by Katie Fforde
After much air-kissing Mandy and Carrie finally left. 'You're looking quite stressed, Sarah,' said Elsa, who was obviously fizzing with enthusiasm.
Sarah shrugged. 'I shall probably have to source a fairy coach pulled by two white horses now, with this fairy theme. Luckily I do think I know of one.' She looked earnestly at her friend. 'You're a star, Elsa. You handled Carrie so well. I know I can trust you absolutely. This dress will make you a fortune, I promise. You'll have to take on proper staff, never mind work-experience girls.'
‘Well, thank you for choosing me for Carrie,' said Elsa, hugging Sarah.
‘And you, Bron, the cake is delicious, the fake-cakes are going to look stunning..
They would have gone on exchanging compliments for longer but Hugo hooked one arm through Elsa's and the other through Sarah's. He looked firmly at Bron, having to rely on the force of his personality. 'Come on, ladies. Let's join the others in the pub. We've got a lot to celebrate.'
‘I really ought to start work straightaway,' said Elsa.
‘No. It's a Sunday, you can have a celebratory drink first, and then work. Same for you, Sarah. And Bron. No one is lifting a finger until you've all acknowledged how well you've done. Come on.'
‘He's awfully bossy, isn't he?' said Sarah to Bron, still linked to Hugo.
‘Mm,' agreed Bron. 'I rather like that!’
Sarah didn't comment but she decided that at that particular moment she rather liked it too.
*
James and Laurence were surrounded by Sunday papers. They'd obviously been enjoying a quiet time while the others had been involved with Carrie. They both got to their feet and the three girls threaded their way between them and collapsed into the squashy chairs.
‘Right,' said Hugo. 'It's a celebration. Do we want champagne?'
‘I take it it all went well?' said James.
‘It did,' said Elsa. 'But no champagne for me, thank you, Hugo. I don't want to be a party pooper but I really do have to work later and I'm quite tired as it is.' She glanced at Laurence who twinkled back at her. Part of her would have liked to be here on her own with Laurence. She hoped they'd have a moment at least to arrange another date before he had to dash off again.
‘I'd love a glass of white wine,' said Bron, who, unlike the others, didn't have to work later.
‘Sarah,' said Hugo. 'What about you? If you'd like champagne I'm sure I could persuade them to do it by the glass.’
Touched, Sarah smiled back at him for a few seconds. 'No thank you. What I'd really like is a grapefruit juice with soda water.'
‘Are you sure? I know you like a bit of fizz.' He smiled at her.
Sarah became aware of her friends watching this discussion and blushed a little. She nodded and turned to James, who was seated next to her. 'That cake-stand thing is brilliant!' And they chatted about how relatively easy it had been to construct, if you knew how.
Hugo came back with the drinks and as he dispatched them, Sarah found herself wondering about Electra again. Although she was extremely attractive, if he'd known her so long surely he must see that she wasn't right for him? Or was it only wishful thinking on her part? Maybe they were perfectly suited. Maybe he wanted something a bit different, exotic, someone who was adventurous and wouldn't be by his side all the time.
‘So, Hugo,' asked Laurence, breaking into her thoughts. 'Do you get fed up with all this girly dressy stuff?' He winked at Elsa, who blushed and smiled and looked down.
‘Well-' he began.
‘He's awfully good,' said Bron. 'I've seen quite a lot of his work in Sarah's albums – he's great!'
‘Well, thank you, Bron.' Hugo bowed. 'Besides, it's not all I do.'
‘That's true,' said Elsa. 'His portfolio is very impressive.' Hugo bowed again and laughed.
Sarah had been wondering if she should confess to having visited his exhibition before it was even open. Now would be the perfect time, but would it make her seem stalkerish? She decided to be brave. 'Actually, Hugo, I've been meaning to tell you. You know that exhibition that you're in?’
He laughed. 'Think so. I'm in it, after all.'
‘Well, I went to see it. I was in that part of town.' This was a lie, but only a small one. 'So I popped along. It wasn't open yet.' She laughed and took a sip of her drink. 'But I met your friend.' She didn't mention her name because it would look as if she cared enough to remember it. 'Who was it?'
‘Electra.'
