Writing for Fun
October 2015
The Secret Garden Party - Reg Pound
It was my sister's idea.
She's younger than me. Just coming out of her teen years and still suffering a sentimental age. Unlike her, I'd got over that stage before becoming a teenager.
I think I probably took after our parents. They were not emotional; I think the hardship of their early lives had knocked romance and sentiment out of them. Christmas and Birthdays were celebrated more in a sense of tradition rather than affectionately.
Cathy, that's my sister, reckoned that this year, based on my age, would be their 25th wedding anniversary. They themselves had never celebrated their anniversary and it wasn't something that ever cropped up. Cathy and I thought that it may have been because I was due that was the reason for their marriage and that most likely duty rather than romance was the determining factor.
There used to be two wedding photographs hung in their hall. More like snapshots really rather than professional portraiture. One was just the two of them. Dad looking quite smart in a three piece suit and a bow tie. I think he must have borrowed the tie – I've seen no evidence of his wearing it since. And Mum looking rather glamorous in a three quarter length wedding dress. The other photograph of them both in front of a church with a group of people behind them.
Years ago, when we asked who the group were, we were just told 'friends and neighbours'. And that the church was in Hickling, a small village in Norfolk, where they used to live before moving down to Wanstead near London, which they did just before I was born and where they have lived ever since.
Those photos have long since been replaced by one of me getting my degree and one of Cathy, with her school netball team. Cathy was Captain and she got to hold the Cup won in a National Championship.
Cathy and Mary, that's my partner, decided that because Mary and I had a house in Chingford, not far from Wanstead, it would be ideal to hold a celebration at our place. It would be easy to keep it a secret and they would hire a marquee for the garden. All this was planned without consulting me. What chance did I stand against a sister and a partner? I decided to let them get on with it. I would keep my head down.
Both Cathy and Mary were good organisers so the mechanics of arranging the marquee, food and drink was easy for them; I just had to pay.
The more difficult step was who to invite. Mum and Dad's neighbours were obvious and a couple of their work colleagues we had met would be fine. Also friends from Mum's book club and Dad's gardening group would be good.
Mary's father and mother were a must, although they were rather embarrassed by us – Mary and I not being married. They felt awkward if anyone asked them how long we had been married, as people may well do at an anniversary party. Still, worry about that if and when.
As a nice surprise Cathy wanted to invite as many family and old friends as possible who had been at their wedding 25 years ago.
The snag was she couldn't find any. We couldn't ask Mum and Dad directly, that would give the game away.
In the past questions as to who had been in their wedding photograph met with the reply – 'Just friends' and a change of subject.
Cathy, who had a dramatic imagination, reckoned that they had been relocated in a witness protection scheme and so they had lost their original identity. I said, perhaps a party would blow their cover. 'Don't be daft,' she said, as if the idea had been mine in the first place. That's sisters for you.
In the end she got on with the invitations without any old friends or family.
The day for the party arrived. We had kept the secret well. Mum and Dad were coming over to us at 3 o'clock believing they were coming to a celebratory tea to commemorate Cathy getting an article published in a fashion magazine. She'd been trying for several months.
Other guests were due to arrive an hour before so we would keep our fingers crossed that all would go well. If Mum and Dad were annoyed, hopefully they would be tactful enough not to let it show in front of everyone. The opinion of others was always a concern to them both.
In order to get the initial surprise out of the way and to explain everyone's presence, we decided – or rather Cathy and Mary instructed me – to make a speech and give a toast before food with our first drinks. So as soon as Mum and Dad arrived, I, having been plied with enough liquid refreshment, rose to my feet.
'Friends one and all, please make sure you have a full glass of whatever drink you prefer. The only couple who do not know why we are here today is me and Cathy's Mum and Dad.
'So everyone please join me in a toast to Fred and Sue and congratulate them on their silver wedding anniversary. Mum, Dad, good health and congratulations.
'Now everybody, please tuck in. Have some more refreshment – my posh name for booze – while Mum and Dad get over the shock. I will say a few more words after you have eaten.'
'Well fed? Now for a few more words from me.
'Mum, Dad, I hope you have got over the shock and forgive Cathy and me for swinging this surprise party on you. It was Cathy's idea but I – unusually – am pleased to take my share of the blame. We appreciate the you have always been very private persons, and we respect that, but we each felt we would like to say thanks for your many years together and for the many sacrifices you have made in bringing us up. You have always encouraged us to go our own way and given helpful guidance to do this, even if we have disagreed.
'One thing we are sorry about today is that we could not trace any of the family or friends who were at your marriage 25 years ago. We thought it might be nice for you to meet up again. But we hope that isn't too disappointing.
'And now for another surprise. As most of you know Mary and I have been living together for the last few years, which, although more acceptable now than in the old days, we have decided to become conventional and marry. So this afternoon we have a Registrar coming who will perform the ceremony and make a respectable son and daughter-in-law for you.
'And now, Dad, you can reply to our toast, and perhaps propose one to Mary and me.'
'Hallo everyone. Sue and I are still getting over the shock. Hang on while I have another brandy . . . That's better.
'Short and sweet. Not me but my dear partner, Susan, and my reply. Thank you for all your good wishes and kind thoughts.
'I knew something funny was going on when Pete asked if he could borrow a few hundred pounds.
'I must now tell you something that has been troubling Sue and I for the last 25 years and which we have been putting off for all that time.
'Sue and I are not married. When we found that Peter was on the way our families were shocked and effectively threw us out of home. As we lived in a small village the shame was too much for the family to bear. So we moved here down south where we were not known.
'Our two wedding photographs, which many of you would have seen, were snapshots taken to show some evidence of our marriage: one of just Sue and I posing in borrowed clothes and one of us outside a Church, was taken at the church in old Harlow at someone else's wedding. The guests there thought it strange that we had turned up as if it were our ceremony. Since then there never seemed a right time to actually wed.
'But now Sue and I have decided to make respectable children of Cathy and Pete by asking the Registrar, who Peter and Mary have arranged, to marry Susan and me as well.
'We can then celebrate a double wedding.'