As soon as Kate’s mum arrives, we head out for our hair appointment, which will be followed by a make-up and nails. After this, we plan to have sandwiches at Kate’s before walking the short distance to the church. Kate said it would be ridiculous for her to be driven 100 metres to the church, so has just hired a camper van for all of us to travel to the centre after the service.
Whilst I’m waiting for Kate to have her hair fashioned into neat glossy curls, I decide to call James to check that the caterers have arrived at the centre. After what seems an age, he finally answers his phone. “Hi, is everything okay down there? Have the caterers arrived?” I ask urgently.
“Yes and yes!” he answers, seemingly reluctant to pander to my unnecessary anxieties.
“Yes, but do they seem to be getting along with things? I mean ... do you think they are on schedule?” I ask, probing for more detail.
“Lizzie, everything is fine – I let them in and I’m sure they are on schedule,” James answers in a bored tone.
“Yes, but have you actually gone in the kitchen to check things?” I persist.
“No Lizzie, I am sure they’ll be fine and if I did go in the kitchen, I have no idea what preparation stage they should be up to at precisely 11.45 am. Please stop worrying and calling me when I have a hung over groom and best man to organise. Anyway, I am not a wedding planner, but am sure everything will be fine.”
“Hung over!” I shout and realise I need to keep my voice down before Kate over hears.
“They’re fine Lizzie – in fact they’ve both gone out for a quick run. After a bacon butty, they perked up no end.”
“A run? Aren’t you all ready yet?”
“No Lizzie, since it’s more than two hours until the service, we’re not. I love you Lizzie, but please stop calling me. I’ll see you at the church.”
“Okay ... sorry! I just want everything to be perfect for Kate, that’s all. See you at the church.”
Back at Kate’s, after our hurried sandwiches, which we can barely swallow through our excited chatter, it’s time for dresses. Jane and I put on ours first so that we can help Kate with hers. Our dresses are a very simple, Grecian style, sweeping to the floor like a silk water fall – in a bluebell colour. Our bouquets are a mass of white coloured blue bells, which stand out beautifully against our blue dresses. They contrast to Kate, who is wearing white, with a bouquet of blue bluebells.
Finally we’re ready. Kate turns to us, eyes shining brightly with excited emotion, “Well it’s 1.40 pm – this is it!” I watch her mum look at her beloved daughter, tears misting her eyes, tissue ready and emotion quickly fills me too as I observe this special moment between mother and daughter.
“Come on everybody, now is not the time for tears – this is the best make-up job I’ve ever had!” I smile trying to break the tension. “Kate you look beautiful – Ben’s a very lucky man.”
“He certainly is and I’m so proud of you Kate,” replies her mum. Thankfully, preventing tears, there’s a knock at the door. “Well that will be your dad, ready to take over from me here. I’ll get the door and head off the church.” She gives Kate a quick kiss and heads out to let Kate’s dad in.
The next moment causes my throat to tighten even more so. Desperately trying not to let tears ruin my mascara, I watch Kate’s dad looking at his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, ready to give her away to Ben. After his one look at Kate, I can see him quickly clear his throat in attempt to disguise the sentimental frog sitting there. “You look beautiful Kate,” he manages.
After a few minutes, Jane and I leave Kate with her dad for a final cherished moment and we head towards the church. Walking through the village is fantastic, with many neighbours lining the street, wanting to wish Kate well and get the first glimpse of the bride. Visitors to the village also stop to enjoy the moment clapping for us as we walk, making me feel like a celebrity. Rather than feel shy like I might have a year ago, I enjoy the attention due to my newfound confidence.
As we arrive at the church and pose for photographs, grins firmly fixed on our faces in a practised position that we will need to repeat many times over the next few hours, we then wait for Kate and her Dad. Cheers and clapping can be heard, before we see Kate and her dad now walking through the village, pausing for photographs on the way. The scene is a joyous one, but I can’t help feel a little sad, that my dad will never walk me down the aisle when it’s my turn and will never give me away. I mentally shake the thoughts away – this is Kate’s day after all and I am truly glad her dad is here for her.
Beaming with happiness and appearing calm, Kate arrives at the steps, where the photographer takes some more shots. Kate then turns to us with joy radiating from her face so powerfully it’s almost tangible. “Are you ready?” I ask.
“Yes I am–a bit nervous, but as ready as I’ll ever be. Come on let’s get this show on the road. Go on you two, so I can have my moment of glory!” Kate laughs. I give her a wink as Jane and I head into the church.
Ben’s happiness glows from his aura like a nearby star, so I give him a smile and whisper “You’re in for a treat!” as we pass him to take our places. Excitement fills the church when Kate stands at the entrance, whilst guests’ heads are tossing to and fro trying to see the radiant bride. I take another glance at Ben and one look tells me how totally in love with my best mate he is – goodness me my tears are starting again. I mentally thank the person who invented water proof mascara.
