Clean, if not feeling quite as perky as her exterior appearance implied, she arrived at Rachel’s house at the same time as the hairdresser and the make-up artist.
This would reassure her mother, Beth thought, as they introduced themselves. She set great store by punctuality and to be fair, Beth felt, on a wedding day you really wanted people to arrive on time. She was also grateful that her mother had turned up with more funds than Helena originally had. Otherwise it would have been her, Beth, on make-up duty, and this would not have been a straightforward gig. Doing April’s had been fun, but then anything she did would have been an improvement on what that awful bridesmaid – in so many ways – had suggested.
As she smiled and introduced herself she imagined her having to do Helena’s make-up with her older sister having ideas, her mother having ideas, and no one listening to her, little Beth, with her degree in subjects her mother either hadn’t heard of or didn’t approve of.
Still, things had changed. Her mother and sister had a lot more respect for her now. She decided if the make-up artist suddenly decided to run away, she would give her sister’s make-up a go. And anyway, as the bride and the bride’s mother had semi-permanent eyelashes applied, they didn’t need a lot.
As no one answered their knock, Beth tried the door and found it unlocked. As it was a special day, and people would be coming in and out all morning, Rachel had obviously decided to set aside her fear of axe-murderers.
‘Hello! Happy wedding day!’ Beth called up the stairs, having let them all in. ‘I’ve got Anna and Sophie with me! Hair and make-up!’
‘Hi, Beth,’ Rachel called down. ‘Go into the sitting room. I’ll be with you in a moment! I’m just bringing something down!’
Beth led the other two young women into Rachel’s sitting room. It was prepared as if for a board meeting. Rachel’s dining table was in there, with chairs around it. Three mirrors were propped up so three people could look at themselves at the same time.
‘Useful,’ said Sophie, the make-up artist. ‘I’m booked to do four, right?’
Beth was about to say she didn’t want her make-up doing when they were disturbed by the sound of clonking down the stairs.
It was Rachel, manoeuvring her pier glass from her bedroom. Beth ran to assist her. ‘I think it’s important,’ said Rachel, slightly out of breath, ‘that we don’t have to share mirrors more than necessary. That was heavier than I thought. And of course, much more space in the sitting room. Three people getting ready at the same time in my bedroom would be very crowded. Now – coffee? Tea? Orange juice? I’ve got croissants in a low oven, for when you get hungry. Also fresh fruit salad and wholemeal bread for toast.’
Beth, who knew Rachel had squeezed the oranges herself, said, ‘I’m surprised you’re not laying on a full English.’
Rachel’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Do you think I should have? I could pop out for bacon the moment the shop opens; I’ve got some organic free-range—’
‘I was teasing!’ said Beth. ‘We don’t want anything greasy round the dresses.’ She took the opportunity to introduce Sophie and Anna.
‘Coo-ee!’ called Vivien, opening the door. ‘Bride and bride’s mother alert!’
‘Hi, Mum, Hels. What have you done with Dad?’ said Beth, hugging first one and then the other.
‘He’s at the pub, doing a few last minute things,’ said Vivien.
‘So,’ said Beth. ‘Do I win a prize for getting the weather right?’
‘Not yet, darling,’ said her mother crisply. ‘We’ve a few hours before we know what it’ll be like getting to the church and my weather forecast suggested there might be showers.’
As the church was so near Rachel’s house, it had been decided not to have a car to transport the bride to it. A two-minute walk across the village green and you were there.
Vivien had thought this sheer folly but had, to everyone’s relief, suddenly given in.
‘So,’ said Anna. ‘Who’s first?’
‘The bride,’ said Rachel, ‘she’s the most important. The shower does reach to the basin and I’ve put a chair there but you might be better without it.’
‘Don’t worry!’ said Anna. ‘We can manage. As long as you have running water …’
Rachel barely had time to smile at this pleasantry before Vivien said, ‘Shouldn’t the photographer be here by now?’
‘I don’t think she’s booked until eight thirty, Mum,’ said Helena, ‘and I’d rather not be photographed in my rollers.’
‘Oh, that’s a standard now, love,’ said Anna, ushering her client up the stairs. Indeed, while Helena was seated at the dining table, having rollers the size of soup cans put in her hair, the photographer arrived.
‘Hi, guys!’ she said blithely. ‘I’m Chrissie. Just forget I’m here. But not until I’ve had coffee,’ she added, taking the mug from the tray that Rachel had just brought in. ‘Remind me who everyone is? Bride’s mother, bridesmaids?’ she said, looking round.
