Tia nods. ‘It’s a growing trend for brides to shop alone. It gives an extra level of drama on the day, and you aren’t swayed with your choices.’
As I follow her through, I can see she’s got the kind of tall, lithe, square-shouldered build that will look fabulous whatever she puts on.
Tia leads the way to the showroom. ‘Sit down, we’ll talk about where to begin.’
Athena chooses a comfy chair and sinks back against the cushions. ‘We’d originally planned to have the ceremony near home with our friends, and the party down here with my family. Then my brother mentioned the beach hut, and it’s a perfect fit. This way we have a small ceremony in the early morning, which is my first dress.’
Tia looks at me. ‘We do the bookings through the shop, but the beach hut belongs to Maeve.’
I smile and give a little wave. ‘It’s great to know we’re helping people get the weddings they want. What are you planning for the rest of the celebration?’
I don’t need to ask where she comes from because her jeans and loafers are very London; her white shirt is tucked in all the way round, which gives an extra air of sophistication that matches her upmarket accent. When she pushes back her hair again, it strikes me that it’s the same colour as Nemmie’s, but her cheeks are so pale she looks like she could do with some St Aidan sunshine.
She smiles. ‘The rest of the day will be pared back too. My mum’s already settled on a garden party.’
It’s impossible not to warm to her, so I grin. ‘Like Buckingham Palace.’
She shakes her head. ‘We won’t be having anywhere near eight thousand guests. My sister had six hundred, but I’ve said three fifty max.’
I asked for that.
‘We’ll have open marquees around the lawn edges; guests will spill in and out of the drawing rooms. There will be all-day bars, buffets, hog roasts and side shows. So long as everyone dances and goes home off their faces, it’ll count as a success.’
Tia reaches out for the racks of dresses. ‘You said a formal dress for the day, with a zip not buttons?’
Athena laughs. ‘The dowager duchess aunts would like me to wear my mother’s dress, so nothing too out-there. Then I’ll need a mini for the evening.’
Tia runs her hands along the rail of dresses she’s already got out. ‘As I explained earlier, because of the short lead-in you’ll be choosing from dresses we have here, so I’ve selected a few to get an idea what you like.’
This is my cue. ‘Would you like a glass of Prosecco while we work?’
Athena tenses. ‘Definitely not.’
‘We have Fentiman’s lemonade or chilled water if you’d prefer?’
‘Thanks, but I’ll get straight on with the dresses.’ She’s already by the rail, pulling off one of Sera’s simple range. ‘I’ll try this one for the beach.’
Tia hands it to me and I take it into the fitting room. By the time I get back out, Athena’s pointed to a sequinned shift and a full-skirted dress with lace and beading and a very expensive price tag. I slide those to one end of the rail, but Athena hesitates.
‘I’ll try them one after another, if that’s okay?’
‘Great.’ Tia nods. ‘We’ll bring them in as soon as you’re ready. If you’d like to get a longer view, there’s a bigger mirror out here. Would you like heels to try with the dresses?’
‘Size six, please. But I’ll try the beach dress in bare feet.’
By the time I get a pair of silver trying-on stilettos and pass them through the curtain I can see she’s already in the first dress. ‘Shall I do you up?’
‘Please.’
Athena looks in the mirror, then turns to let me undo the zip. ‘Great. On to the next one.’
This one is stunning and is a bigger job to climb into. As I zip her up Athena breathes in. ‘It’s quite a snug fit.’
Tia looks in as I do up the zip. ‘There’s nothing to let out on that one unfortunately.’
Athena studies herself. ‘I’ll have to stay away from the Oreos until after the wedding!’ Then she steps back, turns to be undone and calls for the mini dress.
She’s in and out of the short shift in seconds, and we wait outside the curtain for her to put the dressing gown on and come out to see what she’d like to try next.
