Fenella's Fabulous Fountain Fondue by Amanda Paull

Author:Amanda Paull
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short story, laugh out loud, humorous romantic fiction, humorous, family life, love, feel-good love story, gentle love story, farcical fiction, friendship, funny, enjoyable easy read, coffee-break story, read by the pool, comedic family mix up, comedy fiction, charming fiction, shenanegans and laughter, humour and satire, hilarious situations
Publisher: Amanda Paull
Published: 2018-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Bob was once more conspicuous by his absence.

‘Mam...’ said Laura. ‘Do you think Dad’s having to go to the toilet more often than usual? I’m assuming that’s where he keeps nipping off to.’ She placed a Coke with a tiny drop of brandy in front of Maureen.

‘Shh,’ Maureen whispered, her head shooting around. ‘That’s not an appropriate topic for Fenella’s do.’ She gurned at the glass.

‘You, of all people –’ A drumroll interrupted her.

Debbie scarpered from the dancefloor, leaving Henry mid-manoeuvre. ‘Thank goodness for that,’ she said, dabbing her face with a serviette.

Maureen pushed her glass to one side. ‘Have you seen your granddad anywhere?’

‘No, I was trapped.’

Colin flopped into the seat next to Laura. ‘Heesh t’side.’

Laura looked from Debbie to her mother, and they all grinned. Colin, his face contorted, and mouth set in a zigzag, appeared to be losing the battle with a marshmallow.

‘Pard–’ she started to say, but the bandmaster’s voice interrupted her.

Fenella let out a shriek of unmitigated delight on hearing the announcement that Ben was going to waltz with her.

Ben donned his suit jacket and straightened his tie. Then he turned to Laura and leaned in to kiss her cheek. ‘Thank you for helping me to do this.’

‘You’ll be great,’ she said, her heart swelling with love. ‘Remember your magnificent pose.’

He stood up straight, his shoulders back. ‘Here goes, wish me luck.’

Laura watched in admiration as he walked over to escort his mother onto the dance floor. Fenella looked as if she were about to crumple into an emotional heap for a second, before instantly regaining her composure.

Her mother nudged her and nodded in his direction. ‘He’d make a very handsome groom.’

‘Shh. Someone might hear,’ said Laura, her heart pounding against her ribs. ‘Anyway, I’m not looking for a husband.’ But her mother was right, Ben would be an extremely dashing groom. Even without the dashing bit, thought Laura, he’d make a wonderful husband – if she was interested in getting married, of course.

Her father stepped back into the hall, as the birthday dance ended with a round of thunderous applause. For a moment, he stood there, his eyes darting around, looking shocked by the over-the-top greeting.

‘Trust your dad,’ her mother said, covering her eyes.

Laura dashed over and flung her arms around Ben. ‘You were truly magnificent. Portia would be proud.’ She turned to Fenella, who was still beaming. ‘That was wonderful to watch.’

‘Yes, I’ve been dancing for many years, you know. I was even approached to dance professionally when I was younger.’ She stroked Ben’s arm. ‘But I wanted to stay at home to be with the boys.’

Wilfred wandered over and patted Ben’s shoulder. ‘Well done, son. You saved the day.’

As his parents headed off for the cake cutting, Ben picked up Laura and swung her around. ‘Phew, I did it. And now we can have our own special dance.’ He put her down and ran his hand through his hair. ‘I feel almost giddy with relief the official bit’s done and dusted.’

Laura gazed up at him, her insides fizzing with bubbles of joy.

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