An Easter Egg Wedding Final chapters

FINAL PART: On Chrissie’s big day, an overheard secret and casual remark throw her into turmoil…

Ivan often cupped Chrissie’s face and kissed her – it just wasn’t usually before a hundred pairs of eyes! But today was their Easter wedding day.

Her cream satin dress swept the floor. Her yellow bouquet threaded with silver ribbons matched the yellows and silvers of Ivan’s waistcoat under his dark suit. From now on she’d be known as Chrissie Mazur.

“I’ve never been married before,” she whispered to Ivan after they’d signed the register and linked arms for the journey down the Castle Hotel’s grand function room. Her parents and Ivan’s were beaming, friends and relatives calling out their congratulations. Music swelled into a triumphant march.

He grinned. “Me, neither. I think we’ll get the hang of it.”

Laughing, they led the guests out across a marble floor. Bridesmaids Linda and Helen followed down a staircase grand enough for Hollywood stars. At the foot, they paused for champagne or soft drinks. Excited voices rose to the vaulted ceiling. Chrissie thought her smile would split her face when she spied a side table.

“Just look at that giant Easter egg!” she cried. “That’s Sam’s doing, I’ll bet. He’s insisted on calling today “your Easter egg wedding”.”

“It’s a masterpiece,” said Ivan admiringly. The enormous chocolate egg was smooth and lustrous, decorated with the flowers that made up Chrissie’s bouquet – but made from sugar paste – encased in Cellophane and ribbon. It did the family firm of Smooth as Silk chocolatiers proud.

Chrissie’s mum, Sarah, limped up to throw her arms around her daughter. “Congratulations! We have April showers but there are lots of lovely places indoors for photos.” She hugged Ivan, too. “Welcome to the family.”

Sean, Chrissie’s father, embraced his daughter and shook Ivan’s hand.

“More like a typhoon than a shower.” Though he joked, his eyes were dewy behind his specs.

The photographer began hovering hopefully. “Goodness, look at that magnificent egg,” he exclaimed.

Chrissie found herself explaining proudly, “My family are chocolatiers.”

The photos went on and on … relatives and friends stepping up for their moment with the happy couple. Finally, the photographer clapped Chrissie and Ivan’s shoulders.

“Grab a break while I take pictures of the bridesmaids and other guests.”

Chrissie escaped thankfully. Spotting her big brother Sam across the glossily tiled floor she made a beeline for him, leaving Ivan free to chat to his parents in the hubbub. Sam had been frowning but he switched on a smile when he saw her. “Here comes the old married woman.” “That egg is awesome,” she responded, planting a grateful kiss on his cheek. “I don’t know why you’re worrying about losing me in the special finishes room.

That hand decoration is sublime.”

He smiled. “It took me hours. Your assistant Rowena was sick of me.”

Then Alice, Sam’s girlfriend, came to take his hand. Shy and gentle, she wasn’t always at her best in crowds and after hugging Chrissie one more time, Sam took her to collect fresh champagne.

Chrissie fell to talking to a cousin, who made way for an old school friend and then some neighbours. Half her mind was occupied with why Sam had been frowning. Was he brooding about replacing Chrissie when she left Smooth as Silk to take up her new job at Greenbank School in September?

She sighed. Maybe she shouldn’t have shared her plans for a new career before the wedding – but if she’d waited until after their honeymoon, it would have been the end of May. At least Sam had months to find her replacement.

Her replacement. The thought made her feel odd.

Then her uncle Bill’s voice came to her. It made a remark that wasn’t addressed to her but nevertheless grabbed her attention. He said, “I’ll be glad when our Sarah’s had her knee op. She’s in pain, though she grins and bears it.”

Chrissie whirled round, stepping in to join his conversation with her aunt without thinking whether it was polite.

“Mum’s having surgery?”

Bill, her mother’s brother, flushed floridly. “Oh! Um, congratulations, Chrissie. You look beautiful. I couldn’t be more proud.”

“Beautiful,” Aunt Elsie echoed. “Thanks,” she said briefly. “What were you saying about Mum?”

“Can’t remember,” Bill mumbled. Then, obviously seeing her disbelief, amended, “It’s not up to me, dear.”

Something was being kept from her. Eel-like, Chrissie threaded through the chattering guests in their wedding finery until she found Sam again, her heart skipping. She whispered, “Uncle Bill says Mum’s to have a knee op. Did you know?”

Surprise flickered in Sam’s eyes. Then he pinned on a grin. “Don’t worry about that today. Your new husband’s looking for you.” He tried to direct her to where Ivan was craning over the heads of the guests. Chrissie refused to be diverted.

“Why has nobody told me?”

Instead of answer the question, Sam said, “Sorry if I tried to pressure you into staying in the biz. It’s your life and you’ll be fantastic in the classroom.”

