Chapter Forty-Three
Ashleigh – The Everdene Hotel, Loganbury
The wedding day was going so beautifully. Considering that Ashleigh wasn’t particularly convinced that marriage was an institution worth bothering with – no matter how in love you were – she was feeling decidedly warm and gooey. And that was despite not hearing back from Olivier yet.
She’d checked her phone first thing and not seen anything but a message – at long last – from her mother, of all things. Something, something, apologising that she couldn’t get a transfer because – surprise, surprise – Christmas had made it impossible to find a flight. Ashleigh wasn’t yet at the point where she still didn’t feel a pull of sadness, but it wasn’t overwhelming and she didn’t feel it was necessary to immediately respond to her. She had other things going on in her life – a life her mother was obviously not terribly interested in. And you know what? That washerloss.
As for Olivier, Ash had spent a while tossing and turning last night, getting it straight in her head that she really couldn’t expect him to ring her back instantly. He worked long hours until late at night, so he probably slept in the following day, and even if he had listened to her message, it didn’t mean that he was ready to talk to her yet. She’d pushed him away pretty hard.
So, she had determined from the outset to put it all to the back of her mind and focus on enjoying the day. From getting up in the morning after spending the night in the most expensive and comfortable bed her body had even been horizontal on, to the breakfast buffet with flaky Danish pastries and silk handkerchief scrambled eggs. Onto the champagne cocktails as the bridesmaids and Beth all got ready in her mother’s flat at the top of the hotel.
There was laughter and endless gushing over how beautiful everyone looked, having their hair and make-up done professionally but to their request, in line with Beth’s decision that she wanted them all to look themselves.
Stephen had arranged a surprise wedding gift for the happy couple and instead of driving down the hill to the village in taxis, a cavalcade of open-top classic cars arrived. Beth nearly ruined her make-up and the photographer had insisted on getting some extra shots next to them, almost making them late.
But then, it would have broken tradition if the bride hadn’t been a tiny bit late.
The church was relatively small, with stone walls that were clearly worn with time and stained glass windows streaming dapples of colour onto the darkly varnished pews. Every seat was taken and Beth’s mum gave her away, all the bridesmaids following, carrying little bouquets of poinsettias with white sprigs around them like drops of snow, and fastened with blue ribbons to match the bridesmaids’ blue dresses and suits, and the tiniest, cutest flower girl called Ivy, who was carried by Rachel, her mum.
Nick’s eyes lit up at the sight of Beth, and Ashleigh couldn’t see her friend’s face but knew she would have been smiling ear to ear. By the time Ash had taken her reserved seat near the front, she could see Beth and had absolutely been right. The bride and groom were glowing with happiness. They said their vows, Nick’s cheeks growing a little rosy as he had to speak, like maybe he wasn’t that confident in front of a crowd, and as they exchanged rings and were proclaimed man and wife, eyes were welling up everywhere.
They went to sign the register while everyone came outside with their biodegradable confetti and the newlyweds appeared outside, clasping hands and running through a shower of colourful petals before rounds of photographs began.
Back at the hotel the party began with a big dinner. Ashleigh was sitting with Geri and Lisa; as well as Lydia, Rosie’s best friend who’d done all the flowers; Rachel; her husband Ben; and the little flower girl, Ivy. There were toasts and more champagne – Stephen made zero mention of the date he and Beth had been on – and then they cut a big chocolate cake, and everyone got a piece.
As Ash circulated, chatting to people, she realised she’d gained temporary notoriety for designing the dress. Some people asked if she had a website and took commissions and she began to get an idea that really she should.
Everyone went outside to the marquee to watch the first dance – the moment Beth had most been looking forward to – and it was obvious why when the music started up. The band started playing ‘Come Away With Me’ by Norah Jones, and Beth and Nick danced together like no one else in the world existed, moving around the dance floor to the soft cymbals and gentle strumming guitars as though they were floating. As it ended Nick spun Beth under his arm and her dress flared out to show the coloured pleats hidden within the traditional white skirt and there was a collective gasp and a sigh.
Ash couldn’t help but smile. The idea that she could do the same for other brides filled her heart with excitement and joy. Her work here was done, but it might just be the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
