Lost and Found - 35

35

The church was packed. Sophie, the bride, was a distant relative of Royalty, so everyone was there expecting a view of someone remotely resembling the Queen. In fact all they got were a few Earls and Dukes, but some were dressed in military uniforms and designer dresses, so even if the faces weren’t familiar, they seemed important. That explained why so many locals had turned out.

Amelia drove them to the church, managing to park her car fairly close. Her father needed a steady arm to hang on to, then he didn’t need a stick or anything to walk. In the courtyard, he tugged her to the left, “this seems a good time to go and see your mother, what do you think?”

Smiling she nodded, “I think this is a perfect time. Good choice Dad.”

Her simple unadorned headstone was to the left of the church.

‘Here lies Camilla Parkin nee Griffin.

Survived by beloved husband Max

and darling daughter Amelia.

Watching over you always.’

It was the first time in years that she’d been in the churchyard, or seen the grave, and by the tense emotion in her father she guessed that was the same for him. Watching as he unpinned his floral buttonhole, he handed it to Amelia.

                “Put in for Cam, will you?”

Amelia nodded, reciprocating with her own flowers and bending to rest them in the recently trimmed grass.  Smiling at her father she suddenly felt closer to him than she had since her childhood.

                “Come on, we’re going to be late!” she offered, breaking the silence.

At the church door, they were directed to a pew near the front and watched the slightly nervous Alex pace, then the veiled Sophia glide down the aisle. The service passed quickly, and Amelia was helping her father back into the car.

As they drove to the Manor, her father looked at her.

                “You’re quiet Amelia. Was I wrong to go to your mother’s grave? Is this a bad day for you?”

The question stunned her; it was probably the first question he’d directed at her these last few months. Everything had been about getting him home, getting him better, making things good. She was going to wait until these evening to tell him, but as he’d asked she slowed the car and turned to him.

                “I wasn’t going to say anything until later. But I’m going to find Sol after this wedding...” He made to speak but she raised a hand to silence him, “no Dad, let me finish. I don’t want to spoil today for you; I know that Alex is very important to you. But I have to do this, ideally with your blessing, but if not I’m going to do it anyway. I love him and I can’t go on pretending I don’t.”

                “Amelia!” she looked at her father’s face but couldn’t bear to hear rejection, him not accepting Sol.

So she shook her head, “We can talk tonight, ok?” With that she accelerated to their family home.

There were dozens already gathered in the marquee that graced the largest lawn of the family home, and hanging onto Amelia’s elbow, it took them both a long time to get into the beautifully decorated room. Immaculate waiters circulated with champagne in expensive crystal flutes, and intricate canopies that were a geometric marvel.

Knowing her father loved smoked salmon; she guided him towards the right tray, then took him to his seat. He looked tired; more than an hour on his face seemed to exhaust him. So she led him through the maze of tables to sit.

                “Amelia!” he called as she made to socialise, “I want to say, about earlier...”

She shook her head, “not here Dad. We’ll talk back at home. I’ll try and get people over this way, I can see Father Peter over there, have you seen him since you’ve been out of hospital?”

Before Max could comment, she’d dashed off into the growing crowd. Alex seemed to see himself as Lord of the Manor, hence most of the village being invited. Amelia knew that no one had a nice word to say about him generally, so gossip and nosiness were the main reason for attending, not that Alex would care, this was all a showing off exercise. Father Peter smiled when he saw her approach.

                “Amelia my child! It had been a very long time!”

She nodded, not wanting to highlight the fact that Jack Tanner’s funeral was the last time she’d graced the doors of the village church.

                “How’s your father? I was so sad to hear he’d been unwell. We’ve been praying for him every week.”

She smiled, “thank you, that’s so kind. He’s sat over there,” she pointed him out. “He’s getting better all the time.”

                “But it’s a difficult time for the carers Amelia, I know that. If you ever need to talk...”

He was such a caring man that Amelia almost choked with emotion, it was so long since anyone recognise the sacrifices she made just by being here looking after her father. It was almost inconceivable to think that a year ago she’d been living the high life in New York. The world had truly been her oyster. Now she was full time carer for her father, living in a small flat in the town she’d been brought up in. The twisted hand of fate.

Sylvia was bobbing up and down near the door, desperately trying to catch her attention, so she hugged Father Peter then made her way towards the woman who had become such a friend over the last few months.

                “Sylvia! You look stunning! You out to impress someone?” It had been a throw away comment, though Sylvia did look stunning in a peacock blue dress with a faux fur jacket and a hat worthy of Ascot. But the blush that swept over her made Amelia realise she wasn’t far from the mark. “Oooh! Anyone I know?”

                “Don’t be silly,” she cut in, “I was just wondering if you’d spoken to your father...”

She didn’t miss the blush deepening, and Amelia clock the information for later, “I’ve half told him love, but we do need to talk later. He knows that.”

                “He does!” Sylvia confirmed with a definite nod.

Amelia looked at her with a raised eyebrow, “really? You’ve spoken to him...Did you tell him Sylvia? That I...”

