Page 45 of Be More Lucy

‘Thank you.’ Judging by the expression on the bride’s face, she was grateful for the change of subject as well as the compliment.

Karen looked at Em. ‘Ladies, you’re welcome to look through some gowns while you’re waiting. Not these racks here. That small rack at the back is all we can guarantee to do in time. They’re our ex-display dresses.’

‘Nice,’ muttered Lucy.

‘Shall we leave?‘ Em said to Lucy as they moved to the back of the room. ‘I don’t feel welcome, and I haven’t tried anything on yet. For all they know, I could afford to pay a premium to get one made in time, but instead, I’m relegated to picking over last year’s leftovers.’

Lucy looked as annoyed as Em did. ‘We may as well see what they’ve got while we’re here. It might give you some ideas.’

Em started looking through the rail. Too small. Too big. A dull beige colour that wouldn’t suit anyone. It was obvious why no eager bride had snapped these up already.

George’s bride was back in her normal clothes and saying goodbye. Karen turned her attention to Em.

‘There is one that we could order in time. And it would show off your lovely figure perfectly.’ She pulled a dress off the rail nearest to her and held it up in front of herself.

Em turned to look and took a sharp intake of breath. The pretty diamanté belt would emphasise her narrow waist. The plunging neckline covered in thin lace would show off her cleavage without being too revealing. Even the colour would work against Em’s pale skin.

Karen was right. It would show off Em’s figure perfectly. It was why she’d chosen it for her wedding to Connor.

Lucy must’ve recognised it too. ‘Not that one,’ she said, glaring at Karen.

‘Oh, but you should at least try it on. You can never be sure until you wear it.’

‘It’s lovely, but it’s not for me,’ Em said quietly. ‘I don’t think any of them are. Sorry.’

She headed down the stairs and out of the shop as fast as she could. When she got outside, she took a deep breath in a bid to calm down.

Lucy appeared behind her. ‘That was awful. I’m sorry. It never occurred to me that that could happen.’

‘Me neither. What luck!’ Em sighed. ‘I’m starting to think fate is pushing me not to marry Jack.’

‘Don’t say that. It’s just a stupid dress.’ Lucy hugged Em.

‘It’s not just the dress, though. It’s the venue. It’s everything.’

25

‘I’m home,’ Em shouted as she walked into the living room.

‘Hello, you. Lucy caught the train ok, then?’ Jack asked.

‘Yes, we got there with two minutes to spare.’ The local trains had been cancelled due to Sunday engineering works, and the replacement bus hadn’t turned up. Lucy had a business meeting first thing on Monday so Em had had to drive her 50 miles to the nearest mainline station.

‘I’m knackered,’ she said, flopping down on the sofa.

‘Perhaps this will help.’ Jack emerged from the kitchen and put a glass of Pinot Grigio on the coffee table in front of her.

‘Yes, it will. You’re an angel.’

Jack sat beside her with his own glass of wine and pulled her in for a hug.’ It’s good to be alone again.’

‘I suppose so.’ Em snuggled into him.

‘You don’t seem that enthusiastic about it?’ Jack sounded concerned.

‘I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted. Nothing seems to be going to plan with the wedding. We can’t have it on the date we want. We can’t get a venue. We’ve had all the aggro between Lucy and Mark. Then dress shopping was a nightmare yesterday. It’s like fate is trying to tell us something.’

‘Come on. Things are improving. Mark and Lucy seem to be getting on now. Mark said he was pleased they were friends again. We were talking about it when I took him to the airport. And I might have a solution to the venue issue,’ Jack said, looking pleased with himself. ‘I was thinking about it while you were being Lucy’s taxi.’

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