Feeling satisfied, Nell went downstairs to see Cat. Passing through the kitchen, she recognised the waitress from the Langdon Mansion Hotel and the Welcome to Christmas carol service. Frowning, Nell hung back while Niall briefed everyone, running through the order of play and the amazing level of service he expected. When he’d dismissed them, Nell nipped over. ‘Niall, who was that young girl with the dark hair in a high ponytail?’ He looked nonplussed. Clearly hair descriptions weren’t his thing. ‘The really tall girl, pretty but looked absolutely terrified.’
‘Tallulah?’
Nell thought back to that horrible night at the Langdon Mansion Hotel, she was sure the maître d’ had named the waitress who’d shown them to their table. She ran through the memory again and nodded. ‘Yes Tallulah. Did you employ her?’
Niall shook his head. ‘Not exactly. Philip, my business partner organises the staffing. She’s not one we’ve had before but don’t worry, I don’t take anyone slacking, and no one will let you down.’
‘Thanks.’ But as she left the kitchen, she couldn’t help feeling a little disconcerted. Perhaps the poor girl had left the Langdon Mansion. It hadn’t seemed the nicest place to work. Putting the matter to the back of her mind, Nell went into her flat.
The dress fitted Cat like a glove with only a slight adjustment on the bust. There was absolutely no need for painful underwear and Cat surveyed herself in the mirror.
‘Happy?’ Nell asked.
‘So happy,’ Cat replied. She twisted left and right letting the skirt and pastel-pink petticoat that matched her hair, move around her. Her eyes were sparkling and dreamy just as Nell had hoped they would be. She quickly changed into her own wedding outfit and strappy shoes. She wasn’t sure how well her feet were going to cope with the day ahead but wearing flats wasn’t an option until later. Cat called over her shoulder. ‘Let’s see you then.’
Nell gave a twirl. ‘Ta da!’
‘You look gorgeous. Much better than your normal ugly jumpers.’
‘My jumpers might be ugly, but they are very warm. I’ve turned the heating up full whack and the fire’s blazing in the lounge so we shouldn’t get cold in our flimsy dresses.’
An unexpected knock at the door made them jump and Cat hid behind the full-length mirror. ‘If it’s Kieran, tell him to go away, he can’t see me before the wedding.’
‘Calm down,’ Nell replied, laughing. ‘It’s probably just Janie delivering the bouquet.’ Nell opened the door and stood back. ‘Oh, hello, Brenda.’
‘Nell. Am I allowed to see my daughter?’
Glancing over her arm at Cat who had now come out from behind the mirror, she nodded and let her arm drop. Brenda walked slowly inside in her lilac, mother-of-the-bride dress and enormous hat. All the joy had been sucked from the atmosphere and in the small basement flat the air felt thick, heavy with Brenda’s perfume. When Brenda’s eyes fell on her daughter clad in the vintage dress, complete with a pink petticoat and tiny pillbox hat perched jauntily on her head, Brenda’s mouth fell to the floor. ‘Catherine, you look beautiful.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Cat replied uncertainly.
‘I just wanted to say …’ Brenda needed a minute and perched on the edge of Nell’s bed. She was pleased she’d made it for once, instead of leaving it all rumpled. Caressing a tissue in her hands, Brenda looked up. ‘I’m sorry if I made you miserable, darling. I really was only trying to help. I didn’t realise I was making you so unhappy. I didn’t mean to take over. I just got a bit carried away. Your dad has told me to stop being such a goose and come and make it up to you before you actually walk down the aisle.’
Cat softened at this uncharacteristic show of emotion. ‘I know this isn’t exactly what you had in mind for me, Mum. I know it isn’t the Langdon Mansion Hotel, but it’s where I want to get married.’
‘I know.’ She nodded. ‘And Nell?’
‘Yes?’ Nell prepared herself for the firing line.
‘It looks beautiful upstairs. You’ve done a wonderful job and everyone who’s staying here says how lovely it is.’
‘Thank you,’ Nell said. ‘Now, if you guys aren’t going to murder each other, I’ll leave you to it. I need to check everyone knows what they’re doing, and the celebrant should be arriving soon.’
Brenda stood up and walked towards Nell who now feared she’d pushed her luck a bit too far and the ferocious Brenda was going to smack her legs, but instead Brenda hugged her and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you, Nell, for being there for Cat.’ Nell hugged her in return and left them to begin her role as host.
As Nell reached the top of the stairs two familiar voices swarmed around her. Tom and Kieran were chatting happily with some of the guests who were staying at the hotel and got the pleasure of being at the ceremony first. Tom, she imagined, had been the one to put on some choral Christmas music and the world of Swallowtail Bay felt truly magical. Entering the dining room, she saw him, handsome in his suit and tie, a tiny sprig of holly in his buttonhole. Kieran, too, appeared happy and excited but it was the man Nell loved she couldn’t take her eyes off. As her heart soared, she realised he hadn’t taken his eyes off her either and the thrill was almost too much for her senses. The celebrant was admiring the set-up, and as Nell checked the clock, she could see there was only half an hour to the ceremony.
‘You look
