“Mike is one lucky man,” Hattie agrees, coming over to adjust my bodice slightly and apply some skin tape to the front exactly the way the seamstress showed her in the shop at my final fitting only two weeks ago. It feels like so much has happened since then. So much has shifted. “I bet he’s nervous too.”
I bet he is, I think.
“I’m not nervous.” I am very nervous.
I’m terrified I’m about to do something incredibly stupid. And I can’t tell if that’s marrying the man I’m supposed to love or running away from the man I’m supposed to love.
She sniffs. “Of course you’re not. I’ve never seen you nervous. You’re a wolf, not a lamb.”
I stare at myself for too long. I look like the woman Mike should be marrying. But I don’t look likemeand with rising dread in the pit of my stomach, I realise I’ve done this to myself.
I’ve ignored my doubts all week.
Oh God.
I’ve ignored my doubts all week!
It’s too late to leave.
Is it too late to leave?
I turn to Hattie and take a steadying breath. I’m being irrational and I’mneverirrational.
This is just cold feet. It will pass!
“Do you think I look too much like a bride?” I ask suddenly. “Like I’m tryingtoohard to look like a bride?” I take fistfuls of the dress in each hand.
Hattie regards me, brow raised. “Hmm. I’m trying to work out how your brain got to that question. I’m pretty sure looking like a bride is the whole point.”
“Well, yeah, but…” my voice trails off. I have the urge to step out of my body and look at this from a different perspective.
But I don’t have time. Gemma and Millie poke their heads round the door.
“You look bloody perfect,” Gemma says, sounding resentful of the fact.
Millie sighs. “Maybetooperfect.”
This confirms my fears. “Yes! Thank you! I look like I’ve tried too hard.”
“Hair down would’ve been better,” Millie says, hitching her hip like she’s just been proven right.
Hattie spins on her. “Sara’s hair isfine. Stop it.”
“It’s perfect!” Gemma states again with a sting in her tone.
“Should I mess it up a bit?” I ask, staring at the tight bun it’s been rolled into. “I’ve got time to take it down.” I feel manic.
“No, don’t you dare!” Hattie says. “The wedding planner will kill us if we mess with her schedule. You are ready andyou look absolutely perfect… Er, no… Beautiful…Regal. Whatever. Doesn’t matter. You’re going down the aisle like this!” She shakes her head. “Everyone, get your flowers.”
Hattie ushers my sisters out of the bathroom and they scurry towards the door.
“See you out there,” Abby says, giving my arm one last squeeze.
“Break a leg!” Millie adds.
“Really?” Gemma frowns.
“What? It’s a thing people say!”
