‘It’s amazing what you can jot down on a napkin,’ explained Jill, with a smile. ‘Followed up with a little research and some pictures off the internet.’
‘Wow,’ Rachel repeated, taking off her jeans and her floral print top.
The dress was now off the hanger and ready for her to step into, with Eve and her mum holding it proudly. Eve’s guesswork was pretty damned good as Rachel slipped it on. The delicate buttons up the back drew to a close just about perfectly.
Rachel looked down at the gorgeous gossamer voile-style skirt that had beautiful handmade flowers appliquéd onto it. There was a shimmer too as little sequins, stitched here and there, caught the light. The bodice was made of what looked to Rachel like an ivory cheesecloth material that fitted in a sleeveless V, revealing just the right amount of cleavage, so very like the design from the shop.
‘You made this?’ It was still hard to believe. ‘It must have taken you ages, Eve. It’s just beautiful.’ Rachel lifted the stunning material of the skirt in awe.
‘It’s just the prototype, by the way. I’ve used a cheaper linen material as the base to get the cut and design right. The tulle top layer, I can re-fix. I wanted to be sure you liked it before I made it up in the satin version.’
‘What do you mean? This isn’t the finished thing? But I love it. I love this material … it looks kind of “boho” and country, and it’s just what I want. Do not change a thing on it, Eve. I forbid you.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘It does look gorgeous on her, I must say, Eve. You’ve made a wonderful job of it,’ said Jill.
‘Well, we can tweak the final fit, but if you’re happy Rach, that’s a whole lot of work you’ve just saved me!’ Eve grinned.
‘Hah, I can put you to work on other things – bunting for the tipis for a start!’
‘Okay, that’s fine by me. I’m just delighted that you like it.’
Rachel took a step forward and took her friend by the hands. ‘It’s perfect, and it means so much more that my very best friend has made it for me. Thank you so much, Eve.’
They fell into a hug, and then Jill joined in, all three of them with happy tears in their eyes.
‘Right, well I do believe that this calls for a fresh bottle of prosecco to be opened. We can toast the wedding dress,’ pronounced Jill.
‘Hear, hear!’ Eve gave a happy and relieved wink.
They wandered through to the living area. Rachel gave a little twirl, and then stood by the hearth in the middle of the lodge, staring down at her dress as if she was in a dream. She didn’t quite want to take it off yet.
Jill popped the cork and Eve was soon passing her a glass of bubbly. ‘Cheers, hun, you look absolutely stunning in it. Tom is going to be one lucky fella … but then, we knew that anyhow, with or without the dress.’
‘Oh, your dad would be so proud if he could see you now, love.’
For a second or two Rachel stalled. ‘Oh Mum … how are we going to get through a whole wedding day without Dad there?’ Rachel bit down on her lip to stop it quivering. ‘And, who on earth is going to walk me down the aisle?’
Jill had to swallow a tight lump in her throat before she could manage to answer. ‘We’ll be there for you, love, and all your friends. There are so many people to support you.’
‘Ah, but it won’t quite be the same though, will it? And, you can’t all walk me down the aisle, can you?’ Rachel tried her best to raise a small smile, picturing all her friends and family crammed in by the pews. Aw, this wedding was lovely to be planning, but boy did it keep throwing up new curveballs. Grief and loss didn’t just disappear at the happier times, you somehow had to find a way for them to be a part of it.
‘We’ll always be there for you, Rach. And, on the day, I’ll be right behind you, literally,’ added Eve, who was so glad to be maid of honour.
‘Okay, okay … now stop it you two, or you’ll have me blubbing, and we don’t want this dress messed up with tears and getting all soggy now.’ She took a slow breath, before adding, ‘Cheers.’ Rachel raised her glass with a gentle smile to toast her fabulous friend and her very special mum. ‘Thank you. Thank you, both.’
‘Here come the gi-irls!’ Hannah burst in through the front doors of the lodge, followed closely by Kirsty, sporting a huge grin and waggling a bottle of champagne at them. ‘Let’s get this party started, ladies.’
The dress was back in its clothes carrier and was now safely stored in Rachel and Eve’s bedroom wardrobe, hidden from sight.
‘Come in, come on in,’ Rachel said, leaping up with a broad smile to greet her friends. ‘Welcome to our humble abode.’
‘And not so bloody humble,’ commented Kirsty, looking around her.
‘Oh my, this place is amazing!’ Hannah took in the cosy yet spacious log-beamed living room. ‘And what is that delicious smell, hey?’
‘Homemade lasagne, care of Eve here,’ answered Jill.
Eve took a little bow. ‘It’s warming in the oven, nearly ready.’
‘Fantastic. Wow, what a gorgeous place … and we get three whole child-free days to enjoy it. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this for so long.’
‘Me too,’ added Hannah. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love our little Rosie to bits, but eighteen months down the line of motherhood, you start forgetting what it’s like to be you.’
‘And then there’s the husband who needs looking after too,’ chipped in Kirsty. ‘“Where’s my work socks/last pair of boxers/my favourite white shirt with the grey stripe?”, that kind of stuff. And … my all-time favourite question: “What’s for tea?” As though it’s my sole domain to be chef as well as housework fairy and baby minder.’
‘Hah, don’t mind Kirsty. She’s just getting it off her chest. I think it was a bit tense on the home front when she was trying to get everything packed and ready to go,’ explained Hannah.
‘Well, he’ll know what it’s like while I’m away …’ Kirsty continued her little rant. ‘Callum’s into everything just now. You never stop.’
‘Well then, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that,’ added Jill. ‘I’m sure he’ll appreciate you all the more when you get back.’
‘Oops, sorry hun,’ Kirsty suddenly stopped. ‘Shouldn’t be moaning on about the other half when it’s your hen do, chick. You’ll be entering the zone of married bliss very soon, honey. Don’t want to put you off or anything … Ah, don’t worry, I do love him really, but bloody hell he can get on my nerves at times.’
‘Well, in all honesty, I can’t wait to get married,’ Rachel said proudly.
‘No wonder, with your gorgeous Tom all lined up.’ Eve grinned.
‘Hey, a couple of years down the line and he’ll be just like the rest of ’em.’ Kirsty winked and then broke into a smile. ‘Wouldn’t be without ’em, mind.’
They all laughed.
‘Right then, I think it’s time I poured you two out some bubbly. Sounds like you need it!’ Rachel grabbed the open bottle from the side. ‘And no more worrying about what’s going on back home. It’s time to enjoy the here and now.’