Preparations

At the Pub, yesterday, Mr P, the music teacher, arrives, distinctly frayed looking. He'd arrived in a strange car.

On inquiry we were told "The car radiator burst a leak. I've just had to charge down to Oldham to get a new one. It will be fitted tomorrow."

He's off to Iona next week & had thought he'd have to hire a car for the whole of the time while he's away. He'd been particularly annoyed about this because the car would have had to sit on Mull, unused until they returned 10 days later, as cars can't be taken over to Iona. He's relieved that he's managed to organise the repair of his own car instead & only needed to hire a car for this weekend.

He then adds, "I'm supposed to be at the wedding rehearsal now." His daughter is getting married today, Saturday. We gingerly ask how preparations are going. He's doing a barbecue in his garden for the reception.

"We've still got to get the pictures back on the wall." (They redecorated last weekend to smarten the house up ready for the visitors in case it should be too wet for the guests to be outside.) "I've yet to get the meat from the butcher's. I've just collected the hire glasses from Sainsbury's. The booze has arrived."

"When is the wedding?"

"No idea. Afternoon I think."

Who's paying for the wedding? "Not me," he replies. "I paid last time."

His daughter's first marriage a couple of years ago cost him several thousands. She was divorced within the year.

"I'm only paying for the food this time. Still there won't be much change out of a grand." He's had to buy a new BBQ to cater for so many people & a gazebo to provide some shelter in case of rain. He's not bothering to buy a new suit. The one he bought last time will do he reckons. He's due to retire in a couple of years time & doesn't anticipate much need for a suit then.

How's the speech coming along. "Don't ask. I said everything I had to say last time! As for giving her away, I've done that already!"

And is this a small wedding this time? Oh no, they've got the organist from some cathedral playing, various choirs coming to sing a special anthem, the full church wedding, the lot.

We're all just hoping this marriage will last longer. Mr P above all is hoping that. He couldn't face a third wedding again so soon.

At least the rain is holding off today. There's even some blue in the sky. I'm sure once it gets going Mr P will get into the mood of the event. He & his wife will certainly be ready for their escape to Iona.