Day 61
Well you can’t expect me to let this piece of news pass? Dominic Cummings step down your 15 minutes of fame is over. As always these arrogant idiots think they can get away with ignoring their own rules because it suits them to do so! There is one rule for you lot but not for me. If he does not lose his job then what small residual of credit Johnson has will be gone. If Cummings has any sense he will save his mate and resign. As usual a man with too much power has abused it. It is always the thing that trips them up. So this pandemic has done some good!!
So to today and a short story:
Best laid plans
About 5 o’clock, it all went pear shaped, completely and utterly to shit. I’d hoped it was never going to go wrong but once it did I had no idea how wrong. Disaster. Seven years of bad luck wouldn’t cover it. Eleven months of planning and it was like a bomb had exploded. I watched the wreckage my damp suit clinging to sweaty skin.
People slumped on chairs some just sat on the polished wet floor. Smart clothes ruined in disarray.
“Fuck me” I heard a voice near me I turned but whoever spoke had gone.
It had all been so promising, organised, happy. Now a deflated mess and soon the recriminations, argument, accusations and bitterness would begin. I was weary cold, I wrung my hands in despair. How could this happen did I jinx it?
Slowly people started to get up, move desperately hoping it was all some kind of mistake but it had really happened! I raised myself leaning on the rail for support my hands were shaking.
A woman appeared, crying stumbling on shiny high heels plum coloured dress stained, a man held her waist keeping her upright. I thought I recognised her but could not bring myself to speak they struggled on.
Should I leave? Would that be selfish? I didn’t want to remain but duty tore at my conscience.
Surely I couldn’t be blamed. Who could have foreseen this mess? It was meant to be joyous.
I saw someone waving at me, calling me over, it was Maddy’s mother. I trudged across the wet floor and found her. She stared at me glassy eyed, hair dishevelled, make up smudged.
“ Some fucking best man you turned out to be, you bastard !”
I could not help but agree but then who could have known this could happen. I taken John out the night before with all our buddies for his bachelor party. It was probably not a good idea to have left it to the night before the wedding but schedules were busy and it turned out to be the only time we were all available.
We did nothing spectacular, just hit a few bars toasting John’s last night of freedom before he married the love of his life Maddy. They were high school sweet hearts and although life had taken them in different directions they had eventually re-connected and now they were going to be married. It was a fairy tale that shortly was going to turn into a nightmare.
In the final bar, we met a motor cycle gang. They were not Hells Angels but close. We were pretty drunk by this time and somehow when we told these guys what was happening they started to buy us more drinks and we all seem to become best buddies for the evening. We left about one o’clock and I managed to get John to the hotel. A couple of the bikers offered to give us a ride back but as diplomatically as possible I declined. I did not want the wedding spoilt because John had fallen off the back of a motorbike!
When I woke in the morning, hung over, eyes hurting, mouth dry, I was amazed that somehow I managed to navigate us both back to our room.
I’d known John since we were 8 and I’d run him over whilst riding my bike. We be came firm friends almost inseparable as we grew up, more like brothers really. When he told me he was going to marry Maddy, I was delighted, I knew they belonged together. He asked me to be his best man, I said it would be my honour. I’d not taken the plunge myself, I was in awe of those couples who committed themselves to each other. I came from a family of divorces. My mother had married and divorced three times, my father twice. I guess it had coloured my view of marriage.
Got close once. Carrie was a beautiful red head I’d met while flying a charter down to Mexico. I’m a pilot and I work for a charter airline. She had smiled at me, it was a nice smile. One thing lead to another and since we lived in the same city and I really liked her, we started dating. She was fun, sometimes to much fun and really spontaneous. She would think nothing of stripping off and diving into a lake or the sea if she was too hot or if she just wanted to do it. Once she went into an ice cream parlour and ordered one of every flavour came out with an armful of cornets and started throwing them at car windscreens. I tried to stop her as she laughed excitedly and got two cones in my face for my troubles. I loved her and I think she loved me. I was going to ask her to marry me and spoke to John about it. John said life would never be boring with Carrie as my wife but somehow I just couldn’t bring myself to pop the question and we sort of drifted apart. I think she hoped I would ask but when it did not happen we both knew it was time to move on. I often think of her and wonder if I did the right thing but wondering get’s you nowhere.
