Katie Fforde - Wedding Season

‘Well, I thought Lily and Dirk would see to it.' Mrs Boscastle frowned, indicating she knew perfectly well Lily and Dirk couldn't be expected to know the ins and outs of all their relations. 'I'm cooking this for a few chosen friends tonight. There's one thing I can control.’

Sarah became aware that she might be arranging fish and chips for the unchosen many and wondered exactly how many of them there were. 'Would you like me to help you do a table plan?’

Mrs Boscastle regarded her sideways. 'Could you do that?’

Sarah nodded. 'As I said, I'm a wedding planner,' she told her again. 'That sort of thing is part of my job. Although it is usually the family that does it, I do assist.' She remembered Ashlyn's wedding and her anxieties about seating the missing bridesmaid's parents.

‘It's a good offer-’

But just after these words had left her mouth Sarah realised that Lily had first call on her time. 'I could give you an hour or so, but what about your dinner guests?'

‘Oh, we couldn't do it tonight, we'll have to do it in the morning.’

Sarah was very firm. 'I'm going to be very busy with Lily in the morning.' Just how busy, she had yet to find out. Lily had said she'd arranged a hairdresser, the dress was lovely and they were using family cars to transport everyone. In theory, it should all 'be fine. Theoretical weddings always went swimmingly. It was the real kind that were unpredictable.

‘Perhaps you could come when my guests have gone? About ten? Is that too late for you?’

Considering Sarah already felt she could sleep for weeks without even turning over it was definitely too late for her, but she smiled. 'I'll pop back about ten then. If you have a list of all the people who've been invited it won't take us long.' She fervently hoped she'd said this firmly enough to make Mrs Boscastle dig out the list.

Just as escape was in sight, Sarah remembered something else. 'The marquee came all right?'

‘Oh yes. It's taking up the entire garden, but I must confess my herbaceous borders look very much better as part of the floral arrangements. Some friends of mine are coming in to do table displays tomorrow.' She smiled. 'It's very useful having friends with skills.'

‘I couldn't agree with you more, Mrs Boscastle.’

Lily was sitting on her bed with her scrapbook – the one she'd started in childhood – spread out in front of her. Her dress was hanging in a bag on the back of the door. There was an open case sharing the bed with the scrapbook.

Lily got off the bed and came to Sarah, flinging her arms round her neck. 'Sares! It's so lovely to see you. I've felt so lonely without you.'

‘Shouldn't you save all that stuff for Dirk?' Sarah returned the hug with equal affection. 'What have you done with him?'

‘He's staying with Freddie, his best man. He's fine.' Lily sighed. 'I'm not making a horrible mistake, am I, Sares?’

‘Of course you're not!' said Sarah, hiding the panic she felt with another hug. 'You've known Dirk for ages, he's lovely, you've lived together happily. It will all be fine.' She didn't mention the fact that Lily was carrying his child -that would sound like emotional blackmail. 'Scary mother-in-law, though!’

This made Lily giggle a little. 'Isn't she terrifying? She must be to scare you.' She sighed. 'I couldn't have managed without you, you know.'

‘Oh, you could-'

‘I mean, in my life. You've always been there for me; since Mum died, you took over her role. You've been brilliant, Saresy.’

Sarah felt her throat constrict and tears come to her eyes. She held Lily close to her. 'Oh, love! I haven't been brilliant at all, I've been critical and bossy and all those things.’

Lily put her sister away from her gently and smiled. 'That's what I mean – that's what mums do.'

‘Silly!' said Sarah. `So how have you been, really?’

‘OK, it's just..

‘What?'

‘In some ways I feel sort of numb.'

‘Numb?’

Lily nodded. 'The other day I was testing my feelings for Dirk, to make sure I wasn't making another dreadful mistake and..

‘What?' Sarah held Lily's hands to encourage her to say what she was worried about.

‘And I imagined that I heard something awful had happened to Dirk.' Sarah made to speak but Lily stopped her. 'I couldn't feel anything! That's what I mean about being numb.’

Sarah relaxed a little. 'Perfectly normal. Many's the bride who's told me much the same thing. Don't worry about it.

It's just the panic of the big day approaching.' She paused. 'I went round to Dirk's mother's. She wants me to pop back and do a seating plan with her. Has she any idea how long a seating plan takes to organise? Why the hell didn't she think of it before?'

‘Because we told her we didn't want a seating plan!' Lily got up off the bed, revealing to Sarah that her pregnancy was at last beginning to show a little. 'What is the bloody woman up to now? She's hijacked this wedding from the very beginning.'

‘Oh, love!' Sarah put her arm round her sister again. 'It'll be all right. If you really don't want a seating plan I'll tell her that later. It'll save us both hours of stress. I'll talk her round. Don't you worry.' She paused. 'Now, is everything else under control?’

Lily nodded. 'I think so. My bridesmaids are turning up tomorrow. They've all got their dresses. They're having their hair done but they're not allowed up-dos. My hairdresser said she could only do one, and that's mine.' Lily looked at her sister. 'It was so good having that chat with Bron about it all. I'm going to do my own make-up. I've practised, and after all, I know best how I like to look.'

‘Oh, I'm so proud of you – you've really grown up in the last few months, Lily!'

‘I know.' Lily sighed. 'I don't like the idea but I think maybe it's time I grew up a bit. I'm going to be a married woman and a mother.’

Sarah chuckled. 'Have you got your music all sorted out? For the reception? I know you had to have all the hymns that Dirk's family wanted for the church, but you've picked out your favourites?'

‘Oh yes. Dirk did that a while ago. And we tested the sound system in the marquee.’

Sarah sat on the bed. 'Can I look at your scrapbook? I know you did the dress one but this one holds all your hopes and dreams, doesn't it? Does it relate to what you're actually having on your wedding day?'

‘Not really, but I was a bit Barbie-obsessed in those days. Loving my dress though!' she added, brightening up. 'Did you pay Elsa for all the work she did? I know I didn't.’

Sarah shook her head. 'We had a bit of a row about it but she wouldn't take any money. She said me getting her Carrie's dress was enough. Poor girl! Carrie didn't decide until the last minute about what dress she wanted, or what she wanted the bridesmaids to wear. They're going to look sweet as anything, but what a rush for Elsa.’

Sarah allowed herself a couple of seconds to think about Ashlyn's little bridesmaid and the photograph Hugo had taken of them both. Then she shoved the vision aside and concentrated on her sister. Now was not the time. She must focus solely on Lily. 'Anything else you need me to sort for you?’

Lily nodded. 'The receiving line. Mona is insisting on having one.'

‘Well, they are usual.'

‘I really don't want people who know me, my friends and relations, noticing that I'm pregnant.'

‘The dress will disguise it quite well, and you're not exactly huge.'

‘If Aunt Margaret sees the slightest bulge, she'll say, "Up the duff, are we, ducky? That's nicer Sarah giggled, knowing she shouldn't. 'I'm sorry, but you sounded exactly like her when you said it.’

Lily giggled a little too. 'But you do see I can't risk her saying that in a line-up. Mona will hear and she might say something.’