There was pink bunting, there were streamers; there were all sorts of different shaped and coloured balloons in a net above them. There were helium balloons with huge numbered fifties on them, the DJ was playing music from the 1960s – ‘Sugar, Sugar’ by The Archies was blaring out – and there were retro posters from advertisements of the day, fixed around the walls. The large buffet table was piled high with all kinds of fare from different eras, things like stuffed celery and cherry tomatoes, pigs in blankets, curried prawn vol-au-vents, chicken satay skewers, cold meats, a selection of cheeses, salmon mousse, salads, pineapple and cheese on cocktail sticks, bite-size sausage rolls, vegetarian as well as vegan canapés and little red flags on foodstuffs with peanuts and other allergens. Something for everyone, Dora had told the caterers. There was another table with all the drinks both soft and hard being served by the helpers, who usually only assisted with the afternoon tea sessions. Eileen had arranged that. And Dora’s mum and Philippa had supplied thirty bottles of Champagne – yes the actual stuff, Marjorie was delighted to discover as she’d never tried real Champagne before!
A beautifully decorated white and pink cake took prime position in the middle of the table, in the shape of the number fifty. The helpers were telling people that everybody was going to be cut a piece of the cake whether they went home early or not and if they did leave early to come and find the servers so they could give them their cake.
‘Oh but what a gorgeous spread!’ Raymond said, his eyes almost popping out of his head, as they all filed in from the smaller room in the community centre, after their meeting with Eileen and Taynor.
‘Ooh, it makes me hungry just looking at all that lot!’ said someone else.
There was seating all around the edge of the room as well as tables and chairs if people preferred to eat at a table. There was even enough space in front of the stage, in case anyone wanted to dance.
‘So introduce me to all your friends, then,’ said Dora’s mother, coming up behind her daughter with Philippa in tow. ‘It would be nice to start with the people you included when you were singing the praises of the Afternoon Tea Club. Must say my sis and I wouldn’t mind coming along occasionally. But it’s just a hop and a jump from where we live so it’d be silly not to pop round occasionally, unless we’re otherwise engaged by our travels. What say you, Philippa?’
‘Well, I told you, earlier, that I wanted to try that computer stuff. I’m fed up of being left in the dark when people are talking about things like desktops and Chrome and COBOL or whatever. It’s been a ruddy jungle to me. So I’ve just spoken to Eileen and now I’m on the next course, starting on Thursdays, I think she said, after Christmas. So it’d be nice if you’d come along to help me out the first time, sister dear. And I wouldn’t mind making a few new friends myself. They tend to pop off all of a sudden when they get to our age, don’t they, darling?’
‘They certainly do. And d’you know what? I wouldn’t mind having my ninetieth birthday here, next year, if it could be arranged. It’s rather a nice venue for big parties, isn’t it? Plus it’s near enough to stagger back home afterwards, when we’ve had a skinful. Eh, Pippy?’
‘Okay, well never mind about all that now,’ Dora said. ‘I’d like to introduce you to Veronica. Remember me telling you that she’s Eileen’s mum and she’s the one who came up with the idea of the Afternoon Tea Club? Ah, well, actually I’ll introduce you to her later cos she’s chatting to someone else; so come and meet Raymond first. He’s over there. Hi, Raymond. So, Mother, this is Raymond. He’s one of the Fab Four as we call ourselves. And, Raymond, this is the Dragon Lady I’ve been telling you all about!’
Whilst Raymond laughed nervously, Dora slipped away and went to chat to Marjorie.
‘Well, what a turnout. I feel like a queen presiding over my subjects! Must say my mother is completely surprised by all of this, I can tell you. She said earlier that she thought I’d come a long way in the grand scheme of things and that she’s proud of me, no less. That’s all we want in the end, isn’t it? A bit of acceptance. A bit of love.’
‘We all want that, yes, love. We don’t all get it, though. But it’s what we strive for. And what does Mama think of the new hairstyle and the teeth whitening she’s paid for?’
Dora did a little spin, her arms outstretched, dramatically. ‘Well just look at me! She loves both, as do I, my dear. She didn’t recognise me at first, though. Walked straight past me in the reception! At least my aunt spotted me straight away and she was very complimentary I must say,’ Dora said, giggling. ‘Tell you what, though, you were completely right about the hair. It’s knocked years off me! Much better than all that plastic surgery nonsense I was mucking around with.’
