Orna Mulcahy on people we all know
Blow-dry, canapés, shoes, champagne, collect cake, extra glasses, flowers, St Tropez top-up, tip the priest? Ask him to lunch? Mairead is awake at 6 a.m. going through a checklist for Zoe's Communion party and Oh My God is that rain she can hear on the Velux in the ensuite? Yes it is, lashing rain. That's great! The end of May and it's still raining, and three huge bouncy castles ready to be blown up on the back lawn. Where is she going to seat everyone if they can't put the tables out on the deck? Maybe the caterers could bring umbrellas and patio heaters?
It could clear up later - the weather forecast definitely said it would be up to 19 degrees today. But if it's too warm will Zoe get any wear out of the white beaded cardigan that cost €90 and seems to be pure polyester, or was that just a complete waste of money on top of the dress?
She does a mental tot of the guests and it's frightening - 72 adults and possibly 56 children, not counting themselves or the neighbours, or Mr Whippy, who is due to show up at four with ice creams for everyone. Sure as anything, the first 99 will land down the front of Zoe's dress. They mightn't all come. But they better, because otherwise it will be cold salmon for weeks, and that reminds her that she has to get more lemons. And gin. And did she leave the bag of cocktail sausages in the boot of the car last night?
Of course they could have gone for something low-key, or just taken Zoe to the zoo. But then her godparents are coming over from London specially, so they had to make an effort, and Jim seems to have invited half his office, and some clients she has never met, so really his firm should be covering some of the costs. She'd never have ordered Roederer if it was just family.
Anyway, they're not going to half the trouble that some people are. She's heard that one family from the school is hiring a 14-piece jazz band, and another is hosting the whole thing in the Four Seasons and staying over for the weekend. Personally, she thinks that's a bit vulgar.
Is it seven already? And the photographer coming at nine. And granny still to collect. She could nearly do with a drink right now, but that'll have to wait until after the church. At least the seating is alphabetical, after the débâcle last year, and being Burkes, they'll be near the front with a good view of Zoe getting her medal, or whatever it is they give them for Communions.
Twelve hours later the party is in full swing and Zoe has retired to her bedroom to count the money. Nearly €900! It's been a wild success. So much so that they all sleep it out the next morning and miss Mass.