Moving around the room, Hetty was animatedly chatting to a couple, making them laugh. She exuded confidence and Nell decided to roll her shoulders back and channel some of that kick-ass spirit. Today was going to be great, she could feel it in her bones. The Love Heart Boutique had brought a couple of large catalogues full of wedding dresses. Nell couldn’t resist a little look at the gowns and spied the one Cat was to wear, reminding her of how much she wanted her best friend to be happy.
The dining room was busiest of all as that’s where Niall and the majority of the vendors were. Nell took a moment to enjoy the sight before her and snapped some pictures on her phone in case she needed some marketing photos later.
‘Hey.’ The voice beside her was small but she knew exactly who it was and turned to see Cat. Kieran had his arm around her waist but let go when Nell, overcome with emotion, stepped forward to hug her best friend. As it turned out, no forethought was required as the words tumbled out of their own accord.
‘I’m sorry about the other day,’ Nell said quickly. ‘I shouldn’t have moaned at you. You’re right, it is your wedding. I just want you to be happy.’
‘I’m sorry too,’ Cat replied into her shoulder. ‘It was Mum. She really got to me on the drive over with all the don’t eat this, don’t eat that stuff and I took it out on you.’
Kieran backed off. ‘I’ll leave you ladies to it.’
‘Where are you going?’ asked Cat.
‘I thought I’d go and see Tom and talk about buttonholes.’
‘I’ve already decided on the buttonholes.’
Kieran shifted slightly and Nell’s nerves began to bubble once more. Cat was clearly still cutting Kieran out of the decision-making process. ‘Okay, then I’ll ask him what we’re having.’
‘Why? You don’t know anything about flowers.’
‘Actually,’ said Kieran, quite kindly considering Cat had just completely disregarded the fact he was a gardener, ‘I know quite a lot about flowers, but don’t worry, I won’t change anything.’
Nell took Cat’s hands, eager to continue their reconciliation. ‘Are you okay? I’ve been so worried about you, but I didn’t want to call when you were working because I know how busy you are and I thought about texting, but I wasn’t sure what to say.’
‘It’s fine. I should’ve texted you and apologised for being a complete baby and having a tantrum in front of everyone.’
‘It’s forgotten,’ she said, happiness rocketing through her. ‘And you weren’t a baby. You were standing up for yourself. Your mum’s face was a picture. It was exactly like that time we took her to that play for her birthday and unbeknownst to us, the actors kept getting naked.’
Cat laughed. ‘That was one of the best days of my life. Every time one of them came on in all their glory, bits everywhere, she’d huff and study her programme—’
‘Or tut at us for giggling. I’m sure she thought we’d done it on purpose.’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so embarrassed.’
‘Not since you got a caution at uni for stealing traffic cones.’ They were talking as easily as they always had, and Nell relaxed.
‘The other day, she didn’t speak to me at all on the way home in the car. When she pulled up at my place, I thought she was going to push me out rather than stop.’
‘Has it done any good? Has she got the message you want to make your own decisions for the wedding?’
‘She’s backed off a bit, but I’m not sure it’ll last.’
‘We can hope. Want to have a look around with me?’ Nell craned her neck to check where Kieran was and as the crowd had disappeared from Tom’s table, she could see them chatting, but it wouldn’t be long before he was busy again.
‘Sure. Where’s Harry today?’
‘He’s gone to see his mum again.’
‘That’s sweet.’
‘Isn’t it?’ She ignored the gleam in Cat’s eye.
‘He’s very attractive.’
‘I suppose so,’ Nell joked.
‘Just don’t go getting ideas, Nell, okay.’ Cat’s voice was soft, but her words made Nell’s stomach lurch.
‘Ideas about what?’
‘You and him. I know he’s cute but he’s from New York and he’ll be going back soon, and you live here. I know you love a love story, but this is real life.’
Not wanting to disagree and risk falling back into arguments, Nell nodded her understanding. They wandered around the rest of the dining room and came to a stop at Lexi’s spot. Lexi worked at Raina’s Café in town but was also a huge fan of vintage dresses and very gifted at making them. She’d brought a small rail with her and on it had hung some gorgeous vintage-inspired gowns. There were a couple of slender Sixties-style ones, but Cat gravitated towards the Fifties ones. One in particular stood out to her, the full petticoat pushing the other dresses to the end of the rail as if it was calling out for attention.
‘Can I see that dress, Lexi?’ asked Cat. As Lexi pulled it out, Cat checked over her shoulder and Nell had a horrible feeling it was to make sure Brenda wasn’t around to stop
