Needing her friend to hear her.
Needing her to say, Nora, if this isn’t right, then you need to listen to that. But instead Shay says that nine years with Robin is the opposite of soon, isn’t it? It’s about time, in fact. And if the venue’s a bit fancy, so what? It’s what weddings are. You can’t fight it. No matter what your mum might say, or how much shit I’ve been giving you for it. Playful, loving shit, mind you.
Yeah, Nora says, and the word is uncertain in her mouth, like a question. Like Shay still has to convince her this is right. Like she’s convinced her of so many things in the past; to open their café, for one thing, to increase the price of her embroidery prints, to try the softshell crab at their favourite sushi spot even though she loves the sea and all its creatures and felt like it was wrong to eat such a – holyhellthis is good, how have I not ordered this before.
Because Shay knows her.
Really knows her.
But what she doesn’t know is what Bren said to her, last week.Walk away.That he’d wanted her with him, then, that she could join him abroad, now, and in this kaleidoscope of confusion Nora also keeps seeing the unwanted image of Jon kissing Freya’s neck in an unlocked bathroom, not unlike the one she’s standing in, right now. It keeps coming to her, unwanted, like when you’re told not to think of a pink elephant and all you can think of is pink elephants, don’t think about marriage when you’re about to get married because hewasmarried, to Josie, and look what married people do to each other, look whatalmost-marriedpeople are already doing because there’s another elephant here, too, Bren with his red hair and green eyes, why are there no windows in this stupidly chic bathroom,if there’s a part of you that feels like this is not what you want, then you can walk away.
It’s going to be great, Shay says, as Nora keeps staring in the mirror.
I’m still not speaking to Freya, she says.
So that’s what this is about?
No, Nora thinks. Maybe, she says.
Then just show up at her door tomorrow! Shay says. Freya’ll just make you embroider your row on a piece of rawhide and burn it in some ceremony of forgiveness, or whatever, and all will be right with the world.
Exhalation, through Nora’s nose, because she can’t quite bring herself to laugh.
Sorry, Shay says, on a piece ofpaper. Forgot she’s vegan.
Apparently, Nora says.
That doesn’t mean it’s going to be vegan food, does it, at the wedding? I’m expecting some kind of hog roast, please.Or a pizza van. Wait, it’s you guys. Of course it’s a pizza van. As long as it’s not too fancy for that?
I’m sure it’s in Robin’s notebook, Nora says, and Shay says well then! Get back out there, lock in all the details and be done with it. Married, fancily or non-fancily, and full of pizza by the end of the night.
Yeah.
It’s going to be great, Nora. Squeeze Robin for me, won’t you.
I will.
Just a hug, obviously. Not his arse or anything. Although he does have a very nice one, to be fair.
Bye, Shay.
Send pictures! Shay says, before she ends the call, then follows up with a text:of the venue, obvs, not his arse.
Nora breathes out. Turns on the tap, splashes her face. Dries her hands with one of the gorgeously soft towels – it’d get Josie’s approval, for sure – and collects herself for one more moment before she re-enters the main room.
All okay? Robin says, once she’s crossed the floor. He and Jed are standing on the veranda just beyond the open glass doors. Nora herself stays inside, but nods in reply. Tries hard, for the rest of the visit. Listens about the videographer and photographer package that Jedhighlyrecommends, the brass band, actually, we thought we’d just make a playlist – but with such weak Wi-Fi, here, that’s a risk – and wecouldhave a band, Nora, if you wanted, we’ve saved enough money with the cancellation, and as numbers might be small, last minute, it might fill the space a bit better.
Speaking of which, have they got their final guest list yet?
Soon, they’ll confirm soon.
And will they be needing hotel recommendations? Best that they block-book rooms, to save disappointment, especially asyou’re not local and everyone will be travelling, any elderly relatives, to think about? Wheelchair users? And onto the fun parts, now, taking seats at a table with a thick book of laminated pages listing added costs and suggestions, though none of it is compulsory, there’s this stone staircase out the back, here, do you see, we have a lot of brides entering the ceremony from that angle because it’s quite an entrance, and then you, Robin, you could stand here if you wanted a first look, very popular with couples nowadays, for the photos, have a moment together before you stand up in front of everyone.
Everyone, Nora thinks.
The word echoing, in her head.
And I think it lends a kind of gravitas, as well, Jed says, especially if you adjust your ceremony to later in the day. Golden hour, maybe. Or dusk? We even had a midnight wedding, once. By candlelight. Everyone stood around the fire pit, the best man was Irish, he sang this hauntingly beautif –