Ivan arrived, taking Chrissie’s hand. “The photographer wants the bride back.” Chrissie stood her ground.

“Is Mum having a knee replacement?” Ivan glanced from Chrissie to Sam. “Your mum? Will she follow doctor’s

“She wants you to enjoy your honeymoon and not worry about her. Pretend you don’t know”

orders? My grandmother had a new knee but she’s retired.”

Sam looked increasingly discomfited.

“Yes, she’s having a new knee,” he admitted. “But don’t worry. By September she’ll be over it.”

Chrissie’s heart plummeted.

“To be better by September, she must be having the op soon.”

A long pause. Alice took Sam’s hand. Gently, she said, “It’s while you’re away, Chrissie.”

Sam frowned at Alice but admitted reluctantly, “She wants you to enjoy your honeymoon, not worry about her. Pretend you don’t know. And for goodness sake don’t let it affect your wedding day. That’s what she didn’t want.”

Heart thudding, Chrissie allowed Ivan to lead her back to the photographer.

“The rain hasn’t stopped but there’s a garden canopy,” he said. “We’ll have a fantastic background of rain-drenched flowers.”

“Lovely.” Chrissie tried to resurrect her joyful smile as they stepped into the chill spring air, knowing the photographer was working hard to give her what she wanted.

In fact, everyone was – like her family supporting her Easter Sunday wedding plan, immediately after the last Easter egg was out of the door at Smooth as Silk, instead of enjoying a well-earned break.

Mum was probably hiding her pain while she made certain the wedding went off OK – yet she’d arranged her knee surgery so that Chrissie shouldn’t be inconvenienced, let alone worried.

“Let’s get those lovely daffodils in,” called the photographer.

Chrissie slid her arms around Ivan and smiled while the camera whirred. Her parents were only in their late fifties. Mum was young to have a new knee, but she’d worked hard all her life. She’d also protected Chrissie as surely as the canopy they stood beneath.

She could see Sam watching through the French doors. When their parents retired, would he have to sell up? Or could he run Smooth as Silk by himself?

Maybe – if he could train up a manager and learn to trust that person. Otherwise, everything the family had worked for would be gone.

Her heart thudded. Was every member of her family going to have to pay for her new career?

“That’s about it.” The photographer beamed. “By the time you’re back from honeymoon, I’ll have a lovely file of images for you to pick from for your photo book.”

Mechanically, Chrissie joined Ivan in thanking the helpful man and getting him a drink. Indoors, the level of noise had dipped and the eyes of many guests followed a train of staff bearing steaming salvers into the Oak Room, where the meal was to be served. The hotel’s wedding manager, a small woman in a navy suit, was supervising.

“Good, I’m starving –” Ivan began, but they were interrupted by Chrissie’s friend and soon-to-be headteacher, Renée.

“Hiya!” Renée called cheerfully. “Don’t you two look gorgeous?”

Then Sam arrived. “The guests are about to take their seats. If you two wait out here, the manager will announce you.”

“Thanks, Sam.” Chrissie gave him a big spontaneous hug, trying to tell him how much she appreciated him. Renée beamed at him. “Are you Chrissie’s brother? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m really sorry that Smooth as Silk’s loss will be Greenbank School’s gain but all Chrissie’s creative talent will be put to use. She’s ideal to take special responsibility for art and craft.”

Chrissie could read Sam’s frozen expression.

She’sgivingupher career as ac ho cola tier to make flowers from tissue paper and jewellery from drypasta?

“Until I do my teacher training,” she put in, to remind him that joining the school as a classroom assistant was a first step.

Renée beamed even more widely. “If that’s the way you decide to go.”

“Of course.” But Chrissie was stunned. If? Didn’t Renée understand Chrissie was deserting her family for Greenbank School? Surely she knew she wouldn’t be taking that step if she wasn’t serious about a new career?

Renée called, “Time I took my seat,” and hurried away. She and Sam followed the other guests into the Oak Room.

Chrissie and Ivan had a moment alone. She clutched his hand, taking comfort from the warmth and strength of his fingers. He dipped his head to look into her eyes.

“Did Renée upset you?”

She shook her head. “It’s just –”

Then the events manager bustled up in her smart suit.

“Are you ready to be announced?” In moments the double doors were thrown open and her voice rang out in a triumphant call.“Ladies and gentlemen – Mr and Mrs Mazur!”

As the guests rose to whoop and clap, still clutching Ivan’s hand, Chrissie sailed self-consciously across what felt like miles of polished floor to take her place at the top table. The room was beautifully decorated with spring flowers and golden boxes of tiny chocolate Easter eggs on every table. Sam had made those Easter eggs too, refusing to let Chrissie help, and Sarah had made up the boxes with the black and gold intertwined SandS of Smooth as Silk. While Chrissie and Ivan had been outdoors with the photographer, someone had carried in the fabulous big egg, bedecked with flowers.

