Page 34 of The Facilitator, Part 2

C ars queued along the drive to Mrs. Collingsworth’s house.

Valets were rushing between the parking area and the queues.

Occupants of the cars posed for photographs in their posh frocks as they stood on the impressive steps to the front door.

When it was our turn, we stood—Mackenzie made a point to pull me close—he kissed my temple as the camera clicked, and we took a card with a number on it.

I assumed that would allow us to see our photo.

The house had been decorated in silvers and blues, and flowers adorned every available surface.

Waitresses mingled with trays of champagne and we were encouraged to walk through the house to the garden.

I stood at the French doors and just looked.

Bowls of fire lit a pathway to an open-sided marquee.

There was a stage at one end, round tables at the other.

We were greeted by a waiter, who consulted his clipboard, and instructed us we were to join the main party at the top table.

Mackenzie took my hand and we walked down the fire lit path.

We were stopped constantly by guests Mackenzie knew and he introduced me.

Eventually we managed to make our way to a table where his father and Sandra sat.

Mack rose, he pulled me into a hug, and held out his hand to Mackenzie.

Mackenzie ignored his hand; instead, he pulled his father into his embrace.

I was sure I saw a tear on Mack’s cheek.

“We’re not sitting together but how about we catch up tomorrow?” Mackenzie said.

“That would be nice. Maybe lunch?” Mack said.

“Not unless it’s my choice and my treat. I’m not eating in that diner ever again, Dad.”

Mack laughed, “Deal. Nowhere fancy mind you. I only have this one suit and you can bet your ass food is going to be spilled.”

We swapped our empty glasses for full ones.

“I’ve told my future daughter-in-law you need to get your ass in gear. I want to be around for the wedding,” he added.

Mackenzie choked on his champagne. He coughed and I patted his back. “I think your dad is just kidding,” I said. Mack’s expression said otherwise, but he had the grace to not say anymore.

“Lauren!” I heard.

Gabriella strode towards me in the most revealing but amazing silk gown. Her makeup was perfect, her hair totally on point. She looked like she could have stepped off the catwalk.

“My god, look at you! You look absolutely stunning, Gabriella,” I said, holding her at arm’s length.

“I’ve had the works done, been with Momma’s beauty team all day. I daren’t smile too much, there are a few layers of makeup on this skin. Don’t kiss me, I’m sure we’ll stick.”

We laughed as we performed a very dramatic and Hollywood style air kiss. “Mackenzie just agreed to meet his father for lunch tomorrow. I think they might be making amends there,” I whispered.

“I’m pleased to hear that. He’s dying; who wants to leave the earth without making peace?” she said. I hoped she was talking about Mack!

“Alex is completely overwhelmed, inundated by distant relatives, and terrified. He had instructed me that we would leave early in the morning, except we can’t now.”

“Mackenzie told me. I can’t believe Daniel would do such a thing to your mother,” I said.

“Sadly, Lauren, I can. I loathe him, I honestly do, and I have since I was a child. You know that car Mackenzie was driving? Daniel worked on it and he wasn’t remotely qualified or experienced to do so. He caused that crash, I’m sure. I hope Mackenzie keeps that in mind.”

I hadn’t been aware of that element and, assuming Mackenzie knew, it would certainly add to his hatred of the man.

Alex found his way to us. “Lauren, do not leave my side. Us Brits need to take up arms, suit up in our armour to preserve our sanity here. I want a banner, I have never met the Queen , and I really haven’t, although I do believe we are distantly related,” he insisted.

His theatrical statement had not only me laughing but Mackenzie as well. His father had returned to his seat.

“They are going to call for us to sit soon, how about we make our way to our table?” Gabriella said.

Arm in arm, we weaved our way through the round tables to the one at the end.

Mackenzie pulled out a chair for me. He was one side of me, Mrs. Collingsworth the other.

Gabriella was to her other side and then it was Alex.

She had forgone the usual boy-girl/boy-girl of the other tables.

I was also very thankful not to have Daniel with us.

“Darlings, a toast. I’m disappointed I didn’t attend your wedding, my only daughter…

” She gave Gabriella a wink before continuing.

“But I’m thrilled to welcome you, Alex, to the family.

Of course, I shall absolutely play on the fact my daughter married a lord.

” She turned back to the table in general and raised her glass.

“To my wonderful daughter and her new husband.”

“Mother, toasting the favoured without me,” we heard.

