Sequins and Snowflakes

by Jane Linfoot

  And then suddenly Alice and my dad are here. One minute I’m on the floor, pulling off Alice’s wellies, the next her cloak lands on top of me like a dead weight.

  And just when I think I’m going to suffocate, there’s a familiar voice. ‘Great job, Fi. I’ll take this and the wellies, give me your jacket too.’ Johnny’s here, scooping the cloak into his arms, pulling me up, sliding off my jacket.

  Then it’s just Alice and me, looking at each other. We’re so close, I can’t even see her dress properly. She’s biting her lip, and as she pulls me into a hug, mostly she’s just squeaking and snuffling. ‘Thank you, Sera… and don’t forget, you’re going to be my witness.’

  Jules takes a moment to capture our sisterly squish, then he dashes inside.

  ‘All set?’ I ask, as I push her away again.

  Alice does a teary nod, and takes my dad’s arm. This is possibly the first time in my life I’ve seen him without his papers and his reading glasses.

  As someone throws open the doors, I can already hear the first tinkling bars of their music playing, and see the rows of backs and the muslin bows on the chairs. It’s Christmas, it’s snowy, it had to be ‘Somewhere Only We Know’. It’s only a surprise because I just didn’t have Alice down as such a softie. Somehow I never actually thought quite this far. As I get ready to follow Alice down the aisle I’m just so happy, because we’ve actually made it to the end of the wedding manual.

  I’m grinning at her, because that’s the only way I can keep back my tears. ‘Come on, what we are waiting for. Let’s go and get you married.’

  ***

  ‘Candles and white roses, and clouds of fairy lights, it’s amazing.’ Hetty’s beside me, smiling, whispering as I step back to my seat with Alice’s bouquet. ‘And that dress… it’s so beautiful.’

  Beside Dan’s broad back in his tweed suit, Alice is slender, her simple silk shift hanging in gentle folds, the tiny spangles on the chiffon top glistening as they catch the light.

  ‘I’ve never seen anyone actually get married in one of my dresses before,’ I whisper back. It’s quite a funny feeling. It makes my chest all tight. I’m kind of bursting because I’m so proud of Alice, and yet I’m all scrunched up inside, because I’m trying so hard not to howl. Because I’m so happy. I’m still all wobbly from the moment when Alice arrived next to Dan and he saw her for the first time. If she ever doubted he loved her, the look on his face then was enough to chase every bit of doubt away. Loved-up didn’t begin to cover it.

  As for the repeating bits, Dan is gruff, but decided. And Alice is sniffing so much, her voice has practically disappeared. And when it comes to the mission statement part, she swallows her words, so no one can hear what she’s saying. The only bit we get is at the end, where she says ‘I love you, Dan’, but that’s all good. And Dan’s promises are pretty much what he said in the letter last night.

  Hetty smiles at me as Dan comes to the end of his speech. ‘So heartfelt…’ The tears gushing down her cheeks have to be testing her make-up to the limit.

  I blow my nose and stuff my hanky back up the sleeve of my fluffy cardigan. ‘She’s so lucky, isn’t she?’ Not that I’ve ever imagined wanting a husband, or a wedding. Nor that I ever will. But for this one moment only, I’m kind of converted. The rose tints on my wedding goggles are turned full on.

  And then bish bash bosh, who’d have thought it could be so fast, but they’re man and wife, they’ve had their wedding snog – despite not being teenagers – and they’re on their way over to the signing table, and someone’s pushing me over there too. As Alice sits down and leans forward with the pen, the row of pearl buttons down the back of her jacket shine, all the way from the nape of her neck to her waist.

  As Johnny arrives at my side the waft of delicious aftershave is pretty surprising. Somehow, I’d have thought he’d smell of Snowball, but he doesn’t. If he’s signing, I guess it means he is best man number one after all. And I really am chief bridesmaid, however much of a ditz I am.

  His voice is low as he leans towards my ear. ‘Great job on the dresses, Fi. And not a flamingo in sight.’

  ‘A flamingo-free zone.’ I whisper back. There’s no way I’m letting on I’m still wearing my flamingo shorts under my dress. A bridesmaid has to keep some secrets. ‘You scrub up pretty well yourself.’

