The music in the background
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OLIVER TROUGHTON, 39, stands nervously adjusting his tie in front of a mirror with the music being tested in the main bar being heard clearly. His aunt CELIA TROUGHTON, 60s, watches him with a mixture of pride and concern. Uncle WILFRED TROUGHTON, 65, sits in an armchair, reading a newspaper but occasionally glancing up at Oliver.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(to himself)
Deep breaths, Oliver. Deep breaths.
CELIA TROUGHTON
(approaching Oliver)
You look dashing, dear. Kathy won't know what hit her.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(forcing a smile)
Thanks, Aunt Celia. I just hope I don't pass out before I make it down the aisle.
WILFRED TROUGHTON
(lowering his newspaper)
Nonsense, boy. Troughtons don't faint. We stand tall, even when our knees are knocking.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
I'm not sure the Troughton constitution was built for second marriages.
CELIA TROUGHTON
(patting Oliver's arm)
Now, now. This isn't like your wedding to Lucy. You and Kathy, it's different. Special.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(nodding)
You're right. It's just... last time, with Lucy, I knew her parents. Pat and Walter were like second parents to me. But Malcolm and Caroline...
WILFRED TROUGHTON
(interrupting)
Malcolm thinks the world of you, Oliver. He told me to himself at the engagement party he didn't hide the fact.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(surprised)
He did?
CELIA TROUGHTON
Of course he did. Caroline treats you like a son already because of your dedication to Kathy.
The door bursts open, and CALEB TROUGHTON, 25, Oliver's cousin, enters with a wide grin.
CALEB TROUGHTON
The man of the hour! How're you holding up, cuz?
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(wryly)
Oh, you know. I'm just contemplating a quick escape through the bathroom window.
CALEB TROUGHTON
(laughing)
Classic Oliver humour. But seriously, you've got this. Kathy's amazing, and her whole family adores you.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(softening)
They are pretty great, aren't they? Even Rhiannon's warmed up to me.
CELIA TROUGHTON
Speaking of family... Oliver, dear, are you sure about...
She trails off, but everyone knows she's referring to Andrew.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(expression hardening)
Andrew's not welcome here. Not after what he did and not on a momentous day like today, I've got enough stress.
WILFRED TROUGHTON
(nodding gravely)
He betrayed the family and tried to get you sent to prison... that's beyond the pale, even for him.
CALEB TROUGHTON
I still can't believe he did that. His own brother.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(bitterly)
Well, that's Andrew for you. He's always looking out for number one no matter who gets hurt like Luther, who is a jailbird.
A moment of tense silence follows. Then, a knock at the door. MALCOLM BATES, Kathy's father pokes his head in.
MALCOLM BATES
How's my future son-in-law doing?
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(nervously)
Mr. Bates! I mean, Malcolm. I'm... I'm good.
MALCOLM BATES
(entering fully, smiling)
You don't look good, son. You look terrified, scared out of your skin.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(laughing nervously)
That obvious, huh?
MALCOLM BATES
(placing a hand on Oliver's shoulder)
I was the same way when I married Caroline. But let me tell you something, Oliver. The moment I saw her walking down that aisle, all the nerves just... disappeared.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(touched)
Thank you, Malcolm. That means a lot.
MALCOLM BATES
You're family now, Oliver. Or you will be in about an hour. Now, what do you say we get you to that church? Before you die of nervousness.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(taking a deep breath)
Yes. Yes, let's do this.
As they start to file out, Oliver pauses and looks back at the room.
OLIVER TROUGHTON (CONT'D)
You know, five years ago, I thought I'd never get married again. After Lucy...
CELIA TROUGHTON
(softly)
Life has a funny way of surprising us, dear. Especially a Scarborough woman marrying a man from Wimbledon and especially when the brides mother was born in Lowestoft.
MALCOLM BATES
How do you know that?
CELIA TROUGHTON:
i have that instinct. You can tell a Southerner from a mile away. I've got a gift.
OLIVER TROUGHTON
(nodding)
She sure does. And I couldn't be happier about this surprise. From tonight, Kathy will be a Troughton, and I'll be a son-in-law once again.
With a final adjustment of his tie, Oliver follows the others out of the room, ready to start his new life with Kathy.
YOU ARE READING
Masefield Avenue: Episode 14,431
General FictionIt's the 20th August 1999 it's Oliver and Kathy's wedding day, which brings the entire community together apart from the selected few