‘Just me so far,’ said Beth. ‘There’s another one expected.’
‘Cool. So who else—’
Before she could finish her question Vivien had produced a list from her handbag. ‘I think you’ll find that quite easy to understand. I’ve given you details of what those people are wearing to make it easy for you.’
‘Hey, Mum, did you really ask everyone what they’d be wearing?’ Beth felt this was going a bit far even for Vivien, but of course she’d never seen her mother be a mother of the bride before. She was bound to be even more controlling.
‘No one minded, sweetheart. Most people have got their outfits sorted weeks, if not months ahead.’
Anna had fixed up a hairdryer with a hood over Helena.
‘Now all I need is a copy of
Hello!
and a cup of tea,’ said Helena.
‘Oh,’ said Rachel. ‘I haven’t got
Hello!
but I do have a
Grazia
—’
‘I was joking, Rachel!’ said Helena. ‘I was – Oh, it doesn’t matter. I would like the tea though, if you wouldn’t mind …’
‘Coming up! So, what kind? Earl Grey? Lapsang? Builder’s? Or I’ve got any amount of herb teas, rooibos …’
Beth feared that her mother and sister were likely to take advantage of Rachel’s desire to make everything perfect. She hoped she wouldn’t have to wade in and protect her. But at least she felt capable of doing that now.
Along with Helena’s tea, Rachel served coffee and croissants.
‘You won’t want to eat when you’ve got your dresses on and had your make-up done. Better have something now,’ she said.
Obediently, Beth took the offered plate and then a croissant. She knew Rachel had gone to a lot of trouble to get really nice ones, and that there was champagne in the fridge for later. She really had attended to every detail.
Beth was aware that Rachel was studying her and she had a suspicion why. Beth really didn’t want to talk about her humiliation today of all days, when she had to be bright and perky, and wondered if there was a way she could get Rachel to understand this without actually telling her. Anna took the dryer off Helena and felt the rollers. ‘Hmm, still not dry. I’ll just get my other hairdryer in for your mum.’
Beth helped Anna with this. ‘Rachel, you have so many sockets. It’s amazing.’
Rachel nodded. ‘Call me obsessive but I thought: While you’ve got the electricians in, you might as well have as many sockets as possible.’
‘I wouldn’t call you obsessive,’ shouted Vivien from under the dryer. ‘And having someone who pays proper attention to the important things in life is very reassuring on a day like this.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Beth. She wouldn’t have to stick up for Rachel after all.
Sophie wiped croissant crumbs off her fingers with the napkin Rachel had provided and looked around for a potential victim. Her eye lit on Beth. ‘You’re not having your hair done, are you? In which case, shall I do you now?’ she said to Beth.
Beth was horrified. She’d once had her face done in a department store and ended up looking like a doll with too much make-up on. ‘Oh, no, I don’t wear much make-up. I’ll just do my own,’ she said. ‘I am quite good at it.’
‘Oh, go on. Let me practise on someone,’ said Sophie. ‘You’ll find it relaxing. And you can always take it all off if you don’t like it.’ She glanced at Helena and Vivien, still having their hair dried. ‘Those two will be a while yet.’
‘There’s another bridesmaid on her way …’
‘Just sit down,’ said Sophie soothingly, guiding her to a chair with gentle hands. And somehow Beth found herself seated in front of a mirror having her face stabbed by moist sponges.
Anna took Helena out from under the dryer and applied a hand-held one to the rollers. ‘Does your hair always take this long to dry?’
‘I’m afraid so,’ said Helena.
‘You should have tried drying her sister’s hair before she cut it all off,’ said Vivien. ‘That took an age, I can tell you. It was such lovely hair.’
‘It’s lovely now,’ said Sophie as Beth was in no position to reply herself. ‘Look how glossy it is. Like a well-groomed horse.’
Beth laughed. ‘Well, thank you for that!’
‘You know what I mean,’ said Sophie, unrepentant. ‘Now close your eyes again.’
‘Actually, that is lovely!’ Beth said when Sophie had finished. ‘I just look more me somehow.’
‘That’s the look we aim for,’ said Sophie. ‘But you have got amazing features. Huge eyes and great skin. And that glossy, glossy hair!’
Vivien studied her younger daughter. ‘I must admit, now I’ve had time to get used to it, your hair does look quite stylish. And you look lovely.’
Just for a minute, Beth was overcome. She went over and kissed her mother.