  He gives me a nudge. ‘Catch you later, I made sure we’re sitting together.’

  Then Johnny and I sign our names on the register too, and everyone laughs at the bit where the registrar pretends to give the certificate to Alice, because it’s the woman who’s going to be boss. Even though they have no idea what thin ice they’re skating on there.

  Rafe, wise man, was right about everything working out, and he was completely right a second time too. Ten minutes later, we’re all filing into the ballroom, heading for the bubbly.

  And I’m left wondering how the hell something so small and simple and beautiful as Alice and Dan getting married could ever have seemed so difficult.

  47

  Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve

  In the ballroom at Rose Hill Manor: More bubbly?

  ‘So you do know, I’m claiming the first dance with you.’ Quinn’s leaning over, topping up my bubbly again, as he’s done every time I’ve taken a sip, pretty much ever since we sat down. Which seems like hours ago. ‘Given the other best man signed the register, it’s only fair.’ His lower lip is sticking out so far, he’s almost pouting. As for how I’ve ended up sitting next to Alice and Quinn rather than Alice and Johnny? Swapping place cards – whoever did it – is pretty childish for guys of their age.

  We’re relaxing after the most delicious four-course wedding breakfast ever. After three courses of deliciousness I was pretty certain I was so full, I couldn’t eat another thing. Then a medley of puddings arrived and proved me wrong. Chocolate profiteroles to die for, dreamy lemony Eton Mess, mouth-melting mini meringues and delectable heart-shaped hot-chocolate brownies. As our plates are finally whisked away, a waiter follows filling up our toasting glasses.

  ‘What, more bubbly?’ I’m gawping at the two full glasses in front of me. As if I haven’t got through enough already, courtesy of Quinn. Although Johnny might have been right when he said I was getting a taste for champers, because it’s going down faster and faster as the afternoon goes on. So fast, I’m starting to feel like I could almost be turning into Jess. I lean back in my seat and nod at Quinn. ‘Now I see why we needed so much crystalware.’

  ‘I knew Alice would love those jars in the end too.’ Quinn’s sounding very smug as he twiddles with a rose. ‘Personally I’d have skipped the speeches and the toasts and cut straight to the dancing. But Alice is insisting.’

  ‘Aren’t you doing the best man’s speech then, Quinn?’ I can see Johnny setting up his laptop and a screen, at the end of the top table. Given Quinn’s done his best to physically wedge himself between me and Johnny at every opportunity, it’s the most I’ve seen of him since the ceremony.

  Quinn gives a grimace. ‘I’ll say a few words, obviously, but Johnny muscled in on that one too. By the time I came on board, he’d already finished a mash-up of video clips and pictures, and the speech. I didn’t get a look in.’

  Which, roughly translated, probably means when there was work to be done, Quinn made himself scarce. But no doubt he will be around to take the credit. No change there, then.

  Alice slides back into her seat next to me. ‘Dan, Dad and you best men will have to wait. I’m doing my speech first.’

  Quinn rolls his eyes up to the twigs and fairy lights overhead. ‘Since when did you decide to do a speech?’

  ‘Keep up.’ Alice gives him the kind of less-significant-than-a-slug look she used to reserve for me. Come to think of it, it’s days since I saw that look. ‘If you aren’t up to speed, Quinn, that’s hardly my fault.’ As Dan pulls up his chair and takes her hand, she gives Jules a nod. ‘Are you all ready?’

  As Dan sits down next to Alice, Ju
les dashes over. No idea what he’s done with his cameras, but given he’s waving both thumbs in the air, we’re about to roll into the speeches. I’m just hoping they’re funny enough to keep me awake, because after all those puddings, I’m pretty much ready to fall asleep.

  ‘So,’ Alice clears her throat. ‘Traditionally, the bride doesn’t make a speech, but today I’m making an exception, because there’s something very special I need to say.’

  That jolts me out of my slumber. Holy crap, is she about to announce that she’s pregnant? Although I seriously doubt it, given she still doesn’t have the first clue about that. I let my eyelids droop again.