Sam winked. “See – it’s an Easter Egg wedding,” he whispered.

Chrissie smiled and laughed her way through the meal, outwardly relaxed, thoroughly enjoying her wedding day.

Wine bottles and water jugs were passed around tables and she carried on conversations with her parents and Ivan’s, Sam, Alice, and bridesmaids Linda and Helen, who she felt she’d hardly talked to since they’d got ready together earlier.

Yet, inside, she was nursing an extraordinary feeling. Her heart was whirling with the joy of her wedding but her head was just plain whirling.

Ivan kept taking her hand beneath the table and, eyes warm with love, whispering, “Are you sure you’re OK?”

“Fantastic,” she whispered back, stroking his fingers. “I was just thinking how much love there is in this room.”

She picked up the silk reticule attached to her bouquet and took out her phone. Ivan peered over her shoulder.

“You’re texting?”

Hurriedly, she shoved the phone away and kissed his lips. “Just one message.”

But one message soon turned to two, and three. Ivan raised his eyebrows every time.

After the meal, the speeches began. Sean welcomed everyone, wiping his eye when he said, “Chrissie’s happiness is everything to her family,” making everyone go, “Ahhhhh …”

Chrissie wiped her eye, too.

Next, the best man made jokes about Ivan’s speed on the football field.

“You’ll need to get in training to keep up with him, Chrissie.”

Ivan called out, “But I want her to be able to catch me.” Everybody laughed.

Then it was Ivan’s turn. He thanked Sean and Sarah for creating such a perfect woman and brought out the “happy wife means a happy life” line he’d quoted to her. He thanked Sam for the wonderful creation that meant they were genuinely having an Easter egg wedding, and was winding up when Chrissie whispered in his ear. He pulled back to examine her face. “Really?”

The guests began to laugh as she put her head close to his and whispered again. “Stop nibbling his ears!” cat-called one. “Ivan, just say ‘yes, dear’ – you’re a married man now,” quipped another.

Chrissie grinned, but continued their muted conversation.

Then Ivan turned to the guests.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the bride is to make a speech.”

The guests, deeply into the spirit of the happy day, erupted in applause. Chrissie felt her face heat up, but cleared her throat.

“I want to say a special thank you to Mum and Dad.”

“Awww,” chorused the guests.

“Not just for today,” she continued, “but for all of my life. They opened up Smooth as Silk to me and ensured I got the best training, just as they’d done for Sam. I’ve had a wonderful, creative job. But recently, I accepted a position as a teaching assistant.”

“Ohhh,” breathed the guests, most of whom couldn’t have known.

From the corner of her eye Chrissie caught her parents exchanging rueful looks. A warm, settled feeling swept over her, the kind that came with the conviction of doing the right thing.

“In fact,” she added, “I conferred with the headteacher a few minutes ago and told her I was going to make this speech.”

“What, during dinner?” she heard Sarah exclaim.

Suddenly Chrissie’s voice wobbled and she saw her family through a veil of tears.

“Mum, Dad and Sam. If you don’t mind replacing Chrissie Silk with Chrissie Mazur, I’d like to stay with Smooth as Silk.” She had to take a swig of champagne to get out her final words. “Please say it’s OK because I’ve just told the headteacher that I can’t accept the job after all.”

The guests applauded. Chrissie all but burst into tears as her parents and brother jumped up to hug her tightly.

Finally she extricated herself to offer her wedding guests one last toast.

“To Smooth as Silk. Three Silks and one Mazur.”

“To Smooth as Silk,” they echoed and the formal part of the wedding was over. Chrissie could relax.

Ivan murmured in her ear, “Are you OK? That was sudden.”

She threw her arms around him. “I couldn’t be more OK. I’ve not told Mum I know about the op, in case she thinks that’s why I changed my mind.”

His expression softened. “Isn’t it?”

She shook her head. “Not really, though her arranging it the way she did made me think about family love. No, it was Renée saying teacher training was there… if that was the direction I wanted to go. I’d not focused on the reality of what I’d be sacrificing.” She reached out of his embrace, grabbed one of the little golden boxes containing the wedding favours and opened it. “It took almost making that sacrifice to make me realise.”

Ivan took one of the handmade eggs. “I never get tired of Smooth as Silk.” She laughed as she took one, too. “I thought I might do… but now I know better.”

If you loved this serial then check out Sue Moorcroft’s next book, Under The Italian Sun, Avon, PBO, £7.99. Out May 13. NEXT WEEK: Enjoy our relaxing story following a yoga trainee and two cute Persian cats. Then take a trip to Cornwall the week after, with our brand-new serial The Sail And The Anchor!

Inside she was nursing an extraordinary feeling. Her head was whirling