Page 109 of The Last Saturday In July
Behind Carmel, Tom Bradley gave Jess a wry smile, and grabbed a suitcase.
At least she’d have some company, Jess thought, as she sat around trying to keep her hair and make-up from getting messed up. This was it: in a few hours, she’d be married. She just wished her best friend was here with her. No matter what Kate had said or done, she missed her desperately.
The manager cleared his throat. ‘Would you like a hand with your luggage?’
‘We’ll manage, thanks.’ Tom grabbed the big case Carmel had brought for the two of them.
Carmel put a hand to her mouth as she checked the bags. ‘Your dress, love, I checked three times that it was packed. Where is it?’
Jess glanced around. ‘It’s okay, Mam, I think I left it in the car.’
Chapter 44
JESS hardly recognised herself in the full-length mirror of the honeymoon suite. The makeup artist and hair stylist had done an amazing job. She turned her head, admiring the ivory silk ribbon woven through her intricate hair style. She’d been unsure when Kate had suggested it, but it really worked. She blinked back tears, trying not to think about Kate. If she started crying now, her makeup would be ruined.
Earlier, she’d thought about asking Zoe to get ready with her, before quickly dismissing the idea. Even though she was pretty sure her sister wouldn’t say anything to upset her hours before the wedding, it was enough knowing that she didn’t like Simon.
She shuffled over to the bed in the complimentary robe and slippers and fantasised briefly about walking down the aisle in the comfy white bathrobe. Her mother would have heart failure, of course. As would Úna. Jess knew it wouldn’t matter at all to her dad, who was more of a big picture kind of person. And Simon? Some guys would find the whole thing hilarious, but Simon wasn’t one of them. He’d be mortified. She eyed the instrument of torture hanging on the outside of the wardrobe. There was nothing for it. A few hours from now, she’d be shackled into it, before heading to the church.
Jess pulled open the sash of her robe and contemplated her wedding lingerie. She’d been so tempted to wear the full tummy support knickers she’d bought, but after trying them on, she realised they’d make her sweat. Instead, she’d opted for what had definitely looked sexier on the shop hanger: a white lacy thong and matching strapless push-up bra.
‘They’d take your eye out,’ her mother had said a bit uncertainly, the first time Jess had tried the bra under the dress. It was her own fault, forgetting to buy the underwear first. But it was this or go braless. And given how revealing the bodice was, it was safer not to risk too many surprises.
For a brief moment she thought about Adam, before pushing him firmly from her mind and pulling the robe back around her.
Her phone rang and Jess reached across the bed for it. It would be Simon: he’d promised to phone when he arrived. Maybe all she needed was to hear his voice. But it was an unfamiliar number on her screen. She swiped her finger across the screen. ‘Hello?’
‘Jess? It’s Emily, look, sorry to phone you on a Saturday, but have you seen Chelsea’s TikTok?’
Jess felt a bit sick. She’d deliberately turned off all her notifications, so she wouldn’t be distracted today. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Just hang up, Jess. It’s live now.’
Jess hung up, her heart racing as she found Chelsea’s TikTok.
‘My feelings towards Brandi will never change,’Chelsea was saying, ‘because what she doesn’t understand is that I totally get her. Even when she was little, all she wanted was to be me. So today I’m making the decision to walk away from the drama.Chelsea gave a small wave.Just remember, everyone, live your truth.’
The screen went blank, and Jess almost dropped her phone in her efforts to phone Emily back. The younger woman picked up immediately. ‘Jess, did you see it?’
‘I saw the bit after she mentions her feelings for Brandi not changing. What did she say before that?’
‘Nothing much.’ Emily sounded tense. ‘She said she knows her fans want the best for her, and that she appreciates us all.’ She hesitated. ‘It’s not really the TikTok you make on your wedding day, is it?’
‘Definitely not.’ Jess was starting to get a bad feeling. ‘I might check it out. Listen, I’d better go, there’s somebody else trying to call me.’
‘Good luck, Jess.’
Jess hung up and tried to compose herself for Simon’s call. But the name flashing up on her phone was Ian’s.
‘Ian? Is everything all right?’
‘Jess, I’m sorry to bother you and, believe me, if I had any choice in the matter I wouldn’t. But Chelsea has locked herself into her suite and doesn’t want to speak to anyone except you. I’ve tried to explain that you’re in Dublin, but she’s insisting. I thought we could set up a video call?’
‘She won’t talk to Leo? Or Angel?’
‘Apparently Leo tried to talk to her earlier. He told me he’s leaving her to “sort out her shit”, his words, not mine. As for Angel, Chelsea fired him after they had the mother of all rows. Now, between you and me, I’m not surprised. We expect most brides are a bit hyper on their wedding day, but Angel was the one throwing shapes all over the bloody place. We’re well shot of him.’
He was lucky he was gone, Jess thought grimly, or she’d find him and throw him off one of the turrets for trying to screw things up. ‘Is there anyone else in the suite with her, Ian? Bridesmaids? Stylists?’
