Chapter 4
'Miss Wolfe everything ok?' Henrik asked suddenly, he was getting frustrated with the fidgeting women by his side, he was trying to concentrate on the drive ahead of them.
'Um...ekk..ah...yeah. GOT IT!' Bernie was bent over, wriggling around in the passenger seat. 'Sorry, sorry I was trying to get my heels back on.' She pulled out the trainers and chucked them on the back seat.
'I see!' He said raising his eyebrow. 'Well are you settled now?'
'Yes. Yes. Sorry, I'll sit still.' She smiled softly, only a second had passed when she started to fidget once more, tugging on the jacket sleeves, and moving her hair about.
'Bernie! Why don't you do that once you actually get to the hotel?' He said drily.
'Sorry, sorry. nerves.' She looked wistfully out the car window, focusing on the traffic in the opposite lane.
'I hadn't noticed until now Miss Wolfe, but you say sorry a lot?'
'I've had to...'
'Oh...?'
'I have made far too many mistakes in my life...saying sorry has become second nature..' She was still staring out the window, trying to stop the tears welling up, she didn't want to cry, not now anyway.
Henrik coughed, clearing his throat.'You still feel guilty about leaving last year! That's not a question by the way, it's a statement. Maybe I should apologise a bit about that one, after all I offered you that job. I mean I want to say I hadn't realised about you and Miss Campbell, Serena, but that would be a lie. I had realised, but I couldn't see it ending well...not then anyway. Don't look so shocked, I know, knew everything that was going on in that damned hospital. Perils of being it's captain.' He smiled at her.
Bernie had whipped her head around to look at him and was staring at him mouth a gasp. 'It was that obvious?'
'Yes it was that obvious...'
***
Back at the hotel, guests were milling about, whilst some were already seated, looking at their phones anxiously or chatting.
Cameron was upstairs in the room meant for Bernie to get ready in, Morven had gone to check on Raf and the rest of the guests.
'Sure taking their time...'
'I told you Cameron, they are slow at everything.' Jason grinned. 'I don't understand relationships. They are very confusing, but I think I understand they love each other, but they both get scared?' Jason wanted to understand better and was hoping Cameron would help him out.
'I think you are right mate.' Cameron shoved his hands in his suit pockets and wondered back over to the window, you could see the car park from the room, but there was still no sign of his mum or Serena. 'Still no sightings of mum...' he huffed.
'Cameron, I love Auntie Bernie, I love Auntie Serena. Bernie wouldn't let her down would she?'
'My mum has done many things wrong in the past mate. However I think this is the real deal this time.'
'Real deal?' Jason had walked over to the window and was now watching out for them along side Cameron.
'I do find this hard, I mean she is my mum and I love my father, but...mum truly looks happier now than I have ever seen her.' Cameron was finding it hard to articulate what he was trying to say, he truly liked Serena Campbell, but he felt bad about how cut up his father was about the whole situation. 'I wish she had just told us all the truth sooner...'
'Do you love Dr Morven?'
Cameron laughed, and choked on his own words.'What's that got to do with anything?' He stammered out.
'You are scared...if that was a boy would you be more scared or less?' He quizzed, not really sure what answer he was looking for.
'Jason I don't think...' He stopped, he thought for a second and then carried on. 'Ah I get you...I thought you said you didn't understand relationships?' Cameron patted Jason on the back. He did get him, his mother must have been terrified falling for Alex and then when she fell again for Serena, straight as a die Serena. That's why she hid the truth.
'I don't, I find them puzzling. Bernie said that once. The day I locked them in the office. She said relationships are puzzling, I remember.'
Jason was mimicking Cameron now, both watching out the window, both had their hands in their pockets. Standing side, by side.
'I still can't believe you locked them in, I bet your Auntie Serena was furious at first?' Cameron smirked, remembering back to the dinner they had all had around at Serena's and Bernie telling the story of how Jason had locked them in. She had seemed grateful for that little extra nudge to tell the truth, to be honest and open.
'They were being too slow. They were never going to tell each other that they loved one another. Fletch helped me with the plan.' Jason stated calmly, like it was the most obvious solution to that problem.
