She shut the dishwasher door and pressed the start button, before giving me her full attention again. “I get excited for you and Leo, as bride and groom. It’s like I can see the day happening in my head and I want to turn everything about it into reality. So you can both look back and thinkWow!”
I recalled Mum’s behaviour towards our wedding, thus far. Whatever reel was playing out in her mind, it was evidently nothing like the one in mine. I scoffed to myself, knowing that if I gave in to all Mum’s suggestions,Wow!would be the exact word to describe our wedding, except not in the way Mum meant. “And we will, Mum. But not because of any castle, or newspaper article, or super-efficient wedding planner like Wendy.”
Mum rolled her eyes like a sulky teenager. “Don’t I know it!”
A smile crossed my lips as I took in my mother’s petulance.
“I miss the old days,” she said.
“What are you talking about now?”
“When you and Sal were young. Back then I was involved. Birthdays, Christmas, school plays, no matter the celebration, I got to be a part of them. We all know I’m not the most forthright when it comes tofeelingsand me creating the perfect party or costume was my way of making up for that.” Mum let out a sigh. “Like it or not, it still is. What you and your sister call over the top, I call showing I care.”
Looking at the woman, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Mum had never looked so dejected, let alone opened up like that before.
She sighed. “I knew you wouldn’t understand.”
“Mum, all we want is to say our vows in front of our closest family and friends. To celebrate with the people we love the most. Isn’t that what really matters?”
“I suppose.”
“So, does this mean you’ll stop with the grand gestures?”
Mum made a noise, accompanied with what may or may not have been a nod.
“I take it that’s ayes?” I asked.
Again, Mum squeaked and jiggled her head.
“And there’ll be no more sudden surprises?”
“No,” she said, her voice tight.
“Thank you,” I said, glad to hear it.
Chapter 12
The visit to my parents’ house had been successful on two fronts. Firstly, I could finally stop stressing over Mum, because she’d agreed, albeit grudgingly, to back off from everything matrimonial. And secondly, her and Wendy’s verbal ping-pong had galvanised me into action. As soon as I landed home, I’d hit the internet and printed off a wedding checklist for me and Leo to start going through.
I stared at the numerous sheets of paper spread out in front of us. Mum and Wendy hadn’t been exaggerating when they’d said there was a lot to think about. Even a less formal affair like the one Leo and I wanted took serious consideration and while Otis lay snoring next to the Aga, we had sat at the kitchen table for hours sharing ideas for the big day itself. Still, the wedding wasn’t until September and with copious notes taken and lists drawn in readiness, I could ignore Wendy’s warning. It wasn’t panic stations yet.
“Shall I make more tea?” I asked. Leo nodded and I got up from my seat. A steady flow of steam rose from the kettle’s silver spout and grabbing the quilted potholder I lifted the kettle off the stove. “So, we’re happy with numbers?” I asked, as I filled the teapot with boiling water.
We’d decided to invite only our nearest and dearest. On my side, there was Mum and Dad, Sal, Ryan, and India. As well as my two best friends, Abbey and Chloe.
I smiled as I recalled how Abbey and Chloe had jumped up and down screaming when I broke the news of my engagement. I knew my wedding wouldn’t be the same without them, so including their partners, and Chloe’s daughter, Ruby, that brought my total invitation list to ten.
I watched Leo assess his choice in guests. Like mine, all four of Leo’s grandparents were deceased. Leo only had one sibling, his brother, Nial. So when it came to family members, including Nial’s wife, Victoria, his parents, Grace, and Bill, that made four. He had a bunch of close friends, and one of them had a son, Tom. Taking into consideration him and the whole group’s plus ones, Leo’s number of invitations came in at fifteen.
“Twenty-seven total, including us and Otis. I think that’s a great number,” Leo said.
As I carried the teapot over to the table, I smiled, happily picturing Leo and I saying ourI dosin front of our most favourite people and dog. Although I couldn’t help but think the limited guest list might create an issue. My smile lessened. “Do you think we’ll have a problem finding the right venue? I imagine most wedding parties are a lot bigger than ours. And we need somewhere that will facilitate Otis.”
Not that that was my only concern. Ever since my dream, I’d set my heart on an outdoor ceremony. In my night-time imagination, everything had seemed perfect, and even days later, I could still see events as they unfolded. Sitting left and right, family and friends rose from lines of white wooden chairs that sat on a perfectly manicured lawn, as the Bridal Chorus kicked in and Dad began walking me down the grassy aisle. Leo, in his waistcoat and trousers, looked as dashing as ever. As did Otis in his little bow tie.
Leo took my hand as I approached, making my whole body tingle as we prepared to exchange vows under a wooden arch that bloomed white thanks to glorious vines of scented Poet’s Jasmine. Recalling every detail, I didn’t want to settle for anything less. “Then there’s the weather. The north of England isn’t guaranteed sunshine in July or August, let alone in September.”
“What about looking for somewhere with an orangery or a conservatory?” Leo said.