‘That's it! Lovely girl. She showed me round. You're really good, Hugo. You're wasted on weddings.. Suddenly she felt rather self-conscious.
Elsa and Bron glanced at each other, confused. Why hadn't Sarah mentioned this?
‘So you've seen it?' He leant forward eagerly. His usual laid-back manner seemed to have left him.
‘Yes. I said. I thought it was amazing.'
‘But the picture of you. I was going to ask permission. He hesitated, seemingly unsure of himself. It wasn't like him at all and Sarah was rather touched. Confident, assured Hugo, anxious for her approval. Then she told herself not to be so silly. They were colleagues; he was being professional, wanting to make sure he hadn't broken any rules.
`Do you ask everyone you photograph for permission -obviously you would famous people, but all the others?' She was curious. That would have involved a lot of work.
‘Well, not always. But I wanted to ask you.’
Sarah became fascinated by the fact that condensation had formed on her glass. 'It was a lovely photo.'
‘What was it of?' asked James.
‘It was just one of Sarah at Ashlyn's wedding,' said Hugo. 'With one of her bridesmaids.' He sounded nonchalant now. Sarah thought she must have misinterpreted his earlier concern.
Laurence, who had been half listening and half looking at the motoring section of the paper, looked up. 'Is that Electra Handforth-Williams, you mentioned?' he said. 'That's right. Do you know her?' Hugo asked.
‘I've only met her a few times. She always seems to be on her way to some far-flung country when I do. She's a great traveller, apparently.'
‘Yes,' said Sarah, feeling she could risk talking about her now she was general conversation. 'Very adventurous.' Sarah felt Hugo's gaze on her but ignored it.
‘I went inter-railing after leaving school,' said Elsa. 'With a friend. I love Europe but I don't think I could settle down anywhere but in England.'
‘That's just how I feel,' said Laurence.
Sarah, who had Hugo in her line of sight noticed him nodding and heard him say, 'Me too. I love this country, can't imagine living anywhere else. A house in the country, dogs and children – at least three…' She stared at her now-empty glass. What was Hugo doing with Electra then?
Chapter Thirty-Six
Sarah, Elsa and Bron were in the back of a white stretch limo. They were on their way to Lily's hen night that was arranged at a location that not only catered for hens, but that was suitably convenient for where everyone lived.
Elsa was thinking about Laurence and wondering when he'd next text. He was away again at the moment on business, and they'd only had a chance to exchange brief 'I'll call you's after the pub that day before he had to leave. He was obviously very busy as his texts, though friendly, had been a bit sporadic and his phone calls practically nonexistent. She just hoped he'd still be keen to see her again when he returned, although he seemed rather vague about that too. She couldn't help feeling a little anxious. He was the first person she'd really liked in a very long time Bron was thinking about James. She thought she'd been giving him subtle hints, but he still seemed to see her only as the girl next door. And despite being newly out of a long-term relationship, albeit one that was dead in the water, she knew she really fancied him. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in years. But she'd just have to trust in fate. He was proving to be a good friend and better that than nothing.
And Sarah was thinking about Hugo, as she seemed to do constantly these days. Telling herself he was unavailable didn't seem to stop her from d
reaming about him. It was all so futile.
‘So, how's it all going, girls?' she said now. 'Elsa, how are the fairy wings coming along for the bridesmaids? And the dresses? It must be bedlam.’
Elsa seemed fairly relaxed about it. She was wearing a dress in a wonderful deep red and the glow that had been apparent on the Sunday morning of Carrie's visit was still there, although slightly diluted.
‘I think it will be fine. I've got my woman, the work-experience girl and I've even roped in Bron's cooking ladies – fortunately it's too early for them to start making vol-au-vents. We bought the dresses and dyed them -Carrie wanted a lovely shell pink which I think I've just about achieved, haven't I, Bron?'
‘It's a lovely colour,' Bron agreed. 'I'm going to try and reproduce it in icing. I've had a commission for a wedding cake made out of cupcakes in tiers. That would be the perfect soft shade I need.'
‘You're both so talented! I'm so impressed. How lucky I am to have you both on board. Go on telling me about the dresses.'
