Page 49 of Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay
“I think I’ll make Ollie do it all over again. We could renew our vows on our tenth anniversary.”
The senior bridal consultant hurried out to meet them. “Ah, Miss Marston, Miss Rowley. We’re ready for you. Come this way.”
While Vicky and Debbie were led off to the changing rooms, Lisa browsed happily among the accessories. She picked up a long, lacy veil attached to a sparkling tiara and held it out to Cassie. “This is pretty. Here, try it on.”
Cassie backed away, laughing unsteadily. “Oh . . . no . . .”
“Don’t be silly. Here.” She perched it on Cassie’s head and fluffed out the veil. “There — it looks fabulous.”
She stepped aside so that Cassie could see herself in the long mirror. It was unnervingly like something out of one of those dreams she always tried to forget — the ones where she was walking down the aisle of a church, getting married, but the aisle kept getting longer and longer, her bridegroom up ahead disappearing into a white mist.
Impatiently she pushed those thoughts aside, forcing a laugh as she tugged the tiara from her head. “I can’t see me togged up like that. If I ever get married it’ll be on the beach, in a bikini.”
Lisa shook her head. “When the time comes, I’ll lay money you’ll go the full meringue.”
“By that time I’ll be walking down the aisle with a Zimmer frame.”
The bridal consultant had pulled back the curtain on one of the dressing rooms. “Here you are!” she announced with a flourish.
Debbie stepped out, smiling shyly. “What do you think?”
“Oh . . . It’s fabulous!”
Debbie hadn’t gone the full meringue either. Her dress was a matt ivory satin in a very simple but beautifully cut style — sleeveless, a round neckline and a skirt that reached just an inch or two above her knees. Over it, she wore a bolero embroidered with silver thread and glass beads, with bracelet-length sleeves and a stand-up collar.
“It’s perfect,” Cassie assured her warmly. “And I love your shoes.”
“Do you think they’re all right?” She pointed one dainty foot in a strappy silver sandal, with a neat low heel. “They’ll be comfortable enough to wear all day and I’ll be able to wear them again any time.”
“They’re lovely. Bill’s going to be over the moon when he sees you.”
Debbie’s eyes sparkled. “I hope so. It’s all so different this time. Last time we just went to the Register Office, with Mum and Alan’s brother. And then went for a drink in the pub.”
“That was all?” Cassie protested, shocked.
“Uh-huh.” She smiled crookedly. “I suppose it was an omen for how things turned out.”
“Well, if you need an omen this time, it should be a much better one,” Lisa declared.
“I don’t need an omen.” Debbie’s soft brown eyes were warm with happiness. “This time is definitely going to bemuchbetter. The hotel have been wonderful.” She smiled at Lisa. “Thank you so much. I never thought . . . Oh, now I’m being silly.” A tear was tracking down her cheek.
Lisa darted in with a tissue before it could drop onto her dress. “It’s our pleasure,” she assured the happy bride. “We haven’t had many weddings there these past few years, and all the staff are really looking forward to it. Anyway, what’s the point of having one of your best friends as the assistant manager of a hotel if you can’t have her pull out all the stops for you?”
Debbie laughed. “You’ve certainly done that. And you’re supposed to still be on maternity leave.”
Lisa waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, Vicky doesn’t mind me treading on her toes. Besides, if we left it to Mike, he’d probably faint!”
The consultant came forward again, smiling. “Are you ready for number two?”
“Oh, yes!”
She pulled open the other curtain and Vicky stepped out, spreading her arms wide. “Tah-dah!”
“Oh . . . !”
The dress was stunning — lace over layers of tulle, with an off-the-shoulder neckline edged with cut-out lace, and a full-length A-line skirt that swept back into a short train. Her veil was tulle, edged with the same lace, held in place by a coronet of white silk flowers.
“That’s just beautiful,” Debbie breathed.