  ‘What you might not know is that a week ago I arrived in Cornwall for a wedding I’d planned so meticulously, I assumed it would happen on its own. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.’ She takes a deep breath and smiles around the room. ‘I also came to Cornwall expecting to find my baby sister sitting on a beach…’

  Okay. The word ‘sister’ jerks me back to life. Like when the teacher suddenly points at you in a lesson. My heart is hammering against my chest wall as I fold my arms and shift uncomfortably in my seat. Where is she going with this? Wherever it is, she’s got that determined look on her face. And she’s not swallowing her words now.

  ‘That was my biggest surprise. Because while I’d been looking the other way my baby sister, Sera, had grown up. Okay, she was still wearing her ripped denim shorts. But instead of the teenager I remembered her as, I found the most amazing, successful dress designer. A woman, who, with her incredible friends, has put our whole wedding back together piece by piece as it fell apart – and made it more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.’

  Oh my. Who’d have thought? And whereas once if this happened, I’d have been crawling under the table with embarrassment, somehow this time I’m not. Because I didn’t do this on my own. I’m here, taking this one for the team. Who I really hope she’s going to mention.

  Alice swallows hard before she goes on. ‘Without my wonderful sister, we wouldn’t actually be here now. Sera is the one whose strength and single-mindedness, whose wisdom and talent, actually made this wedding happen. I’ve always been the one to look after her, but this time she’s looked after me, and you have no idea how loved that makes me feel. Her friends, Poppy, Rafe and Immie from Daisy Hill Farm, and Jess from Brides by the Sea, Jules the photographer, and the whole of the Blue Watch from the fire brigade threw themselves into the job. With every successive problem, they came up with a solution. Whatever I say, there aren’t enough words in the world to thank them all. So I’d like to raise a toast to all those lovely people. But most of all, please raise your glasses and toast my wonderful, amazing sister.’

  As she holds her glass up, everyone follows and I’m not even bothering to bite back my tears. They’re sliding down my cheeks like heavy rain cascading down a window. At the end of the table Johnny leans forward and gives me a nod and the proudest smile of all time.

  ‘Sera, I love you so much – and thank you. Especially for your slippers.’

  There’s a general chinking of glasses. For a moment I don’t know if I should be drinking or not, but in the end I take the hugest glug that has me laughing and choking all at the same time.

  Alice is still standing. ‘Right, that’s me done. Over to you boys. I’m going to hug my sister.’

  And next minute she’s dragging me into the biggest hug of my life.

  48

  Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve

  In the ballroom at Rose Hill Manor: Tart but not sour

  ‘This floor totally is awesome, Quinn.’ As he twirls me around, I put my mouth close to his ear and yell to be heard over the pulsing beat. Multi-coloured lights are flashing under our feet as we dance. I’m the first to admit I was sniffy about the whole idea, but in the end it’s phenomenal. Dancing on a floor that changes colour with the music is awesome, even if it does make my head spin. As for Quinn’s choice of track, great as it is to dance to, ‘I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll’ seems like another of Quinn’s digs at Alice. But knowing Alice she’ll get him back for it.

  Despite what Quinn said about first dances, it’s now way past midnight. Before that we were too busy. Johnny and I volunteered for cake slicing and distribution – a good move, given how yummy Poppy’s cake is. That’s the thing about having a hundred and fifty people around for the weekend. There’s always a job to do or someone needing help. We had endless chairs to shift around, my mum lost her glasses, then her camera. I lost count of how many group hugs I took pictures of.

  As for Quinn, the way he’s spinning me around now, we could be on Strictly Come Dancing. And our first dance has sprawled into more. So long as I relax and move with him, it’s like he’s doing the dancing for both of us. By the end of the track, I’m throwing off my cardi, wiping the sweat off my forehead and wishing I hadn’t kept my shorts on under my dress after all.

  ‘There’s nothing like a light show under your feet.’ Quinn grins.

  One more question before I disentangle myself from his hand and head off to get my breath back. I’m back shouting in his ear again for this. ‘How come you dance so well?’

  He grins and dips to my ear. ‘It’s a great way to stay fit – when I’m away from the beach that is.’

  And I’m sure it doesn’t do him any harm with the women either. Anyone who can dance like that will never be short of partners.

  ‘Thanks anyway,’ I yell, and begin to back off the floor.

