‘That was easy enough.’
It wasn’t something that Libby would have ever chosen, but Miranda seemed genuinely happy with her choice and that was all that mattered. In fact, Libby was beginning to warm to her. Miranda’s choices might not match her own but Libby admired her for knowing her own mind. She was pulling together the wedding she’d always dreamed of, regardless of what anyone else might think or say.
‘Why don’t you double-check the details while I nip to the bathroom and then we can get it sent off,’ Libby suggested as she stood. Looking towards the camera she saw Guy had slipped out of the back of the studio and was talking animatedly on the phone outside.
After returning from the bathroom she found Guy sitting back behind the camera, but noticed he was preoccupied and looking at his phone.
‘All the details are just fine,’ confirmed Miranda.
‘Excellent. Let’s get those sent.’ Libby pressed the button and with a whoosh the email was off to the printers. ‘The invitations will be sent out within the next forty-eight hours.’
‘I can’t wait for them to land.’
‘I’ll co-ordinate the RSVPs as they come in and we can look at table plans closer to the day when we have a firm idea of numbers. And next we have the most exciting part: your dress! We’ve got a rail of beautiful dresses for you to choose from, come and take a look.’
Libby led Miranda towards the dresses. ‘Now, I know the colours will not be right for you but I can recreate any of these in black. Are you thinking something slinky or a full Cinderella dress? This one is a replica of a Vera Wang gown from the her autumn collection a couple of years back, complete with a fitted bodice, plunging neckline and layered tulle skirt.’ Libby pulled out the dress for Miranda to take a look at it. ‘But personally, this one is my favourite. This, to me, oozes classy, not trashy. This dress screams, “Marry me and love me for ever.”’ Libby took from the rail the dress that she’d worn yesterday and held it up against her body. ‘Wearing this will make you feel like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.’ Suddenly feeling the same flush of warmth run through her veins that she’d felt yesterday wrapped up in Guy’s arms, she bashfully looked up through her fringe in his direction. His mood had evidently lifted as his eyes were shining, which gave her a glowing feeling inside.
‘I’m thinking slimmer and slinkier. No embroidery or lace. Plain as can be with a black veil and a long black train,’ Miranda said decisively.
What she’d described wasn’t a fashion designer’s dream by any stretch of the imagination and a plain black dress with no added frills would have not been Libby’s choice, but it didn’t have to be her choice.
‘It won’t take me long to make a dress like that. I’ll just source a few different samples of material first and then we can see which one you prefer.’
‘You’re a woman of many talents. Planning weddings, designing and making dresses… Where did the management of Starcross Manor find you? They have fallen on their feet.’
‘My brother Flynn is the owner,’ Libby shared.
Miranda paused. ‘Flynn Carter is your brother?’
‘Yes.’
Miranda appeared momentarily thrown by this snippet of information. Finally she offered, ‘I’d never have guessed. Two talented individuals from the same family. I am impressed.’
‘Thank you,’ Libby replied. ‘Now, I think that’s all we need to do today. As soon as the material is delivered, I’ll give you a call. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to an evening of ice skating.’
‘It should be fun,’ Miranda agreed.
Libby held out Miranda’s coat and she slipped her arms into it. ‘We’ll see you later. Make sure you wrap up warm.’
As soon as the door closed behind Miranda, Libby sighed. ‘A plain black dress with no shimmer, no sparkles…’ She looked towards Guy, who’d stopped filming and was staring at his phone once more.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked.
‘Yes, it’s just my mum. I can’t seem to get a minute of peace, and it’s frustrating as she knows I’m working.’
‘As long as everything is all right?’ she replied, noticing movement through the window just before Flynn walked through the door.
‘Good morning! What brings you here?’ Libby asked.
Flynn kissed his sister on her cheek before acknowledging Guy. ‘I knew you had an appointment with Miranda this morning and I wanted to come and say hello. No, that’s a lie. If I’m being entirely honest I wanted to discreetly try and discover what set them apart from the rest of the couples. I’m not sure why but there’s something not sitting right with me. Jenny knew the brief. This wedding was meant to be all about winter elegance, the winter wedding of the century, a wedding fit for the royals … and a colourless wedding certainly doesn’t fit the bill. If only I could confirm whether they lied on the application form. I’ve searched high and low and not only can I not find it, I also can’t find any of the other forms.’
‘That’s strange,’ said Libby.
‘Are you thinking there’s some sort of foul play?’ asked Guy.
‘I’m not sure, but like Libby just said, it’s very strange, especially when there were clear instructions about how romantic I wanted this wedding to be.’
‘I do get where you’re coming from,’ agreed Libby. ‘This wedding is just not fitting the vibe you wanted. The theme Miranda and David have chosen isn’t going to be marketable at all. We’ve just talked dresses and she wants it to be plain black and no frills. Plus, the invitations are just plain black. On your part, it’s a lot of expense for almost no gain.’
