The Guest List

by Melissa Hill

  Heidi shook her head regally. ‘Just some sparkling water for me, please. I’m pregnant. So is Kim.’

  ‘Ah go on Heidi, we can have a little glass,’ Kim said, giving Bridget a nod.

  Heidi turned on her with a shocked expression. ‘Kim. You. Cannot. Drink. Alcohol while pregnant,’ she said enunciating each word carefully. ‘You simply cannot.’

  Kim waved a hand in Heidi’s direction. ‘Honestly, it’s fine. I used to have the odd glass on both Olivia and Lindsay. Trust me, it’s not a problem.’

  Heidi turned angry eyes to Betty. ‘Mum, tell her . . .’

  Betty sighed heavily, but wisely stayed silent.

  ‘Let it go Heidi,’ Cara put in calmly. ‘If you don’t want one that’s fine, but if Kim does, then that’s her decision.’

  Heidi rolled her eyes, and slumped in the seat. ‘Typical. I’m the responsible pregnant woman here, but yet I’m the one who gets chastised!’

  Bridget the bridal assistant shifted from one foot to the other, looking mightily uncomfortable.

  So much for everything being fine, Cara thought with a sigh. This was going to end badly; there was no doubt about it. She cut in quickly. ‘Bridget, champagne would be lovely, thank you. Three glasses please. And one sparkling water.’

  ‘Of course. I’ll be right back.’

  Heidi kept her eyes firmly planted on the far wall. Cara rubbed her temples while Kim looked ready to wring Heidi’s neck. Betty picked up a nearby bridal magazine and started leafing through it.

  Still, the brief silence was encouraging. Maybe the subject would just be dropped, Cara thought hopefully. Maybe they could just all get along.

  Betty looked up from the magazine, ‘Oh, look at this, Cara,’ she said, pointing at a photograph. ‘Isn’t it beautiful? You would look like a princess in this.’

  Heidi and Kim momentarily forgotten, Cara looked briefly at the frou-frou Cinderella dress her mother was pointing at. Indeed it was a beautiful dress; a BIG, beautiful dress – but there was no way she could wear something like that in St Lucia.

  ‘That’s nice Mum, but I don’t think it would do for a beach wedding. I’d roast in it. Like I said, I’m looking for something simple.’

  ‘Well, there’s no harm in trying something like that on, is there? Seeing as we’re here . . . I’ll check with Bridget – see if she has something similar.’

  ‘Mum, no,’ Cara insisted. ‘There’s no point; it’s not what I am interested in.’

  At that moment Bridget walked back into the room, holding a silver tray that carried three crystal flutes of champagne. There was also a bottle of San Pellegrino and a glass with ice for Heidi.

  ‘Here you go ladies.’ Bridget handed each woman a glass and Heidi looked icily at Kim as her sister-in-law accepted hers and took a sip, smacking her lips in appreciation.

  Cara decided at that moment that the best course of action would be to ignore them both.

  ‘So, Cara,’ Bridget said, smiling. ‘You said on the phone that your wedding will be taking place in St Lucia. That sounds wonderful!’ she enthused, going into sales mode and focusing all her efforts on the bride-to-be. ‘What do you envision for your Big Day? How do you see yourself?’

  Cara took a deep breath. Finally, someone was just asking her what she wanted. Of course, she understood that Bridget wanted to sell her something, but the attention and focus was appreciated all the same. She thought back to her original vision, the dress she’d created in her mind when Shane had asked her the same question a few weeks before.

  ‘Well, of course we’ll be on the beach, and it will be quite warm. I was hoping for something very simple, flowing and sheath-like . . . like a white column of satin,’ she said, smiling.

  Bridget nodded. ‘Sounds amazing. We’ll need something that will catch the ocean breeze, light, feminine and elegant while at the same time comfortable and easy to walk in. I already have a few ideas in mind—’

  ‘Yes, but we were also thinking something like this.’ Betty spoke up suddenly. She pointed to the magazine she had been holding, and the same huge ballgown that she had shown Cara moments before. Bridget looked at Cara questioningly. It was apparent the woman was trying to figure out the dynamic in the room, or more importantly, who was paying for what. Which would be a big factor in deciding whom she would side with, from a sales perspective at least.

