It’s impossible not to be carried along by her practical, down-to-earth approach. As Katie stands and gazes at herself in the mirror, Poppy joins in enthusiastically. ‘The top is very simple, with an overlay of the same tiny snowflakes. Then Katie is adding a fluffy jumper and a brightly coloured ski jacket for her outdoor shots.’
Katie’s clasping her hands. ‘And the six bridesmaids’ skirts are in bright purple and blue and yellow tulle short skirts, with contrast jumpers, pink jackets and stripy ski head bands. With bright pearlised stilettos for inside and boots for outside.’
I can feel Marilyn shuddering more with every new colour clash that’s mentioned. If Jess were here, I suspect she’d be swooping in with the reviving gin by now.
Poppy sounds truly excited. ‘It’s the most vibrant wedding we’ve had yet. It’s even brighter than Sera’s summer meadow bridesmaids prints.’
Sera, true to form, is hiding in the studio, on call in case of any last-minute problems. It’s a kind of tradition with her. She loves designing and making the dresses, but even now she’s really successful, she still shies away from meeting the brides who wear them.
Katie’s eyes are shining. ‘I justsowant everything to express the kind of out-there, fun couple we are. If my dad hadn’t been too ill to go abroad we’d have loved to have got married on the ski slopes, but this is the next best thing. Seth really wants this wedding to pop and I think it will.’
Marilyn rolls her eyes, but there’s deep motherly affection in her voice. ‘Seth and his popping.’ When she leans forward again, her tone is markedly colder. ‘So what’s happening with the bottom of the dress? I thought the alterations were finished, but it’s still much too long.’ If Seth’s shout-out was all summery, we’ve just fast forwarded to an arctic winter on this one.
Poppy’s awkward customer smile eases across her face. ‘Okay, in the business we’d say this hem is breaking on the floor. It’s the way Katie wanted it. She’ll have to hold up the dress if she goes outside, but it lets her go to higher heels for the times she wears her platforms. She’ll try it with those in a second.’ At times like these Poppy is so patient.
‘Platforms?’ Marilyn’s yell would be ear-splittingly shrill at any time of day. This early in the morning it’s cruelty to thirty-somethings. ‘Seth won’t be marryinganyonewearinganythingof the kind. I absolutely forbid it.’
Now it’s Katie’s turn to wince. ‘It’s Seth whowantsthe platforms, because I was wearing them when we met. He’s being a big softy on this one.’ She goes into the fitting room, brings out a bag and pulls out a shoe.
‘Wow! Electric turquoise! How cool are they?’ I’m full of admiration, both for the way she’s standing up to Marilyn quietly, yet firmly, every time, and the fact she must be able to walk in six- inch heels.
Katie grins as she rubs at a scuff on the heel. ‘Seth says they’re my old and my blue all rolled into one.’
Marilyn’s eyebrows shoot up at least as high her voice. ‘But surely the tiara’s your old? And your matching veil will be your new.’
Katie wrinkles her nose. ‘Aren’t veils what people wear for a joke at hen do’s? Seth would die if I turned up in one of those to marry him.’ She pauses to drag in a breath. ‘And I know you love the diamonds, Marilyn, but Seth says the tiara’sa thousand timestoo blingy for the barn.’
Marilyn’s nose is quivering. ‘Which is exactly why this wedding should be happening in the house not the cowshed. There’s still time to change our minds on that.’ She raises an eyebrow and eyes Poppy hopefully.
I catch sight of Katie’s despairing expression. ‘Let’s get a picture of you holding the blue shoes. And then I’ll take a couple of full length ones, so you get the full effect of the dress.’ Although, if the tiara comes out, I’m ready to dive into the kitchen. When I spot Marilyn standing up, I tense. But she’s heading for the door, not the desk.
Her bracelets jingle as she glances at her watch. ‘So if we’re all done here, I must run. Don’t want to be late for my colourist. I’ll catch you at lunchtime, Katie.’ She pauses for long enough to blow Katie a kiss, then she’s off.
We all hold our breath as we wait for the shop door to close and watch her car pull away past the window. Then as Poppy and I visibly flop, Katie kicks off her kitten heels.
She grabs the platforms, sits down and begins to do up the straps. ‘Right,and finally… Time to check the length with the banned shoes.’ When she stands up she’s a whole lot taller and she swishes in front of the mirror. ‘There, see the way the skirt moves. Isn’t it perfect? I’m not being a bridezilla, I just want to wear these shoes.’
‘It does look fabulous,’ I can’t help enthusing too. ‘I’ll take some full length shots like this.’
Meanwhile Poppy’s sympathising with Katie. ‘And you’re not a bridezilla. But you’re still battling Marilyn, then?’
Katie blows out a long sigh as she takes a final look in the mirror. ‘It’s lovely that she wants to be involved. But last week she changed our veggie buffet to a hog roast, then cancelled the rock band and ordered a singing trio. It’s so time-consuming putting the damage right. Worst of all, we never know where she’s going to strike next. That’s why we’re going out to lunch every day. At least that way I get to know which way to leap next.’
Poppy pulls a face. ‘Only five more days to keep her under control.’
Katie shakes her head as she makes her way back to the fitting room. ‘We’re sending her to a spa the day we’re setting up. So with luck we’ve got every area covered now.’
Poppy follows her. ‘We’ll have the dress steamed and ready for you to pick up on Saturday. Then it’s “full steam” ahead for the big day.’
Katie gives a little squeal and laughs at me as she bobs behind the curtain. ‘And fingers crossed, there won’t be any red noses – or Marilyn-induced disasters.’
I laugh. ‘For meoryou.’ But with a mega wedding happening between now and then, my nose is the least of my worries. As for worries about Marilyn, I’ll put her in my ‘pending’ pile. And get her out again on Monday.
Chapter 22
Wednesday 13th December
On the way to Rose Hill Manor: Home truths and car washes
