Page 88 of Doc Defence

“Hey,” Sadie said in a mock-angry voice. “Are you saying we usually look bad?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying we don’t usually look like this.” She gestured to the mirror.

“True,” Sadie agreed. “But Clara would not have been impressed if we’d turned up in scrubs.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t have been impressed. But it would have been comfortable.” Clara floated into the room in a gown which stole both of their breaths away.

“Holy shit,” Hel exclaimed. Neither of them had seen the dress before; because of work and with the short timeline, they hadn’t been able to go to any fittings with their friend.

“I know, right!” Clara’s eyes sparkled.

Her hair was plaited in a glossy braid, woven with flowers, which snaked down her back. Her makeup was subtle, like theirs, but enhanced all her features. And the dress, the dress was exquisite. The bodice was the same style as the bridesmaids, fitted with cap sleeves and a V-neck, but while theirs was plain, hers shimmered with what looked like a million pinpoints of light.

When Hel bent forward for a better look, she saw each one was a tiny sparkling bead placed individually.

“They’re crystals.” Clara bounced with excitement.

“I can see that,” Hel said dryly.

“Sorry, I’m excited.” Clara bounced some more on the spot. Her flowing skirt, which was also decorated with beads and had a short train, swirled around her legs. “And guess what shoes I have?”

Hel assumed Dior or Louboutin’s. But when Clara pulled up her skirt to show them, she barked in surprise.

“You have not!” Sadie cackled.

“I totally have.” Clara danced some more, showing off her silver crystal-encrusted baseball boots.

“Those are amazing.” Hel bent to examine them, feeling slightly envious as she had boring green sandals.

“I’m glad you said that. I got you both a present.” Clara dashed out of the room for a moment before she came back in, clutching two shoeboxes. “I hope they’re the right size.” She handed one box to each of her bridesmaids.

Hel opened the lid of hers, beamed in excitement, and joined Clara in her bouncing. Nestled inside were crystal-encrusted baseball boots, but while Clara’s were silver, hers were green to match her dress. Glancing over, she saw Sadie had a blue pair and looked as delighted as she did.

“These are fabulous. I love them. Thank you so much.” Hel leaned forward and gave Clara a hug, then sat down to put them on.

She began laughing when she put her hand in one of the shoes and pulled out a pair of socks.

Sadie had found her socks and was giggling too. “You thought of everything!” she exclaimed.

“You needed socks.” Clara shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You have unlimited money to spend on this wedding, and you choose to buy blinged-up booties rather than real shoes, and you give them to your bridesmaids. You’re all grown women, not teenage boys,” Clara’s mum complained as she walked into the room.

“Don’t grumble, Julia. No one’s going to see them,” Gloria chided her gently as she followed along behind her, subtly picking up her skirt from the floor to show off her own pair of crystal baseball boots. They were gold to match the gold swirls on her gown. “And when your feet start hurting in those shoes.” She pointed to Julia’s pumps, which were silk-dyed to match her blue silk dress. “We have a pair for you as well.”

Julia’s eyes bulged a little bit, and Hel bit her lip so she didn’t laugh at Clara’s poor mum, who was clearly overwhelmed by Gloria and the whole event.

The wedding planner flew into the room, talking rapidly into her headset as she walked, stopping any more discussion about shoes.

“Okay, ladies. We’re running six minutes behind schedule, so I’m going to need you to hustle. Gloria, you need to get in place ready to walk Taylor to the front. Julia, you should already be in your position in the front row.” The wedding planner didn’t wait for the women to reply, assuming they would obey her orders. “Bridal party. I need you in position at the end of the aisle. We have T-minus ten minutes until you walk down the aisle.”

“Yes, Monica,” Clara agreed, and the wedding planner swept back out of the room. As soon as the door was safely closed she said, “She’s terrifying. Can you see why I was scared?”

“Yup!” Hel really could. That was a woman who didn’t take no for an answer.

At work, there were a few of the in-charge nurses she was secretly a little terrified of and one of them not so secretly. But the wedding planner took it to a whole other level.

“Come on, Gloria, she said we had to go.” Julie linked arms with Gloria and began to tug.

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