One Winter Weekend

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“ W hat do you think?” Molly asked Caroline as she came out of the bathroom.

Caroline clasped her hands against her face. Her best friend looked stunning beyond belief.

The dress was perfectly form-fitting, gleaming white like falling snow, with a stripe of red and green around it for a suitably festive feel.

Her silver high heeled shoes sparkled with tiny crystals, while red beads looked like holly berries expertly threaded throughout her elegant blonde chignon,.

“Molly,” Caroline said, awestruck, “you look like a Christmas princess.”

Behind her, a knock came at the door, which Caroline answered.

Helen walked in, grinning ear to ear. “Caroline, you look gorgeous this morning,” she said – before she laid eyes on her only daughter. “Oh,” she said, stopping dead in her tracks. “Oh – oh my ... “ Tears came to her eyes and she dabbed at them with a handkerchief and strode up to the younger woman. “Oh Molly ,” she said, now sobbing as she hugged her daughter. “Oh my little girl, my beautiful little girl…”

“Mum,” Molly laughed through her own tears. “Stop, you’re going to leave streaks on my dress.”

Helen sniffled and pulled away. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, laughing too. “I’m just… my goodness, Molly, you look so beautiful.”

“I do, don’t I?” Molly said immodestly and all three women laughed again.

Caroline went into the bathroom and came out with three glasses and a bottle. “Okay, girls,” she giggled. “I got this downstairs earlier. It’s grappa, not champagne, but same thing, I think.”

Caroline poured three glasses and Helen raised a toast. “To my Molly,” she said. “May your perfect winter wedding in Rome live up to all your dreams and be a delight …”

“…and may all your Christmases be white,” Caroline rhymed wickedly.

The three women collapsed in a fit of laughter so cacophonous that they didn’t hear the knock coming from the door, nor the creak as it opened.

Suddenly, Caroline straightened up, quickly followed by the others.

“I’m so sorry,” Patricia said quietly, “the door was open a crack, and I didn’t know if you could—” When her eyes caught sight of Molly, she smiled. “My word, dear,” she said sincerely, “you look absolutely ravishing.”

“Thanks,” Molly said flatly.

“Caroline, I don’t suppose…” Patricia said, motioning towards the door.

“Yeah… I’m – er – going to see if I can find some more – erm –ice,” Caroline winced as she looked apologetically towards Molly and Helen. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Once the door was closed, Patricia inhaled deeply. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” she began.

“You could say that,” said Helen coldly. “Though honestly, I’m wondering why I’d care, too.”

“Right enough,” Patricia conceded. “Molly, I should start with you. I was entirely out of line with what I said last night. I had far too much wine and far too loose a tongue, and I pushed my concern for Ben way, way too far. I apologise.”

Molly nodded but said nothing.

“And Helen,” Patricia continued, turning to the younger woman, “I—”

“Save it,” she cut her off. “I don’t want or need your apology.”

“Mum,” Molly said gently, “let her speak.”

“No, love,” Helen’s iciness continued. “There is much I can abide, but Patricia, you aren’t just a snob or a lush. You’re mean-spirited. You think so much of yourself and your titles and your family, but you have no regard for those who don’t share your obsession with nobility. You are conceited and self-interested, and I have no use for any of that. Particularly when it comes to the way you hurt my daughter.”

Patricia swallowed her pride and pressed on. “Helen, I realise what I did. I know it’s too late to take back, and I wish that I could, because it isn’t something I actually believe.”

“Oh it’s not, is it?” Helen charged, her anger rising. “Come on, Patricia. Let’s be honest here. Because of this English nobility business, you think yourself and James as being better than Paddy and me. You don’t think Molly here is worthy of Ben. Isn’t that right?”

“Do I think we’re better than you?” Patricia repeated. “No, I don’t think we’re better than you, Helen. But do I think Molly is worthy of Ben? Of course not.” Helen’s eyes flashed, but Patricia continued, “We’re being honest, here aren't we? So tell me –honestly –do you think Ben worthy of Molly?”

The words hit Helen like a stone into still water. She liked Ben; she thought him a nice boy and a fine catch, but was he worthy of marrying Helen’s only daughter?

“No,” she admitted quietly. “No, Patricia, you’re right. I don’t think he is, and I probably never could.”

Patricia smiled warmly. “You see?” she asked, a kindred kindness in her voice neither Helen nor Molly had ever heard before. “We have at least that much in common.” She eyed the bottle sitting on the table and poured three glasses quickly. “Whatever the case, dears, I would like to propose a toast: to new beginnings. May we all have the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start today anew – as friends.”

Slowly, Helen took up her glass, never taking her eyes off of Patricia. The two women clinked glasses and drank down the grappa, not noticing that Molly simply was watching them, not having her own.

“Oh God ,” Patricia winced. “That is simply dreadful !”

“Isn’t it?” Helen laughed. “Disgusting. Ought to be outlawed.”

“I need wine. Or champagne.”

“Or both,” Helen added.

Molly smiled. “Why don’t you two go head out and find yourselves a drink then? And if you could, open the door carefully; I’m sure Caroline is right outside with her ear pressed against it.”

With that, Helen and Patricia left, and to Molly’s delight, they were talking.

Perhaps there was hope after all.