Maddy’s Christmas Wedding (Little Duck Pond Cafe #37)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

When I woke that morning, all I could think about was how excited I would have been knowing that in just two days’ time, Jack and I would be tying the knot.

But now it was going to be just another ordinary day.

I’d been feeling more emotional as Christmas Eve drew nearer, and my insides felt strangely hollow as if there was something missing, although I’d been trying hard not to dwell on it. But it was hard when Jack was at work and I was at home with nothing much to do. (I’d booked some time off before the big day – supposedly to get ready for our wedding.)

At least today I had something to do . . . a distraction to fill the time.

My delightful but annoyingly persistent friends had managed to persuade me that going with them to see the Silverbells Christmas show would be A Really Good Thing for me. (Railroading alert!)

I appreciated their care and concern for me. I really did. But I couldn’t help wishing it wasn’t a performance of Cinderella we’d be going to see that evening. That story was guaranteed to make you feel all soppy and sentimental at the end when she finally landed her Prince Charming and I was already wondering how I’d feel, knowing I should have had my own happy-ever-after a couple of days later!

But I’d reasoned that with Jack working, all I’d be doing would be moping about at home. Spending time in Silverbells with my friends would at least save me from that.

I wasn’t quite so keen about spending the night there – Kate had booked us into the lovely cottage next door to her, where we’d stayed the previous year – but everyone else thought it would be good fun, so I could hardly be a party-pooper and be the only one to drive straight home after the show. Besides, Jack had promised to come and pick me up from the cottage in the morning and whisk me off for a special lunch somewhere, just him and me. So that was something to look forward to . . .

*****

Jaz, who was driving us there, picked me up soon after six and I squashed into the back seat with Katja and Fen.

Then we headed off for Silverbells and the show, which was starting an hour or so later.

‘Kate was saying the show’s really special this year,’ said Ellie, who was in the front passenger seat.

‘Yes, it’s an immersive experience,’ said Fen. ‘Apparently.’

I snorted. ‘What on earth does that mean? What are we immersing ourselves in? Should I have packed my swimming costume?’

Everyone chortled.

‘I’m not exactly sure,’ said Fen, ‘but I think it’s split between two locations?’

‘Sounds intriguing,’ said Jaz.

‘As long as the locations aren’t too far apart.’ Katja grinned. ‘I don’t fancy hiking for miles in these heels.’

We lapsed into silence, watching the scenery as we passed and the houses bedecked with all their gorgeous festive sparkle. And before long, we were crossing the cute little bridge and arriving in Silverbells, where Jaz parked at the end of the high street.

‘It’s busy.’ Getting out of the car, I looked over at the crowd queuing to get inside the village hall. ‘The show’s obviously really popular.’

We huddled on the pavement, stamping our feet against the cold, waiting for Jaz to lock the car and join us.

‘It starts in the village hall,’ said Ellie as we walked along.

‘So where does it end?’ I asked.

‘In a barn over the road.’ She pointed and when I looked, sure enough, there was a large wooden structure, set back from the road.

Strings of clear icicle lights hung down on all sides, making it look so pretty and festive. The huge doors were only half-open but I could see the glimmer of lights within and people milling around inside. It looked very inviting in the winter gloom and in spite of everything, I felt a little spark of excitement at the idea of getting immersed.

We found our seats in the village hall and I nipped out briefly to phone Jack, but my call went straight to voicemail. He must be busy. By the time I hurried back inside and sat down, the lights had been lowered and the show was about to start.

The stage set was the house where Cinderella lived with her step-mother and step-sisters, and it wasn’t long before the audience were fully into the spirit of the panto-style show, booing energetically. (I must admit to doing quite a lot of booing myself, which I was quite surprised about.)

At last, the Fairy Godmother appeared with an invitation to the ball for Cinderella, at which point the curtains swung closed for the interval and everyone started getting up and streaming out of the door.

‘Enjoying it?’ grinned Jaz as we queued to leave the hall.

‘I am, actually. Thanks for insisting I come with you.’

‘No problem. And I’m sure you’ll enjoy tomorrow, too.’ Her eyes sparkled under the lights and I frowned at her. Had I imagined the hint of mischief in her glance? But I shook off the feeling as we went outside. She must have been talking about Jack taking me out for lunch the following day.

I was shivering as we crossed the road and walked in the direction of the barn Ellie had pointed out earlier. The December air was icy with the promise of a hard overnight frost and my cheeks felt frozen.

But when we entered the barn it was like walking into a different world – a gleaming world that wrapped you up in its warmth and sparkle and all the excitement of the festive season. Many hundreds of fairy lights were strung around the walls, together with jolly images of snowmen and carol singers and Santa Claus, all lit up in festive colours. In front of the stage, twenty or so small tables had been arranged to fill the space, each with a red tablecloth and a glowing candle in a jar.

‘Kate says it’s meant to make you feel as if you’ve been invited to the ball,’ smiled Ellie, as we made our way over to an empty table. ‘Isn’t it gorgeous?’

‘It’s absolutely amazing,’ I murmured, gazing around me in awe. Waiting staff were coming round offering us drinks – mulled wine or orange juice, delivered along with bowls of ‘posh’ crisps and dishes containing cocktail sausages on sticks. ‘When does Kate actually appear? I haven’t seen her yet.’

‘She’ll be on stage now, as one of the guests at the ball.’

A bell rang at that moment, which I guessed meant we were to take our seats.

And then a deep voice at the back of the hall announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the arrival of the lovely . . . Cinderella!’

We all stood and looked eagerly towards the giant barn doors. They were being swung wide to reveal the approach of a beautiful coach being drawn by two glorious white horses, clopping in a leisurely manner towards the barn, carrying Cinderella to the ball.

A little girl in the audience pointed and shouted, ‘Horsies, Mummy! Horsies!’ and everyone laughed.

‘Oh, wow!’ gasped Jaz.

‘I’ve seen everything now,’ I agreed. ‘This is a panto and more besides.’

As ballroom music played, Cinderella was helped down from the carriage and she made her way to the stage on the arm of a handsome attendant, her beautiful ball gown swaying as she walked. She smiled at everyone as she passed by and on the stage, she was greeted by Prince Charming who was looking awed by her beauty. He bowed, she curtseyed, and he led her onto the floor for their first dance together.

Sitting there, sipping mulled wine with my friends, I found myself loving every minute as we followed Cinders through all her calamities, and then whooped and clapped for her when Prince Charming finally asked for her hand in marriage.

I knew now what Fen had meant when she’d said it was going to be an immersive experience. It had almost felt like we were part of the action, and I was left feeling quite empty when it was all over. I’d enjoyed a welcome and beautiful escape into a fairy-tale world and now the thought of getting back to the reality of life felt like a big anti-climax.

I was suddenly longing for Jack. Why had I agreed to spend the night here?

But there was nothing I could do about it now.

I’d see Jack in the morning . . .

23rd DECEMBER