‘Surely not!’ I send Tia a desperate look.
She grins back at me. ‘Jess had a lightbulb moment at the Chamber of Commerce lunch yesterday.’ She pauses for a warning rise of her eyebrow. ‘The kind of idea that’s so brilliant it literally explodes into reality as it happens.’
My heart is sinking.
Jess’s eyes are shining. ‘It’s a big summer full-town initiative, and it’s going to be huge!’ She pauses to give that time to sink in. ‘Tia’s going to photograph you and Lando at every participating business. You’ll have your pictures displayed in shop windows all around St Aidan.’ Her smile widens. ‘B&Q are going to have you six feet tall all across their car park!’
‘B-b-but…’ I’m so appalled that nothing is coming out.
Jess carries on. ‘Cross marketing is a wonderful tool. Just think, all the publicity you seize for the shop will pass straight through to your beach hut weddings.’
‘And Lando is happy about this?’
Jess gives a cough. ‘It was his idea as much as mine. As our newest member, he was delighted to make an immediate impression.’
I can’t believe how fast Lando has embedded himself locally, but I concentrate on my protest. ‘Surely this would be better with real brides and grooms rather than fake ones?’
Jess looks like I’ve given her another inspiration. ‘That’s certainly a thought for the future.’ Then she smiles. ‘As you and Lando are very much our couple for this year, we’ll stick with you this time.’
There’s only one thing I can say as I beam back at her. ‘In that case, what’s not to like?!’
Jess gives me a hard slap between my shoulders. ‘Right answer, Maevey Wavey! I’ll send you the list of associate partners as soon as it comes through!’
And that was my Friday.
27
Brides by the Sea, St Aidan, Cornwall
Designer platforms and multilayering
Tuesday
Over the years, whenever I’ve looked in at the drifts of snowy lace in the wedding shop window, it always stood out to me as an island of calm in a chaotic world. Even when filming with Tia, we’ve often tiptoed round in the stillness and been the only people in the building. But now I’m in the thick of it, it’s a powerhouse.
It’s true that the appointment book is filled up months ahead with brides choosing dresses a year or more in advance. But alongside the customers who opt for the certainty of long-term planning, another side of the business caters for brides whose weddings are more last-minute.
So, bearing in mind that anything can happen at the shop and often does, after Tia rings late on Monday asking if I can go in for eight next morning and expect to be hands-on for as long as it takes, when I push my way into the shop on Tuesday I’m ready to go with the flow.
As I walk into the office, Tia pushes a bacon sandwich into my hand. ‘We’d better fuel up. Today’s bride’s team arrived early. They’re up in the studio with Sera and Jess now.’ She pushes the last of her own cob into her mouth. ‘Jess’s been talking to them since last week, and they finally confirmed late last night.’
I pull a face. ‘How exciting!’
She gives a shrug. ‘It’s hard to tell with London stylists. It may be nothing, or it could be enormous. Just so you’re ready, when they come down again, they might ask you to model.’
‘What?’ My sandwich never reaches my open mouth. ‘Shall I brush my hair?’
Tia laughs. ‘Objectively, they’ll be looking from your neck downwards so probably no need. Or they may ask someone else with a different body shape.’
Poppy pushes her way into the office and puts a tin down on the desk. ‘It won’t be me with my second-baby tummy, but I’ve brought white chocolate chip cookie supplies and I can help in the fitting room.’
There’s only one outstanding thing I can think of. ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’
Tia laughs. ‘We offered to send out for drinks, but they’ve come with their own fermented infusions and antioxidants.’ She gives a shudder. ‘If they need an energy boost, apparently they have ginger shots.’
Poppy shakes her head. ‘Days like today are why we keep Hendricks in the filing cabinet.’ She takes in my widening eyes. ‘We wing it, do whatever they ask, and leave the rest to Jess.’
‘What about Sera?’
