Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘Everything: weddings, funerals, children's parties.'

‘Oh, not children's parties. I'm not organising games. I'm rubbish at all that stuff,' said the woman with the bob.

‘We wouldn't have to be there during the party. We'd just do the sandwiches-'

‘And make Peter Rabbit biscuits. I've still got my cutter. I used to pride myself on getting the blue just right.'

‘I used to love doing the food,' said one woman. 'It was the parties I hated. Same with adult ones, too.'

‘So this is perfect for us!' said Pat. 'We get to do the bits we like best.'

‘I can't do fancy cakes,' said Veronica, upright now, staring into the propped-up mirror. 'Well, I can do the cake bit but I can't do the icing.'

‘I can,' said Bron, feeling relaxed enough to put her penny's worth in. 'I've made some very fine trains in my time. If you need one, or anything complicated, you can ask me. And while we're on the subject…' She moved quickly on before her nerve could go. 'Veronica, Pat tells me this kitchen has been passed by Health and Safety.'

‘That's right.' Veronica obviously had her mind on her hair as she went on, 'I think maybe just a little off all round. I'm not in the mood for any major changes.'

‘Fine. I'll just kiss your hair with the scissors, you'll never know you've had it cut. Would it be possible for me to make a cake in here? It's a posh wedding cake.' She nearly added 'for a celebrity' because she knew they'd love the gossip, but managed to stop herself in time. 'I'd make sure I paid for every penny of gas and electricity, and of course, not use it if it's inconvenient for you.'

‘I don't know,' said Veronica. 'My husband might not like it.'

‘Husbands, ha!' said someone.

‘She's great at cleaning kitchens,' said Pat. 'I'm going to have to clear up mine myself on Sundays now.' She sighed. 'It's so sad. She used to leave it gleaming.'

‘No, well, Sasha didn't ever sweep up at the salon, either,' said Bron, wondering how she could persuade Veronica to let her use her kitchen. 'There, do you think that's enough? Shall I dry it now?'

‘That looks fine. Yes, please do, dear. Maybe next time I'll let you take a bit more off.’

As Bron got through her clients, their enthusiasm for their new project grew. Veronica, looking very elegant now, sat at the table with a big pad of paper, writing down ideas.

‘What we want are a few events where we know people, so it doesn't matter if we make a few mistakes,' said Veronica. 'Just to begin with.'

‘What shall we call ourselves?' said Pat. 'We need to get some cards printed.'

‘What about the Catering Ladies?' suggested the woman whose locks were in Bron's tender care at the time.

‘It's straightforward,' said Veronica, 'but is it a bit boring?'

‘No, I think it sounds fun,' put in Bron. 'It sounds as if you're a team of strong women, determined to make things happen.'

‘Well, we are!' they chorused.

‘Shall I put on the kettle so we can celebrate?' suggested Veronica.

‘You can get cards done very easily,' said Pat. 'Let's decide what to put on them.'

‘But no professional dos until we've had a bit of time to practise,' said Veronica. 'We'll do things for nothing except the cost of the ingredients until we've got a few under our belt.’

Bron thought for a moment as she ran the dryer over her last client's hair. 'Urn, I might have a wedding you could do on those terms,' she said. 'A friend of mine's sister is getting married and they've got hardly any money. I'm sure they'd be thrilled if you could do the food for just the food, if you know what I mean.' She was aware Sarah had been worrying what to do about the catering for Lily's reception and as far as she knew she hadn't found anyone yet.

‘What sort of food would they want?' asked Veronica. 'No idea. Would you like me to ring my friend?'

‘When you've finished me,' said Bron's last client. 'If my hair dries naturally it goes all spiky.'

‘Spiky is cool,' said Bron, 'but I won't let you be spiky if you don't want to be.’

When all the hair was done and everyone satisfied it was lunchtime. Veronica, a natural caterer, produced some sandwiches, little quiches and salads she'd made in advance. Bron accepted a quiche and got out her phone.

Sarah took a while to pick up which gave Bron time to finish her mouthful and realise that the pastry was delicious. 'Sarah? Where are you? You sound very faint.'

‘I'm carrying rather a lot of wedding dresses,' said Sarah. 'From a charity shop. For my sister to try on. Hang on, let me just put these in the car…' There was a clunk and the sound of rustling and then Sarah was back on the phone. 'Right, I'm all yours.'

‘It's about Lily I'm ringing,' said Bron. 'What sort of food does she want at her reception? I've got a wonderful team of women here who'll do the food for you.'

‘Oh, who are they? I'm bound to have heard of them.’

‘Um – well, you won't have, because they're a brand-new business.'

‘Brand-new? Oh, Bron, I don't like to use people I don't know. Lily's future mother-in-law is being very definite about how she wants everything.'

‘I can guarantee they're fantastic cooks. I've just eaten the most delicious quiche. Melt-in-the-mouth pastry.' Everyone in the room was looking at her and she crossed her fingers, sensing they saw this as an omen. If they got this job their business would be on a roll. 'Even better, they'll do it for the cost of the food, no labour, because they're new.'

‘Really?' Sarah suddenly became a great deal more enthusiastic. 'That would save a fair bit. Who did you say they were?'

‘The Catering Ladies. They've just formed. It would be a good idea to book them now before someone else snaps up the opportunity.'

‘Oh well, if you tell me they're really good. I should imagine Dirk's mother will want a buffet.'

‘Not an Aitch-Trot?'

‘Sorry? I didn't quite catch that.'

‘Never mind.'

‘Why don't you come over to Elsa's at about seven? She's going to help sort Lily out with a dress. You can bring me sample menus and things, if you've got them.'

‘Fine!’

Bron disconnected and looked at her rapt audience. 'Can you produce me some sample menus for a buffet before five tonight? If so, you've got a job.'

‘Fantastic! Of course we can,' said Veronica.

`So can I borrow your kitchen for the cake?'

‘You've got us our first commission; of course you can.’

Lily looked at herself in Elsa's long mirror. 'I don't know. It's a bit – dreck. Looks like net curtains.'

‘It could certainly do with a wash,' said Elsa briskly. 'Try the next one.’

Sarah and Lily had gone round to Elsa's for her professional advice. Sarah had had a trawl of the local charity shops to see if anything was suitable. Lily had been forced to come round to the idea of a 'pre-loved' dress, but not willingly, despite being reassured that Sarah would make sure it was dry-cleaned thoroughly before Lily's big day.

Now, Sarah handed over the next offering. This had big hoops, lots of beading and was grubby round the hem. 'Here you are, but don't let the label drop off. I can take back the ones we don't use but I must remember which charity shop they came from.'

‘I can't believe they let you do a sale or return,' said Elsa, hooking up Lily.

Sarah shrugged. 'It took a bit of sweet-talking but that's my job.' Then she sighed. Sometimes she found her job very difficult. Lily was proving to be even more demanding than her A-list client.

‘Oh!' Lily squeaked. 'That's too tight.’

No one spoke for a few seconds. 'I think that could be described as a pregnant pause,' said Sarah.

Elsa and Lily glared at her.

‘I could let it out if you love it,' said Elsa. 'I might have to sew an extra bit of material into the bodice. I'll check the seam allowance.'