Sophie smiled, satisfied that she’d done a good job. As the door opened, she clapped her hands. ‘Hooray! Another bridesmaid. I’ll do your make-up before Anna grabs you, if you don’t mind.’
Rachel caught up with Beth while she was washing mugs. Rachel had, of course, a dishwasher, but Beth knew, the rate they were drinking tea and coffee, it would never cope.
‘Beth? Are you OK?’ demanded Rachel, drying mugs.
‘Yes. I’m fine. Don’t want to talk about it today though!’ Beth prayed Rachel would read the subtext and not press her. ‘The band are performing tonight. I do know that much. Sukey has promised to text me throughout the evening, to let me know how it’s going.’
‘You don’t think you could leave the wedding and go?’
‘No, I don’t. You got my text?’ As Rachel nodded but didn’t comment, she went on, ‘Honestly, I’m not sure I’d be welcome. Finn was really angry with me about it all, said I’d interfered in something I shouldn’t have. I really thought …’ Beth raised a hand as Rachel was about to voice her indignation. ‘Please, not now.’
‘OK, I understand.’
But her voice was full of sympathy and Beth knew sympathy might make her cry. ‘And will you tell Lindy, too? I just want to focus on the wedding, and be jolly and light-hearted. If I start talking about my feelings I may not be able to do that.’
Rachel patted Beth as she reached for another mug. ‘Understood. I’ll tell Lindy.’
Lindy arrived shortly afterwards, sewing kit and extra bits and pieces at the ready to make sure the dresses were perfect. ‘Hi! she said gaily. ‘Everyone OK? I’ve got Rescue Remedy in case anyone’s nervous.’
‘We’re all nervous,’ said Vivien. ‘I’m relying on a glass of champagne. Rachel?’
‘On its way,’ said Rachel, appearing with a napkin-wrapped bottle.
‘Why are you nervous, Mum?’ said Helena, who was still having her hair done. ‘You don’t have to do anything now. You’ve done it all. Thank you so much.’
Vivien suddenly gulped and reached for the box of tissues that was on the table. ‘I’m frightened of crying too much and everyone will think I’m not happy about the wedding. I was worried at first but I know Jeff’s a really lovely boy and will take care of my little girl and first grandchild.’ She blew her nose. ‘And you girls: you’ve shown me that it’s possible to have fun – even when you’re organised.’
Rachel and Beth took champagne flutes out of their boxes as quickly as possible. There was a pop and seconds later Vivien had a glass of champagne. ‘That’s better,’ she said, having drunk half of it. ‘I’ll be fine now.’
There was a whirl of activity all morning, people delivering things – flowers, presents, shoes for the bridesmaids that had got delayed in the post, the music for the first dance – and then, suddenly, there was a silence. Helena was having flowers put into her hair and Anna was taking her time. Chrissie had nipped over to where the groom’s party was getting ready at Raff’s house, which was declared more fun than the mansion, and everyone appreciated the sudden moment of quiet.
Beth ran her hands over the top of her skirt. Lindy had done a great job with the dresses. She and Nancy really did look like ballet dancers, attendants to the main act, which was Helena in her stunning corset, with layers of palest tulle and the occasional crystal to catch the light.
‘Can I just say,’ said Helena, ‘how absolutely amazing you’ve all been? Mum, Beth, Nancy, my bridesmaid, Lindy for the dresses, Rachel for organising everything, and of course Dad.’ She raised her glass of orange juice. ‘Sorry I can’t toast you in the real thing but I’m really off it right now being pregnant and all, but it has been
so
fun.’
‘It has actually,’ said Beth.
‘I’ve loved it!’ said Lindy, who had even taken sewing Vivien’s bra strap to her dress with equanimity, such was her obvious delight with the world.
‘It’s been the best thing that’s happened to me since, well …’ Rachel seemed not to know quite what the best thing that had happened to her lately was, as there was a lot of choice. ‘Well, I’ve loved it.’
Just as they were all becoming teary and possibly a tiny bit drunk, Helena’s father arrived. ‘Come on, love, time to go!’
Helena glanced at Rachel’s old station clock, which ticked steadily. ‘Not yet, Dad. For one thing, my hair’s not finished and for another, if I go now I’ll be there about fifteen minutes early! It’s only a three-minute walk to the church.’
‘And I need to be there first, Ted!’ said Vivien. ‘And Lindy. So we can adjust the dress.’
‘We should be there too!’ said Nancy. ‘As bridesmaids.’
‘And it would be good if her hair was done,’ said Anna. ‘Sorry it’s taking so long.’