The service goes off beautifully and the atmosphere slowly relaxes now that the important, more serious, part of the day becomes a cherished memory. Between the many photographs, I hardly get a chance to give James more than a passing hello, especially since he is heading off the centre quickly with a list of things to check (which I have given to him) when he arrives.
Piling into the camper van, we bump and bounce along the road to the centre followed in hot pursuit by guests. Excited chatter fills the van as the girls discuss the guests’ outfits and the men talk about split-screen camper vans. Ben tells us about a slight mishap with his shirt – apparently it doesn’t match his best man’s, but nobody noticed. I don’t mention anything about hang-overs!
When we arrive at the centre, I aim to dash in to check that everything’s okay, but end up dashing straight into James’ welcoming arms. “Finally I can have a cuddle – you look fantastic, by the way,” he says.
“I have no time for this now. I need to check on everything!” I blurt as I attempt to head into the main room, but James refrains me by keeping hold of my hand.
“Lizzie, everything is fine – relax and start to enjoy yourself, will you? I’m sure Kate will love the room.”
At that moment, Kate and Ben enter the centre, giggling happily. “Mr and Mrs Welch, welcome to your wedding reception – come this way!” James announces as he opens the main doors letting them through to the main room.
“Wow Lizzie, this is amazing–so much better than anything I imagined. Oh look at the slate heart Ben. It’s just like the one in Lizzie’s kitchen. That’s so lovely!” That was all it took, for my tension to melt away like wax from a burning candle, knowing that Kate is happy. I had hung up a slate heart above Kate and Ben’s table seats, saying ‘Congratulations Mrs and Mrs Welch!’
“Well it’s for your new kitchen in your new home, but I thought I’d write you both a little message on it today.”
“Lizzie, everything is brilliant–thank you, but right now I need a drink,” gushes Kate. On cue, a waitress appears with champagne, so we all take a glass and finally relaxing, I start to enjoy myself.
The day continues and is accompanied with a happy, casual atmosphere, which is just what Kate wanted. Taking one of my moments to reflect, I feel a mixture of emotions, happiness for Kate and Ben as they start their journey together and a tiny bit of nostalgia thinking about all the memories I have of Kate. This returns my thoughts to
my 30th birthday, which I’ve not considered too much due to the hectic few weeks we’ve had. I have very little time to complete my list, but I’ve achieve nine out of ten – pretty good! In some ways Kate’s completed number ten for me and that’s actually a lovely thought.
Bringing me out of my thoughts, the DJ announces, “Single ladies, could you take your place on the dance floor? Kate, is about to throw her bouquet to see who’ll be the next bride.” Playing along, I head off to the floor joining a bunch of single ladies who all appear alarmingly serious about this element of the wedding. Having decided that I will attempt number ten in my own time, I stand on the periphery of the group, not quite keen on wanting to join this bunch of women looking like they’re ready to violently rugby scrum each other for the prize.
Kate hurls her beautiful bouquet into the air as women scream and lunge into the direction that they think it’s going to land – almost in slow motion as it tosses and turn in the air. Before I have a chance to think, my reactions kick in as the bouquet soars towards my face, so I stick out my hand to catch it preventing it and my nose from joining in a painful meeting. It was almost as if Kate purposely meant for it to land on me. In surprise at the fact that I actually caught it, rather than drop it, I glance across the dance floor towards James, who raises his eyebrows and nods towards the bouquet in my arms and gives me a wink.
Well I may not have completed my number ten, but that winks says it all – doesn’t it?
Notes to Self
Give Kate’s bouquet to Mum for dad’s garden bench, in his memory – Kate asked me to.
Epilogue
Well I couldn’t leave my story there, could I? I thought I’d let you know how we are all getting along–one year on.
I’m very close to turning 31 and am about to finally tick off number ten on my list. I’m also wearing my wedding dress and am almost ready to leave for the church, to marry James. Mark is giving me away, so is unable to be James’ best man until later; Pete has kindly stepped into the role, so James will have two best men.
My two pregnant bridesmaids, Kate and Tabitha, have just left to go to the church. Both of them are expecting their first babies in early September. Finding dresses to fit has been a challenge, but their baby bumps match beautifully. I did also ask Ruth to be my bridesmaid, but she asked if she could make my bouquet instead. This is her new hobby after Kate’s wedding bouquet inspired her to branch out in her gardening business, with floral design. For the record, it’s a fabulous mix of wild flowers and green foliage – almost as if she’s plucked it from a spring meadow.
Kate and Ben moved into their new home and spent many months renovating it into what is fast becoming a wonderful family home complete with a nursery, now waiting patiently for the new family member to arrive and join Kate, Ben and the growing menagerie of animals. Ben’s vet’s practise is going from strength to strength, but he seems to arrive home with a new homeless animal each week. Kate seems quite happy with this, apart from the goat, which keeps eating her washing, thus leading to a fenced section of the garden – for the washing, not the goat!
Tabitha and Mark got married a few months after Kate and Ben, so I was bridesmaid for the second time. The wedding was a lovely, small affair, which surprised me. But Tabitha said that they wanted the people who mattered there rather than a long list of people they hardly knew. They are also moving closer to Mum, having decided that they want to bring their child up in a quieter place.
