Page 74 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘Well, we wouldn’t put the sculpture in full sunlight,obviously...’ she begins. Then she sees I’m joking and smiles.‘In the shade away from the windows will be just perfect.’
‘So do you feel okay now, Mum? I mean, to go ahead with thewedding on the date we planned?’
‘Absolutely. I can’t wait. They just opened here six monthsago as a wedding venue, so their diary has lots of dates available – includingthe date you’ve planned. So I’ve provisionally booked you in for that day.’
My eyes open wide in amazement.
‘But it’s just provisional,’ Mum says hurriedly. ‘If I’vegot this all wrong, you must tell me, Fen.’
‘No!’ I shake my head firmly. ‘You haven’t got it wrong atall, Mum. Honestly. A forest wedding would be a total dream come true.’
She looks so relieved, I spring forward to hug her.
‘Good,’ she murmurs, holding me rather stiffly and giving myback a little pat. ‘Well, that’s excellent... Now, now,you’re not getting all sentimental on me, are you?’
I withdraw, laughing. ‘Perish the thought.’
A weight seems to have rolled off my chest.
I don’t have to walk down that long, cold church aisle anymore, worrying that my feeble voice might not carry to the back. Instead, Roband I will be saying our vows in a relaxed and natural setting in a woodbursting with the colours of autumn, and surrounded by people we really want tobe there.
‘It’s going to be such a wonderful wedding. Thank you forthis, Mum.’ My throat feels choked. ‘I’ll... remember todayforever.’
Mum pats my cheek, her smile full of affection. ‘Today’s notover yet, Fen. Come on. We have somewhere else we need to be...’
*****
When we draw up outsideBlushing Brides, I’malready floating on air, so I follow Mum into the shop in a dream, halfwondering if the bedside alarm will go off any time soon.
Inside, an older woman in elegant, mother-of-the-bride-wear,is looking at a brochure behind the counter. She smiles over at us, takes offher glasses and hurries over to ask how she can help.
Mum smiles. ‘We’d like to look at wedding gowns, please.’
‘Of course. I’m Hayley. And is it this young lady who’sgetting married?’
I nod. ‘In just a few weeks.’ I glance at Mum in amazement.
‘Oh. Right.’ Hayley looks a bit surprised that I’ve left itso late to find a dress. ‘Well, shall we look at the rails and find some gownsto try on?’
‘Lovely.’ With a lightness of heart, I follow her over, Mumat my shoulder.
‘We’ve just had the most gorgeous selection of dressesdelivered,’ murmurs Hayley, pulling an elaborate confection out for us to see.‘The bead and sequin work on this one is so delicate and it has an extra-longtrain. Old-style glamour but with a modern twist.’
Mum shakes her head. ‘We’d prefer something simple.’ Sheturns to me with a rueful look. ‘I really can’t help myself, can I? Why do Ialways feel I have to take charge?’
‘Because you excel at organising?’ I smile affectionately atMum then at Hayley. ‘Mum’s right. Something simple and elegant would beabsolutely perfect.’
‘Hmm.’ Hayley studies my frame for a moment. Then her eyeslight up. ‘You know, I think I might have just the thing. Newly arrived. Astrapless crepe sheath dress in ivory, with just a hint of a train.’ She pullsout the dress, presenting it with a tender flourish. ‘What do you think?’
I stare at it. If I was picking a dress myself, thisbeautifully simple, elegant gown would be exactly it!
‘It’s gorgeous,’ I murmur. Then I turn anxiously to Mum.‘But what about the other dress?’
She shakes her head. ‘Don’t worry about that.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’ She smiles. ‘We could always sell it on thatebaything.’
