Chapter Sixteen
It certainly doesn’t feel like a regular Monday morning, not with Lucy racing around the house in her dressing gown, whooping and cheering as she dips in and out of every room.
‘Eek, I’m so excited!’ Finally making it to my bedroom, she dances a merry jig in place, punching the air with both fists. ‘I can’t wait for you to see my dress.’
‘Nor can I.’ I swallow down my prideful fear and sit up in bed, hugging my knees to my chest. ‘Erm, can I ask you something?’
Lucy stops spinning and looks at me, her smile falling.
‘As long as it’s not about Alex, I haven’t spoken to him since we had lunch yesterday!
He was only there for half an hour and then he said he had to go and meet his mother.
Speaking of Phyllis, I haven’t been to the book club at Lavender Field in a fortnight, I’ve been so busy, and I feel ever so guilty.
Maybe you and I could go this Wednesday? ’
‘Maybe.’ Clearing my throat, I push myself off the bed. ‘Luce, did you enjoy your hen party?’
‘Oh Leesh, it was brilliant! Everything from the Cosy Little Tearoom to that ah-mah-zing massage. And the stripper? That was a stroke of genius!’ She claps her hands. ‘You’ll have to give me her number, I should hire her for my first wedding anniversary!’
Baffled, I stare at her, searching for a trace of sarcasm. ‘Really?’
‘Are you joking? She was incredible! So sexy and cool, what a great idea to have a girl come and dance for us, it really made the night different from all the other hen parties I’ve been to.’
Stunned, I can only repeat my single-word question. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah.’ Bemused, Lucy squints at me. ‘Why is that so surprising?’
‘Because -’ I cut myself off, deciding to forgo the confession. After all, if I let Lucy know I hadn’t meant to hire Ash, she could lose trust in me as her maid of honour. ‘Oh, because I started to worry that you might have preferred a male stripper, that’s all.’
Lucy shakes her head. ‘Sure, the eye candy would have been nice, but that’s what everyone has on their hen night, isn’t it? I’m glad you went outside the box, no one will forget it in a hurry!’
‘Yeah, especially not your aunt.’
Lucy splutters. ‘Oh God, wasn’t she a boring old spoilsport? Imagine throwing a wobbler like that over a nice pair of boobs! Honestly, seeing her turn her nose up was the icing on the cake for me.’
‘But was your mum okay?’ I chew at the delicate skin around my thumb. ‘Maybe I should call her, I’d hate it if I’ve offended her.’
‘Oh, Mum’s fine! She’s a bit old fashioned, so I don’t think she really got it, but she’s not a stuck-up snob like her sister. I think she just felt she had to look after Auntie Jen, you know?’
I have no choice but to take Lucy’s word for it, yet I still feel horribly bothered by the whole thing. I can only hope that the bridesmaids truly did have a good time as well, I mean, it did seem as though they were having a blast. If not, well, it’s going to be very awkward seeing them today.
We meet the girls and Lucy’s mum just outside Belle of the Ball, where Lottie is waiting with the key to open up the shop. To my great relief, each of the bridesmaids compliment me on what a great job I did organising the event.
‘If I ever get married again, I know who I’m calling to handle my hen!’ Mel says, jovially nudging me with her shoulder as we’re ushered into the dress shop.
Even Gina doesn’t seem cross with me, she smiles her sweet, slightly shy smile as we take our places on the cream boucle chaise lounge, waiting for Lucy and Lottie to emerge from behind the blue velvet curtain, where they are getting her into her wedding dress.
‘What do you think it will be like?’ whispers Holly.
Ruth puzzles over the question, her eyes flicking up to the ceiling. ‘Hm, I reckon she’s gone for a modern, minimalist gown,’ she says. ‘You know, satin and sleek with very little embellishment.’
‘Ooh no, I bet she’s had something with a bit of bling. Not too much, mind, maybe a bit of diamante detailing on the bodice with some glittery bits in the skirt.’ Holly turns to Lucy’s mum. ‘What do you think, Gina?’
‘Gosh, I couldn’t even guess! Lucy’s always had her own style, and I’ve never been able to keep up with her changing tastes.’ Her cheeks glow rosy pink. ‘Though if I’m being honest, I’m sort of hoping for a classic meringue. What mother wouldn’t want to see their daughter in a real princess dress?’
Holly nudges me with her elbow. ‘What about you, Leesh? What do you think Lucy has gone for?’
I’m sure I know exactly the sort of gown Lucy has chosen, but I don’t want to jinx it, so I simply shrug my shoulders and shake my head.
Suddenly, Lottie’s head pokes through the curtains. ‘Are you ready?’
Taking a collective sharp breath inwards, we all nod. ‘Ready.’
With dramatic flair, the curtains are pulled back, and Lucy is revealed.
The gown is the palest shade of champagne, crafted in antique lace with soft, flowy sleeves that fall just above her elbow.
The skirt drapes like a waterfall to the ground, pooling in an elegant train behind her.
There’s a cluster of clear crystals circling the waist, which scatter and disperse upwards to the sweetheart neckline.
It’s without a doubt the sort of dress you could run through the hallowed hallways of Thistlewick Manor in, and she looks utterly breathtaking in it.
It’s just how I imagined it - romantic, playful, Lucy.
Gina bursts into tears of joy at the sight of her, and the rest of us begin to well up as Lottie fetches a box of tissues.
‘Lucy, you look sensational,’ Gina manages to choke out through several loud attempts to blow her nose. ‘I can’t believe my little girl is going to be a bride!’
‘You look flipping fantastic, Luce,’ Ruth agrees.
‘Like a movie star!’ Mel chimes in.
‘Do you have a veil, too?’ Holly asks.
‘Yep, I’ll just go and grab it.’
Lottie disappears behind a row of colourful gowns, then shortly emerges with a long line of lace so delicate, it could be crafted from bejewelled spiderwebs.
When she pins it to Lucy’s hair, we all gasp at once.
Mel is right, she really does look like she’s walked straight out of a movie, I can’t even imagine how glamorous she’ll be when her hair and make up is all done properly.
‘There are just a few things that need doing now.’ Lottie takes one of the pins out of her mouth and carefully slots it through the fabric at the back of the bodice. ‘This bit is gaping a tad still, it’ll be a super simple fix, though. I’d estimate the gown will be ready to pick up in four days.’
‘Thanks for everything, Lottie.’ Lucy hugs her, taking extreme care not to crumple her gorgeous dress. She spins around and looks in the mirror, beaming like the sun at her reflection. ‘I just can’t believe this is my wedding dress!’
‘You’re going to have the best day of your life, Lucy,’ I tell her, sitting back against the chaise lounge, sipping my champagne.
It’s moments like this that I actually want to believe in happily ever afters.