  ‘That is indeed a beautiful dress . . .’ she replied hesitantly. ‘The train alone is cathedral length, about fifteen feet or so. So I’m not entirely sure if it is the best idea for a beach wedding . . .’

  Cara was shaking her head. ‘No Mum, I told you. All that tulle, and that heavy beading – it’s just too much. And more to the point, it’s not me. I don’t want it.’

  ‘You say that now, but you never know what you are going to like until you put it on. Don’t you remember sweetheart?’ she said, addressing Heidi. ‘You came in thinking that you wanted one thing, and walked out with something completely different, didn’t you?’ Heidi nodded and for the first time Cara wondered if all of Heidi’s apparent over-the-top decisions had actually been of her own making. Yes, she remembered her sister’s wedding dress, the kind of big princess gown with a train, sequins, and very full skirt that Betty loved. Exactly the kind she was pointing out now.

  ‘She’s proof alone that you can change your mind, even if you think you’re absolutely sure,’ her mother encouraged. ‘Do you have a dress like this in stock so we could take a look at it?’ she asked the assistant. ‘Along with the others of course. Let’s just have a look and see, OK?’ She spoke in a sweet tone, but there was steeliness behind it and Cara knew that her mother wouldn’t back down until she had tried on the meringue. Well, couldn’t she grant her mother that much at least?

  Bridget looked to Cara for affirmation. ‘OK, we’ll take a look,’ she conceded glumly.

  The assistant nodded and disappeared once again from the room.

  Cara, Heidi and Kim sat in silence, sipping their respective drinks while Betty hummed happily to herself.

  When Bridget re-entered the room, she was followed by two more assistants who pushed a rolling clothes rail filled with white satin, lace and a variety of other fabrics.

  Cara easily picked out the huge ballgown; it was clear that they had done their utmost to fit the dress in alongside the others, as it could have easily filled a rack on its own.

  ‘So we’ve chosen several designs that we thought you might like, and that also fit with your vision,’ Bridget said, looking only at Cara and working her hardest to avoid Betty’s gaze.

  The first dress she offered was a simple satin sheath, just as Cara had described. It had two delicate straps that criss-crossed at the back, tying into an elegant and understated bow. It also had the slightest of trains and as she looked at the dress, Cara could practically feel the sand under her toes.

  ‘Oh, it’s beautiful,’ she cooed. ‘I can’t wait to try it on.’

  Once she had disrobed and had assistance in putting the delicate satin over her head, she looked at herself in the mirror. While she wasn’t sure if this dress was ‘The One’, they were certainly on the right track.

  She turned to show the other women, anxious for opinions, but Betty was already shaking her head. ‘It’s too plain, Cara. Where’s the lace? Where’s all the detail, or a bit of ribbon even? It just looks like some sort of evening gown, not a wedding dress. There’s just nothing to it.’

  ‘Mum, I think it’s gorgeous, very simple and light, exactly what I—’

  ‘I do too,’ Kim interjected, giving an encouraging wink. ‘You look amazing.’

  ‘Just try on this one – to compare,’ her mother said, moving to the meringue. It was clear that Betty would not be dissuaded from her goal.

  Bridget looked at Cara inquiringly, looking for approval to move on.

  ‘OK go ahead,’ she nodded. ‘Might as well get it over and done with,’ she added under her breath.

  The two assistants approached he
r with the dress. It was made from yards and yards of taffeta and tulle, and Cara couldn’t determine where the gown began or ended. Getting her out of the simple sheath, they began to help her negotiate her way into the monstrous gown.

  Once they got her in, they started the process of lacing her up and using a little tool that helped them fasten the tiny buttons on the back of the dress. All the while Betty made cooing sounds behind her.

  When the assistants were finally finished, Cara turned round to look at herself in the mirror.

  Holy hell, she thought, trying to stifle a giggle, I look like the Abominable Snowman!

  Off the shoulder, with intricate beading and design across the bodice, the dress ballooned into a massive skirt that was decorated with white sequins and lacework. Cara studied the reflection of the back of the dress in the mirror. The train alone was something to be reckoned with. She would need several attendants just to help her navigate it down the beach. She didn’t even want to think of the weight that she would be carrying around in the humid Caribbean weather, especially once some damp sand inevitably found its way on to the train.

