I look at my watch and sniff. ‘Only spoiled by Lando already being ten minutes late.’ My irritation at his rudeness is whooshed away by a sudden, much better thought. ‘He might not come at all!’
Tia pulls a face. ‘Sorry, I should have said. He arrived ages ago. He’s up in groomswear with Oliver.’ She drops her voice. ‘Just so we’re on the same page, how are we handling Nemmie?’
I’ve thought about little else all weekend, alongside scrutinising every mannerism and area of Nemmie’s face and body and wondering if they match Lando’s, but I’d hate to sound overwrought.
I sigh. ‘Ever since Nemmie was born I’ve agonised over who she looks like. I always reassured myself that if Lando met her, he wouldn’t immediately recognise her as his.’ I look at Tia. ‘Do you think I’m kidding myself?’
Tia shakes her head. ‘Not at all. Some kids are like mini versions of their parents, but your family must be from a bigger gene pool because you all look more like yourselves than each other.’ Her face breaks into a smile. ‘Nemmie’s blonde hair is a lucky chance of nature.’
I laugh. ‘I don’t know where that came from. My blonde is down to John Frieda lightener shampoo.’
Tia nods. ‘But it ties you together somehow.’
I sigh. ‘Now I’ve seen Lando again, I can’t see that Nemmie looks like either of us. The only time she reminds me of him is when she’s concentrating really hard and frowns. But Lando probably doesn’t know he does that anyway.’
Tia gives my hand a squeeze. ‘I don’t think you need to worry about brief glimpses. If they ever spent longer together though, that might be something else.’
I blow out a breath. ‘Lando turning up has brought back all my worries about him not knowing, but I won’t do anything in a rush. Once he leaves there will be plenty of time to reflect and revisit.’
Tia squeezes harder. ‘You had rock solid reasons for keeping it from him; you didn’t take that decision lightly.’
I shrug. ‘If Nemmie comes up in conversation today, I’ll wing it. But otherwise, let’s actively avoid it.’
Tia nods. ‘I’ll take my cues from you.’ She pulls me into a hug. ‘We’ve got this. A few times running down the mews hand in hand with Lando, and then you can wave him off into oblivion.’
My heart stops mid-beat. ‘We have to touch?’
Tia swishes back the changing room curtain. ‘Jess may have mentioned that image. But you’re in charge, so the details are up to you.’
I toss my trousers onto the velvet cushioned chair and slide my arms through a milky dress that’s so light it’s barely there at all. I take one look at the strappy sandals lined up by the full-length mirror, and it hits me: I’m not used to ordering people around, but if I’m taking control today, I need to start here.
I ruffle my hair, pin on a veil, and talk to Tia’s reflection. ‘I won’t be risking heels today. I’ll wear my sneakers.’
Tia beams at me as she wriggles into her own dress, which is a gorgeous, crumpled silk with embroidery detail. ‘Brides in sweatshirts and Converse? You’re totally nailing the spirit of St Aidan.’
Tia and I share everything, so I have to put her right on this. ‘Bollocks to spirit. By ditching the platforms I stay five inches further away from Lando’s face. That’s all.’
‘One false move from Lando, and I’ll personally wang him in the Johnson,’ Tia says protectively.
I bite back my smile and give a cough. ‘It’s not Lando’s inappropriate moves I’m worried about. It’s mine.’
Tia’s eyes widen as she hisses. ‘You still have feelings?’
I stuff the sandals into my tote bag in case we need them later, and think how to explain. ‘He’s quite magnetic, that’s all. Last time I tried not to grab him, I ended up in the harbour. I’d hate to be caught off guard a second time.’
She’s grinning at me and putting on her barely there lippy. ‘Point taken and duly logged. This is why I love you so much, Maevey Wavey.’
I lean across and let her put some on me too. ‘Because I’m honest but totally out of control, and anything could happen? This is what I was trying to tell Jess. I do have a soft centre under my tough-nut exterior, but apart from that I’m the least suitable person for work at a wedding shop.’
Tia laughs. ‘Jess must have seen something she liked. She doesn’t hire staff without a lot of thought.’
We stand back, shake out our dresses, then link arms and storm out of the changing room. We’re halfway across the room when there’s a clattering on the stairs beyond the hall. When Lando steps into view a moment later, with Oliver a half pace behind, Tia and I exchange glances.
She breathes in my ear, ‘That’s not warmth. That’s superheat!’
I murmur back, ‘Molten lava. The Large Hadron Collider.’
‘What?’ She frowns at me.