‘Well, we ran up some really stiff petticoats – like those long tutus they wear for Les Sylphides?’
Sarah shook her head. 'I'm so sorry, I know absolutely nothing about ballet.'
‘Doesn't matter. They go under the dresses and then over both there's a layer of chiffon that opens down the front. They have little ruffs to go round their necks. They're adorable, they really are.'
‘That's all right then.'
‘The ladies are all sewing on crystals like mad,' Elsa went on. 'They're AB crystals – that stands for Aurora Borealis if you're remotely interested. They really sparkle.’
Sarah was more interested in speed than crystal types. 'Couldn't you glue them on? It'd be quicker.’
Elsa shook her head. 'Very high risk. If you get one wrong you're left with a horrible gluey mark. I will glue them down the bones though and sprinkle a few on to the skirts. They'll be a bit more random, but I wouldn't ask anyone else to wield the gadget that melts the glue.' She shuddered slightly, obviously thinking of what could happen if it all went wrong. 'Fortunately we managed to buy ballet slippers in exactly the right shade. I don't think we'd have had time to get them dyed to match.' She paused. 'They're having crystals on too.'
‘So what about Carrie's dress? That's the really important thing.'
‘It's going OK, I think. The toile fitted beautifully and she didn't want too much changed, thank goodness. I think she's finally caught on to the fact that there's a bit of a rush on and it won't get done unless she sticks to the plan. She does want a huge stand-up ruff, like in the pictures of Queen Elizabeth the First. I've got some little tiny stones for that.'
‘Phew,' said Sarah. 'You're a star. Now, Bron, what about the cake?'
‘Well, we finally managed to work out a really quick way of doing the fake ones.'
‘We? Is that the cooking ladies, too?’
Bron shook her head. 'James.'
‘That sounded a bit soulful!' said Elsa, who knew all about Bron's frustrations over James. They'd discussed it quite a bit recently, over cups of supportive mid-work tea.
‘Well, I've given all the signals I can and he hasn't picked up on them. Just as well I'm so busy I can hardly even think about him.' As Bron said this she knew that it didn't matter how busy she was, she still spent a lot of time thinking about James.
Sensing Bron didn't really want to talk about it, Sarah said, 'So, have you heard from Laurence, Elsa?’
Elsa sighed. 'He's working abroad at the moment and he's really busy too, and so can't ring me all that often. It's lovely when he does, though. And he sends sweet texts. Mind you, I haven't had one for a while…' Her doubts crept in again.
‘I've put him on the list as your partner,' said Sarah. 'I can take him off if you want.'
‘No, I'd love him to come to the wedding, but I don't think he'll be back in time.'
‘Oh well, his place is open,' said Sarah. 'You're very sweet together.’
After Elsa had denied and then accepted that she and Laurence did seem suited, she said, 'He'll probably come back and not like me after all. It's always a mistake to have sex too early on in the relationship. What?’
Bron and Sarah were laughing. 'I don't think that's a mistake you've made often, Elsa,' said Sarah. 'And anyway, I don't think you need to worry about Laurence. He's obviously smitten. Although he'd better be careful, you're looking particularly hot tonight, if I may say so.’
Elsa pulled at her dress. 'Do you like it? I've got really into red since I had my colours done. Whilst we're on the subject of men, what about you and Hugo, Sarah?' she went on deftly, still preferring not to be the centre of attention if she could avoid it. 'What was that about him taking a picture of you and putting it in an exhibition?'
‘It was lovely. He made me look – well – beautiful.'
‘You are beautiful,' said Elsa promptly.
‘Hm,' said Sarah, 'but you're looking at my beautiful soul.'
‘No!' Elsa contradicted.
‘Well, Hugo wasn't, for sure,' said Bron.
‘What do you mean? He takes pictures of everyone – it doesn't mean a thing,' said Sarah.
‘Come on, I noticed the way you stare at him when you think no one's looking. You do like him, don't you?' asked Bron.
‘Of course I like him! He's Hugo! Everyone likes him!'
‘I didn't mean it like that,' said Bron. 'And you know it.' She smiled. 'Has the cool, calm and collected but cynical wedding planner to the stars finally succumbed..
