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My mouth waters and my stomach rumbles loudly. Lizzie, the bride to be, would kill me if I dropped so much as a crumb on my dress. But the thought of swiping one of the canapés is so tempting. To distract myself I lean forward and pull my phone from my bag. I’m surprised Tyler hasn’t texted today, but remind myself he’s six hours behind. With nothing else to do to pass the time I snap several photos, one of the platters of food and the other of my sister.
I smile down at the phone screen. Amber and I are so similar in appearance it’s scary. From a distance we are identical, but up close is where our similarities begin to fizzle out. Amber’s looks are more whimsical than my own and verging on pixie-like. Her features are smaller than mine, her nose is upturned, and her ears have a slight point.
“The dress doesn’t make me look fat?” Amber pipes up.
“You’re pregnant.” I smile at how the peach bridesmaid dress hugs her baby bump.
“Don’t tell me you took a picture?” Amber says, her hand on her hip. “Delete it. Now.”
“Being pregnant is beautiful,” I remind her. “It’s a time in your life you want to look back on.”
Amber’s expression remains unchanged, and, sighing, I click on my camera roll and press ‘delete’ on the photo. I hold my phone in the air as if somehow she’ll be able to see the screen from where she’s standing. “There, happy?”
I’m about to place my phone in my bag when I notice a text message flash on the screen.
Lucian: The works are complete. You can return home tonight.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I’ve stayed at my sister’s house for the past few days, and although she and her fiancé Rick have been most accommodating, in the back of my mind I know I’m a guest, and as a guest the last thing I want to do is overstay my welcome.
I type back a quick reply.
Me: Thanks.
I lean forward and clasp the champagne flute in my hand. The strawberry that floats on top bobs as I bring the glass to my lips. “Amber, I have some good news,” I begin, meeting my sister’s gaze in the mirror’s reflection. I’m about to tell her that I’ll be moving out when Tori, the shop manager, steps out from behind the changing room curtain.
“Are you ready?”
Lowering the champagne flute to the table, I get to my feet. Without hesitation she pulls the curtain back and Lizzie steps out.
I hold my hand over my mouth. “Oh, my God, you look stunning.”
Lizzie’s cheeks glow red and, looking to the floor, she smooths the front of her dress several times. “Do you really think so?”
“I do,” I say with a smile so big it hurts. “Seth is one lucky man.”
Tori crouches, and, with the dress’ train in her hand, they walk over to where Amber is standing. Lizzie steps onto the raised platform in front of the mirrors. Everything is clear one moment and hazy the next. I have to wipe away the tears forming in my eyes so I can better appreciate my best friend. Lizzie is wearing a slim-fitting A-line gown, so simple in design yet perfectly elegant. She combs her fingers through her shoulder-length brown hair. Her movements are on the mechanical side because Lizzie has never liked being the centre of attention. But like it or not, on her wedding day all eyes will be on her.
“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I’m getting married.”
Tori lowers Lizzie’s train and steps back. Amber stands to Lizzie’s right, and, seeing my cue, I hurry over and stand to her left. Amber and I look like two bookends in our matching peach bridesmaid dresses. Smiling at our reflection, Lizzie takes our hands.
“I never thought I’d get here, you know.” Trembling, she squeezes my fingers. “I have the perfect life, amazing children, the most wonderful husband-to-be, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I need someone to pinch me so I know this is real.”
My lips quiver as I fight to keep them turned up. The smiles on Lizzie’s and Amber’s faces are genuine, because they both have their happily ever after. But what about me? I don’t have anyone waiting for me at home. My roomie is thousands of miles away. I’ve had my business loan rejected by three different banks, and I have used up nearly all of my savings. They say every cloud has a silver lining, but all my cloud seems to do is rain down on me.
I try to shake away my negativity, because my life is going to get better.
It just has to.
I return to my sister’s house after the dress fitting. I pack the few belongings I have, after which I read my niece a bedtime story—The Fairy and her Wings, a book my sister wrote a long time ago. The story highlights the importance of not giving up, no matter how hopeless things seem. Freja is snoring before I say, “The end.” I place a kiss on her forehead, tuck her in and, after thanking Amber and Rick for letting me stay with them, I leave.
Rain pelts against the windshield as I drive back. Back to the reality of an empty flat. Money is particularly tight until I get paid, and without Tyler I’m going to have to pay the bills myself. I can cover everything, just about, but I’m going to have to be careful.
I pull into the car park at the rear of the building. I don’t rush to get out of the vehicle, instead look out through the window, which is hazy due to the heavy downpour. The hum of the engine is washed out by the pitter-patter of rain as it bounces off the car roof. The sky rumbles fiercely, and I jump. Looks like we’re in for a storm.
I glance up toward the flat and am sure I see light filter out of my bedroom window. Leaving lights on isn’t an option when I’m on an electricity meter. With that in mind, I hurry out of the car. The rain is unforgiving, and in the small distance between the car park and the entrance of my flat I’m drenched from head to toe.
Music fills my ears the second I enter the narrow hallway. Music that could only be coming from the flat. I hurry up the narrow flight of stairs. My nose is greeted by the strong scent of paint.
