Chapter 39
Brides by the Sea, St Aidan, Cornwall
Rocks, hard places and home truths
Friday
After the weekend I make it clear to everyone that I’ve had my first and last date – in the world, ever – and then we carry on at full speed.
We have another two lovely, tiny weddings with very sweet couples, one very young on Wednesday, the other in their seventies on Thursday, and as I rush between pick-ups and beach hut cleaning, I remind myself that once the autumn chill sets in the beach weddings will be over and I’ll have a whole winter ahead of me to catch up on my rest. I also spend a lot of the early hours lying awake thinking about how you know if you’re in love.
Of all the ridiculous things to lose sleep over! I am truly not that kind of woman.
As for being busy, we haven’t got as far as analysing which parts of the publicity are driving the interest, but there are so many brides wanting dresses that Tia and I are in the shop early Friday morning prepping for a day of appointments.
We’re checking through the dresses in the Seraphina East room, and as it’s only us here I finally seize the chance for a chat with Tia about what’s been driving me round the bend since the weekend.
‘Do you think a teenage crush could ever be love?’ I’m scooting round refilling the mother of the bride tissue holders when I ask that, then I stop and laugh.
‘Asking for a friend here, obviously. When Lando was pushing my buttons over the cream tea, he accused me of being in love but in denial, which I know is Lando bull, but it’s been buzzing round my brain ever since. ’
Tia pulls out a dress and shakes out the gauzy layers of tulle.
‘Unrealistic obsessions with strangers aren’t about love, but you and Lando weren’t like that.
My take is that you both fancied the pants of each other, but due to the age difference and the proximity, you held back.
’ She’s grinning at me as she carries on.
‘Just think, if you two had taken those intense emotions to relationship level back in the day you could easily have turned out like Thom and me.’
I’m shaking my head. ‘More likely we’d have torn each other to pieces within an hour.’
Tia raises her eyebrows. ‘What was that you said about denial?’ Her face softens. ‘It was obvious at the time that you were both crazy about each other.’
I sigh. ‘I had no idea he liked me.’
Tia shakes her head. ‘Of course he did. Why else did he hang out in your living room twenty-four-seven for ten years?’
My voice rises. ‘How come you never said this before?’
‘Probably because you never asked.’ Tia wrinkles her nose. ‘You didn’t talk about it, because it made you feel vulnerable.’
Thinking about it, once Nemmie arrived, I confessed about the night at the beach hut, but I didn’t talk a lot about having the hots for Lando before that because it seemed so hopeless and embarrassing.
Honestly, I’d have had more of a chance if I’d set my sights on Justin Bieber.
That’s how unattainable he was and still is.
It’s all irrelevant anyway. I’ve always known that if we’d done any more than hanging out while filling the dishwasher he’d have got bored of me in a nanosecond.
There’s a cough from the hall, and when we both whip round to look where it’s coming from there’s a figure in the doorway.
Tia gets her act together faster than me. ‘Athena! Lovely to see you. The doorbell usually rings as it opens. You’ve taken us by surprise!’
Athena’s dark gold waves are shining in a sun shaft. ‘Don’t worry, I did inadvertently catch a few words there, but nothing that made sense.’
I rush to explain. ‘I’m sorry if we seem unprofessional. My nine-year-old daughter sent me on my first date in ten years last weekend, and we were having a pre-work debrief.’
Athena’s face lights up. ‘That sounds fun!’
‘It was a disaster; there won’t be any more.’ I roll my eyes, then I hurry on. ‘You’re out bright and early, how can we help?’
Athena is clasping her hands together. ‘I know you’re super-busy, but I was passing unexpectedly and wondered if I could try some shoes before you open?’
Considering the amount she spent last visit, I’m guessing we’ll do anything she asks.
Tia smiles. ‘If you’re as decisive with shoes as you are with dresses, we can certainly squeeze you in.’ She leads the way to the end of the room and nods at the racks and glass cabinets. ‘These are a selection, see if there are any you like, and we can go from there.’