Mark and I also had another go at the orienteering course – just him against me. Guess who won!
Mum is very excited about becoming a grandma and has taken up knitting! It’s nearly a year and a half since dad died and recently Mum seems to be getting some of her sparkle back following her grief. She’s told me that she’ll never get over the loss of Dad, but each day, the pain becomes less, even though the memory never fades. She still works in The Tea Cosy 2 and has made new friends from the various clubs she’s filled her life with. I don’t worry about her quite so much now.
Ruth and Pete have also moved in together and amble along as if they’ve been together all their lives. I asked Ruth if she’d ever get married again, but she says she and Pete are happy as they are.
The two Tea Cosies are doing well and we are now in the process of opening our third – The Tea Cosy 3, although Kate will need to take a back seat when the baby arrives, but we’ll sort that out, with the help of Laura. Whilst speaking about Laura, I must also let you know that she and Ruth’s son Russ are now an item. They met when Laura moved into my old flat and Russ was visiting Ruth next door. Apparently all the cakes in The Tea Cosy have been light, fluffy cupcakes decorated with hearts – Laura seems to have my habit of making cakes to fit her mood too. Being in love has limited the choice of cakes on offer. Ruth told me that all the locals are wondering if she could cause some sort of tiff between them, so that Laura would be in need of comfort food–AKA sticky toffee pudding.
James proposed to me on my 30th birthday, soon after Kate and Ben’s wedding and my bouquet catching success. He did promise that he’d planned it all along and my catching of the bouquet made no difference, although he was also impressed that I did actually catch it – I’ve never been able to catch.
On the morning of my birthday, I went down to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, whilst he said he was just sorting out a surprise present in the living room. There on the wall above me, was my adored slate heart, with a message – marry me? Stunned to silence (which is a very rare experience for me) I turned to see him waiting in the doorway, smiling at me expectantly. “Well – will you?”
“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!” I screamed, jumping on him. He then produced a box with a gorgeous platinum ring owning a beautiful, sparkling heart shaped diamond – perfect!
Later that morning after breaking the news to everybody – even Kate who was on her honeymoon, I was whisked away for a short break in the Lake District. Teasing me, James threatened to take me to stay in a Youth Hostel and also to spend plenty of time in outdoor equipment shops. His reasoning being that, if I was going to marry somebody who owns an outdoor pursuits centre, I need to have more practise in recognising quality climbing ropes or something like that. He also pointed out that I really did need a more appropriate coat for being outdoors – yes he was right about this. Thank goodness he was teasing me and took me back to the Wordsworth Hotel again and we didn’t spend even one minute of our time in any of his favourite shops, despite him peering longingly through the windows. To make things fair, I did not purchase any hearts shaped objects of homemade soaps – I still have 18 from before.
Of course one of my birthday presents from James, was a suitably warm and water-proof North Face coat. I did try to express enthusiasm for the coat as much as my other gifts, but then James knows me too well and understood that my attraction to a slate heart saying , ‘Welcome to my garden,’ would be greater than to the coat. I also know that warm coats, gloves, boots and boot wax etc will be a significant feature of my life with him, but I can cope with that in the same way that he’s accepted plug holes filled with soggy bath bomb petals.
In the next hour I’m about to become his wife, so in the end I will complete my list, if slightly late. And what about my list, where my story began – has it changed my life? Those on the outside may consider it a silly list or a waste of time, but for me, it’s been a crucial turning point in my life. It did make me grow up and do things that I would normally have shied away from resulting in me realising that I should never be afraid. What’s the point of fear? During that year, an awful lot happened, but my list was the constant stability guiding me through tragic, happy and scary times.
Back to today, the only sad element is that Dad is not here to walk me down the aisle, but I still talk to him every day and believe he will be walking with me all the way through my life. I have also finally written down Dad’s list of wise comments, w
hich I have referred to several times already:-
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Everything will be fine.
Don’t make problems that don’t exist.
Enjoy each and every moment – don’t rush.
Take time to appreciate small pleasures that don’t cost much – you’ll never be poor.
People who tell you how good they are, are often trying to convince themselves.
Life is for you – it’s not a competition with other people – so live it they way you want to.
People won’t remember what you said or how you said it, but they will remember how you made them feel.
No matter how bad things may seem, they will pass and you will survive.
Don’t live by other people’s rules and expectations. Trust yourself to be intelligent enough to come up with your own.
Anyway, I’d best be off or I’ll be late – even if it is the bride’s prerogative. Oh before I go, could you guess my wedding theme? Well, Kate had bluebells, so what did I go for – hearts of course!
Notes to Self
Buy a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
Write another list for the next chapter of my life.
Believe in myself!
Lizzie’s Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
6 oz dates (stoned and chopped)
10 fl oz water
1 ts bicarbonate of soda
2 oz unsalted butter
6 oz sugar
2 beaten eggs
6 oz SR flour
1 ts vanilla essence
Lizzie's List Page 21