Page 124 of Merrily Ever After
I’d expected to wake up a bag of nerves. But I was oddly relaxed sitting at my kitchen table, in my dressing gown, soaking up the laughter and the happiness, the teasing and the little acts of kindness, and being warmed by the presence and love of my dearest friends. And now, with only a couple of hours until I’d be walking up the aisle towards Cole, I couldn’t imagine a more joyful start to the day.
Nell wasn’t dressed yet either. She had stayed with me last night. We’d watched a Christmas romcom, face masks on, with mugs of hot chocolate and a box of cherry liqueurs. We’d intended to have an early night, but neither of us could get to sleep and she ended up getting into bed with me and we’d lain in the dark reminiscing about the best and funniest memories we’d shared until eventually we’d drifted off to sleep.
Our dresses hung in the living room, where the fire had been lit and the Christmas tree shimmered and sparkled.
Astrid had been the first to arrive to get ready with us. She looked glamourous and striking in an evergreen satin dress with Swarovski crystals around the neckline. Her matching cape set her outfit off beautifully.
Finally, Cesca and Fliss had joined us with their magic bag of tricks. Astrid only wanted a natural look and I’d already had a practice run, so they knew what I wanted. Nell was happy to give them free rein.
‘And I’d better go easy on the bubbles,’ said Fliss, refusing a top-up. ‘I want to get Merry’s eyeliner straight before I have any more booze.’
She placed a mirror on the table in front of me and slipped a band around my hair to keep it off my face.
‘Oh my God,’ I said, seeing my pale face and wide eyes staring back at me in the mirror. ‘I’m getting married. I can’t believe it.’
‘I can’t believe how glowing your skin is,’ said Fliss, dotting moisturiser onto my face. ‘You’re making my life very easy.’
‘The only thing I can’t believe is that no man has snapped you up before now,’ remarked Nell, touching her glass to mine. ‘Happy wedding day, Merry. Love you lots.’
‘Ditto, best woman.’ We smiled at each other, my best friend and I, connected by threads of friendship and laughter, ups and downs, weaving our lives into a patchwork of memories. ‘Thank you for choosing to sit next to me on that first day in college and for every day since. And especially today.’
‘Well, Nell is makingmyjob very hard, with her thick wodge of auburn waves,’ said Cesca, grappling to twist all her hair into a chignon. ‘I’m going to need scaffolding to hold this lot up.’
‘No offence taken,’ said Nell dryly, which made us all laugh.
‘Some sugar to keep up our energy levels,’ Astrid prompted, producing a dish of fresh strawberries and some tiny sugar cookies from a container.
‘Perfection,’ I sighed, savouring the sweetness on my tongue while Fliss was rubbing blusher into the apples of my cheeks. ‘Thank you, Fairy Godmother, providing just what I need before I even realise it.’
‘Bitte schön,mein Schatz. Do you know, I am in my eighth decade, and I have never been a part of a bride’s preparations? So thankyou.’ Astrid pressed a hand to myarm. ‘Thank you for including me, this is a day I shall treasure forever.’
‘You’ve been my cheerleader since I was a lost little teenager, fighting for my place in the world, and you were my inspiration,’ I replied. ‘I couldn’t imagine doing this without you.’
‘You guys.’ Cesca pulled a tissue from her sleeve. ‘All this mutual appreciation. I’m already in bits and Merry hasn’t even got her dress on yet. OK, Nell, you’re done. Do not make any sudden movements or the whole lot will come crashing down.’
‘And you keep still too,’ Fliss murmured, her tongue between her teeth. ‘I’m doing your eyeliner.’
I closed my eyes and let the conversation wash over me.
‘Wow, that looks amazing, sorry, Merry, but I think I’ll be upstaging the bride,’ Nell exclaimed.
‘Don’t worry,’ Fliss whispered loudly into my ear. ‘I’ll cake her face with fake tan, there’ll be no contest.’
‘I might do my own make-up,’ said Astrid. ‘Just to be on the safe side.’
‘I think we should do this again,’ said Nell. ‘A girls’ weekend. Lounging around in robes, drinking champagne, being pampered.’
‘Ooh yes!’ Fliss gave a little moan of pleasure. ‘A weekend of being able to go to the loo without being followed. Or have a bath and not have to get out because someone’s demanding snacks.’
‘I can’t guarantee that,’ Cesca sniggered.
‘Yes!’ I agreed once Fliss’s hand had moved away. ‘Let’s do it. How about in January? And maybe Hester and Emily could come too.’
Nell grinned. ‘Listen to you, Kim Kardashian, with your big entourage.’
I laughed. Cole had said the same yesterday. He’d reminded me that I’d wanted a small wedding because I only had a few people to invite. Now my guests equalled his.
‘If you’re sure an old lady won’t cramp your style,’ Astrid said. ‘I’d love to come.’