I sighed, as did Gabriella. Daniel was clearly drunk already. He swayed while holding a bottle of beer.

“Go and sit down, Daniel,” Mrs. Collingsworth said.

Instead, he waved his bottle, sloshing his beer over my back. “Did I get you wet?” he said, and then laughed. “I saw Lauren in just her underwear earlier. Very nice.”

The screech of a chair, as Mackenzie stood, caused the diners on neighbouring tables to glance over.

I watched as Alex slowly stood. He placed his hand on Mackenzie’s shoulder and whispered something into his ear.

He walked around until he was next to Daniel and then leaned in close to his ear. He whispered.

No one on the table heard what Alex had said, but Daniel paled. He stuttered a little, incoherently, and turned on his heel and left.

“My hero,” Gabriella said, placing her hand on her heart. “My real knight in shining armour. Can you be promoted to knight? What did you say?”

“I told him I’d forgo my breeding and class, and even though my military training should prevent me from killing him slowly, I’d make an exception if he didn’t back the fuck up, immediately. Although, I wasn’t as eloquent.”

Everyone broke into laughter, completely defusing the situation. However, I wasn't sure that some of us knew if it was a made-up threat or the truth. Mackenzie gave Alex a nod and both took their seats. He then patted my back, trying to remove some of the wetness.

“Do you want to leave and get changed?” he said.

“No, I don’t think it was a lot, was it?”

“Not really. See how you feel after we’ve eaten.”

Dishes were placed in front of us, and we experienced no further interruption while we ate. Although the interruption was not far from my mind, particularly as I could smell the beer drying on my dress. I was pleased Daniel kept his distance, and I was itching to know what Alex had really said.

Vivienne—she had forbade us using her married name—regaled us with stories from Gabriella and Mackenzie’s childhood.

It didn’t go unnoticed Daniel didn’t feature in many of those stories.

We all became misty-eyed when she spoke of her husband, Gabriella’s father, with such fondness.

He had died when Gabriella was very young, and she confessed to not remembering him very well.

Still, we raised a glass to toast him as well.

Once the meal was over, Vivienne decided to work the room as she said. As hostess, it was her duty to chat to every one of her guests.

“She’s remarkable,” I said to Mackenzie.

“She is, very much so. A second mother to me.”

We watched as she embraced Mack and Sandra.

She spent time with him, placing her hand on his cheek, as was her way.

She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief before Mack pulled her into another hug.

Gabriella and Alex were whisked away, and Mackenzie and I walked to the bar outside the marquee while the tables were cleared.

He asked for a whiskey for himself and a glass of red wine for me.

We stood, leaning against the bar and in silence for a moment.

Mackenzie was smiling, watching Gabriella work the room like her mother.

She laughed and was so genuinely happy it was infectious.

“The one that got away, huh?” the slurred voice said. “They were in love, Lauren, did you know that?”

“Please don’t react,” I asked, holding on to Mackenzie’s arm.

“Still, not bad sloppy seconds in Lauren. Or, if you bring Addison into the mix, I guess, you’re just sloppy thirds,” he said, laughing.

The tension in Mackenzie’s body was transferring to mine. I tried to pull him away; I also desperately tried to get someone’s attention without everyone noticing a fight was about to happen.

“Can we leave?” I whispered to him, my voice shaking with emotion and tears threatening to fall. He turned to me and nodded.

We needed to pass Daniel to get to the exit. I wanted to make sure I was the one between Mackenzie and Daniel. I didn’t need to.

“Boy, you, who knocked up his cousin because he couldn’t find a whore of his own, have the balls to comment on this lady right here? You would not know class even though you were born into it. Now, leave, right now, before I put you on your ass,” Mack said.

Daniel didn’t move; Mack took a step closer to him. He towered over him and although a sick man, he stood tall and was a little frightening.

“I said leave before I put you on your ass,” he repeated.

Daniel turned and placed his bottle on the bar before stomping off.

“I’m sorry…hey, you’re not wasting tears on that prick, are you?” Mack said.

Mackenzie pulled me to his chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry,” I said, my voice muffled by his shirt.

“Let me get you home,” Mackenzie said.

“I’m okay, honestly. I don’t want to spoil the evening.”

“You haven’t, it was soured by that…” I guess Mackenzie remembered his father and Sandra were standing close. “I’d like to leave, Lauren, if that’s okay with you?”