Since Carrie, there’s not really been anyone serious. I have had a few girlfriends but none of them have stuck around for long. John say’s I’m scared of sharing myself with another, he could be right.
The wedding was to take place at 2pm. Neither John or Maddy we’re religious and a civil ceremony was arranged in the beautiful garden of her parents large home. The ceremony may have been simple but the wedding reception was a no expense spared extravaganza. Maddy’s mother and father were wealthy and as she was there only child. They had made sure the reception would be a lavish affair. Her father had employed a wedding planner an she had suggested a whole list of expensive items and effects. John and Maddy had tried to stop some of the excess but gave up, fighting a losing battle and in the end just accepted for what it was. “Dad want’s it, mum wants it, who are we to spoil their day” she said laughing.
I managed to get us both up, shoved John in the shower, complaining he wanted to be left alone and ordered some breakfast with plenty of coffee, black ,strong.
When John came back in bedroom he still looked groggy. I reminded him he was getting married today and that seemed to bring him to his senses. He looked at me with panic in his eyes as though he just remembered something.
“What” I said
He sat on the edge of his bed and ruffled his hair and slapped his face.
“What” I repeated
“I think I’ve done something really stupid” He moaned
“What” I said once more
He looked up and gave a lopsided smile “No I couldn’t have I must be imagining it”
“For fuck’s sake tell me”I was almost shouting
“ I think I might of invited those motorcycle guys to the wedding” He laughed a little hysterically
I was too shocked to speak, what the hell was he thinking. I calmed myself tried to think straight.
“We were all hammered are you sure. I doubt any of us can remember what was said last night. Besides you probably said it as a joke. It’s not like they would have thought you were serious, besides they were all drunk as well they won’t remember” I clung to my explanation like a life raft.
John looked at me and nodded “ Yeah sure I’m being silly it was all a joke and like you say everyone was drunk. I don’t know what I’m worried about. Let’s eat something and get ready”
At 2pm precisely Maddy stepped out with her father and slowly walked between the rows of family and friends seated either side. John, myself and the two bridesmaids waited for her on the raised platform with a good friend of her fathers Houseman who was authorised to perform the ceremony and pronounce them man and wife. Maddy looked radiant and John, still a touch hung over, was beaming as he watched her approach.
Her dress was simple, it was the one thing she had put her foot down about and had insisted it was her choice and brooked no interference. She looked wonderful.
Her father handed her to John and the ceremony went without a hitch.
As the applause died down and John and Maddy walked back waving at their guests, I still had a nagging feeling that John’s invitation to the motor cycle gang might prove to be real. I dismissed it and followed them into the house.
A local venue had been hired for the reception. It was situated on the top of a hill and gave beautiful views of the town and surrounding country. The hall was a 19th century chalet, built in wood with a tiled roof. It was a copy of a Swiss ski lodge, but much bigger. Inside it had been decorated with every conceivable party item. Balloons, ribbons, ice sculptures, drapes and each table arranged around the dance floor looked perfect with all the shiny glasses and cutlery gleaming. Each table cloth was a shimmering silver and elaborate place holders held each guests seating invitation. Waiters circulated handing out champagne and canapés. The bride and grooms table was at the head of the hall and behind them was a stage where a twelve piece band were set-up for the dancing later.
It had cost a lot of money and it certainly was spectacular.
The dinner was lavish and consisted of four courses and different wines were served with each. The bar was next door, in a large room of it’s own and of course was free. I noticed several of our friends from John’s bachelor evening had availed themselves of a few shots. I asked Harrison, if he remembered John inviting the gang from last night party. He looked at me as though I was mad and told me I was imagining things. He walked away shaking his head and laughing.
