Chapter 34: Chapter 34

“…. Chad, as you place the ring on Jennifer’s finger, please repeat after me: Jennifer, I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity.”

Chad offers the ring, passed to him by his grandmother, to Jenny’s finger. He fumbles, his hands shaking. On his second attempt, the ring slips into place….

*****

The young couple step from the church out into May sunshine. People whoop and cheer, tossing rice and confetti. And the cherry trees which line the path from the door whisper in the breeze, shedding white petals over the pair.

The photographer takes charge, issuing instructions, bullying the celebrating crowd into place.

“Bride and groom first,” he shouts. “Under the cherry blossom here. Can the bridesmaid come and help, please. Let’s have that dress looking at its best….”

To one side, Nathaniel, Brett and Tom stand in a loose group, Nathaniel keeping a tender eye on his wife, Diane, and their young son-in-arms.

“Well, it took a bit of doing, but it looks as though our Jenny is going to fit in nicely,” comments Nathaniel.

Diane rocks Billy gently, crooning to him occasionally. “There was a time when I thought she was turning a bit odd, but don’t they make a lovely couple now.”

Brett nods. “Yup, all’s well that ends well, don’t you reckon Tom?”

Tom, hands shoved in his pockets, rocks on his heels, grinning. “Yeah they look great don’t they….”

Then his smile fades. He seems to wince.

“You alright, Tom?” asks Diane, frowning.

“Um, yes, fine. Er, ‘S’cuse me.” And Tom dashes off around the corner and out of sight.

Brett bursts out laughing. “I told him he’d had too much wine this morning. He’ll be paying for that later today….”

*****

Around the back of the church and away from the crowd, Tom pulls a phone from his pocket, tapping at the buttons.

After a moment, “How are you, Tom? I was beginning to think you weren’t going to answer.”

“Oh, no.” Tom is sweating. “It’s just there’s a lot of people around. I had to come someplace quieter.”

“Is everything as it should be over there? You were supposed to call me.” The voice is lazy, threatening.

“I wouldn't like to think you were becoming bored with our little arrangement.”

“No not at all. Everything’s fine. Is…. is Katy alright?”

“Katy is fine, yes Tom. Although it's been commented that she's maturing early. She’s growing into a very pretty girl. Perhaps we should be moving her along? Get her earning her keep? What do you think?”

“No! No, don't do that. Everything’s fine here. I've just been very busy. I’ll not be late calling you again.”

There is a pause. “What's that noise in the background? It sounds like bells.”

“Oh, I'm…. at a wedding.”

“A wedding? How nice for you. And how is our Jennifer? Doing well is she?”

“Yes, she's fine…. Um, nothing to report really. You know, same old, same old….”

“That’s good to hear. Well, keep an eye on her and you will let me know if anything happens, won’t you.

I assume I can expect your call on time next month?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry. I'll call right on schedule.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. Until next time then. I’ll say hello to Katy for you.”

Tom sags against the high stone wall as he tucks the phone in his pocket. Pale, his hands clammy, he takes a couple of long breaths before, straightening his jacket and tie, he returns to join the celebration.

Brett digs an elbow into Nathaniel’s ribs. “Look at him. Too much wine and the day’s barely started.”

“Are you alright, Tom?” asks Diane.

“Yes, just a headache.”

*****

The Present Klempner rages. “I said flush them out, Bech. Not fucking burn them alive. What good are they to me dead?”

Bech, his face carefully neutral, replies, “My apologies sir. The men I used for the task were…. over-

enthusiastic. They are normally reliable. The situation ran out of control.”

“Out of control? Out of fucking control? Is that what you call it? I wanted two women. What I have is a burned-out building, the incident being treated as a terrorist attack, the police weighing in from every direction and, just as an after-thought, I don’t even have the fucking women and no fucking idea where they are! What do you think, Bech? I always thought you were reliable. Should I be reconsidering?”

Bech licks his lips, then speaks quietly and carefully. “If you will excuse me sir, what you said is not quite correct.”

Klempner, legs akimbo, arms folded looks down on his captain. “Which part?” he snarls.

“The part where you say we don’t know where they are.”

*****

Six Years Ago The day has been marvellous. After sleeping off the reception meal, the farm courtyard has been cleared for partying. Dancer, Charlie and Maggie hang their heads over stable doors, apparently enjoying the music. Anyone who can handle an instrument has been pulled in to perform, all taking turns so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the celebration, the singing and the dancing.

Tables and trestles are set up under the cover of barns in case of rain, but the May weather is perfect.

A feast is laid out, everything grown or made on the farm, or brought in by wedding guests for all to share. The table groans under succulent roast joints, chicken, deviled eggs, three different kinds of salads, homemade bread from a dozen different well-wishers, cakes and puddings and trifles. On another table is wine, bought in and home-brewed, lemonade, and someone has provided a canteen-

sized water-boiler for tea and coffee.

No-one will go hungry or thirsty tonight.

The big chestnut tree on the corner of the yard is blooming its tall candles and as the day draws out, it is still warm enough that only a light extra jacket or wrap is needed to enjoy the evening air.

Jenny still wears her wedding dress. Everyone is dancing with her. “Don’t mind if I borrow the bride do you, Chad?” asks Nathaniel, coming for a second turn over the cobbled yard. As he whisks Jenny around in a lively spin he nods across to Diane who has dozed off on a chair holding Billy wrapped up in a blanket. “I don’t think Di’s up to dancing tonight, so I can dance with you. That’s alright isn’t it, Jenny?”

She dances smoothly and fluidly, her cheeks glowing, eyes sparkling. “Of course it is. It’s been a wonderful day.”

“And a wonderful night coming, eh?” He winks at her, then, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve embarrassed you.”

“Um, oh, that’s alright.” But a flush is rising up her neck.

Chad is helping himself to a plate of food. Mrs Collier jabs an elbow in his ribs. “Aren’t you going to make up a plate for your wife as well, Chad?”

He starts, then mumbles. “Um, yes. Sorry. Didn’t think of that.”

Mrs Collier also makes up two plates, carrying them across the square to sit by Mr Kalkowski. The old man sits quietly, watching the dancing.

“A wonderful day, Levi, don’t you think?”

His voice is reserved. “It has gone very well, certainly.” His eyes follow the young bride. Jenny is flushed and smiling, lovely in her long white dress. She has taken off her veil and her hair gleams bronze and copper in the lamplight. She laughs wildly as Nathaniel whirls her around the yard. Then Brett seizes her by the hand to dance, occasionally grinning wickedly and saying something quiet to her, making her blush and cast her eyes down.

He watches Chad, who doesn’t seem to enjoy the dancing so much. He stands, putting the plate he made up for Jenny to one side, but as he watches, Mr Kalkowski thinks he sees a tremor in the young man’s hand, magnified by the plate he holds.

Mrs Collier leans in close to him, breaking her own house rule by mumbling through a mouthful of potato salad. “He’s nervous is the lad.”

“So he is.” Mr Kalkowski pulls out his pipe, scraping out the bowl with a penknife, then packs a wad of tobacco into it. He strikes a match watching Chad through a flame that flares and falls as he sucks the pipe alight.

“You can’t really blame him,” chatters Mrs Collier. “It’s not many young men that have such a beautiful bride.”

“Indeed so.” He puffs, blowing a ring of fragrant blue smoke amid clouds of gnats. But he watches, seeing that Chad is not looking at his beautiful new bride. Across the yard, with a group of old school friends and boxing partners, Josh winks and waves at him.

“I lit the fire for them in the bedroom upstairs,” says Mrs Collier. “It will be nice and warm for them when they go up.”

*****