Thirty-Six
Saturday 5th December
‘Not that one, the pale pink!’ Abi said, panicked, as I brushed a stripe of brown on each cheek.
‘Oh no! The screen froze. I thought you were giving me a thumbs up!’ I peered into the mirror and tried to rub it off. ‘I knew this would be a disaster over Zoom.’
I’d bought the dongle and booster kit Mark had recommended but the signal still wasn’t brilliant, and we were only very precariously connected.
‘It’s fine – there’s time to fix it,’ she said. ‘But you need to concentrate. You’re a natural ginger, remember, and your skin is extremely pale. The only powders going anywhere near your skin should be the peaches and pinks.’
‘Sorry,’ I mumbled, putting the bronzer away and grabbing a baby wipe.
‘Now get your foundation brush and buff back over the bit you’ve just wiped.’
I buffed as best as I could, trying to mirror what Abi was doing on screen.
‘Good, that’s good.’ Her nose was up close to the camera as she watched me. ‘Leave that now and warm up the nib of your white eyeliner.’
I copied her as she scribbled into her palm, then coloured in part of my eyelid and shaded the corners, adding gold dots eitherside. I could see my inner nymph starting to emerge, but I didn’t want to go too Hollywood with the make-up. Abi was so talented – she could make me up all the way from LA with her eyes closed, but I wanted to stay recognisable.
‘I need to start getting dressed,’ I said without moving my lips as I applied the correct pink blush to the apples of my cheeks.
‘Up, up, up!’ she squawked. ‘Upward strokes, small and light. Yes, put your dress on now, then finish your eyeliner once you’re laced in.’
I couldn’t wait to put my nymphette costume on again. ‘You’re going to love it! Benji sorted me out the full kit and caboodle. Although I’ve had to tone it down slightly – there’s only so much side boob one should have on show at a wedding.’
‘And that amount is zero,’ Abi said, looking alarmed. ‘Show it to me.’
I propped my phone up on the dressing table and carefully unzipped the dress, slipping it on and standing back to give her the full effect. It was long and layered in dark blue silk, with a strapless bodice that was tricky to tighten up on my own.
‘Sara! That is… wow. Just wow. It’s a beauty. You look absolutely gorgeous.’
‘I don’t know how nymphy it is, but it makes me feel like a princess.’ I gave Abi a twirl and the layers fluffed up all fairy-like, before gently dropping.
‘There is a bit of boob overshare though. Well, more neck exposure really. It’s an optical illusion because it’s strapless. Have you got a scarf or some necklaces you can wrap around the top?’
‘I’ve got some gold wings with a big ribbon I can tie in a bow?’
‘Shut up!’
I laughed. ‘I have – I told you, Benji gave me the lot! But I think that would be pushing it. I’m wearing this…’ I pulled outthe sequined jacket I’d bought from Liberty, which was long and loose and covered in purple flowers.
‘Sara – that looks stunning. My work here is done!’
‘It’s not too much?’
‘Nope. Perfect. Glamorous enough for a wedding without being over the top. And completely on theme. I can’t wait to see what everyone else is wearing. And by everyone else, I mean Henrik.’
‘He’s been up since six on best man duties, making breakfast for everyone and polishing up his speech. The bridal party are all up at the house getting ready, but I can’t imagine the boys are going over-horsey for the centaur theme.’
Abi snorted. ‘Please let Jonas and Henrik arrive as a pantomime horse.’
I laughed. ‘Thank you so much for sorting out my outfit and painting me a nymphy face.’
‘Any time. You’ve got the big eyes for it. Right, I better run. Tony’s already down at breakfast and keeps messaging me.’
‘Go, go, go. Sorry for interrupting your New York shag fest. Have a fab time and let’s swap photos when we’re both home.’
