Page 3 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘Has Mum been bossy?’ Rita asks.
‘Superbly so.’ I glance at my sisters. ‘I’ve had to remind her whose wedding it is at least a dozen times. But it’s been worth it, as you’ll see.’ Reaching the marquee, I stand back to let them in, watching the amazement on their faces.
‘This is stunning.’ Rita glances woefully at Sasha. ‘Even I would get married for a party like this.’
Going over to one of the tables, Sasha picks up some of the sea glass. When she looks at me, her eyes are misty. ‘It’s gorgeous. You’re gorgeous… I’m so happy you found Liam. I wasn’t sure to start with – but you two really have something, don’t you?’
I still remember what she said to me.Don’t you need to think about financial security? I mean, I know you love him, but you still need to think of the practical side of things.Just because Liam didn’t own a big house or earn a six-figure salary any more – neither of which were remotely important to me.
‘We want the same things,’ I say simply. Right from the start, it was how it always had been between us.
* * *
In the kitchen, as we’re opening a bottle of champagne, Alice comes in. In jeans and a T-shirt, with her long hair tied back, she looks way too young to be a heart specialist.
‘Nice of you to join us!’ Sasha teases.
‘I’m always the last, aren’t I? Sorry.’ Coming over, she kisses my cheek.
‘You have a very important job.’ I pour the champagne. ‘Saving lives and that.’
‘I actually did this afternoon.’ Her face is sober as she takes the glass I pass her. ‘But enough of that! I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow!’
‘Is that my girls I hear?’ My father pokes his head around the door. Since retiring from his law career, he’s taken to a quiet life with a bumbling kind of ease. Slightly dishevelled, his eyes are full of love as he comes in.
‘Hi, Dad!’ One by one, my sisters hug him.
‘Big day, tomorrow, hey?’ He ruffles my hair affectionately. ‘No idea where your mother is. Last I saw of her, she was muttering about something to do with changing the seating plan – yet again.’ He looks perplexed as he takes the glass of champagne Rita holds out. As he raises it, his eyes are misty as he gazes at us. ‘This really is rather lovely.’ He clears his throat. ‘I’d like to make a toast – to all of you.’
2
Waking up on the morning of my wedding day, I lie there for a moment. The birds are singing, the distant sound of the sea reaching me, a smile spreading itself across my face, my heart bursting with love as I think of Liam. I feel a pang of anxiety – I know he’ll be nervous. Liam’s never enjoyed being the centre of attention. When he first met my family, he found them a little intimidating – though he loves them now. But I know he’s looking forward to today as much as I am.
Going over the window, I pull the curtains back. It’s the perfect day I wished for, the sky blue, the low sun sending rays of hazy light through the trees. Gazing out, I think how lucky I am that my parents can host our wedding. The lengths they’ve gone to so that everything has been thought of – they’ve even organised a car for Liam’s mum.
I glance at my phone. It’s only 8 a.m., giving us about an hour before the hairdresser arrives. After going downstairs to put the kettle on, by the time I’ve made a pot of tea, my sisters emerge from upstairs – Alice in flowery pyjamas, Sasha in a shapeless T-shirt dress. Only Rita looks wide awake – in her sports gear, she’s obviously been for a run.
As they come in, a sudden pang of nostalgia hits me for everything that’s happened in this house. Our growing-up years; the Christmases we’ve shared; the sisterly squabbles that all siblings have, that have turned into this wonderful, unconditional love we share.
I pass them all a mug of tea. ‘I just want to say…’ I break off, hesitant all of a sudden. ‘You three, you’re the best. I’m so lucky to have you. I really am.’ I swallow the lump in my throat. ‘And now I’m going to cry!’
‘Don’t you dare, because you’ll set us all off.’ Rita’s voice is husky.
‘We are lucky,’ Alice says quietly. ‘I should remind myself more often, because it’s only in moments like this that you stop and take the time to actually think about it.’
* * *
After the hair stylist arrives, she curls Alice’s hair into soft waves. As she starts on Rita, Sasha comes in with a bottle of champagne and four glasses.
‘Just the one,’ she says firmly, opening the bottle and filling the glasses with pink fizz. ‘We can’t have you piddled before you walk up the aisle.’
Sitting on the bed, Alice paints my fingernails and Sasha my toes, while Rita’s thick hair is persuaded into a lesser state of unruliness. Then after Sasha is done, it’s my turn.
‘You all, out of here,’ I tell my sisters. ‘I want to see the full impact of my transformation on you.’
Rita shakes her head. ‘We’re staying, I’m afraid.’
I give her a mock-stern look. ‘You may be older than me, but you are not pulling rank on my wedding day. Come on! Vamoose, the lot of you.’