'Right, right yes.' He agreed. 'Look mate, I wanted to say.' They turned to face one another, Cameron put his left hand on Jason's shoulder, 'We're going to family now...if you ever need anything, I'm always around. Also if you ever want time away from Mum and Auntie Serena, you know where my flat is...I love a bit of QI.' he smiled warmly.
'Thanks.' Jason said simply.
They both jumped at the sound of screeching tyres from below. 'Looks like someone is here at least.' They were both pressed up against the glass looking down at the entrance, where the car had pulled up suddenly.
***
Bernie turned to her driver, 'I can't thank you enough Henrik, thank you for getting me here. Thank you for sending me away, you gave me time to think and know what I really wanted, you have no idea what you have done for me...for me and Serena.'
'It was my pleasure.' He nodded.
Bernie hurriedly lent in kissing him on the cheek, Henrik not used to much physical contact flinched slightly. She jumped out the car and without looking back, she ran up the few steps in front of the hotel and legged it inside, not sure what to expect.
'You are here, finally Miss Wolfe.' Morven laughed, 'We've all been waiting for you.'
'Yes I know...' Bernie was dishevelled once more. Not really giving off the bride to be look.
'Serena isn't here yet, so don't panic. Come on.' Morven took Bernie by the arm, 'Come with me, the boys are upstairs and you can finish getting ready.'
'Is Charlotte here?' She asked nervously, looking around the lobby.
'She is, she is helping Raf, entertaining the guests. Jac Naylor is making the most of antagonising Raf as much as possible I think.'
'She is here though, she is here!' she exclaimed with uncertainty at first, ending on a note of relief.
'Come on' Morven tugged at her arm once more. They bounded up the staircase to the second floor. Morven talking quickly with excitement the whole time.'Charlotte is here, Jason and Cameron are upstairs waiting, friends, most the hospital in fact, Elinor I believe she has wondered off somewhere...Serena isn't here yet. So gives you time to look more glamorous. I must say Bernie, you look good in a tux, didn't want to go for the traditional gown? Suppose you aren't that traditional?' Morven was rambling with excitement, but Bernie found it comforting so let her carry on, not interrupting her as she struggled up the stairs in the black heels she had slipped back on in the car. 'What was Mr Hanssen like as your chauffeur? Give you any pearls of wisdom? That man always seemed so wise to me...oh here we are your room.' Morven had the keycard and whipped it out her small purple clutch bag, which matched her dress perfectly. 'I was expecting you both to arrive together?' She inquired turning back to Bernie as she fiddled with the key card.
'She went with Ric, I didn't want to see her dress until...you know.'
Morven nodded with understatement, finally she worked out the key and the door lock clicked open.
'Look who I found in the lobby, wondering around like a lost sheep.' She grinned. Pushing the hotel door open and letting Bernie into the room.
'Mum! Finally.' Cameron out stretched his arms and walked over to her, giving her a big hug. 'We weren't worried mate were we?' He turned back to Jason as he let go of his Mum.
'Come here Jason, I need a hug off of my favourite boy.' Bernie moved into the room more and closed the door behind her.
'Oi, thanks Mum...you look great by the way, loving the tux, very you.'
'Very glam.' Morven added. Beaming with a smile.
Jason looked uneasy and frowned, 'You do love Auntie Serena?' He was still stood by the window.
Bernie looked around the room of expectant faces, 'What's this about Jason?' she turned to Cameron hoping for a clue. He shrugged.
'I need to make sure you are not going to hurt my Auntie Serena and then I can give you a hug. I have to protect her.'
'Yes you do.' She smiled, 'Yes you do, and so do I...I love her Jason, remember you helped show me that. Sorry I'm late, sorry the whole day is a mess and probably has made you feel very uneasy. Think your Auntie Serena and I both had our issues this morning and that's why we ended up working. Operating, it's what we know best. How to be in that theatre space. However, that doesn't mean...look I will look after her and you, I promise.'
Jason shuffled between his feet and was looking at the floor. He glanced up at her and beamed, 'Good, I'll look after you both as well.'
'Good, I'm very glad to have you on my side. Now do I get a hug?'
'Yes...' Jason lurched forward and wrapped his arms tightly around his Auntie Bernie.
'Now all we need is Serena' Cameron chimed in jokingly.
'But where is she, I thought she'd be here by now?' Bernie challenged as she broke free from Jason.
'I don't know Mum...'