  And while it probably would have suited her sister, or perhaps someone who was getting married at the likes of Westminster Abbey, it was definitely not Cara.

  ‘Very nice but can you imagine dragging that around on the beach?’ Kim chuckled, echoing Cara’s thoughts.

  ‘I’m sure it could be bustled or something?’ Betty offered, campaigning blatantly for the dress.

  ‘Ah Mum, you can’t be serious. This thing is terribly heavy; I’d be killed wearing it in the humidity. Can we just agree that this dress is really not for me?’

  Betty waved a hand. ‘But it’s beautiful. Just perfect – the kind of dress I’ve always imagined you wearing.’

  ‘Mum, really, it’s a little much, don’t you think? It might be fine in a church, but not a beach,’ Heidi chimed in and Cara smiled at her, grateful that she was taking her side on this one.

  ‘You look like you’re struggling already,’ commented Kim. ‘I’m about to break into a sweat just looking at you. Next please.’

  Cara was only too happy to oblige, and as the attendants helped her out of the offending dress, she noted the disappointed expression on her mother’s face.

  ‘OK, which one next?’ she asked, relieved to have got the big meringue out of the way.

  Bridget walked forward with the next choice and Cara immediately felt her breath catch in her throat.

  An elegant white strapless gown, it looked like something a Greek goddess would wear with its sweetheart neckline and natural waist. The bodice was covered in ruched silk and the gathered skirt was made of a soft organza satin that created a romantic silhouette. Around the waist was a simple crystal appliqué that highlighted, rather than overdid, the style of the dress. The back scooped low and the skirt fell into a romantic and simple flowing train; nothing too heavy. This was a dress that would catch an ocean breeze for sure.

  ‘This one just came in. It’s from a new designer who is getting a lot of buzz. Kate Middleton is a fan apparently. What do you think of it?’

  ‘Wow, it’s gorgeous, Cara,’ Heidi commented.

  ‘Yes, try it, hurry,’ Kim echoed excitedly.

  Cara felt goose bumps up and down her arms as the dress’s feather-light material was arranged around her. She closed her eyes in anticipation as they zipped her up. She had a feeling about this dress and was almost afraid to see how it looked, just in case it didn’t suit. Please, please let it do her justice.

  ‘Oh wow, Cara, do yourself a favour and open your eyes,’ Kim urged.

  She did. Her heart pounded with exhilaration as she took in her appearance. She barely recognised herself. The dress seemed to have been made just for her. In truth, it wasn’t the simple sheath that she had originally envisioned, but this was her dress; there was no denying that.

  ‘Say something,’ Kim laughed.

  ‘Oh my – I love it. I absolutely love it . . .’ Her mouth still agape with fascination, Cara turned round and looked at the delicate flowing fabric behind her. Everything about this dress was simple and elegant. She imagined herself walking out on to the sand beneath a canopy of palm trees, the skirt swirling around her. She tried to imagine how much better the dress would look on her when she had sun-kissed skin. Yes, this was her dress – for her wedding to Shane on a beautiful beach on a paradise island.

  She turned round to face the others, hoping that they loved it as much as she did.

  ‘Mum, what do you think?’ she asked, smiling.

  Betty had removed a tissue from her purse and was dabbing her eyes lightly. ‘Oh Cara—’ she whispered.

  Tears came to her own eyes, she was so taken aback at her mother’s reaction. ‘You like it?’

  ‘Oh sweetheart, I love it. It was made for you.’ Betty smiled happily. ‘Forget all about the ballgown. This is the one.’

  Cara turned back towards the mirror and looked at herself once again, doubly thrilled by her mother’s approval. She wondered what Shane would think when he saw her in this. Her heart soared at the thought of becoming his wife in this gown, of committing herself to him for ever while she was wearing this.

  ‘It really is stunning on you.’ Bridget smiled.

  ‘Thank you, Bridget.’

  ‘Would you like to see any of the others or . . .?’

  ‘No, no, I don’t think so. I’ve been told you should always go with your gut when it comes to wedding dresses, and mine is screaming at me that this is the one.’

  Bridget smiled. ‘Yes, I have heard that theory works.’

