Page 3 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘I’m looking forward to Friday night,’ says Jaz, obviouslytrying to boost my spirits. ‘Aren’t you?’
I nod. ‘I guess so. But why on earth Mum decided to organisea night out, just the women in the wedding party, I’ve no idea.’
Ellie shrugs. ‘You’ll get two hen nights. That can’t bebad.’ She smiles. ‘Your mum was really sweet, actually. She came over to see meat the café, took me to one side and said she was on a mission to give you thewedding of your dreams, and would I mind if she organised a pre-wedding party?I think she was worried she might upstage my plans for your actual hen night,but I told her the more celebrations going on the merrier.’ She eyes meanxiously. ‘She’s planning champagne cocktails followed by a meal at The OliveTree, no less. I said you’d love the idea.’
My cheeks are aching with smiling. ‘And I do. Of course Ido. It’ll be lovely. I can’t wait.’
Most people would love being the centre of attention, butnot me. And Mum really has no excuse. She’s known me for thirty-odd years nowso you’d think she’d have got the hint by now. But I suppose if you aren’t anintrovert, it might be hard to fathom the idea that sometimes, depending onyour mood, social situations can be...well,challenging.Especially if you’re the bride and slap bang in the centre of things.
My friend Molly understands. She helps me with the food bankdeliveries and when we’re tootling around the lanes in our little van, we neverstop chatting. As she laughingly said the other day, ‘Fen, if you’re a freak,then so am I. I totally get that for an introvert, when a planned get-togetheris unexpectedly called off, it can sometimes be a cause for celebration –because all along, you were fantasising about having a lovely night in on yourown.’
‘Precisely!’ I beamed at her, relaxing into my ‘weirdness’.
Now, Ellie and Jaz link me on either side.
‘It’ll be a good night,’ murmurs Ellie encouragingly.
‘Too right,’ says Jaz with feeling. ‘Although mind you, whenyou’re coping with a nearly-one-year-old, even a trip out alone to the bottlebank is a treat to be savoured.’
I laugh and squeeze both their arms. A night out with Mumand all the girls will be lovely. Of course it will...
After the fair, Mum rushes off to finalise the weddingbreakfast and evening buffet menus. And I finally relax.
‘How about a coffee somewhere?’ asks Jaz. ‘Being bombardedwith weddingy stuff has worn me out. Or it could be the two hours of sleep Ihad last night.’
‘You mean the six hours youdidn’thave,’ grinsEllie.
‘She’s teething, bless her.’ Her brow wrinkles. ‘I just hopeHarry’s managing.’
‘He’ll be fine. He’s a wonderful dad,’ I reassure her. ‘Youneed to make the most of your time off-duty. How about a cocktail instead of acoffee?’
She brightens. ‘Ooh, now you’re talking.’
‘I can’t stay long, though.’
‘More wedding stuff to do?’ asks Ellie.
I nod, grinning. ‘Mum’s invited Rob over for a specialdinner so we can discuss the ice sculpture.’
‘Ice sculpture?’ Jaz looks aghast.
‘Oh, yes. A life-size sculpture of the bride and groom, noless. Dad’s managed to get out of tonight by conjuring up a meeting with an oldfriend. When Mum’s in organising mode, he knows to stand well back.’
Ellie’s mouth is gaping open. ‘You and Rob are going to besculpted inice? Does Marjery want you toposefor it?’
‘No, no. I draw the line at that.’ I muster a weary laugh.‘No, she took the photos yesterday, so the great Arlo West will be fashioningthe hideous thing from those images.’
‘ArloWest?’ shrieks Jaz. ‘You mean,theArloWest, who’s renowned for sculpting in ice for all the A-lister occasions?’
‘The very same,’ I groan.
‘Crikey,’ breathes Ellie.
‘Exactly. I told you. She’s actually gone mad this time.’
Jaz shrugs. ‘You’re her only daughter, so this is the red-carpetevent of her life.’
‘Oh, yes. And arguing with her is like trying to hold thetide back with one of those walls of sand we used to make at the beach when wewere kids. One massive wave too many and it crashes through your defences andyou haven’t a hope in hell of surviving.’
