Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘Excellent idea,' said Mandy.

‘Yes,' agreed Sarah. 'Maybe we could hire the trees.’

‘What sort of trees would they be?' asked Mandy. 'Bay, or box, probably,' said Sarah.

‘But wouldn't it be nice to have fruit on?' suggested Mandy.

‘We could wire in little oranges if you wanted,' agreed Sarah. 'It could look very elegant.'

‘Elegant would be good,' said Carrie. 'People always seem to think that if you're over a double-D cup you want tacky.'

‘Or,' said Bron, 'we could have fake versions of the cake. Like the one that Carrie saw in the shop.'

‘Oh yes,' said Carrie. 'That's what I want. Really classy!' The reason Carrie had wanted a wedding just like Ashlyn's dawned on Sarah. `So you won't be wanting personalised confetti then?'

‘Nu-huh.' Carrie shook her head. 'I want to be thought of as a serious actress. Nothing too show-biz or common.'

‘That's brilliant, Carrie,' said Sarah with relief. 'That's the kind of wedding I like doing best.’

It crossed her mind that economies could be made if Carrie and her sister shared some of what a wedding needed. She'd make Lily pay her share, of course, but prices came down for things like napkins if you were ordering a thousand.

‘You could have a little bead or something in each whorl of icing,' said Bron, her mind still on cake.

‘Swarovski crystals!' said Carrie. 'Or would that be tacky?'

‘I have a contact with them,' said Elsa. 'I could get you a good deal, I should think. It would be good publicity for them, after all. And we could put some on the dress to tie in with the cake? And maybe embroider some little trees? It would be very subtle, only visible if you looked really closely, but on the hem or the veil – it should be possible.’

Carrie sighed dreamily. 'That would be heaven! As long as it's in good taste,' she added.

‘There's a difference between a bit of bling and bad taste,' said Sarah. 'This is your wedding day, you must have what you want. I won't let you do anything over the top, I promise you.'

‘The reason we went with an English wedding planner was to avoid anything Carrie's future mother-in-law could say was vulgar,' said Mandy.

‘My sister's having just the same problem with her future mother-in-law!' said Sarah, and then wished she hadn't. Discretion was supposed to be her middle name, after all.

‘So it's not just because I'm American?' asked Carrie. 'People assume I'm going to be what they call in Manhattan a Bridezilla.'

‘Oh no. Anyone can be difficult at any time,' assured Sarah. 'That's what I spend a lot of my time doing, making sure everyone is happy.'

‘She's very good at it,' said Bron loyally.

‘More champagne, I think,' said Carrie. 'Mandy, could you ring room service for me?'

‘Don't forget you have to go out for dinner,' said Mandy. 'And Hugo should be here in a minute.'

‘Just one more drink each,' said Carrie. 'Then, if Hugo's coming, I'd better put my face on.'

‘I could do it for you if you like, and finish your pedicure,' said Bron.

Carrie frowned. 'I haven't got those things you put between your toes. Shall we ask room service for some, when they bring the champagne?’

Bron shook her head. 'I can do it with loo paper. Don't worry. Here, you sit down. I'll sort you out.'

‘Mandy?' Carrie asked, her foot on Bron's lap. 'Did we book someone to do my hair for tonight?'

‘You didn't say you needed anyone, Carrie, but I'm sure-'

‘I'd like Bron to do it. I've seen what she did with Ashlyn's hair and it would be good to see what she can do with mine.’

Sarah glanced at her watch. 'But Hugo will be here in ten minutes. Will you be ready?’

Carrie waved a leisurely hand. 'Whatever. You get used to being seen in your curlers by gorgeous men.'

‘I brought my brushes with me. I'll do your make-up when I've done your toes.’

While Bron was doing what she did so well, Elsa wentoff into a corner. She wanted to staple samples to drawings and Carrie had asked if she could name the fabrics so she knew if she was asking for organza (sheer but stiff), chiffon (fine, sheer and floaty), or georgette (drapier, a bit thicker and less sheer than chiffon).

Sarah cleared a table for Hugo. He would need somewhere to show his albums and folders. Fortunately the sitting room was amply provided with tables, especially when all the bottles and glasses were cleared away. She glanced at her watch again. It was unlike him to be late. She knew he knew Mandy and had met Carrie before but as she was organising this wedding she felt responsible for everything to do with it, including everyone's time-keeping.

Mandy's mobile phone rang. Going by what she said, it must be Hugo, and he was going to be late. 'Not a problem,' said Mandy and disconnected.

Sarah felt anxious, then reminded herself firmly that he was the first contact. She really wasn't responsible for him.

By the time Hugo turned up, Carrie was looking every inch the star. Everyone had got involved in what she should wear. Eventually an outfit in the softest shell-pink suede was decided on. Bron had tonged her hair into an amazing style that seemed to defy gravity, and her makeup was so subtle it was barely apparent.

‘Oh, honey!' said Mandy. 'You look to die for!'

‘Where are we going again?' asked Carrie. 'I can't remember?'

‘It's a dinner for the backers of Come Back Again,' said Mandy. 'You look just great!’

Carrie inspected herself critically in the mirror. No one else could find fault with her but she was the last arbiter and she had to be satisfied too. To everyone's relief, she was.

There was a knock at the door and Mandy ushered Hugo in.

‘Carrie! Sweetie!' They hugged and Sarah turned away as he picked her up and swung her round. 'You are the most gorgeous thing not sold in a cellophane box at Harrods!' he said, putting her down.

Then he strolled across to Mandy and kissed her cheek.

‘Mandy, how is the sexiest PA in Hollywood?'

‘In London, Hugo,' said Mandy, friendly, but not buying the flattery. 'I presume you know these guys?’

Elsa and Bron smiled in a friendly way. Sarah just nodded.

He raised an eyebrow. 'OK, shall we get on with it?’

Sarah had never doubted his skill, but when she saw what else he had produced, apart from the wedding photos, she was truly amazed. Carrie and Mandy were extremely impressed.

‘Hugo, honey! We have got to have you. Don't you think, Mandy?' said Carrie. 'Sarah?’

Sarah did her best to smile. 'He is very good.' She wanted to go on to say, 'But are you sure you don't want Mario Testino or someone?' but couldn't. Her feelings towards Hugo were so confusing. If Carrie had implied Hugo wasn't up to the job she'd have defended him like a tigress.

Hugo packed up his things. 'So,' he said to Bron and Elsa who were helping clear up yet more glasses. 'What are you girls doing now?'

‘We're going out to dinner,' said Bron.

‘We're giving them a lift,' said Carrie. 'I wanted them to come to dinner with us, but Mandy thought it wasn't a good idea.'

‘Why don't you come with us?' Bron asked Hugo.

Sarah busied herself so she couldn't see his reaction to this invitation. She wasn't ready to engage with him yet. She still felt too confused. Then she chided herself for being silly. Where was the harm in having a friendly dinner with him? Elsa and Bron would be there. She looked up.

‘Hugo…' she started, just as he said, 'Actually, I have plans.’

Shortly after that, he left.

A little while after Hugo had gone, all five of them piled into the car arranged to take Carrie to her dinner date. She was going to drop Sarah, Bron and Elsa at their hotel on her way, to save them getting a taxi. They were all best friends by now and Bron, having made Carrie look as if she wasn't wearing any make-up and was just naturally beautiful, which was the perfect look for the film that she was negotiating, had been booked to do hair and make-up for her wedding.