Chapter Five
Arms linked, Lucy and I stroll down the high street, smiling and nodding at the passersby.
We’re going for lunch with the other bridesmaids, and to say I’m feeling fairly sick at the notion would be an understatement.
These are Lucy’s new friends from her new life - successful, smart women who she’s probably grown way closer with than she is with me, considering we only manage to see each other a few times a year.
That’s not even to mention how much Lucy has been singing their praises in the last few days; let’s just say, I’m a tad intimidated.
As we drew nearer to the tea room where we’ll be meeting these others, I decide to distract myself with another issue that’s been playing on my mind.
‘So listen, I’ve been thinking about the house situation,’ I begin, staring down at my feet.
At my side, Lucy stiffens. ‘What about it?’
‘I just think you should get it sorted before you and Alex get married, it’s only going to complicate everything the longer you leave it.’
‘I will, I’ve said.’
‘Yeah, but the wedding is so soon, and you really want to get it all sorted out before then.’
‘Look, I don’t want to get into this right now,’ Lucy snaps, rather uncharacteristically. ‘Let’s just have a nice day, okay?’
I pick at my nails, nodding like a child who’s just been told off. ‘Okay.’ Clearing my throat, I attempt to change the subject. ‘So, what do these girls do, again?’ I ask breezily, hoping the cheerful tone will conceal my anxiety. ‘Lottie’s a dressmaker, right?’
‘More than that, she used to work for Haus of Hélène , can you believe that?’
My breath catches in my throat. ‘No, I can’t.’
‘Mel’s a nurse at Lavender Fields, you know, the retirement community where Alex’s mum lives. And as for Holly, she and her dad Bill own the Cosy Little Tearoom, the place we’re grabbing lunch. You’ve been there before with me and met her, right?’
‘Yeah, once or twice.’
‘And Ruth is an illustrator, she’s done the covers for all of my books.’
I suppress my gulp, acid burning my throat. ‘Right.’
As our heels tap in unison on the cobblestones, my tummy gurgles.
How am I supposed to stand before these women and talk about work and relationships and life - when I have literally none of those things?
I’m unemployed, I’ve never had a serious boyfriend and as for a life, well, I don’t have one of those anymore, not now that I’ve temporarily left the city and can’t afford to squander my savings on clubbing.
Are there even any clubs around here? There’s the pub, sure, but I reckon the nearest nightclub is probably in Gladeswood, and I bet it’s not a patch on the sort of places I frequent in London.
Although I must admit, going out and dancing until my feet have blisters has started to lose its lustre lately, and I don’t think it’s just because I’m now well into my thirties.
All too soon, the Cosy Little Tearoom appears before us.
Despite the fact I’ve seen it plenty of times before, I’m always charmed by its pale pink interior, its round wooden tables with mismatched chairs and eclectic vases of posies, and of course, its resident pooch, Puddles the golden Labrador.
He usually greets guests with a friendly lick and slobber, but he’s currently napping behind the counter, one ear twitching as he dozes.
Lucy leads me over to a table at the back of the tearoom where four women are in the midst of a jovial conversation. Holding my breath, I clutch Lucy’s arm tighter, as if I’m afraid she’s about to dash off and leave me by myself. As we approach, they each look up from their pastries and smile.
‘Ah great, you’re all here! Alicia, this is Holly, Mel, Ruth and Lottie,’ Lucy announces. ‘Lottie’s making my wedding dress, isn’t that great?’
Biting the inside of my cheeks, I survey the women before me, my eyes settling on the redhead.
So this is Lottie - Lucy’s new best friend.
She’s depressingly beautiful with thick lengths of auburn hair that cascade down her back and when she opens her mouth to speak, the most delightful, tuneful French accent comes out.
‘It’s so great to meet you finally, Alicia.’
I’d imagined she’d be snotty and stuck-up, but the smile on her face looks genuine, and I allow my tense shoulders to loosen up a little.
Ruth nods. ‘Yeah, Lucy’s told us so much about you.’
Oh God, I daren’t ask what she’s said, I doubt it will be anything particularly impressive. Trying out a sweet simper, I take the spare seat. ‘It’s so lovely to meet you all, too.’
‘We got you your favourite, Luce.’ Grinning, Mel pushes a steaming mug toward Lucy. ‘And for you, Alicia, well, it’s customary for visitors to try one of the tearoom’s famous Cosy Combos.’
My head tilts to one side. ‘Cosy Combos?’
Eagerly, Holly nods. ‘It was Rachel’s idea, our baker.
I’m really into flavoured teas and coffees, so we put our heads together and came up with a few cake and drink combinations that complement each other.
’ She gestures to the polka-dotted plate and double-walled glass mug filled with bright pink liquid placed before me.
‘This is the dragon fruit tea and rose macaroon combo.’
I feel a little self-conscious as they all watch me lift the mug and take a sip.
It’s so delicately sweet, so indulgent that I can’t help but release a contented mmm as I go in for another sip.
The macaroon is the perfect fluffy yet crisp texture, and though rose sounds like an odd flavour, it actually tastes delicious.
‘Nice, yeah?’ Arms folded in self-satisfaction, Holly leans back in her chair. ‘On the house.’
‘Oh, just lovely!’ I take another appreciative bite of my macaroon. ‘Thanks, Holly!’
‘Right, let’s get down to business.’ Mel reaches into her bag and pulls out a fluffy pink planner. ‘I pilfered this from Gracie, she got it two Christmasses ago from her auntie and never used it, so I figured it could be our bridesmaid’s planner.’