Athena nods enthusiastically. ‘Three or four pairs should take me through the day.’
I’m right behind her, fanning my face at the numbers. ‘We also have white wellies, and a selection of beach sandals too.’
Athena beams. ‘Let’s begin with those! Something flat, plain and silver please, suitable for sandy toes.’ She gives a sheepish glance. ‘I promise not to throw up this time. My tummy upset was a lot better once I took your colleague Poppy’s advice. She ran after me and suggested ginger tea.’
I’m sure she blamed it on a hangover at the time, but I’m here to reassure her, not judge. ‘Poppy doesn’t just make fabulous cakes; she also knows every trick in the book for reviving brides.’ I head towards the stacks of shoe boxes in the next room along. ‘You’re a size six, aren’t you?’
She nods, and I hurry away, knowing this is going to go at breakneck speed.
Half an hour later we’re putting the lids on the boxes for flat leather sandals, some exquisite ivory suede stiletto mules with a row of pearls across the foot strap, a beautiful pair of pale blue suede courts with ankle bows, and two pairs of fabulous silver sandals with block heels for dancing.
Athena slips her loafers back on and reaches for her bag. ‘When you’ve worked out how much I owe you, ring me, and I’ll pick up the shoes when I come for the dresses.’
‘Would you like a drink before you go?’ I offer.
She re-ties her hair in a scrunchie. ‘Some still water would be great, please.’
I career across the hall to the fridge, grab a bottle, and I’m dashing back across when I almost crash into Lando. I skid to a halt; he reaches out to steady me, and we end up in another Strictly lunge.
As he helps me back to vertical, I’m aware I’m in full view of our most VIP customer, looking completely unprofessional for a second time this morning.
I hiss at Lando, ‘We have a very important bride in the Seraphina East room.’
Lando laughs. ‘I know – my sister, Fifi.’ He frowns. ‘She is still here?’
I’m holding my ground. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you. Our customer’s name is Athena.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘Fifi only became Athena when she went to uni.’ He takes in my bewildered stare.
‘As a toddler she called herself Afena, which was naturally shortened to Fifi. She was all set to get married at Yeovil registry office, then I told her about your beach hut and she changed her plans. I came to see her last time she was in so I could introduce you, but she’d already left. ’
I’m trying to get my head round this when there’s a shout from next door. ‘We’re in here, Lando, I’m just about to leave.’
Lando tosses his head. ‘What did I tell you? She’s in perpetual motion!’
I follow Lando in, hand Athena her bottle of water, and he dangles a packet in front of her. ‘Sorry to barge in, Fi. You left your tea on my kitchen island.’
She catches his throw, and slips it into her bag. ‘Thanks for bringing it, we generation Z’s need our ginger.’
Lando grins at her. ‘You’re years too old to be one of those, Fi.’ He looks around at us. ‘Apologies for how late this is, but Tia and Maeve, meet my sister Fifi. She’s the one who shops for England, but if that’s her shoe box pile you already know that.’
Athena laughs. ‘Maeve and Tia make it very easy.’
Lando holds up his finger. ‘I won’t disturb you any longer. Now I’ve reunited you with your infusions, my only other job is to tell Maeve we’ll be leaving the harbour at five-thirty sharp on Sunday morning.’
I tilt my head. ‘Who’s we?’
‘You, me and the kids. We’re going on our second date.’
I’m startled but firm. ‘The dates are over, Lando.’
He raises a finger. ‘You had your turn. It’s only fair I get mine.’ His eyebrows go up. ‘This was the kids’ idea, and it’s happening whether you like it or not.’
Tia cuts in. ‘A dress code would be helpful?’
I give a snort. ‘I’m not wearing neon tulle again.’
Lando makes a zip gesture across his mouth. ‘I’m afraid I’m sworn to secrecy.’
‘At least give us some clues.’ Tia’s not giving up. ‘Is it a spa experience?’
I burst out. ‘Nothing where I have to strip off.’
