“Tess, you get married in just over two months. You’re going to have to resolve things at some point. And when are Leo’s parents landing? We’re all supposed to be meeting up, remember?”
I bristled. “How can I forget?” I felt Sal’s eyes on me, but I refused to get drawn in. “How about we talk about where we’re going instead? Marianne did, after all, work withtheZane Rafferty. To be honest, I’m surprised you can think about anything else.”
“It’s called prioritising.” Sal fidgeted in her seat, clearly trying to play it cool. “What do you think I am? Some sort of fan girl?”
I smiled as I recalled my sister’s swooning back in the day, and as we continued our drive, no matter her denials, I knew that was exactly what Sal was.
It didn’t take long for Marianne and Hugo’s farmhouse to come into view and slowing the car, I brought it to a standstill.
“You mean we’re here?” Sal said. “Already?” Springing to life, she reached for the rear-view mirror and twisted it round so she could see herself. “Do I look okay?” she asked, titivating with her hair. She glanced over at the property. “Oh my word, is that her?”
“What was that you said about not being a fan girl?”
Busy watering the flower beds, Marianne wore yet another kaftan and looking as colourful as ever, she paused in her task to give us a smile and a wave.
“You excited about this?” Sal asked India.
As we all alighted the vehicle, my sister tried to smooth down her daughter’s hair.
“Not as much as you,” India replied, wriggling away.
“To have a dress designed and made by a woman who worked withtheZane Rafferty,” Sal said then sighed. “We are so lucky.”
As we made our way up the garden path, I couldn’t deny my own nervous anticipation. Mum’s and Grace’s wedding dresses might have provided Marianne with swathes of fabric, but I’d yet to learn if any of them were usable.
Marianne put down her watering can and gave me the warmest of hugs. “And who do we have here?” Letting go of me, she turned to the others.
“This is Sal,” I said.
Stood there wearing a demented grin, my sister curtsied, an action I would never have believed had I not seen it with my own eyes.
“Pleased to meet you,” Marianne said. Evidently as surprised by the gesture as I was, she gave me a discreet look of confusion.
“Sal’s a big Zane Rafferty fan,” I said.
“Ah, that explains it.”
“And this is my niece, India,” I said, moving on.
Marianne’s eyes settled on India’s fringe and I cringed, knowing that between my prior overconfidence, Sal’s bended knee, and India’s dodgy haircut, the three of us certainly knew how to create a first impression.
“So, you’re Tess’s bridesmaid?”
India fast nodded. Appearing as starstruck as her mother, she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Marianne.
“I can see this is going to be an interesting evening,” Marianne said, laughing to herself as she led the way around to the back of the house.
I took the opportunity to give my sister a nudge, willing her to sort herself out.
What?she mouthed, as we followed Marianne into the kitchen.
“Wow,” Sal said. Immediately struck by the photo of our host and Zane Rafferty, she went in for a closer look. “You really are fashion royalty.”
Marianne gave an affectionate smile. “Him, maybe. Me, not so much.”
“What was he like? As a person, I mean?”
Marianne joined my sister and while the two them talked all things Zane, India continued to be mesmerised by our host. I appreciated why. Marianne was confident and charismatic. She wasn’t like anyoneI’dever met before, let alone a young girl like my niece.
