Letting out the Worms: Guilty or not? If not then the alternative is terrifying (Kitty Thomas Book 1 by Sue Nicholls (top e book reader TXT) 📗

table, beyond Paul and Cerys, Kitty, in a shirt and tie, lolled in her chair, scrolling through her phone, presumably to find her addendum.

Maurice took a sip of Champagne and glanced up at his audience, then with a deep breath, he focused on the slip of paper in his shaking hands and opened his mouth. ‘Paul and I have been friends for about twenty-five years.’ He licked his lips. ‘I sometimes wonder how we’ve managed it, but like a marriage,’ he nodded at Paul and Cerys, ‘Friendship takes perseverance.’ He dared to look at his audience and chuckled, ‘And boy have I had to persevere.’ He grinned at Paul to show he was kidding, and a murmur of laughter from the floor gave him confidence.

‘It says in this book of etiquette,’ he held up a paperback with a dated, lemon and grey cover, ‘That I am supposed to be witty and tell a few of Paul’s secrets.’ He looked again at Paul, but Paul was staring at the opposite wall, and Maurice met instead the horrified face of Cerys. Hurriedly, he held up a finger to prevent interruption and opened the book. Pointing at a page, he intoned, ‘But I must use taste and discretion.’ He put the book on the table and tried to find his place in the notes. ‘Er, where was I?’ He swallowed. Sorry. ‘I’m not as young as I was…’

There was more laughter, and Paul roared, ‘Get on with it, mate. The champagne’s getting warm here.’

‘OK. Here it is. Yeah: Paul was quite a reprobate when he was younger. Led me and Mick along many a rocky road to beer and curry.’ He paused for more merriment before continuing, ‘But seriously: if it hadn’t been for this man in my life, I wouldn’t be able to fix a shelf or hang a cupboard. He taught me everything I know about DIY.’

‘Even if your first shelf fell down when you put books on it,’ shouted Paul.

Cerys pulled at Paul’s sleeve. ‘Let the poor man make his speech.’

Maurice grinned at Paul, realising that he was enjoying himself. ‘That was a valuable lesson in choosing the right-sized plugs,’ he said with a wink. Then his face became serious, and he said, ‘I sometimes think Paul, Mick and I are like the Three Musketeers: One for all and all for one. If Paul hadn’t invited us for a drink all that time ago, we would not have this great friendship. We have grown-up children now,’ he gazed round the room, meeting the eyes of Sam and Josh. ‘It’s hard to believe how long we have all known one another. I’m sure Mick will feel the same as I do: glad that Paul’s found himself a loving wife and companion. I wish them both every happiness.’ He pulled a folded handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his eyes, then to the guests, he said. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, in the absence of parents of the bride, it is my honour to ask you to raise your glasses.’ He lifted his flute high in the air. ‘To the bride and groom and the bridesmaid,’ and the guests roared, ‘Bride and groom and bridesmaid.’

Kitty rose to her feet. ‘Thanks for that marvelous speech, Maurice, and thanks for letting me muscle in on your act. It’s been an absolute joy to be Best Woman at my dad’s wedding. I thought the day would never come when he met a lady prepared to put up with him.’ More laughter. ‘Thank you so much, Cerys, for taking the responsibility from my shoulders.’

Paul pulled a face of pretend annoyance, and Cerys nodded with a gracious smile.

Kitty continued, ‘One thing I had to put up with as a child, thanks to my esteemed father, was the biggest stuffed elephant imaginable. He bought it for me when I was six years old, and it didn’t fit anywhere.’

The guests laughed again, and Kitty went on, ‘So, Dad, I thought you might like it back for the baby.’ Paul looked aghast until Kitty pulled from her pocket a ragged blue scrap of fur fabric and leaned over to drop it into his hand. ‘I’m afraid this is all that’s left of it.’

Amid claps and cheers, Kitty raised her glass and called, ‘To Dad and Cerys, may their marriage last longer than my elephant.’ And the guests thundered their response.

~~~

As with most weddings, after the excitement and adrenalin of the ceremony and speeches there was a pause, a letting out of breath - and of waist bands. This was that moment. Staff had cleared away the food, and the tables were arranged around the edges of the room to create a small area for dancing. The random notes of the band tuning up, plonked and tinkled above the drone of conversation. Kitty sat with Megan, Olivia, Sam and Josh, and soon Lucas joined them in his chef’s whites. He pulled an empty chair from nearby and wiggled it into a space next to Josh. Kitty, usually more of a burger and chips person, greeted him with enthusiasm. ‘That food was amazing, Luc.’

Lucas coloured. ‘Glad you liked it.’

Kitty scanned the room for Mick. ‘Where’s your dad?’

‘He was here a minute ago.’ Lucas swept a frown over the room then shrugged. ‘He might be in the toilet.’

Ready at last, the band began playing popular numbers from the eighties. Josh dragged Megan to her feet for a dance, and Kitty, in no mood to strut her stuff, rose too. ‘I should go,’ she said. ‘It’s dark outside and I hear rain.’

‘Drive carefully, Kitty.’ Josh landed a brief kiss on her cheek and Megan gave her a hug.

‘Lovely to meet you, Kitty.’ She turned and followed Josh into the swaying mass on the dance floor.

Kitty caught Sam’s eye.

‘Tomorrow,’ he mouthed, and she nodded, searching the room without success for her