  ‘No, you can’t leave now, Sera. The fun’s hardly started.’ There’s the hint of a whine as he tugs at my wrist. As he pulls me towards him, the floor throbs from purple to red, then progresses to flashing black-and-white zig zags. ‘Whatever happened to dancing the night away? Then tomorrow we’ll hit the beach first thing, for a Christmas-morning swim.’

  ‘Excuse me?’ Much as I love the beach, I’d planned to spend the morning catching up on sleep, maybe having an Alice-type soak, in time to emerge for a huge Christmas lunch at three. Breaking the ice on the sea doesn’t exactly fit in with my plans. Nor does sliding seamlessly from night to morning. What’s more, he’s definitely skipped over the bit where I go back to my room. On my own.

  ‘If you insist on sitting down, I’ll come with you.’ The way his arm slides over my shoulder and guides me off the dance floor and across the ballroom towards the drinks, it could be just another slinky salsa move. Except it stays there. ‘We’ll grab some cocktails and find a sofa to sink into.’

  Downing cocktails is not exactly top of my wish list for tonight. Especially not with Quinn. As for us sinking into a sofa together, that’s pretty much top of my ‘not to do’ list.

  Not that I’m going chasing after Johnny, but I scan every last corner for him, just in case he’s arrived, so I can make my escape from Quinn. I spot Sophie in the kind of clinch I wouldn’t be interrupting, and Hetty chasing after a waiter. ‘Or maybe we should dance again?’ Given Quinn’s become as clingy as a limpet, it’s my safest bet.

  ‘Great plan, but let’s get those cocktails first.’

  The colourful mix of glasses, fruit, bottles, ice buckets and cocktail shakers on the table he steers me towards could have come from a magazine picture. Despite it being midnight, the guy behind the table is still pristine in his white shirt and bow tie. He smiles. ‘What can I get you?’

  I’m eyeing the array of drinks on offer, working out if a Diet Pepsi and ice is even possible, but Quinn gets there before me.

  ‘Two large mojitos, please.’ He sends me a grin as the waiter begins to pour. ‘Handmade, these are something else.’

  A few minutes later a frosted tumbler arrives in my hand. Pushing the mint sprig to one side, I pop the straw in my mouth and take a sip. ‘Fab.’ I send Quinn a nod of appreciation for getting this so right. ‘It’s tart but not sour, deliciously limey and minty.’ Once I begin to suck, I’m so parched from the dancing, it practically goes down in one.

  ‘That�
��s my girl.’ He raises his eyebrows as he puts his empty glass back on the table. ‘Not so much like Alice after all, then.’

  In seconds we’re back on the dance floor again. And that’s how it goes. Cocktails, dancing, cocktails, dancing. At some point I must have lost the kitten-heeled boots, although I can’t remember where, or when. But a whole lot later, when I accidentally step on Quinn’s foot, my feet are bare. I’m vaguely wobbly, but I don’t actually give a damn about randomly bumping into people, because somehow I’ve arrived at a happy place, where I actually want to hug the whole world. Even Quinn. Although I’m still not quite drunk enough to think that’s a good idea.

  I lean in to Quinn as yet another Christmas song ends. ‘There’s not so many dancing people now – I mean people dancing.’ It may be a good thing it’s less crowded if I’m trampling people.

  ‘Leaving a party at two?’ As he tilts his forehead to touch mine, mine is so sweaty we stick. ‘They must be lightweights.’ He takes hold of my hand again. ‘Let’s have another drink.’ Which has to be Quinn’s most-used phrase of the day.

  We leave the flashing floor, but I’m barely noticing the colours any more. As the piano notes of the next track come through the speaker stacks, there’s a sudden rush towards the dance floor, as everyone recognises the song. Then there’s a tap on my shoulder and I look around. ‘Johnny, where have you been? I was looking for you.’ Somehow I’ve missed him before, but he’s here now. And letting him know how hard I’ve been looking for him is probably down to the cocktails. But right now I’m not sure I care who knows.

  He’s eyeing Quinn levelly. ‘I think this one’s mine, Quinn.’

  For a second Quinn looks like he’s going to nut him. Then he backs away. ‘Okay, I’ll get our drinks, see you back here in four, Sera.’