Sarah blushed. 'Don't be silly. He is attractive, there's no denying it but…' She didn't want to tell the girls he was spoken for. It would involve too much painful interrogation. 'Until this wedding – both weddings – are over, I haven't time to think about Hugo.'
‘But you do really like him, don't you?' persisted Elsa.
Sarah let out a big sigh. 'You don't give up, either of you! All right. Yes, I do, but it's not to be – it's all too complicated, believe me. Anyway, let's not talk about me. This is Lily's night.'
‘But Lily's not here yet,' Elsa pointed out.
‘It's still her night,' said Sarah firmly.
‘Hm,' said Bron. She didn't want to push Sarah too far, not tonight at least. 'So, what's the plan for this evening?'
‘I don't know much at all,' said Sarah. 'Lily said she didn't want me to have anything to do with it. One of her friends has done it all, including hiring this limo. I do hope she's going to pay for it – we don't want to have a frantic whip-round at two in the morning. Actually' – she lowered her voice conspiratorially – 'I'm going to try and slip away a bit early. I'm sure Lily doesn't want her big sister cramping her style.'
‘Well, I don't want to be up late,' said Elsa. 'I get up really early these days.'
‘Oh,' said Bron. 'I was looking forward to a girls' night out.'
‘Well, maybe we should have one then,' said Sarah unexpectedly. 'Maybe we should go on the pull.’
The thought of sensible, well-organised Sarah going on the pull made the others giggle rather more than necessary, Sarah thought as the car pulled up to the kerb in front of the first bar.
‘Hiya! So you're Lily's big sister!’
The girl on the pavement confronting her was wearing white leather shorts, long white boots, a fringed jacket and a cowboy hat. Lily and her two other friends were dressed in the same way. Lily had various extras – L-plates, garters and feather sex toys – draped round her neck. Sarah did her best to smile.
‘That's right!' she said.
‘Lily says you can be a bit of a spoilsport, but you won't on her hen night, will you?'
‘Of course not! Whatever gave you that impression?’
Lily was examining her French manicure. Her shorts were pulled tight over her belly and Sarah thought she looked a bit deranged.
‘Well, I'm in charge,' said Lily's chief bridesmaid, who was called Charlene. 'And we're going to have a great time. Aren't we, girls?’
Everyone cheered –
Elsa and Bron very quietly. Sarah could tell they wanted to go home too.
`So, where do we start?' said Sarah, faking enthusiasm for Britain. 'I'll get the first round in! Which bar are we going to?'
‘Let's have one here first,' said Bron.
‘Not so fast,' said Charlene. 'We can't just go drinking whenever we want. We have to play the game. Lots of games, really.'
‘Oh, come on, Charles,' said another of Lily's friends. 'You can't expect us to go paying forfeits and stuff without a few glasses of wine or a cocktail or two first! It's unreasonable.’
Sarah bit her tongue to stop herself reminding everyone that Lily was pregnant and shouldn't be drinking at all.
‘We're going to a club,' said Charlene. 'It's all arranged. We just have to get past the doormen.' She glanced at Bron, Elsa and Sarah, hinting that they were either inappropriately dressed for a hen night or just too old and unattractive.
It took them a little time to file into the club and the doormen seemed to check out the credentials of the girls for a lot longer than necessary. It took Sarah even longer to make her way to the bar but she persevered – all thought of spending the evening drinking mineral water or non alcoholic cocktails had vanished. She needed at least one drink to get through this.
She realised when she finally got back to the table with the drinks that Lily's friends were already fairly well tanked up. 'Here we go, girls.' She handed Bron and Elsa their drinks. 'We might as well get drunk. It's the only way we're going to get through this.'
‘OK,' said Charlene, unaware of any dissent among her audience. 'Here's what Lily has to do!’
There was a cry of 'Whoa' and everyone took a sip from their glasses.
‘First on the list…' She looked around at her audience, claiming everyone's attention. 'She has to kiss a stag.'
‘Maybe we should ring the RSPCA,' whispered Bron to Sarah.
‘A proper snog, mind, not just a kiss on the cheek.' Charlene was insistent. 'She has to collect three items of clothing from three different men; get a massage – it canjust be shoulders, we don't want anyone stripping off.’