Page 20 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Look what Pari did for me last night,’ said Sarah. She raised the hem of her wedding dress and showed her mother and sister the beautiful henna designs on her bare feet.
‘In Sikh culture, henna symbolises good luck and prosperity,’ explained Pari. ‘The night before the wedding, there’s a ceremony where the bride is decorated with henna.’
‘Oh, how marvellous,’ said Geraldine.
Sarah slipped her feet into white slippers embellished with tiny pearls.
‘I wish I’d gone for flats too.’ Meg sighed as she flopped down onto the bed. ‘My feet are already swelling up.’
‘I can’t believe you’re finally making it down the aisle.’ Geraldine adjusted Sarah’s tiara. ‘You must hold the record for the longest engagement in history.’
‘Well, we needed to wait until you were back in the UK,’ replied Sarah. Her mother had spent a whole year on sabbatical as part of her fellowship. She’d travelled around Asia researching courtship and marriage.
Their long engagement had also given Sarah and James time to save up for their wedding. Fortunately, the software company James worked for was doing well, and his role and salary had grown along with the company. He and his colleagues were currently preparing to float the company on the stock market.
‘Did you know that the Mosuo people in south-western China don’t practise any form of marriage at all?’ Geraldine downed the rest of her champagne. ‘It’s a matriarchal society. Women live with their mothers and sisters, and have sexual relationships with multiple men.’
‘That actually sounds kind of fun,’ said Pari. She had sworn off dating any more of her fellow comedians. Sarah had encouraged her to join one of the new online dating services, but Pari said she wanted to be single for a bit, so she could focus on her comedy.
‘Oh, yes,’ said Geraldine, refilling her glass. ‘Men aretotally irrelevantin Mosuo society.’
Sarah and her sister exchanged worried looks.
‘Mum, please try to be happy for me,’ said Sarah nervously. She knew today was going to be hard for her mother.
‘Iamhappy for you, darling,’ said Geraldine. ‘Here – open your present.’ She handed Sarah the gift that she’d come in with.
Sarah opened it up and took out a shimmering white scarf, made of the finest silk. It slipped through her fingers like liquid.
‘Oooh!’ exclaimed Pari and Meg.
‘It’s akhata, from Tibet,’ explained Geraldine. ‘Couples receive them on their wedding day because it symbolises how they will be wrapped in love and affection.’
Sarah draped the scarf around her shoulders and gave her mother a hug. ‘Thanks, Mum. It’s gorgeous.’
‘I hope you and James will be very happy together,’ said Geraldine.
Sarah stroked the soft fabric. Jamesdidmake her feel wrapped in love. Sarah was confident that they would never end up like her parents. They barely ever argued, and, when they did, they never went to bed angry. James was the love of her life; whatever married life held for them, they would face it together.
‘Right!’ said Pari, draining her glass of champagne. ‘Let’s get this wedding on the road!’
The ceremony was held in Plumdale Catholic church. Every pew in St Mark’s was filled with family and friends from work and university. On James’s side, aunts, uncles and cousins from Ireland had travelled over for the wedding.
Sarah’s dad was waiting for her on the church porch. His girlfriend, Tiffany, was seated well away from Geraldine. Sarah hadn’t wanted to invite her, but her dad had insisted. ‘We’re a package deal,’ he’d announced.
‘Ready?’ he asked her now.
Sarah nodded. Then she shook her head, suddenly overcome with nerves. ‘I’m scared, Dad.’
‘Marriageisscary,’ he said. ‘Even though it didn’t work out between your mum and me, I’ll never regret the years we spent together because we had you and Meg. I’m so proud of you, Pumpkin. I love you very much.’
Sarah looked down at her bouquet and took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry. ‘I love you too, Dad.’
‘Now, come on – let’s go and give the people what they’re waiting for.’
Sarah’s dad took her arm and walked her down the aisle.
Sarah’s heart skipped a beat as she saw James, waiting for her at the altar. He looked so handsome in his morning suit, his unruly hair gelled back for the occasion.