‘Well exactly. And now the Botox has worn off I must say you really shine in that wonderful cocktail dress. That red goes terrifically with your blonde hair and you’ve certainly got the legs to pull in the crowds. So you must feel pretty amazing!’
‘Well I certainly do. I feel dapper, I must say!’
They’d gone shopping together for their outfits. Marjorie hadn’t found anything she really liked for Dora’s party and, anyway, she wasn’t one for buying lots of different frocks for different occasions. So she was in her burgundy and pink print dress she’d worn the night she went out with Raymond. It was going to be her go-to outfit for the winter months. But she’d decided to sort her wardrobe out and purchase some new items for when summer, and the prospect of lots more parties, arrived.
‘Oh by the way, have you seen Stacy’s new beau? He’d be rather fanciable if I was twenty years younger. Can’t take his eyes off our Stacy though, I must say,’ marvelled Dora.
‘Oh I know! Isn’t it wonderful that she’s finally met someone decent? Ironically, he also lives in our block of flats and he’s a copper, so he’ll take good care of her. So that’s her off our hands!’
‘Yes but what about you and Raymond, Marj. I do think he has a soft spot for you.’
Marjorie shrugged. ‘We’re friends first and foremost. He’s still in love with his Dianne, though. Always will be, so I don’t think there’s room in his heart for anyone else. Yet I’m completely fine with that. I’ve actually grown to like my own space now and just look at the four of us; the things we’ve done since meeting up at the Afternoon Tea Club; we’re very different people to who we used to be! And I hope we’ll always be friends because we’ve got so much in common now.’
‘Oh yes, I completely agree with that, my dear,’ Dora said hugging Marjorie. ‘Oh look. There’s Jodie!’
Dora waved Jodie over and the two hugged. Jodie had been away on a new cosmetics course.
‘Wow! What the ruddy hell happened to you, old mate? You’ve lost twenty years already! So the new techniques I’ve learned on my course aren’t going to be needed then? Gosh, you do look pretty amazing.’
‘It’s an incredible transformation, isn’t it? And not a trace of Botox in sight!’ declared Marjorie.
‘Ruddy unbelievable. Who says you get craggier when you get older? It’s a myth!’
‘Hiya, Stacy. So how’s everything going for you and the lovely John then?’ said Dora, as Stacy walked over to join them.
‘It’s great actually, thanks, Dora. Took a while before I could let my guard down because of everything, you know? But we’re very close now.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful news, sweetheart!’ said Marjorie.
‘I know. It feels almost like a miracle. And, guess what, Marjorie, my mum and dad aren’t splitting up after all,’ said Stacy, glancing nervously at the door. ‘She says she’s going to give him another chance because he behaved impeccably when we went for Sunday lunch at my brother’s and Marvin’s place. Also Grandpa has told them to get rid of the farm and they’re starting to look at cottages and flats to retire near the sea. And me and Dad have started getting along a bit better now. I went round and we had a long chat. He told me he’d always loved us but that he just wasn’t any good at showing emotions like that. And we had a long hug, afterwards, which felt strange but it also felt good. So I feel as though there’s renewed positivity with my family now. And I’ve got a little cat, Tibs. But don’t worry I won’t be getting any others! And Tibs loves John too,’ Stacy added with a beautiful smile that lit up her face.
‘Oh, that’s wonderful news, Stacy. I’m really happy for you. But are you all right, love? You seem a bit fidgety,’ Marjorie said.
‘Oh yes, I’m okay. It’s nothing. Anyway, is there a gift table? I want to put my card on it.’
‘Yes, well, I put mine on the table by the back wall. Everyone else put stuff there.’
‘Okay, I’ll see you later then. I want to introduce John to Raymond.’
Right, time to eat! Marjorie thought, and moved over to the buffet.
