The Vintage Teacup Club (37 page)

Jenny

Dear Alison
and Maggie
,

Hello ladies. Here I am in a cosy little Irish B&B, in

an enormous squishy bed with a view out over a beautiful lake …

I looked out of the window at the sun on the water, taking in the beauty and calm of the green hills behind it, and put another pillow behind me to get comfy. Dan was snoring softly by my side.

Yes, it really was all true. Who needed five-star hotels? I was in heaven. I went back to the letter and
continued writing.

It’s a pretty perfect start to the honeymoon, although the less romantic bit is that Dan is out for the count. After a few pints of Guinness watching a band in the pub down the road he’s now snoozing away. So I thought I’d take the opportunity to write to you, the old-fashioned way.

When we left the wedding party was still in full swing and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye properly (you know how I hate to leave a party early).

The school house looked beautiful, and I have you both to thank for that. Ali, everyone loved the handmade bunting, and the teacups added something very special to the proceedings. Sophie and Holly did a sterling job as waitresses, too.

But back to the party, and the dancing … Well. As much as I enjoyed my first dance with Dan, Ali, I don’t think it can match the moment I saw Pete lead you up to the dance floor when the swing band came on. The look of shock on your face was a picture as you two started to dance and you clicked that rather than stepping on your toes, Pete could step and twirl you with the best of them. He is such a fantastic dancer – who knew? In that sunshine-yellow dress and red shoes you looked stunning as he span you around.

While you were up there Jamie confessed
to me that for the past few weeks he had been giving Pete and your neighbour Sally some private dance lessons together, in secret, so that Pete could surprise you with his skills. How lovely is that? Jamie said Pete had really thrown himself into it, fitting classes around the new job in any spare time he could find. He needed a female partner to practise with and apparently Sally’s always wanted to learn, so they paired up. I hope you and Pete keep it going. You looked great up there.

Maggie, thank you so much for your song – I couldn’t believe it when you got up on stage to join the band. How come you never let on that you had such a spectacular voice? ‘Say a Little Prayer’ was the perfect song to choose. I know you said afterwards that you were nervous, but it didn’t show at all – you’re a true professional. Owen looked really proud to see you up there. He said you’d found another local band to sing with regularly, is that right?

It was incredible to have everyone we care about there in one room.

I put my pen down for
a moment and glanced over at the card on the window sill. I’d brought the lone pink envelope with me to Ireland, the only wedding card still untouched. When I finally opened it, I found a card with a happy cartoon couple standing on a wedding cake. Inside, in big, round handwriting, it said:
Happy Wedding Day
. I smiled, despite myself.
With love from Mum and Nigel.
At the start of the summer I could never have imagined receiving it, much less feeling the way I felt now, not angry anymore, not sad, perhaps even a bit
warm
. I hadn’t spoken to Chris properly yet about Mum, but it was time. Dad has forgiven her and now that Chris and I were adults, perhaps we should give her the chance to put things right too.

I went back to the letter, feeling lighter somehow. With Chris on my mind, a memory came back to me and I continued writing:

And did you
see
what was going on behind the DJ booth? I’m surprised Chris could even get through his set with Chloe snogging his face off like that. Hilarious. How did I not see that coming? I nearly dropped my champagne. My dad gave me a nudge, that sly old dog obviously knew all along. Anyway, they both seem smitten, and while I’m at a loss as to how someone could fancy my little brother, they’re actually a pretty good match, aren’t they?

Dan and I have two long, blissful
weeks ahead and we’re planning on doing absolutely nothing. After all the, er,
excitement
of the past few weeks I’m looking forward to relaxing. But the stress was absolutely worth it – it was the best day of our lives by far.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see you both when I get back. I’m looking forward to your first Stitch ‘n’ Blitz session out in the café garden, Ali. Maggie, I’m sending a kiss to your still-secret bump.

All my love
,

Your friend in teacup fondness
,

Jenny xx

Do you want to know what happens next?

Then pre-order Tuesdays at the Teacup Club today,
an exclusive short story follow-up to The Vintage Teacup Club.

Coming in October 2013 – but available to pre-order NOW!

A lot can change in a year …

The children’s books Jenny writes and illustrates from her countryside studio are doing well, and after a lifetime of looking after everyone else, she’s finally putting herself first. Meanwhile, Maggie’s ordered world is thrown into chaos when her baby son Leo arrives. Candlelit baths have made way for endless night feeds, and she and partner Owen are struggling to find any time for themselves. It’s been a long year of financial sacrifice, but working-mum Alison has fulfilled her dream at last - she is now the proud co-owner of a café and art gallery.

But when Alison’s happiness is threatened and news from home shocks Jenny back to reality, the women must band together. Suddenly their friendship is more important than ever.

In this digital-exclusive short story, Vanessa Greene revisits the characters we first fell in love with in The Vintage Teacup Club. This is a real treat for anyone who enjoys warm-hearted and sincere storytelling – and it’s best enjoyed with a nice cup of tea.