Maddy’s fathers speech was pretty good, he got a bit emotional but got through it. My speech was what you would expect from a best man, a few anecdotes from John’s past a couple of poor jokes, which most people had the good grace to laugh at. Complimented the bride and her family and jokingly commiserated with her for saddling herself with him. I finished by saying how pleased I was they true love had eventually lead them to the right place, a little sentimental but hey it was a wedding.
Maddy made a brief speech thanking her parents for their support and the wonderful wedding and gave John her wedding present, a gold chain with a charm that simply said “Love you always” . John gave her a silver bracelet with the same words engraved on the inside.
The formalities over the band appeared and the dancing started, as tradition dictates John and Maddy did the first one and then she danced with her father, while John did the same with his new mother-in-law. I danced with a couple of Maddy’s cousins, who Maddy had obviously targeted me with. It was all good natured and I didn’t really mind.
I needed some air, I was still a little hung over myself. I stepped outside, it was a pleasant late spring afternoon and the air was cool.
I laughed at myself for thinking for one moment that John’s earlier concern was serious and told myself I had been stupid to even consider it. It was then that I heard the faint sound of motorcycle engines in the distance. I cocked my ear and the sound disappeared I told myself I was imagining things but then I heard it again this time louder. I began to panic tried to convince myself even if it was the gang they were probably just passing thorough. The trouble was there was no passing through where we were, there was nowhere else to go, one way in, one way out.
My worse fears were confirmed as the noise of motorcycle engines got louder and louder and the a gang of about thirty came into view around the last bend of the hill. I did not know what to do. Should I run in and warn everyone? I decided to try and stop them and ran towards the entrance holding my hands out. I had no idea what I was doing and sure enough they swept pass me whilst I shouted forlornly for them to turn back and leave.
They pulled up in a cloud of dust and dismounted whooping and hollering as they rushed into the building.
What happened after that was a blur, they trashed all the beautiful decoration raided the bar, eat whatever they could and scared the band away throwing their instruments all over the stage. Some of the guests tried to force them to leave but they were no match for them and were roughly shoved out the way or punched and and knocked over as they rampaged through the hall. I ran back in and tried to wrestle one or two of them out shouting that I’d called the police and they better go. It did no good I got punched a few time and one big tattooed biker picked me up and threw me over a table.
It lasted for what seemed an age but was no more than twenty minutes and then as abruptly as fast as they had arrived they went bikes roaring as they made their way back down the hill.
I turned away from Maddy’s mother what could I say. I couldn’t tell that it was her new son-in-law was responsible for inviting them. I would take the blame what else could I do.
The police had arrived and were taking statements from shocked guests and staff.
I looked for John and Maddy, I hoped they were okay. I asked a few people if they’d seen them but no one had. I did find Maddy’s father slumped on a chair head hung down and dishevelled like everybody else. “ Mr Kingcaid” he looked up glazed eyes tears running down his cheeks. “What the hell happened Frankie, why did this happen, why?” He looked at me as though I must have the answer and of course I did. I patted him on the shoulder and said I didn’t not know and I was sure the police would get them. It was pathetic and cowardly but he looked so forlorn I did not have the heart to tell him.
Time has passed and that day if not a distant memory, has at least begun to fade. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt or too traumatised. The police had set up road blocks and apprehended the gang but most of them got off with fines and light sentences.
The guests and staff struggled to identify any of them and so they got away with the more serious charges.
I took responsibility. Maddy’s and John’s families no longer talked to me. Even our buddies who at been at the bar that night keep their distance. John had not spoken to me for some months. I had not tried to contact any of them other than to apologise but they did not respond. I was resigned to them being history and tried to get on with my life. I threw myself into my work and flew as many hours as they would let me, within the permitted rules. I had a few aimless liaisons, which meant nothing and if I’m honest it was just sex.
I had accumulated quite a large bank balance. I decided to take some time off and planned a trip to Europe. I’d always wanted to go, see the sights The Eiffel Tower, Tower of London, Venice, Naples and much more.
