Page 25 of Merrily Ever After
Tina leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘And her boyfriend finished with her because she was paying her father far more attention than him. Honestly, that man has got a lot to answer for.’
Emily gave a hoot of laughter and nudged her. ‘Mum! If you’ve quite finished publicly dissecting my love life!’
The woman in the apron leaned her elbows on the counter, looking interested. ‘That boyfriend sounds like a charmer. Narrow escape there. We all have to kiss a few frogs before finding our prince, isn’t that right?’ She jerked her head at her friend. ‘This one is getting married to an absolute gem. And don’t apologise for having a lively debate, we were just doing the same. I mean, what sort of bride doesn’t want a hen party?’
‘You’re getting married? Congratulations!’ said Emily. A fleeting memory popped into her mind: two women’s heads together, at the window of Vintage by Violet, gazing up at that 1950s wedding dress. Could it have been these two?
The woman nodded. ‘On Christmas Eve. Because Christmas Eve isn’t busy enough, right?’
‘Oh, quite soon! How exciting.’ Emily brushed the image aside. Christmas Eve wasn’t far away; this bride-to-be would have bought her dress months ago.
Emily did love a good wedding. The last one she’d been to was the wedding of a colleague and the look on the groom’s face as he’d turned to see his bride walk up the aisle towards him had Emily reaching for the tissues. Hopefully she’d get her turn, but romance wasn’t on the cards just now. What the whole Gavin episode had shown her was that until she could put more effort into a relationship, there was no point getting involved with anyone.
‘Thank you,’ said the blonde woman. ‘It’s all a bit of a whirlwind, very exciting of course, but lots to do. I just don’t think I can squeeze in a hen party on top of everything else, but Nell here won’t take no for an answer.’
‘You enjoyed my hen party,’ said Nell. The friends exchanged looks and giggled. ‘Don’t deprive me of a repeat performance.’
‘Oh, have a party,’ encouraged Tina, earning herself a small cheer from Nell. ‘Besides, it’s a good chance for your mum and your mother-in-law to bond over a few drinks, sort out any friction before the big day.’
The blonde one blinked. ‘Um …’
She looked so awkward that Emily leapt to her rescue. ‘I’m a firm believer in celebrating every special moment, big or small,’ she said. Although now she thought about it, she hadn’t had such a moment for quite a while. ‘If the universe sends an opportunity to celebrate, take it. Anyway, people who say they’re too busy for a party definitely need one!’
‘Truth!’ said Nell.
‘Maybe you’re right,’ the other woman agreed. ‘Perhaps I’d regret it in the future if I didn’t have any embarrassing photos to look back on.’
‘Yes! Well done!’ Nell high-fived Emily. ‘I’ll organise the whole thing. And no condoms or L plates, Scout’s honour.’
‘Fine, a hen party it is,’ she conceded. ‘Now, are you going to make these poor ladies wait until Christmas to get served or what?’
‘What can I get you?’ Nell asked brightly. ‘I’ve got a special offer on mixed nuts.’
Tina hesitated. ‘Oh, go on then, I can never resist a bargain, give me three pounds worth. And 500 grams of whole almonds as well, please.’
‘Going back to Dad,’ Emily began again, keeping her voice low. ‘If I move him into Springwood House, I’ll feel comfortable leaving him and going travelling again. And the way it’s going, if I don’t do something, I’m not sure I’ll keep the job I’ve got for much longer.’
Nell weighed mixed nuts into a paper bag and put them on the counter.
‘And you’re sure this is the right thing?’ Tina got her purse out. ‘Moving him into a care home? He’s only sixty-five.’
‘I don’t know if I’ll ever be sure,’ Emily admitted. ‘All I know is that I’m doing my best and it would really help if I had your support.’
The blonde woman looked up. ‘I’m sorry, that sounds like a hard decision to make. Oops, sorry, I’m eavesdropping again.’
‘It’s fine,’ said Emily. ‘It’s a relief to talk about it, to be honest. He’s got dementia and it’s becoming dangerous to leave him on his own.’
‘I’m so sorry to hear that,’ consoled Nell. ‘That’s quite a responsibility.’
Emily nodded. ‘I know. I’ve never wanted siblings more.’
‘Take some walnuts for your dad,’ she said, scooping some into a paper bag. ‘Free of charge. Omega three is meant to be good for the brain. Every little helps.’
‘That’s so kind, thank you.’ Emily was touched; people could be so generous.
The blonde woman gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I said something similar to Nell recently. Although, in my case, it was to do with choosing a wedding dress. I don’t have parents, or siblings.’
Emily cringed inwardly, remembering Tina’s suggestion of getting the mothers-in-law together.
