'It's no good dad, I can't go through with it, not after what she said to me last night.'
'Oh! son, you can't cancel now it is just three hours before the wedding. Everyone is getting dressed up, your Aunt Margaret has travelled from Scotland; whatever she said can't be that bad.'
Father and son stood in the lounge, Gary's eyes wet with tears and Tom's face registering bewilderment.
'I wish your mum was here, she would know what to do.'
'Well she isn't is she? Passed away with a broken heart. Three days before your silver wedding celebration she discovered you had been having an affair with Doreen, that was another big event that had to be cancelled. This family is jinxed.'
'Of course it isn't. How was I to know she would take it so badly?'
'What! After twenty-five years of marriage!' Gary's voice broke into a sob.
'Let's not go into all that again, Gary, please! Anyway it didn't last long with Doreen.'
'My God, dad, you always manage to conveniently miss the point.'
'My worry is what are we going to do now? It has all cost such a lot of money; you have received all those expensive presents. Oh, son, are you sure you don't want to marry Lisa?'
Tom brightened up. 'You won't be able to afford to keep the house on, neither will Lisa. It will be great having you living at home again, I can do with the company.'
Gary physically shuddered, his sobs becoming louder.
'What about your honeymoon to the Seychelles leaving on Tuesday? You won't get your money back, changing your mind won't count when it comes to a refund. Perhaps we can encourage doctor Clarke to sign a certificate to say he advises you do not travel due to an unforeseen illness. Of course you have to be careful that it isn't a pre-existing illness because they won't pay up.'
'Then of course,' continued Tom with just a hint of success of finding yet another hurdle. 'The ticket and passport is in Lisa's married name.'
Gary was amazed that his Father could think about these practical details at such an emotional time. He shouldn't be, Tom always was a devious devil, wheeling and dealing his way out of situations, usually with a wad of bank notes. Gary had no illusions about his father but loved him none the less.
'I know, I will go into the other room to 'phone Lisa's Mum and Dad, and don't even think of doing a runner!'
Twenty minutes later Tom returned to the room full of hope.
'They think it best if we go ahead with the wedding service . . .'
'I can't, I can't,' interrupted Gary.
'Listen to me son; go ahead with the wedding front of house, when we get to the back of the church, keep it just the bride and her parents, you, me and the vicar. We don't want anyone else to know our business. We will give an exceptional donation to the church, have a few drinks, then carry on as planned with no papers signed, so you won't be married.
'What does Lisa say?'
'They can't get a word out of her. She is sobbing her heart out. Between sobs she says she loves you and is sorry. Believe me Gary this is the best way, you can't disappoint 250 guests – it has all been paid for.'
If anyone noticed Lisa kept her face covered by the veil no one said. When having the photographs taken the breeze lifted the veil enough to take a misty record of the bride. Tom was convincing when he remarked, 'I hope our Gary can get rid of that damn cold soon!'
As friends began to arrive at the reception and Gary and Lisa bravely welcomed their guests, Tom wandered off to find the banqueting manager reading Luke Martin on his identification badge.
He peeled three £50 notes from his wallet as he said, 'I need your help Mr Martin. I would like you to make sure the bride and groom have their champagne glasses filled at all times and keep adding a drop of brandy.'
Luke thought of his moral responsibilities that rubbed alongside his banqueting ones.
'I am not sure it would be right to do that sir.'
Tom peeled another crisp noted from the pack. 'I would never play an embarrassing trick on my own son. I need your word Mr Martin that what I am about to tell you must be in the strictest confidence. You must never mention it to anyone now or later. Never.' If Tom had a copy of the official white paper he would have requested a signature.
He explained how the groom was upset about something, how they hadn't signed the papers in the vestry, how he couldn't wish for a better daughter-in-law and how Gary and Lisa were made for each other. They had bought a house three years ago and were very much in love. This was just a blip.
Mr Martin nodded and slipped the four £50 notes into his top pocket, determined to play his part to perfection in this most unusual role.
'Where have you been dad?' Gary looked anxious, needing his father's support.
'Just checking everything is right with the Manager, son, you can't rely on the best man these days.'
There was the buzz of conversation, family and friends meeting after a long time, exclamations of delight at the beautiful table arrangements, each course that was served whilst the wine flowed and flowed and flowed.
'You certainly did us proud choosing this menu son, lobster is coming next.' Gary put his arm around the back of Lisa's chair feeling calm and warm and so much better.
'The menu was Lisa's idea' he said proudly.
As the evening wore on Gary and Lisa were both feeling the same way as they always had about each other, and decided to return to their house as planned.
When alone Gary said, 'Shall we 'phone the vicar in the morning, see if he can marry us after the morning service?'
'He won't be able to, he won't have all the legal documents now,' said Lisa disappointedly.
The next morning at 7.30 am they were speaking to the Reverend Gordon West. 'We are hoping you can marry us after the morning service, no guests or family, just us; but I suppose you will not have the documentation will you?'
'Oh yes!' said the vicar, ' Your dad insisted I keep everything here until further notice, Gary.'
Gary laughed, 'The crafty old . . .!' Gary remembered in time he was speaking to the vicar.
Tom drove the excited young couple and his daughter-in-law's parents to the airport as arranged on the Tuesday morning. Taking his son aside privately he asked, 'What did Lisa say to you Gary?'
'She said we could never have children.'
Tom looked sad, 'I am sorry to hear that son.'
'In case they looked like me,' Gary continued. 'My nose is too big!'
Tom stared at Gary in amazement before throwing his head back allowing his body to shake with laughter.
'Oh Gary, you always were a great big sensitive lump. You are such a serious lad don't you know Lisa teases you, unmercifully sometimes?'
Tom hugged his son and daughter-in-law before waving them goodbye. 'I love you both so much,' said Tom bringing both tears and smiles to the bride and groom's faces.
Exactly nine months later a beautiful baby girl was born to Gary and Lisa, and it had the most amazing, cutest turned up nose . . . and they lived happily ever after.