Lando rubs his thumb along his jaw. ‘It’s not that. It’s tidal, which is why we need the early start, and it’s very exclusive.’
Tia pounces. ‘A champagne breakfast on the beach!’
‘It sounds like those Jack Vettriano pictures Mum used to like. What the hell am I going to wear for that?’
Tia’s voice is soothing. ‘What about your sparkly play suit and your silver Doc Martens? Then you’d be coastal yet dressy in a fun way.’
Lando grins. ‘Perfect choice. I’m already looking forward to that!’
‘How about you?’
He grins. ‘Don’t worry about me, Oliver’s always happy to help.’
Then he waves and he’s back in the hall. And this time, when he leaves, the doorbell rings loud and clear.
Athena laughs. ‘Lando won’t take no for an answer.
I should know; he was adamant about us changing our ceremony from Somerset to here, and me buying everything from the shop.
Which I haven’t minded at all, but you get the gist.’ She breaks off.
‘And before you say it, there are six of us kids in the family, and none of us looks anything like the others.’
I’m looking at her through narrowed eyes. ‘There’s definitely a resemblance.’ Then it hits me: she and Lando both have that identical attitude of unquestioning certainty, as if they were varnished with self-belief at birth.
Her smile widens. ‘It’s been lovely to meet you at last. The second you said your name was Maeve, I understood why Lando has refused every hot friend we’ve ever thrown in his direction. We knew he’d been hanging on for someone; we just never knew quite who.’
I can’t believe what I’m hearing! I’d never have had the courage to contradict a Nancarrow in the past, but I can’t let that go.
‘Lando was more my brother Sav’s friend than mine, so I’m not sure you’re right about that one.’
Athena brushes away my protest. ‘Let’s wait and see. Knowing how determined Lando is, you might want to be open to changing your mind.’
I’m opening my mouth to protest even more loudly, but then I catch Tia’s look and close it again.
Tia beams. ‘Anything could happen, so watch this space!’
I can hear Nemmie berating me for letting that go. ‘We’re usually less reliant on clichés, Athena.’
She leans towards us and grasps my hand. ‘Whatever the reason Lando’s here, we Nancarrows are all grateful to you and Sav for bringing him back. He’s been estranged from my parents for many years, and now he’s finally part of the family again, it’s a great relief to all of us.’
I have to be honest. ‘I’ve played no part in this personally, but I’m happy it’s working out for you.’
She squeezes my fingers harder. ‘We’ll be able to thank you better at the wedding!’
I nod. ‘We’re always there in the background on the beach, checking the ice cream turns up at the right moment.’ I’m not going to scratch the surface of what else can go wrong, but most things are solvable.
She laughs. ‘Of course.’ Then she claps her hands. ‘I’m sorry, my head is all over the place. I was about to leave without the main thing I came in to ask about!’
Tia pats her arm. ‘Don’t worry, that’s what it’s like being a bride.’
She bites her lip. ‘When I was here last time, there was a gorgeous jacket on the rail…’
I nod. ‘There was. There still is.’ It’s exquisite white leather with a price tag so huge it fries my brain, but it’s obviously worth every penny if you can afford it.
Her face lights up. ‘If it fits, I’d like to take that too.’
Tia’s already slipping it off the hanger and onto Athena’s gym-toned arms. A couple of twists in front of the full-length gilt mirror, and it’s back on the hanger, Athena’s out on the street, and Tia and I are standing staring at each other.
Tia looks at her phone. ‘Well, how weird was that? And it’s still not nine o’clock.’
I’m picking up the shoe boxes. ‘At least that explains how she was spending like there was no tomorrow, and where Nemmie got her burnished blonde curls from.’ I’m trying to make sense of it all. ‘For a loaded person she is very nice.’
Tia blinks. ‘She had some very interesting takes on Lando too.’
‘As for Lando and his second date’—I shake my head—‘at least in the garden, I was on safe ground.’ I screw up my face, because the more I think about it, the more I despair. ‘How the hell am I going to handle a daybreak champagne breakfast?’