‘I like you,’ she said sweetly, changing tack. ‘I’m going to sit beside you on the DART.’
‘I want to sit beside Carla,’ Sophie declared truculently.
‘You can sit beside me going, Jazzy, and you can sit beside me coming home, Sophie, OK?’ Carla said in a tone that brooked no argument.
‘You look nice. Have you dropped weight?’ Colette eyed Hilary up and down before air kissing her as they stood on the steps of the church watching the photographer pose the bridal couple for a family photo.
‘I think it’s the dress, it hides a multitude,’ Hilary remarked as Des leaned over to kiss her before shaking Niall’s hand.
‘Hey, buddy, how are you?’ he said.
‘Great, thanks. Congratulations on the promotion,’ Niall reciprocated.
‘So where did you get the dress? It’s very flattering – you can’t see your love handles,’ Colette remarked as she stood on her tippy toes to kiss Niall.
‘Thanks for the backhanded compliment,’ Hilary said drily.
‘Oh you know what I mean. This is a Christina Stambolian. Diana wears her clothes. She has the most fabulous boutique in Beauchamp Place. It cost a fortune but how and ever. Do you like it?’ She glanced coquettishly at Niall and did a seductive twirl in her figure-hugging black off-the-shoulder creation that was the height of style and sophistication.
‘Very nice. It shows off the sunbed tan!’ he drawled.
‘Actually it’s St-Tropez,’ she smiled sweetly, but she was irked at his smart remark. She turned back to Hilary. ‘Would you look at all those mutton dressed as mutton, all those polka dots and big collars. Is Paul Costelloe the only designer anyone goes to here?’
‘Well he designs for Princess Di too,’ Hilary reminded her tartly.
‘And he designs lots of air hostess uniforms,’ Colette sniffed, unimpressed, as she surveyed the array of fashions on show. ‘Paula Devlin looks positively mumsy and she’s younger than us! And what on earth is Shauna Finley wearing? She looks like a puff adder! And look at her hair. An eagle could nest in it. And Martin Kerr looks as though his dress suit came out of mothballs – probably too mean to buy a new one.’ Colette gave a running commentary on their fellow guests.
‘I’ve heard he’s got a gambling problem. When I was playing golf in Foxrock the last time I was here they told me he’d lost a fortune and remortgaged the house to boot. Had to let his golf club membership lapse.’ Des added his tuppence’ worth.
‘Rowena looks beautiful, so waiflike and otherworldly,’ Hilary pointed out, uncomfortable with their unkind, small-minded gossip. ‘She’s like a medieval princess. A friend designed her dress and she made a terrific job of it,’ she added admiringly as Rowena caught a glimpse of them and waved.
‘I believe her mother was furious! She wanted her to go to the Emanuels, or to Phillipa Lepley, like I did,’ Colette said smugly. ‘Oh look, there’s Charlotte Wesley, I must go and say hi. Come on, Des, let’s tell them your news.’ Colette’s eyes gleamed at the chance to boast to an old adversary on the social circuit.
‘What are they like?’ Niall groaned. ‘They’re never happy unless they’re dissing people. They’re so superior. And we’re stuck with them for the day. I’m starving. Will we slip off and get a chippie, or coffee and a sandwich? It will be hours before we eat if this photographer has his way. They’re all heading to Merrion Square for more photos – we won’t be missed.’
‘Brilliant idea.’ Hilary tucked her arm into his. ‘I married a genius. Let’s go add another pound or two to my love handles.’
‘She can be such a bitchy little madam. That’s why I said about the sunbed,’ Niall scowled.
‘I know, you’re very loyal.’ Hilary laughed. ‘She doesn’t mean it. It’s just her way. You have to look beyond it. She has to feel good about herself by pointing out other people’s flaws. I’ve never seen her as bad as today though. They were cutting people to ribbons. I’d say it’s because she’s getting really anxious about the move.’
‘You’re the loyal one. I would have ditched her long ago.’ Niall guided her across the street.
‘Dee says that too but I see that hurt little girl behind all that veneer. Jazzy’s exactly the same. The way you’re brought up moulds you. Our parents gave us their time as well as their love. Colette always had to compete with Jacqueline and Frank’s work. Growing their firm was more important to them than anything else and she was a lonely, sad little girl who hid it all behind that façade of bravado and that’s why I don’t take too much notice of her disparaging remarks. And she can be great fun when we’re on our own and she’s not trying to impress anyone.’
‘You’re a big softie, that’s what you are.’ Niall stopped and pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly in the middle of the footpath.
‘And I love your love handles,’ he teased when he raised his head.
‘And I love you,’ she sighed happily as they resumed their stroll to the nearest coffee shop.
‘Let’s ask Carla if Jazzy can sleep in the other room, cos I’m really sick of her.’ Jasmine stiffened as she heard the whispers behind the bedroom door. She had gone to the bathroom to brush her teeth and left her two companions getting into their pyjamas in their bedroom, while Carla made them all hot chocolate.
‘We can’t do that, it would be mean,’ said Millie, sighing deeply. ‘We just have to put up with her! Mam says she’s just spoilt because she has no sister to play with and she doesn’t know how to share and we have to be friends and be kind to her.’
‘Well I just don’t like that girl. She ruined our day!’ Jasmine heard Sophie say indignantly. Her heart gave a very painful twist and she wanted to cry. How dare
