‘All done.’ Somehow my heartbeat is too shallow and fast to manage anything more than a whisper. ‘Although do we need the bells?’ I didn’t even think about using them at the Lifeboat Station. Every ounce of weight we can cut down on counts over a day as long as this one’s going to be.
‘We’ll take them.’ That’s my protest silently overruled then. ‘There’s even a dusting of snow back in the village. It couldn’t be more perfect. So in that case …’ He looks at his phone to check the time.
I’m willinganythingto happen to put off the moment when we have to leave for the Manor. So when the shop door slams and the bells on the Christmas tree in the hall jingle I’m giving silent cheers. A second later, as a caped figure powers past the Louis Quatorze chairs so fast the dresses on the rail are flapping in her wake, I make a quick readjustment. That was me wishing for anything. Exceptthis.
‘Marilyn? Are you here to see Poppy?’ If Poppy had suspected a visit from Marilyn, she’d definitely be here. Too late I remember my shop manners. ‘And wonderful to see you, obviously.’
‘Rory, what a lovely surprise to see myfavouriteboy here.’ Marilyn pushes straight past me and practically sweeps her favourite off his feet as she clamps her lips to his cheek. Then she steps back and begins to stroke his hair, her bracelets clinking. ‘I hope you’re taking good care of that poorly head of yours? And how’s your wine business and your lager making? I hear you’ve created Seth some all of his own?’
Rory finally seizes a gap to reply. ‘We’re certainly doing Seth and Katie their own extra- special beer labels for the wedding.’ Having sprinkled enough sparkle on that, he springs back to a safe distance behind the table and turns to me. ‘Seth and I go way back. So how can we help you today, Marilyn?’ If he’s stealing my lines, I’m not about to complain.
Marilyn leans in as close as the tabletop will allow, talking in a dramatic, confidential whisper. ‘I need to borrow Katie’s dress for half an hour, to organise a last minute surprise. There are some darling fur jackets and I want to see which goes best.’
Knowing the unwelcome shocks Marilyn’s previous surprises usually turn out to be, I’m hesitating. ‘I think I’d need to check that with Sera or Poppy first. And they’re not here yet.’
As Marilyn draws in a breath her nostrils flare and her light purr changes to a growl. ‘I’ve already paid for the dress. Personally.In full. I fail to see how I need anyone’s permission to take it where the hell I want when it’s actually my property.’ She fumbles in her bag, then slams a piece of paper on the desk. ‘Here’s the receipt. You can’t argue with that.’
Rory’s pointing at his phone. ‘If we could possibly speed this along? We do have a wedding to get to, Berry.’
As Marilyn butts in, she’s stabbing the air with her finger. ‘My car’s blocking the mews.No one’sgoinganywhereuntil I havemydress.’ No pressure there, then.
‘Okay.’ Put like that, I’m not sure what else I can do. ‘I’ll get it now.’
I dash into the room next to the kitchen, where it’s hanging in its cover, ready for steaming, and check the label, and that it’s the right one.
As I whoosh back into the White Room Marilyn’s beatific smile returns. ‘Good girl. Well done for that, Berry.’
I have to correct her. ‘Sorry, I’m not Berry, I’m Holly.’
She’s beaming as she wrenches the hanger out of my hand. ‘But Berry suits your rosy complexion and shiny nosesomuch better. Don’t worry, I’ll have it back in a twinkling.’ And a moment later she’s stamping out past the Christmas tree, dress bag flying behind her.
As the shop door slams shut, Rory picks up the bags. ‘Right. Lights, camera, action?’
I put my hands to my face, cursing myself for skimping on the Red Alert layers. ‘Maybe I need more …?’
He cuts in. ‘No time for toothpaste today. Or icing. You’re fabulous just as you are. Come on, let’s run.’
As the crisp morning breeze off the sea blows into my face as we step out onto the Mews, I can’t help smiling when I notice the scarlet lipstick splash smeared across Rory’s cheek. Nothing to do with Rory’s throwaway compliment either. As far as that goes, he’s full of bollocks. End of story. It’ll just make a change for me not to have the reddest face in the car for once.
Chapter 26
Friday 15th December
The double wedding at Rose Hill Manor: Zoo animals and cool running
Sophie and Saffy marry Taylor and Travis
Three weddings in, I’m beginning to realise that each one is very different. As I make my way up the wide stairs at the Manor, even though I’m whooping inside because the centimetre of snow is still on the ground outside, my legs are so heavy it feels like it should be the end of the day, not the start. When I reach the first floor bedroom suite where the brides are getting ready, it’s mayhem. The tasteful taupe and white decor is obliterated by strewn clothes, far flung suitcases, and more cosmetics and shoes than on the entire ground floor of Johnny Loulou’s. But when I look through the viewfinder the mess captures the whole atmosphere of the morning so well, I lose no time in getting to work.
With six bridesmaids, two brides and at least as many again on hair and make-up you’d expect the excited chatter to be loud. When you add in the volume that comes from six empty Champagne bottles, all overlaid with a pounding dance music sound track, it’s head splitting. Which reminds me, I never asked which hangover headache Marilyn was talking about when she rubbed Rory’s head. But there’s no time to think about that now. The good thing is, everyone’s so preoccupied with eyeliner and hair tongs, they aren’t taking any notice of me or my camera, so I snatch some lovely candid shots.
I’m quickly onto the dresses, shoes and the gorgeous flower posies. Christian Louboutins in the shop make my chest go tight. Coming across them outside the shop, times two, my heart misses a whole series of beats. The white lace and leather platform sandals, with silver threadwork, are Sophie’s. Whereas Saffy’s are elegant suede courts with diamond strings tracing out flower patterns, and slim heels that are so high they practically reach to heaven. As for the bouquets, the white roses and anemones with black centres, tied with black and white striped bows with trailing ribbon ties are pretty and striking at the same time. And the dresses, although very different, both have Sera’s signature details of exquisite beading and the most amazing silk, lace and tulle. Cue more fabulous close-ups.
Even though they’re still in their matching flowery silk dressing gowns, the bridesmaids are mostly wearing heels. They’re so much taller than me in my leopard print flats, when I look up at the undersides of their perfectly made-up chins I feel like a dumpy elephant who took a wrong turn and ended up in the giraffe enclosure. That would be the young giraffe enclosure, by the way – these twenty-something goddess-girls seem light years younger than me. If I wasn’t in such a rush, I’d stop and ask myself, when the hell did I get so old?
Air kisses in the mirror is the closest I can get to the super-glossy Sophie. Saffy, who’s a lot less shiny and much more friendly, sends me a smile and a little wave as she peeps out from behind a hairdresser. There’s a pile of blonde hair on a pop-up table, which she’s somehow weaving into Saffy’s own. As if she didn’t have enough already. As soon as I’m sure I’ve taken a good selection of shots, I hurry downstairs, to make the most of the spaces before the guests arrive.
‘Rory’s completely right when he says that weddings at the Manor are a gift,’ I say, as I come across Poppy, setting up her two cakes side by side on matching vintage dressing tables. I stop and watch as she adds the colourful fruit to the perfect ivory stack, with its buttercream smoothed into almost-stripes round the outside, then pounce with my camera.
