Page 49 of Be More Lucy

Jack snorted. ‘The ban might have been shorter if she hadn’t had a large joint in her mouth when she got pulled over. And being on a call to her dealer with the mobile phone in her hand didn’t help either.’

Olivia glared at him. ‘I see Nancy filled you in on all the details. I was trying to keep it quiet.’

‘It was all in the papers, Mother. It’s hardly a state secret.’

‘Anyway, if you could invite Caroline, she can chauffeur her mother.’

‘I guess it will be fine.’ Jack raised his eyebrows at Em.

‘Any news on the wedding date?’

‘We’re still struggling to get a venue. We tried the Bay View Hotel the other day, but that didn’t work out.’ Jack asked.

‘Probably for the best.’ Olivia looked sheepish.

‘Why’s that? It seemed a lovely hotel to me.’ Jack caught Em’s eye.

‘Well, let’s just say there’s some history there. Nancy wouldn’t set foot in the place, not even for your wedding.’

‘I’m curious now, Mother. What happened?’

‘It’s not my place to say. You’ll have to ask Nancy. Are you ready for dessert?’

‘I’ve got something to show you.’ Olivia whispered to Em in the kitchen later. ‘Don’t tell Jack. Come with me before he notices you’ve gone.’

Em was intrigued. She followed Olivia up to the first floor and into the large dressing room off Olivia’s bedroom.

‘A little bird tells me you’re having trouble finding a wedding dress.’ Olivia said as she shut the door behind them.

‘Would that little bird be Nancy by any chance?’ It was unlikely to be Jack.

‘It might be. I’m about to show you something, and I won’t be offended if you don’t like it. I want you to be completely honest.’

Olivia pulled a hanger out of one of the wardrobes. Em could tell there was a kingfisher blue, mid-length dress under the clear plastic cover.

‘This was my mother’s gown.’ Olivia unzipped the cover to reveal a taffeta cocktail dress in a classic 1950s off-the-shoulder style. ‘She bought it to wear for a film premiere.’

‘A film premiere?’ Em had realised that Jack’s family moved in more exalted circles than her own, but every time she visited his childhood home, she found out a new fact that made them seem even more fascinating. She wouldn’t have been surprised if Olivia had casually revealed she was twentieth in line to the throne. It would be intimidating if they weren’t all so lovely.

‘“A Star is Born”, if I remember correctly. The 1954 version. Judy Garland, not Lady Gaga. My mother knew one of the producers.’

‘It’s stunning.’ Em couldn’t take her eyes off it.

‘It is. Are you sure you like it?’

‘I absolutely love it.’

‘It’s not a traditional wedding dress colour. Are you bothered by that?’

‘No. It’s perfect. White or cream do nothing for my pale skin.’

‘I was nine years old when she wore it, and it enchanted me. I never forgot it, but it was totally out of fashion when I was the right size to wear it. Now vintage is all the rage, and everyone wears whatever suits them, it could do with another outing.’

‘Wouldn’t Kate like it?’ Em didn’t want Jack’s sister to be upset that Olivia was lending it to her.

‘Kate’s too much of a bean pole for it to do anything for her. It’s the ideal shape to show off your curves.’

Olivia held the dress against Em’s body. ‘I think it’s going to fit. Would you like to try it on?’

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