Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘I'd love a glass of white wine,' said Bron, who, unlike the others, didn't have to work later.

‘Sarah,' said Hugo. 'What about you? If you'd like champagne I'm sure I could persuade them to do it by the glass.’

Touched, Sarah smiled back at him for a few seconds. 'No thank you. What I'd really like is a grapefruit juice with soda water.'

‘Are you sure? I know you like a bit of fizz.' He smiled at her.

Sarah became aware of her friends watching this discussion and blushed a little. She nodded and turned to James, who was seated next to her. 'That cake-stand thing is brilliant!' And they chatted about how relatively easy it had been to construct, if you knew how.

Hugo came back with the drinks and as he dispatched them, Sarah found herself wondering about Electra again. Although she was extremely attractive, if he'd known her so long surely he must see that she wasn't right for him? Or was it only wishful thinking on her part? Maybe they were perfectly suited. Maybe he wanted something a bit different, exotic, someone who was adventurous and wouldn't be by his side all the time.

‘So, Hugo,' asked Laurence, breaking into her thoughts. 'Do you get fed up with all this girly dressy stuff?' He winked at Elsa, who blushed and smiled and looked down.

‘Well-' he began.

‘He's awfully good,' said Bron. 'I've seen quite a lot of his work in Sarah's albums – he's great!'

‘Well, thank you, Bron.' Hugo bowed. 'Besides, it's not all I do.'

‘That's true,' said Elsa. 'His portfolio is very impressive.' Hugo bowed again and laughed.

Sarah had been wondering if she should confess to having visited his exhibition before it was even open. Now would be the perfect time, but would it make her seem stalkerish? She decided to be brave. 'Actually, Hugo, I've been meaning to tell you. You know that exhibition that you're in?’

He laughed. 'Think so. I'm in it, after all.'

‘Well, I went to see it. I was in that part of town.' This was a lie, but only a small one. 'So I popped along. It wasn't open yet.' She laughed and took a sip of her drink. 'But I met your friend.' She didn't mention her name because it would look as if she cared enough to remember it. 'Who was it?'

‘Electra.'

‘That's it! Lovely girl. She showed me round. You're really good, Hugo. You're wasted on weddings.. Suddenly she felt rather self-conscious.

Elsa and Bron glanced at each other, confused. Why hadn't Sarah mentioned this?

‘So you've seen it?' He leant forward eagerly. His usual laid-back manner seemed to have left him.

‘Yes. I said. I thought it was amazing.'

‘But the picture of you. I was going to ask permission. He hesitated, seemingly unsure of himself. It wasn't like him at all and Sarah was rather touched. Confident, assured Hugo, anxious for her approval. Then she told herself not to be so silly. They were colleagues; he was being professional, wanting to make sure he hadn't broken any rules.

`Do you ask everyone you photograph for permission -obviously you would famous people, but all the others?' She was curious. That would have involved a lot of work.

‘Well, not always. But I wanted to ask you.’

Sarah became fascinated by the fact that condensation had formed on her glass. 'It was a lovely photo.'

‘What was it of?' asked James.

‘It was just one of Sarah at Ashlyn's wedding,' said Hugo. 'With one of her bridesmaids.' He sounded nonchalant now. Sarah thought she must have misinterpreted his earlier concern.

Laurence, who had been half listening and half looking at the motoring section of the paper, looked up. 'Is that Electra Handforth-Williams, you mentioned?' he said. 'That's right. Do you know her?' Hugo asked.

‘I've only met her a few times. She always seems to be on her way to some far-flung country when I do. She's a great traveller, apparently.'

‘Yes,' said Sarah, feeling she could risk talking about her now she was general conversation. 'Very adventurous.' Sarah felt Hugo's gaze on her but ignored it.

‘I went inter-railing after leaving school,' said Elsa. 'With a friend. I love Europe but I don't think I could settle down anywhere but in England.'

‘That's just how I feel,' said Laurence.

Sarah, who had Hugo in her line of sight noticed him nodding and heard him say, 'Me too. I love this country, can't imagine living anywhere else. A house in the country, dogs and children – at least three…' She stared at her now-empty glass. What was Hugo doing with Electra then?

Sarah, Elsa and Bron were in the back of a white stretch limo. They were on their way to Lily's hen night that was arranged at a location that not only catered for hens, but that was suitably convenient for where everyone lived.

Elsa was thinking about Laurence and wondering when he'd next text. He was away again at the moment on business, and they'd only had a chance to exchange brief 'I'll call you's after the pub that day before he had to leave. He was obviously very busy as his texts, though friendly, had been a bit sporadic and his phone calls practically nonexistent. She just hoped he'd still be keen to see her again when he returned, although he seemed rather vague about that too. She couldn't help feeling a little anxious. He was the first person she'd really liked in a very long time Bron was thinking about James. She thought she'd been giving him subtle hints, but he still seemed to see her only as the girl next door. And despite being newly out of a long-term relationship, albeit one that was dead in the water, she knew she really fancied him. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in years. But she'd just have to trust in fate. He was proving to be a good friend and better that than nothing.

And Sarah was thinking about Hugo, as she seemed to do constantly these days. Telling herself he was unavailable didn't seem to stop her from dreaming about him. It was all so futile.

‘So, how's it all going, girls?' she said now. 'Elsa, how are the fairy wings coming along for the bridesmaids? And the dresses? It must be bedlam.’

Elsa seemed fairly relaxed about it. She was wearing a dress in a wonderful deep red and the glow that had been apparent on the Sunday morning of Carrie's visit was still there, although slightly diluted.

‘I think it will be fine. I've got my woman, the work-experience girl and I've even roped in Bron's cooking ladies – fortunately it's too early for them to start making vol-au-vents. We bought the dresses and dyed them -Carrie wanted a lovely shell pink which I think I've just about achieved, haven't I, Bron?'

‘It's a lovely colour,' Bron agreed. 'I'm going to try and reproduce it in icing. I've had a commission for a wedding cake made out of cupcakes in tiers. That would be the perfect soft shade I need.'

‘You're both so talented! I'm so impressed. How lucky I am to have you both on board. Go on telling me about the dresses.'

‘Well, we ran up some really stiff petticoats – like those long tutus they wear for Les Sylphides?’

Sarah shook her head. 'I'm so sorry, I know absolutely nothing about ballet.'

‘Doesn't matter. They go under the dresses and then over both there's a layer of chiffon that opens down the front. They have little ruffs to go round their necks. They're adorable, they really are.'

‘That's all right then.'

‘The ladies are all sewing on crystals like mad,' Elsa went on. 'They're AB crystals – that stands for Aurora Borealis if you're remotely interested. They really sparkle.’

Sarah was more interested in speed than crystal types. 'Couldn't you glue them on? It'd be quicker.’

Elsa shook her head. 'Very high risk. If you get one wrong you're left with a horrible gluey mark. I will glue them down the bones though and sprinkle a few on to the skirts. They'll be a bit more random, but I wouldn't ask anyone else to wield the gadget that melts the glue.' She shuddered slightly, obviously thinking of what could happen if it all went wrong. 'Fortunately we managed to buy ballet slippers in exactly the right shade. I don't think we'd have had time to get them dyed to match.' She paused. 'They're having crystals on too.'