‘People! A word if you please.’ Luke’s commanding voice fills the tent and at once all the Brandon Communications people stop talking and stand to attention, as though he’s about to make some company presentation. The others follow suit, and the whole place falls silent with incredible speed.
‘I just want to say … thank you.’ He surveys the crowd of smiling faces. ‘To all of you. I can’t believe so many old friends are here and I look forward to catching up. I can’t believe you all knew about this, you devious lot.’ There’s an appreciative laugh around the marquee. ‘And I can’t believe how clever my wife has been.’ He turns to me. ‘Becky, take a bow.’
A spattering of applause breaks out and I dutifully make a little bow.
‘Was it a total surprise, Luke?’ calls out the woman with too much lipstick. ‘Did you have absolutely no idea?’
Luke darts the wariest of glances at me; you’d hardly notice it.
‘Yes, absolutely!’ He sounds a little forced. ‘I had no idea until I stepped into the—’ He breaks off. ‘At least, obviously I suspected something when we got into the taxi …’ He stops again and rubs his face awkwardly, and there’s a curious, expectant hush around the tent.
‘Here’s the thing.’ Luke looks up at last, and his usual polished veneer is gone. ‘I don’t want to lie to all of you. I don’t want to put on an act, because this is too important to me. I want to say what I really feel. Someone did give the game away earlier on. A little. So yes, I was expecting … something. But you know what? A party like this isn’t about the surprise factor. It’s about someone going to so much trouble that it just … overwhelms you. And you think, “What did I do to deserve this?”’ He pauses, his voice trembling a bit. ‘I am the luckiest man alive, and I’d like to propose a toast. To Becky.’
I’m glancing at my phone. It’s been buzzing with texts throughout and I’ve only had half an ear on Luke’s little speech. But now I look up.
‘OK, Luke.’ I allow myself a smile. ‘You’re wrong. This kind of party is all about the surprise factor. Take your drink. Take your coat. And step this way, please. Everyone, if you could collect your coats and follow us …’
Out of nowhere, Daryl, Nicole, Julie and three of their friends have materialized and are efficiently pushing in rails of coats. All the guests are looking at each other, flummoxed. Daryl winks at me – and I wink back. He’s a total star, Daryl. He got in touch a week ago and said he’d really improved on the fire-eating and did I want to audition him again? Whereupon I said no thanks – but there was another little job he could do. All six teenagers are dressed smartly in white shirts and waistcoats, and Nicole’s wearing her Vivienne Westwood shoes, I notice.
Luke hasn’t moved a muscle. He looks utterly gobsmacked.
Ha!
‘Becky …’ He wrinkles his brow. ‘What on earth …’
Ha! Ha!
‘You think this is your party?’ I nod at the marquee derisively.
I almost want to skip with glee as I lead him back through Janice’s house to the drive. And they’re here. Right on cue. Four massive coaches, parked outside. They’re jet black and on the side is printed in white:
LUKE’S REAL SURPRISE PARTY.
‘Wh—’
Luke’s jaw has dropped. He seems unable to speak.
Yessssss!
‘In you get,’ I say blithely.
***
I know, I know, I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry.
I wanted to. But I was afraid you might blab.
***
The atmosphere in the coach is fantastic. The whole level of festivity seems to have gone up ten notches. I keep hearing snatches of ‘Where are we going?’ and ‘Did you know?’ and gales of laughter.
And Luke just seems stunned. I’ve never seen him so stunned. I must surprise him more often.
‘OK, blindfold on …’ I say as we reach the turning.
‘No.’ He starts to laugh. ‘You can’t be serious!’
‘Blindfold on!’ I lift a mock-stern finger and waggle it at him.
This is quite a power trip, actually. He’s totally under my control. I yank the ends of the blindfold really tight, and peer out of the front of the coach. We’re nearly there!
I text Suze Five minutes and immediately get back OK. She’s there, waiting for me, along with Mum, Dad, Minnie, Danny and the rest of Team Two.
Oh yes. I had two teams. Well, actually, that was Elinor’s idea.
I know Elinor’s still there too, because Suze sent me a text a few minutes ago saying that Elinor had been checking every last-minute detail fanatically and all the staff were petrified of her.