‘I have to say though…’ Clemmie’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she took in Fern’s attire. ‘If we’d known it was your wedding day, we would have made it a wedding cake.’
Fern laughed, shaking her head. ‘This dress is a mystery. We think there’s some kind of secret behind it. It was dropped off this morning with a cryptic note.’
Betty and Clemmie exchanged intrigued glances.
‘What did it say?’ Betty asked, her tone shifting into something more serious.
‘I should share with you both that Granny here is the keeper of secrets on this island. She knows everything there is to know about the past, present and even the future,’ Clemmie said, a glint in her eye.
Daniel, who had been standing quietly to the side, took the opportunity to lift the lid of the cake tin. ‘It said: “Find the groom”,’ he supplied, his voice slightly muffled as he took in the contents. He grinned, clearly pleased with the discovery. ‘Just for the record, lemon drizzle is my absolute favourite.’
Betty, however, had her focus elsewhere. She reached out and ran her fingers over the wedding gown’s fabric. ‘This is definitely vintage,’ she murmured, her expression thoughtful. ‘And good material– silk, by the feel of it. This would have cost a fortune in its day.’ She studied the stitching, the intricate lace detailing. ‘How old do you think it is?’
Daniel, always eager to show his knowledge of antiques, spoke up. ‘My guess is early sixties,’ he said confidently. ‘See the cut of the bodice? And the lace overlay? It’s very much in line with the bridal trends of that era. The detailing suggests it wasn’t off-the-rack either, this was custom-made.’
Fern glanced at him, impressed. She had to admit, despite his tendency to be exasperating, he really did know some stuff.
She turned back to Betty. ‘So, do you recognise this dress?’ she asked, tilting her head. ‘What do you think it means? I’m all for unravelling a mystery.’
‘I’ve never seen it before but it’s exquisite. Do let us know if anything interesting evolves,’ said Betty.
Clemmie leaned in. ‘She’s just being nosey!’
Betty swiped Clemmie before she turned and walked out of the shop. Clemmie followed her, waving above her head. ‘Enjoy the cake!’
ChapterSeventeen
Daniel leaned against the counter, phone in hand, reviewing the footage they had just shot for No. 17 Curiosity Lane’s social media accounts. The antique wedding dress had been the perfect dramatic centrepiece, draped around Fern as she recited the cryptic note: ‘Find the groom’.
With a chuckle, Daniel paused the video. ‘Our audience is going to love this. Also, we’ve had another two sales! I started listing things online while you were still in bed.’
Fern narrowed her eyes. ‘Define “things”,’ she said, stepping behind the screen to change out of the wedding dress.
Daniel grinned. ‘Well, we’ve now sold an Edwardian moustache curler and a Victorian mourning brooch made with someone’s actual hair, totalling sixty quid.’
Fern shuddered. ‘I don’t know what’s worse, the moustache curler or the human hair.’
‘Personally, I think the taxidermy frog playing a miniature violin will be our next big seller. People love weird things.’
‘Ha ha,’ Fern shot back from behind the changing screen, her voice muffled. ‘Less commentary, more assistance. I’m stuck.’
‘What do you mean you’re stuck?’
‘I mean, I can’t get out of this thing! The zip is stuck. It won’t budge.’
Daniel set his phone down and strolled over to the screen. ‘All right, hold still. I’ll be the dashing hero and rescue you from your fabric prison.’
‘Less talking, more unzipping.’
‘If you insist!’
Daniel stepped behind the screen, and immediately the space felt smaller, charged. Fern’s back was to him, her bare shoulders peeking out where the dress had slipped slightly.
‘Can you just… oh! That’s my hair!’
‘Oops. Sorry. You’re right, it’s stuck.’
Daniel focused, tugging slightly at the zip.
