‘It’s a particle accelerator that’s ten times hotter than the centre of the sun. Nemmie told me about it. She’s all about the science at the moment.’
Tia makes a zip sign on her mouth to me, then turns to Lando. ‘Has Oliver found something you’re comfortable with?’
Lando looks down at the exquisite pale grey linen suit he’s wearing. ‘I passed over the shorts, the capes and the florals.’ He pulls a pink and grey striped tie out of his pocket. ‘Will this do?’
Tia smiles. ‘Perfect choice. You’ve scrubbed up very nicely, Lando. No signs of Saturday’s harbour weed left at all.’
He looks hesitant and turns to me. ‘There are a hundred other options upstairs, Maevey. If you prefer something else, I can try them on for you?’
I smile at him. ‘Oliver’s nailed the look, and we haven’t got all day. If you’re comfortable as you are, shall we get going?’ I turn to Tia. ‘Tripod, tote bag, make-up, phones, spare sandals, snacks?’
Tia drops a sweatshirt around my shoulders and swings a bag from the chair back. ‘All covered. Shall we hit the high street?’
As Lando picks up the tripod, I have to say I’ve never felt less like going out. Or more scared of what’s about to happen.
7
The Mews, St Aidan, Cornwall
Family ties and wild hearts
Tuesday
As we come out of the shop I look up to see fluffy clouds racing across a forget-me-not blue sky and then look back down to see Tia’s veil blowing across her face.
I wrap my sweatshirt sleeves around my neck for warmth. ‘It’s as sunny as the forecast promised, and brides in a breeze look very real.’
Tia grins at me. ‘It’s lucky we planned for gales and put on our padded bras.’
She’s talking in code here, so as not to alert Lando to our immediate problem. There aren’t any bras, but there are two sets of nipples peaking through very thin fabric. I’m kicking myself for forgetting for a second time that it’s a lot colder outside than in.
I make another snap decision. ‘Real brides must face this all the time. We’ll do the whole thing with our sweatshirts on.’ Ittakes two seconds for me to pull mine over my head, push in my arms, and pull out my veil. I look at Tia. ‘How’s that?’
Lando jumps in. ‘If you’re looking for a groom’s view, I definitely preferred the bare shoulders.’
Tia rolls her eyes. ‘Which we will be doing another– warmer– day, thanks, Lando.’ She slips into her own top and shakes out her hair and shorter veil. ‘Yay! Brides in a Force 9 gale! Way to go!’
If I’m going to speed this through, there’s no time to be wishy-washy. I’d never call myself forceful, but suddenly I’m rattling out orders.
‘Right, we’ll set up the tripod and take a shot of us bursting out of the wedding shop onto the mews. Then we’ll film ourselves browsing in the shop window. Then we’ll move on to the High Street, and film ourselves running up and down different sections and maybe visiting a shop or two.’
Tia nods. ‘That might be enough for today.’
Lando gives a cough. ‘Would it be easier if I held the camera?’ He hesitates. ‘I’m not a complete novice. I do wildlife photography all the time with my conservation work.’
I’m about to exchange ‘man taking over’ glances with Tia when it hits me. If Lando’s behind the camera, then he’s nowhere near me. And this way we’ll keep the couple shots to an absolute minimum.
‘Fabulous idea, Lando. It’ll be quicker too.’ If I play this right, I might get away with only having a single pose with Lando. At this rate, it’ll be over in minutes.
Tia’s eyebrows go up. ‘You’re okay letting Lando use your phone?’
Lando rolls his eyes. ‘I promise not to scroll through your messages.’
I flick to my camera, then pass it over. ‘Go for it! There’s nothing on there you can’t see.’
It’s a crazy bluff. My instinct is to bury my entire life under an invisibility cloak for the time Lando is here, but I’m hoping that if I act as if there’s nothing to hide, I won’t arouse his curiosity.
Tia straightens my veil, gives us both another dab of lippy, and a few seconds later we’re bursting out of the shop door and running down the mews.