  ‘Is there a veil?’

  She nodded and went back to the rack, a moment later producing a simple tulle veil with a crystal appliqué, similar to the one on the dress, decorating its bottom edges. She slid the comb of the veil into Cara’s hair. It fell gracefully around her shoulders, falling right in the middle of her back.

  She was sold.

  ‘Bridget?’

  ‘Yes?’ smiled the saleswoman, already mentally calculating her commission.

  ‘I’ll take it.’

  Chapter 23

  Cara was feeling giddy. It had been a fantastic day. She had found her wedding dress, her family were (for the most part) getting along with each other, and she had indulged in champagne. Life was good.

  She’d had three glasses at the bridal salon, and afterwards Kim had insisted on a celebratory late lunch, especially after they decided on the bridesmaid dresses, too.

  Gold, Empire-line knee-length dresses that would look fantastic on all three women, even taking into account that two of them had ever-expanding tummies to contend with. As Danielle had always had an enviable figure and would look good wearing a sack, Cara figured her older sister would be fine with her choice, but she was going to email her the details, and a picture of the dress from the catalogue, just in case.

  At the restaurant, she had allowed her wine glass to be filled a few more times and admitted that it was wise to let Kim drive her home while Heidi dropped Betty back at her own place.

  ‘I can’t believe I’ve found my wedding dress. Isn’t it amazing I found my dress? Number three’s a charm. Or is it third time’s the charm?’ she giggled at Kim as they drove home from the restaurant. ‘I don’t remember.’

  ‘I believe it is third time’s the charm. And yes, it’s amazing and looked fantastic on you. Drop-dead gorgeous. What a stunner. Shane is going to pass out on that beach when he sees you in it.’

  Cara leaned her head back against the car seat. ‘You know, I think I needed this,’ she said dramatically. ‘Something about this wedding to go right. Did you go through lots of drama before your wedding day?’

  Kim smiled and patted Cara’s knee. ‘Let’s just say that it wasn’t smooth sailing, especially when Ben and I announced I was pregnant. My parents didn’t take kindly to it really. My dad wanted to kill Ben, like he had compromised my honour or something. Poor thing had a hard time getting his head
round the fact that I wasn’t as pure as the driven snow, but yes, they all came round in the end.’

  ‘Yes, but you and Ben were engaged already by then, and I don’t remember anyone objecting to your wedding the way they are with ours,’ Cara continued, looking to Kim for answers.

  Kim smiled, keeping her eyes on the road. ‘Like I said, it wasn’t a walk in the park. Being the bride, technically it should have been my family who was in charge of things, but I have to admit, your mother had the tendency to overstep. That’s between you and me of course. And my own mother drove me crazy.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s just part and parcel of it all, really. As for the beach wedding, I think your mother might be coming round, and barring that cheap shot about my drinking threatening to upend your dress shopping, Heidi might well end up onside too. It will work out,’ she encouraged.

  Thinking of Shane’s parents, a sliver of worry shot through Cara’s otherwise happy buzz. ‘But what about Shane’s parents though? They’re still not speaking to us.’

  Kim shrugged. ‘They’ll eventually come round too.’

  ‘But what if they don’t? What if they just continue to punish us? What should I do? What should Shane do?’

  Kim looked at her as she pulled up in front of Cara and Shane’s apartment block. ‘Are you and Shane happy with each other?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Exactly, you are a team, so there’s little point in worrying about things you can’t control. Just take it one day at a time. Now pull yourself together and powder your nose. I’ve got you home and I won’t be blamed by Shane for getting you all drunk and messy.’

  ‘OK, see you soon. And thanks for coming with me today.’ Cara hiccupped loudly as she reached across to give Kim a hug.

  ‘You’re welcome. Now scoot!’

  Cara got out of the car and laughed happily as she fished out her keys. This had been the best day yet and she couldn’t wait to tell Shane all about it.

  Lauren Richardson sat by a large floor to ceiling window in the library of her home. She studied the early evening sky and went over the conversation that she had had with Shane earlier. She hated that he was upset, but then again she had fully anticipated that he wouldn’t take the information that she delivered too readily. In any case, when you truly considered it, she was really just trying to protect his interests – and the interests of the Richardson name.