Sylvia smiled, “I may have told him how happy you were at Christmas, and what a charming gentleman Sol Tanner had become, in fact I asked if he was planning to visit you all soon.”

                “Sylvia!” Amelia gasped, covering her gaping jaw with her hand. “You really said that to him?”

Sylvia smiled coyly, “I may have let those facts slip out!”

                “What did he say? Was he furious? Did it sink like a lead balloon?” She didn’t know what to make of that information.

Again the smile was coy, “well you should have listened to him when he said he wanted to talk, because I think you’ll find that he’s not against meeting up with Sol again.”

The relief, the hope, the jubilation was all encompassing, she felt as though her heart would burst out of her chest. A million visions flashed through her mind, Christmases, holidays, all spent together...No more choosing, or hiding, or avoiding.

Immediately she thought of Sol, the way she saw him when she closed her eyes, in a thick woolly jumper, hat pulled down over his eyes, giggling as he powered over her as they fought in the snow last Christmas Day. His eyes framed with crinkles of humour, those eyes than were brilliant blue with the reflection of the snow, and his jaw darkened with stubble, full lips parted in laughter. If she were an artist she’d be able to perform a masterpiece from that vivid memory.

                “Earth to Amelia...” Sylvia was laughing, “This gentleman wants to know if you want a drink.”

She glanced at the champagne, but knew she’d have to drive her father home. “I’m ok thanks. Are you sitting with us?”

Sylvia shrugged, “I’ve not seen a seating plan. Let’s find out quickly, before the bride and groom arrive!

They were sat together, though they were the only family the groom had, they were seated amongst the rest of the villagers, no top table for Maxwell Parkin, the surrogate father to Alex for so many years. Snubbed publically once again!

                “Ladies and gentlemen, would you please find your seats to welcome Mr and Mrs Parkin!” The Master of Ceremonies announced in a booming voice that had no need for a microphone. As the whole room first seated themselves, then started a round of applause, the bride and groom arrived into the centre of the room.

It was Amelia’s first chance to see the new Mrs Parkin as she’d had a veil on in the church, and she was stunned, she looked all of eighteen to Alex’s twenty eight. She smiled from her dainty face, her pale blue eyes trying to acknowledge each of the hundreds of faces smiling at her. The only one not smiling was Amelia.

                “What’s the matter?” Sylvia asked as Amelia pushed her chair back and started to stride across the room. Alex was absorbed by his new in-laws shaking hands and smiling generously to them all, and missed Amelia approach his wife.

                “Can I ask where you got your jewellery?” Amelia asked.

The stunned and slightly nervous Sophie smiled as she announced, “it was a wedding gift from my husband.” She fingered the exquisite sapphire and diamond necklace that hung from her neck, a piece of jewellery Amelia hadn’t seen for ten years.

Tapping Alex on the sleeve, she could almost hear the whole room take a breath in, as he turned his face flicked from that smarmy smile to a look of disgust, it wasn’t there for long. Amelia drew back her right hand and whacked him hard across the face. There was a huge gasp from everyone gathered as he staggered in the weight of her blow.

                “You lying, devious and selfish bastard.” Amelia snarled at his face, shrugging off the hand that landed on her shoulder, glancing she saw it was Mike from the pub. “Don’t Mike, this is between me and him.”

                “It’s his wedding day, don’t do this!”

Amelia raised her voice, “what isn’t this the time to identify that the gift he’s just given to his wife was stolen from me, ten years ago? Recognise it Dad,” she called across the room without taking her eyes from the weak man who had no answers other than gripping his red cheek dramatically. “This sapphire and diamond necklace, earrings and bracelet were my father’s wedding present to MY mother thirty years ago, and when she died they were passed to me. But they were stolen from my bedroom ten years ago, along with two sets of pearls, three gold necklaces and a silver charm bracelet.”

She turned to the bride who looked like she was about to cry, “I’m sorry to ruin your day like this, but the theft of this jewellery has ruined MY life for the past ten years!” Her eyes back to Alex, she couldn’t calm her anger, “and you! Have you nothing to say for yourself?” When he glanced anywhere but at her eyes, she grinned in a manic way, “well you’d better get thinking cousin dearest, because the police will be asking you the VERY same questions when I get off the phone with them!”

At that moment, two security guards employed to keep any paparazzi out, came across the room and reached for her.

                “Don’t touch her!” A familiar voice boomed across the room and she turned to see her father standing, “I own this property, and if anyone is to be escorted from here it’s the thieving, ungrateful little bastard stood over there!”

Suddenly nothing else mattered, she turned to her father and smiled, for the first time in years it was a genuine understanding and love filled smile. “Thank you Dad, I’m going anyway. I love you!”

He grinned back, more reward in the last five minutes than the whole of the last ten years, “I know darling, and I’m sorry it should never have got this far. You go to him, I’ll deal with this.”

Blowing a kiss, she ran from the room, as fast as her leopard skin heels would carry her.