She smiled at the amount of food in front of her, then started piling things on her plate. She went to sit down at one of the tables and it reminded her of the first time she’d come along, at Gracie’s insistence, to afternoon tea at the community centre. A lot had certainly changed for her since then. A lot had changed for the other wonderful people she’d met, too. Come to think of it, she was very happy with the way she was conducting her life these days. She chuckled at the thought of Gracie feeling ever so marginally piqued – but in a nice way – that her mother was standing on her own two feet these days. And happily so.
‘Do you mind if I join you, Marjorie?’ said a familiar voice. Marjorie looked up into the soft, kindly brown eyes of Raymond.
‘Oh, of course, my dear. Take a seat. And I, um, I just wanted to apologise for that first time I refused you, Raymond. I was very insecure back then. When I was with my Oliver he made life very difficult for me if I spoke to other men, so at first it was a hard habit to break. Thankfully those times are a long way behind me now.’
‘Oh don’t worry, love. I thought something was amiss in the way you disappeared so fast. Anyway, we were all different people then. I’ve been speaking to some other people tonight and everyone’s story seems to be the same. Life has changed for us all because of the Afternoon Tea Club. It’s such a simple thing and yet it’s been so impactful. Oh those pigs in blankets look nice. Haven’t had one of those in years! Think I’ll grab a few. Do you want anything else whilst I’m up?’
‘Yes, a couple of the cheese and onion sticks, please. Haven’t had those in ages, either.’
Marjorie glanced around herself at the other people at the party. A few of them were trying to get into the groove of ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ by The Foundations. There was raucous laughter at a private joke, behind her. Yvonne and Philippa were chatting to a young couple. John and Stacy only had eyes for each other, although Stacy did appear nervous. Eileen and Taynor were finally sitting down after having done the rounds to see what everybody else thought about the Afternoon Tea Club. Taynor was carrying her pregnant bump high up, which meant it could very well be a baby girl. Pah, old wives’ tales weren’t always right. Taynor had said she’d be happy either way. They were all nice people.
Gracie had rung earlier and told her they’d set the date for their wedding, first of August. ‘Not long after the baby’s born.’ A summer wedding. How lovely! She’d certainly need a stomping new outfit for that, she thought beaming.
‘And we’re not flying anywhere for the wedding, Mum. We’ll probably go to Mauritius for a belated honeymoon after the baby arrives. I agree with my doctor and don’t want to risk any complications by flying, especially at my age. So we’re going to find somewhere around here to get married. Steven has a few nice places in mind. So you don’t have to worry about renewing your passport if you don’t want to.’
That news had pleased Marjorie who’d been worrying about which suntan lotion to buy – she got blotchy if she sat in the sun for too long – and what sort of outfits she’d need to get for hot sunny climes.
As Raymond returned with their food, the DJ had put on ‘Dizzy’ by Tommy Roe.
‘Oh, put those down a minute, Raymond. Do you fancy having a jig around with me to this song? It’s one I always loved when I was a lot younger. Oh, come on! Don’t look so terrified. We’re allowed to make fools of ourselves at our age. Come on. Up you get!’
Raymond didn’t do modern dances but he made an effort, one hand in the air and a little bending in time with the beat. It made Marjorie howl with laughter. They were joined by Stacy and John. And then Eileen appeared with Taynor.
‘Oi move over!’ shouted Dora, dragging her mother and Philippa into the dancing arena. ‘Oh, come on, you two! You both know how to dance!’
‘Cooee! Make room for a little one,’ sang Jodie, her arm hooked through that of an elderly man, who looked as though all his Christmases had come at once!
Then someone got hold of Dora’s waist and spun her round. She opened her mouth in shock.
‘Oh my God, Stuart! Didn’t think you were going to make it. Hi, Hazel. And Stephy. Yay! Well, give us a hug then. Ah, it’s fantastic you’re all here! You staying with Mum or what?’
‘Yeah, sis. We’re up for a few days so it’ll be great hanging out with all the family. Haven’t seen Philippa in a while either. And, wow, you look so different! Been on holiday somewhere?’
‘I wish! But so pleased you noticed. Hairdresser and teeth whitening. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to knock a few years off.’
‘Great. Well it beats all that other muck you kept trying. You used to look like a ruddy clown!’
‘So everyone keeps saying but things change, thankfully. Now go grab platefuls of food and get stuck in.’ Dora grinned, hugging her brother for all he was worth.