over there propping up the bar. Third guy on the right, drinking Guinness!’
‘Holy cow, he’s gorgeous!’ Tara said.
‘I know!’ Abby responded. ‘What should I do?’
‘Has he seen you yet?’ Grace asked.
‘No, I just walked straight by him with my nose in the air!’ Abby grinned.
‘Well the next round’s yours, so I’d say you better go up to the bar and order one right now!’ Grace said with a laugh.
‘I can’t,’ Abby wailed. ‘What if he sees me?’
‘That’s the whole idea, you daft eejit!’ Grace laughed back in response. ‘Go up and order the drinks and if he says hello, say hello right back!’
‘Should I let on I recognise him?’ Abby asked.
Tara and Grace looked at each other and then both said together, ‘No way!’
Grace continued, ‘If he says he knows you from somewhere, just say non-committally that his face looks familiar. After all, he never contacted you before, so don’t give him a big head!’
‘Right. How do I look?’ Abby said, flicking her hair.
‘Absolutely gorgeous, just one thing,’ Tara said, then grabbed Abby’s t-shirt and hoisted it up further so more midriff was exposed. ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it!’
Abby walked to the bar and ordered a round of drinks from the barman, positioning herself just beside Shay. She forced herself to keep looking forward and tried to ignore the giggles from her friends.
Then a voice cut in, ‘You all seem to be having a great night.’
Abby turned to her left and sure enough it was Shay who had spoken. ‘Yeah, we are thanks. A girls’ night out.’
‘A dangerous lot when you all get together!’ he responded with a laugh.
‘That’s us – girls behaving badly!’ Abby joked. ‘What about you? Are you having a good night?’
‘Yes I am thanks. I’m with a mate. He’s in the jacks,’ Shay replied.
The barman was looking for his money, so Abby knew she hadn’t much more time to chat. Then with that Tara was beside her.
‘Thought I’d come help with the drinks!’ Turning to give Abby a wink, she said, ‘Who’s this handsome guy you’re talking to?'
Shay laughed and put out his hand to introduce himself. ‘Shay Corrigan. Nice to meet you.’ Tara responded by introducing herself. ‘I didn’t get your name,’ he said turning to Abby.
‘Abby Nolan,’ she said softy, taking his hand.
‘Why don’t you come and join us?’ Tara said boldly, ignoring Abby’s dirty look.
‘Tara, Shay is with his friend, I’m sure he’s happy where he is,’ Abby replied mortified.
‘Actually I’d love to join you girls. I’ll bring Paddy my mate over when he gets back. If that’s okay with you, Abby?’ Shay replied.
She answered him with a smile and, taking her drinks, walked back to the table.
‘Smooth, real smooth Tara!’
Grace and Tara were laughing their socks off.
‘Anything to help move love along!’ Tara answered. ‘Now start fluttering your eyelashes, here come the boys!
It was obvious that Shay fancied Abby. He sat down beside her straightaway and they were deep in conversation immediately. As for Paddy, he couldn’t believe his luck when Shay had said they were going over to join the three girls. He thought he had his pick of Tara and Grace and couldn’t decide if he wanted blonde or brunette. He was quite put out when they told him they were both spoken for!