I’d packed and was ready to leave. I’d put my valuables in storage and my apartment was down to the bare furniture. I was going to be gone for three months. I managed to get discounted flights in first class due to my contacts in the industry. I had once been a pilot in a big airline and pulled in a few favours.
The buzzer on the intercom went. I lifted the receiver “Hello” the voice at the other end said “Hi it’s Maddy” I buzzed her in.
It had been nearly a year since I’d seen her but she had not changed and looked as though she was glowing. I smiled at her “You look well”
She beamed “I’m pregnant, the baby will arrive in January”
“Congratulations that’s fantastic, John must be very happy, he always wanted a family”
“He can hardly contain his excitement and is rushing round the house child proofing and of course the nursery is already been decorated and kitted out” She laughed
“Please sit”
She noticed the suitcase. “Are you going somewhere?” Maddy looked round the apartment she could see how empty it was.
“A trip to Europe, I’ve always wanted to go”
“For how long?”
“Three months, maybe longer” I shrugged “Maybe I won’t come back, who know’s”
She laughed “Maybe someone should warn all the women over there that your on your way. There will be a trail of broken hearts”
I laughed and then said “Why are you here Maddy?”
She hesitated and looked away “John told me the truth”
“About what?” But I knew what she meant
“About the bikers. He told me that he invited them and not you” Maddy sighed “He said you took the blame and he should have stopped you but he did not want to start our marriage off with my mum and dad thinking how” She could not finish
“It’s okay Maddy. It was the right thing to do and besides who really knows maybe I did invite them, we were pretty drunk”
She shook her head.” No it wasn’t you. He may have been drunk but it all came back to him clearly. He said nothing until a week ago and I’d forbidden him to see you I was so angry. That was wrong too, your our friend we should have forgiven you anyway. Now I know there is nothing to forgive, except perhaps taking him to the wrong bar that night” She stopped and smiled sadly “John clearly remembers inviting them and even telling this guy where the reception would be, he said his name was Sunny”
I tried to think back it wasn’t very clear the morning after so I don’t what I expected to remember now but I had a sudden vision of that night. “John did spend some time with a guy at the bar, they had their arms around each other and were singing along to a song on the jukebox, that must have been this Sunny”
“There you are then, case closed. My darling stupid husband is responsible for the chaos that was our reception.” She pointed to her tummy “What a story we will have to tell this little one when he or she is old enough to understand”
“Are you going to tell your parents?”
“I don’t know. I certainly won’t. If anyone is going to tell them then it has to be John. It’s his mistake to rectify and he needs to apologise to everyone that was there. They all think it was your fault” She sighed again “I’ve told him he has to and take whatever consequences comes. I said that with a grandchild on the way they probably won’t be as mad’ Maddy laughed again
“So what now that I’m off the hook?”
“Well firstly I came here to apologise. Then I was hoping that if you accepted it we could be friends again? And then if we are friends again John and I wanted to ask if you would be a godfather to our child. That’s not a just an olive branch or a bribe if none of this had happened we always would have asked you. John would have eventually sneaked here to see you whatever I’d said, he misses you”
I went to Europe and saw most of the sights I wanted and yes I did meet one or too ladies along the way. I don’t think I broke any hearts. Three months later I knocked on the door of John and Maddy’s home. John opened it and nearly knocked me off my feet with force of his embrace “Frankie” He shouted “Jesus man I’ve missed you”
I untangled myself and looked at him “You’ve put on weight, married life agrees with you”
“Is that all you have to say”
“I missed you to you idiot”
“I’m so sorry man, I should have said something. Your the best friend ever and I treated you terribly”
“All forgiven, let’s forget it”
He looked at me and laughed and then his eyes swivelled to the garage.
“What” I said
“I bought a motorbike”
“You did what”
“Only until the baby comes and then I promised Maddy I’d sell it”
“You are a total shit, a motorbike and I thought I was the insensitive one”
Stay well