‘Aw, Mel!’ Lucy chuckles and squeezes the ebony-haired woman’s hand. ‘You’re so cute.’
Mel shrugs. ‘I try. So, I thought we could discuss the hen first?’
Shaking her head, Lucy covers her ears. ‘No, no, I don’t want to hear anything about it! If you want to talk about the hen, you’ll have to take it up with Alicia, she’s in charge of planning it.’
Heat pools beneath my cheeks as they turn to look at me. ‘Erm, yeah, I’m totally on top of it,’ I grin sheepishly.
‘Well, if you need any help, let us know,’ Holly says. ‘Okay, if we’re not discussing the hen party, shall we get onto bridesmaids dresses? I know you had a colour scheme picked out already, didn’t you, Luce?’
‘Yep, earth tones like terracotta and burnt orange. I’m not set on a style yet, though.’ She smiles at Lottie. ‘And don’t worry, Lotts, I’m not expecting you to make them.’
‘Phew!’ Lottie mimes swiping sweat from her brow. ‘I was going to say it’s a tall order to expect four bridesmaids’ dresses and a wedding dress in two months, on top of all my other orders.’
‘I wouldn’t do that to you!’ Lucy laughs and picks up her mug in both hands. ‘I thought maybe we could go to Gladeswood sometimes and look at the big department store there, see if we can find something decent.’
‘I’m down,’ Mel says. ‘Does this weekend work? I’ll have to bring Grace another day to pick out a flower girl dress, she’s with her dad. It’ll be easier to shop for us big girlies without her, though.’
‘If we go on Sunday, I can make it,’ Lottie says as she searches through her phone’s calendar.
‘Me too.’ Holly nods.
‘Count me in.’ Ruth looks at me. ‘What about you, Alicia?’
Once again, all eyes focus on me. How much has Lucy told her friends about my current situation - do they know I’m an unemployed loser, or are they assuming I’m just as competent and productive as they are?
My throat runs dry, all fluid in my body seemingly collecting under my armpits. Oh God, I hope I don’t start to smell.
‘Erm, yeah,’ I reply breezily, tossing my long hair over my shoulder. ‘I can do this weekend.’
And any weekend after that, and the weekdays too. Now I don’t have a job, or even a home to get to, I’m free as a bird.
‘Great!’ Mel starts scribbling in the diary. ‘We’ll meet at Parksons at ten o’clock on Sunday.’
We spend the rest of lunch going over Lucy’s mood boards, gushing over her chosen colours and making suggestions.
After a while, I begin to feel more at ease with these girls - they aren’t the scary, snobby country bumpkins I’d been picturing, they are actually really nice.
Still, I should have expected as much, I mean, it’s not like Lucy’s changed that much since moving away, of course she’d pick out decent mates.
Mel checks her watch and grimaces. ‘Oh damn, the time has just flown by! I’ve got to get back to the care home, I’ll see you guys this weekend, okay?’
‘No, I’ll be seeing you tomorrow,’ Lucy reminds her. ‘For book club, yeah?’
‘Of course! But the rest of you, see you Sunday!’
We all wave goodbye as Mel sashays out of the door, a fresh croissant in hand.
‘I should probably get back to work too,’ Lottie admits. ‘I’ve got so much to do and not nearly enough time.’
‘No problem, Leesh and I will walk you back to the shop.’ Lucy pushes herself up from her seat. ‘Coming, Ruth?’
‘Nah, I’m going to hang out here for a while.’ She pulls her laptop from a case under the table. ‘Got some emails to get back to.’
‘No worries, see you on Sunday, and you too, Holly.’
‘See you then, guys!’
Lottie, Lucy and I stroll down the street and before too long, we’re outside a shop named Belle of the Ball.
In its window stand three mannequins dressed in silky gowns of cyan, lilac and mint.
They are just beautiful - each adorned with intricate beading and shimmery skirts that fall perfectly, pooling in elegant trains on the ground.
‘Did you make those, Lottie?’ I stare through the glass, entranced.
Somewhat shyly, she ducks her head. ‘Yes, I did.’
Lucy nudges me in the side. ‘Now you can see why I trust her to make my wedding dress.’
Giggling modestly, Lottie holds up her hands. ‘Oh shush, you’ll give me a big head!’
‘Not likely.’ Scoffing, Lucy folds her arms with a playful smirk. ‘You’re the worst at taking compliments, I swear. Anyway, we’ll see you Sunday.’
‘See you,’ Lottie says as she pulls out her door key. ‘Bye, Alicia, great to meet you!’
I bob my head in an ungainly pantomime of a nod. ‘Oh, erm - nice to meet you too!’
Ugh … what is it about these gorgeous, confident women that makes me lose all of my social skills?
Back at Lucy’s home, while she gets on with her work, I hole up in my bedroom, brooding.
I’m sure I must have made a horrible first impression, and it’s such a shame.
The bridesmaids are lovely, so funny and welcoming that I feel sort of embarrassed for expecting the worst. Even Lottie, whom I’ll admit, I was most dreading to meet, is a total sweetheart and impossible to dislike.
Still, it’s hard not to feel a little displaced, as childish as it seems. I know Lucy is still my bestie - she wouldn’t have asked me to be her maid of honour if I wasn’t - but we’re from different worlds now.
She’s part of this close-knit, cutesy village community, she’s no longer a city-dwelling party girl like me.
Oh well, maybe I can bring the party to Lily Vale via the hen night …
Inspired, I grab my laptop from under the bed and search the web for inspiration. Come hell or high water, Lucy Middleton is going to have the best hen party in the history of hen parties - I personally guarantee it!