Page 27 of My Husband's Wife
I nod. ‘Same old. Bride and groom are flapping but everything is absolutely fine. The florists have been and gone. I’ve finished decorating the room for the wedding breakfast. The photographers and videographers have set up in the function room and the ceremony room. We’ve done a sound check. The sweet cart is in place and so is the photo booth, along with a collection of silly hats and plastic glasses. The champagne is on ice, and the magician is in the library trying to locate his rabbits.’ There are no rabbits, of course; I saw him expertly cutting and shuffling a pack of cards.
She lets out a chuckle and leaves me to it. As I sip my double espresso, I spare another thought for my relationship. Zach has been gone for two whole days and nothing else strange has happened. Caiden has been acting normally. It’s as if he never mentioned Emily. I spoke to him about it and he looked at me as if I made it all up. Emily – I heard him say her name. My throat sticks as if I actually spoke her name out loud. I drink some more coffee before grabbing my mint-green jacket. I always make an effort to fit in with my bridal party’s colours and today is a green day. Green is popular lately.
I haven’t mentioned Hugo to my mum again and she’s backing off a little. She’s laid off the topic of me going to the doctor’s, so I may be in the clear for now. As for Zach, his phone call this morning was brief as he was working, so I couldn’t talk to him properly. My biggest worry is Nicole. I haven’t spoken to her and she hasn’t called to speak to Aaron. He’s missing her dearly and I keep having to cover for her by telling Aaron that Mummy is just a little busy but she loves him. I’m really worried about her but I think she needs space to work through her problems with Will.
She’s sent one message. All it said was, Be back on Sunday. Thanks again.
Time is escaping me again. I need to check on the bride and accompany her team to our salon. Hurrying down the corridor in my white brogues, I take the lift up to her suite. From outside the door, I listen to the women giggling. The bride asks for her drink to be topped up and she moans again about her beauty team. I knock and her younger sister answers.
Millie beckons me in. ‘Any news?’
I shake my head as I spot that the group are all wearing Team Deepak and Millie dressing gowns. ‘Shall I call them for you?’
‘No, my sister can do that.’ She glares at the teen girl with the braces on her teeth. The girl walks towards the window to make the call, while I shimmy through the party of women to get to Millie.
‘I come bearing an update. Everything is ready for you. The celebrant has confirmed that she will be here for two, ready for the ceremony at three. The ceremony room is decorated beautifully and so is the function room. You have nothing to worry about.’
‘Only my beauty team. I can’t get married looking like this.’ She points at her oily t-zone and the spot that has broken out on her chin.
She’s trembling so I pull her to one side. We make our way into the ensuite. Not the best place to have a little pep talk, but it’s better than a public corridor or a room packed with people. I’ve been in this position a million times before.
‘Millie, you are absolutely beautiful on the inside and out. I promise, you are going to have an amazing wedding. It will be the best day of your life. If for any reason your team doesn’t turn up, we have the spa staff who are very experienced in wedding hair and make-up.’ I look at her. Her face is only slightly oily but in a youthful kind of way. The spot is tiny but I know in her mind she’s seeing something the size of a clown’s nose. She’s twenty-two with the most perfect heart-shaped face, and her dress is a work of lacy art around the neck area.
She waves a dismissive hand and wipes a tear away. ‘I know. I’m just being silly but I can’t seem to help myself. Thank you for having my back.’
‘Now go out there, smash this wedding and marry the man you love. Remember what this is all about. It’s about you and Deepak and your new life together.’
One of the party knocks on the door.
‘Come in,’ Millie says as she takes a deep breath and fans her eyes with her perfectly manicured hands.
‘They’ve arrived and they’re on their way to the salon, sis. We have to go.’
She squeezes my arm. ‘Thanks again, Eva.’
I love my job so much. I live for moments like this when brides are happy, when everything is running almost like clockwork. I know I’m forever part of a couple’s special day and that to me is the payoff.
I follow the party down, taking the second lift with the bride’s mother, who pads from foot to foot in a pair of slippers that look a size too big. We step out. Giggles echo along the corridor that leads to the spa and they all turn left into the salon. As I reach the door, I’m almost taken aback. Two women wheeling make-up storage units stop at one end of the room, and three hairdressers set up along the other side. I’ve been a part of so many weddings now, I know exactly what to expect, but I didn’t expect this.
‘Eva, hi.’ Madison smiles, and my heart begins to bang. Given how certain I am that Theo is Hugo, I don’t know what to say to her so I stare with my mouth open.
Talk, Eva, talk. ‘Hi,’ that is all I can say. What I have here is the opportunity to find out more. I can’t exactly say, can I be frank? Is there any chance that Theo could be my dead husband, Hugo?
She glances up at me, and her forehead creases with a look on her face that says, I don’t want to be here.
She knows who I am and what I’m up to.
Twenty
It’s nearly ten thirty at night. The wedding reception is in full swing. The cake has been cut, the first dance was superb and the family is now in a merry state on the dance floor doing the Macarena. I hoped to have a few moments with Madison this morning but I struggled to find her. I didn’t even see her leave. It had been a shock seeing her. I had to go outside and get some air and when I returned, she was gone.
When she was cutting my hair on Thursday, we chatted and she was friendly. Today, it was as if I didn’t know her. I wonder if she suspects it was me who called Theo’s number the other night. I breathe out and catch the sight of the bar manager. He gives me the nod which means I can finally leave. My feet are throbbing after being on them all day.
I give Millie a wave. She lifts up her wedding gown and staggers towards me. Her face has reddened and her make-up has long gone but she’s happy. ‘Eva, I just want to say thank you. I’ve had an amazing day and also thank you for keeping me sane.’ She throws her arms around me, and I hug her back.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure.’
Millie nods to Deepak, who walks over to the cake and places a huge chunk in a bag before coming over. Millie takes it from him. ‘Have some cake,’ she slurs.
