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The last discussion he’d had about the wedding was on Tuesday night, when Beth had gone from presenting her ideas to running off after receiving a call from Megan, leaving him confused and with no idea what the hell was going on.
He’d tried messaging her, but she’d been too busy to chat. He had no idea whether she’d even booked the venue. Zac had no idea, either. He was still sunning himself in Greece with his fiancée and seemingly perfectly happy to let Matt pick up the slack. Which was infuriating enough without Beth going quiet on him, too. How on earth was he supposed to plan the wedding on his own?
Susan Hardy emerged from the changing room wearing the lilac dress she’d selected from the ‘pre-loved’ rail, having nearly fainted at the prices of the new outfits in the large department store. Her shoulder-length brown hair had an inch of grey roots showing, and her face looked drawn and tired, but she managed a smile as she lifted her arms. ‘What do you think?’
Leah nodded her appreciation. ‘Pretty. And the length is good, it shows off your legs.’
‘The lace is lovely,’ his mum said, running her fingers over the material. ‘What do you think, Matt?’ She gave him an expectant look.
‘It’s a bit big, isn’t it?’ he answered honestly, incurring an evil glare from his sister. ‘Well, it is.’
His mother had lost weight and her collarbones were visible beneath her pale skin. A symptom of working too many hours and stressing over money, no doubt.
‘Only around the middle,’ she replied, gathering in the excess material. ‘I can always take it in.’
Matt hated the idea of his mum taking on another chore, she worked too many hours as it was. Even this morning she’d been at work, accepting the offer of an extra shift at the Co-op to fund today’s shopping excursion. It broke his heart.
Unfortunately, along with a strong work ethic and determination to be self-reliant, his mum’s inherent pride meant she refused any offers of financial help. Matt did his best to surreptitiously pay the odd bill or turn up at the house with a bag of shopping to boost supplies, but his efforts were rarely appreciated and usually resulted in causing offence, so he had to tread carefully.
He suspected his mum’s resistance came from a misguided sense of shame, as though she was somehow responsible for her current situation. But there was only one person to blame and he was currently banged up inside. No amount of reiterating that fact had any impact on persuading his mother to accept ‘charity’, as she called it.
‘It fits just fine everywhere else,’ she said, running her hand over the intricate design. ‘And it comes with a matching hat and jacket, and all for under two hundred pounds.’
‘You didn’t prefer the other one?’ Matt pointed to the silver dress hanging on the rail, a dress that had actually fitted her and made her look a lot livelier.
His mum shook her head. ‘I’m not paying four hundred pounds for an outfit I’ll only wear once,’ she said, dismissing his opinion.
‘I’ve offered to pay for it,’ he said, knowing it was an argument he wouldn’t win, but feeling the need to try. ‘I’d rather you wear something you feel confident and happy in, than settle for a dress that isn’t quite right.’
He was given a reprimanding look. ‘You’re not paying for my outfit,’ she said, pointing a finger. ‘Besides, I prefer this dress.’
He didn’t believe her, but he knew better than to argue. ‘Will you at least let me pay for the alterations?’ He moved out of the way when an assistant tried to get past him, causing him to knock into the hat stand behind and nearly send it flying.
‘We can talk about it later.’ Which meant she wasn’t about to relent, but she wasn’t about to argue with him either, and she disappeared into the changing room, decision made.
Matt checked his phone. Still no word from Beth.
He sent her another message.Why have you gone quiet on me? Have you booked the venue? What about extra rooms for the wedding party? If you’re busy, tell me what needs doing. Don’t ignore me.
‘Who’re you texting?’ Leah retrieved a Twix from her pocket and took a bite.
He shoved his phone in his pocket. ‘No one.’
His sister gave him a sceptical look, but didn’t push the matter further. Good. He wasn’t in the mood for an interrogation.
‘I’m glad Mum’s found a dress she likes,’ she said, munching on her chocolate bar. ‘It’s our turn next. Are you ready to get suited and booted?’
‘Not really. Are you sure you don’t want to be a bridesmaid, like Zac wanted?’
Leah gave him a loaded look. ‘I’m sure.’
‘It could be fun, wearing a nice dress?’ He knew trying to persuade her was likely to result in another glare.
‘How about this,’ she said, offering him a finger of chocolate, which he refused, even though the smell made him salivate. ‘I’ll agree to be bridesmaid, if you do, too.’
‘Funny.’
‘If I’m expected to wear a frilly meringue of a dress, why shouldn’t you?’
