“It’s a lovely idea, Emily,” Lady Meade says sincerely. “We’ll discuss it with my husband, then be sure to let you and her know as soon as possible.”
“Thank you. Now, the last thing on my list that I wanted to discuss with you today.”
I pull out a glossy photograph from the file and place it carefully on the table facing them.
“Lady Cordelia, we’d previously discussed how you wanted Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara to wear on the day…”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Lady Meade mutters, closing her eyes in exasperation.
“I know we talked about it and you decided not to go in that direction, but I remember you saying you thought it was important that a bride wear a special piece of jewelry on their wedding day. I had an idea and thought you might be interested.”
I nod to the photograph on the table. “This is known as Lucky Blue,” I say, looking at the photograph proudly. “It’s a spectacular sapphire and diamond horseshoe brooch. The diamonds are estimated to weigh four point six carats in total, and the sapphires are estimated at five point eight carats. The jeweler is Bentley and Skinner, just down the road from here, actually. You can go to see it in person after this meeting.”
“It’s beautiful,” Lady Meade says, smiling at the picture.
I watch Cordelia as she looks intensely at the photograph of the brooch. She’s trying not to give anything away, but her eyes can’t hide it. She’s already fallen in love with it.
“I’ve spoken to Bentley and Skinner, and they’re happy to loan it to you for the day, rather than you having to buy it. That way, I thought it could be your something borrowed and your something blue. And something old,” I add. “It’s from the nineteen-twenties.”
Cordelia lifts her eyes to meet mine. “How did you find this?”
“I thought I’d look for unique jewelry that reflected your love of horses and came across this,” I explain casually. “I know animals are a big part of your life, especially Tony. You looked so happy when you were riding. It seemed important to bring horses into the wedding somehow.”
“How thoughtful,” Lady Meade says gently.
Having given them the documents they need, I close my file, lifting it onto my lap. “I think that’s it. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
Cordelia’s eyes fall back on the photograph of the brooch. She doesn’t say anything.
“You’ve covered a lot, Emily,” Lady Meade says, beaming at me. “You’ve certainly been very busy. We can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s a pleasure,” I say, putting my file away in my bag. “Consider everything I’ve said and let me know any decisions when you can, so I can contact anyone you need. If you get a schedule sent across to me, I can book in meetings.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for your time and I’ll be in touch soon,” I say, standing up. “If you could send me any other jobs by email, I’ll be sure to get those done.”
“You’re leaving?” Lady Meade stands up, too. “You won’t join us for a drink? We’re in no rush. Cordelia had a fitting this morning for her wedding dress. Perhaps, Cordelia, you’d like to tell Emily about it? It really is exquisite.”
“I imagine it is, but I have another client to meet,” I lie. “So, unless there’s anything about the dress that I can help with, or any other tasks you’d like to discuss, I should be going. But thank you very much for such a kind invitation, Lady Meade, and thank you again for your time.”
“Thankyoufor everything. Really.”
“Just doing my job. Thank you, Lady Cordelia,” I say, nodding to her.
Cordelia looks up from the photograph and gives me a knowing smile. “Thank you, Sophie.”
I leave them to it and walk back through the gallery, thanking the porter in the top hat and tails who bids me goodbye as I go through the revolving doors out into the cold air, grinning from ear to ear. Mum was right. That felt alotbetter than quitting.
I’m on the escalator in the tube station when I realize that Cordelia called me Sophie, not Emily.
A couple of weeks ago, I’d have analyzed it, elated that it was perhaps a hint of her personally connecting with me as a friend. Today I brush it aside and forget about it almost immediately.
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Scarlett Wilson and Emmanuel Adeyemi
27 November 2021
