1
‘Oh my … that is just beautiful, Rachel.’ A tear crowded Jill’s eye as she watched her daughter step out from the changing room.
A slow smile spread across Rachel’s face. ‘I like it too.’
It did feel strange though, being in a ‘frock’, as Granny Ruth would have called it, and not just any old frock – an off-white, gorgeous, lace-detailed, to-the-floor wedding frock. It had a hint of boho chic about it, just perfect for her countryside summer wedding. Rachel did a small twirl in the middle of the shop, then caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror, and paused. Hah, she hardly looked like herself at all; she was usually dressed in old jeans and wellies and could even sometimes be found out on the farm in a practical green boiler suit, which was highly glamorous. Ooh, it was a lovely feeling to be wearing something so special, but strange too.
‘I think we might’ve found the one, Mum.’ She had a lump in her throat as she spoke.
‘I think so too, love.’ Her mum nodded with a proud and happy look on her face.
Rachel had also found the one in Tom Watson. Just thinking about him and their impending marriage made her heart swell, yet there was still a trace of disbelief that all this had happened to her over the past few months. Tom was her long-time friend and neighbour; their relationship had blossomed into something so much more, taking them both rather by storm, a most beautiful, soul-drenching storm.
‘Gosh, your dad would be so proud if he could see you now, Rachel.’
‘Oh Mum, it’ll be so strange not having him there on my special day, won’t it?’
‘I know, love, but he’d want you to enjoy it … to be happy. And he was always very fond of Tom, even before you and he got together. I’m sure he’d have approved.’
‘Yeah … I think he would have. But he won’t be there to walk me down the aisle, will he …?’ There would be such an empty space beside her on the day, as well as the one that she always carried inside.
‘No, love.’
Rachel sighed, then gazed at herself in the shop’s full-length mirror, her dark wavy hair falling loose down to her shoulders, her green eyes catching the light. There she was, standing in the prettiest of gowns, which hung and clung in just the right places, as if it had been made for her. The only problem was the price tag. Her mum had persuaded her to give it a try when it had caught her eye, even though it was somewhat over budget, along with a few other gowns that she’d discovered on the sale rack. She’d tried the reduced ones on first, being mindful that this was very much a wedding on a budget. They were very nice, but not quite right.
She looked at the price tag once more, with a sigh. How could she be selfish and go ahead and get this one? It would mean a cut in the wedding budget somewhere else. Maisy, her daughter, and Maisy’s best friend Amelia, the cutest of flower girls, deserved lovely dresses, as did Eve (maid of honour) and Charlotte (her bridesmaid). There were flowers to buy, some kind of marquee or tent to organise in case of rain. They could of course do much of the buffet themselves, and they really wanted to be able to invite all their family and friends from the village and local farming community to share this happy occasion. So many people had supported them through such difficult times over the years, it’d be a wonderful way to show their appreciation. Rachel really didn’t want to have to cut the guest list.
The shop assistant stepped forward from her position near the counter. ‘Oh, that looks stunning on you, really.’ She was smiling softly, the hint of a tear in her eye. ‘I see lots of dresses come on and off and sometimes you can just see when it’s the perfect gown for the bride-to-be.’
‘But I can’t …’ Rachel began.
‘Can’t what?’ asked Jill.
‘I can’t get it … I’m sorry, Mum, I shouldn’t have tried it on. We were being silly, thinking we could stretch to this. The others were in the sale, this one isn’t. There’s so much else we need to pay out on.’
‘But I’m sure we could manage, with a bit of careful budgeting … if this is the right dress for you. It is your wedding day, after all. A once-in-a-lifetime occasion.’
‘Yes, but there’s no need for it to make us stony-broke. And I want everyone to enjoy it, not just me.’
‘Oh, I suppose … but what a shame, love.’
‘It’s fine … There’ll be another dress to catch my eye somewhere, I’m sure.’ Rachel rallied, despite the nip of disappointment, as she headed back into the changing room. She took one last longing glance at this gorgeous dress before the assistant stepped in to help undo the rear zip, ready for her to step out of it.
‘I know it’s a long shot … I don’t suppose there’s any chance of a discount on this one?’ Rachel ventured. Well, if you didn’t ask …
‘Oh, I’m sorry, madam, but we can’t reduce this one. It’s the new season’s range, just come in, and we always try to price our dresses competitively as it is. The others you tried were the remaining few from last year’s stock, that’s why we could discount them. I’m sorry.’
Rachel gave the dress one last look, the delicate flowers appliquéd on the draped tulle skirt catching her eye, as the assistant began to place it carefully back on the hanger. Ah well, a chance to dream.
‘Are you sure?’ Jill asked, as she emerged from the changing room.
‘Yes, I’m sure. It’s lovely, but it’s just too expensive. It’s not about the dress at the end of the day, it’s about me and Tom, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ her mum sighed and nodded. ‘Come on then, I don’t know about you, but all this dress shopping has just about done me in. I spotted a coffee shop over the road. Shall we go and recharge with a cappuccino?’
‘Great idea.’
Settled at a wooden table by the window of the café, Rachel could see the assistant tidying the little wedding shop after their visit. Her dress was placed back on the rail, ready for someone else to try on.
‘We’d manage somehow, you know love …’ Jill’s voice trailed off, as if she was a little disappointed too.
‘No, it wouldn’t feel right – even if it looked right – if I blew the budget already. I’m sure I can find something else that’ll do just fine.’
How Jill wished she had some secret savings stash she could dig into right now – she’d so love to make her daughter’s day. Maybe there was a way she still could?
Whilst Rachel nipped to the bathroom, Jill sketched what she could remember of the dress on a white paper napkin, while it was fresh in her mind: the simple yet flattering bodice with its V front and back, the fine tulle of the skirt with its gorgeous appliqué flower design. She then popped the drawing into her handbag. Well, you never knew …
2
TWO MONTHS LATER
‘Have you remembered to put the hiking boots in, Mum?’
‘Yes, both our pairs are in.’ Jill was trailing a couple of all-weather anoraks to the Land Rover. Well, you had to be prepared for all eventualities in Scotland, rain or shine, even in May and at the supposed start of summer.