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He’d been locked away in there for the past hour and Emma was about to head to bed when a message dropped from Kirsty.
Hey sis, are you up? Can I call?
Emma immediately phoned Kirsty, worried something was wrong.
‘Hey. Is everything okay?’
‘That was quick,’ said Kirsty.
‘You caught me at a good time. Is Dad okay?’
‘Yes . . . he’s fine. I popped down to see him earlier. Anyway, how are you? Being a bridezilla yet?’
Emma laughed. Her sisters teased that she was the most laid-back bride-to-be ever which was unusual as she was so meticulous about every other aspect of her life. Her brief to Kirsty had been: a simple wedding, in a beautiful setting, with plenty of food and wine and her small circle of friends and family around her. The family minister had agreed to take the ceremony wherever Emma wanted it.
‘That’s it?’ Kirsty had said. ‘That’s all you’re giving me to go on?’
Emma had laughed. ‘Yes, you can go wild and do what you want.’
‘But, I mean, don’t you want a particular theme or colour? And what about flowers? And music? And food? What kind of wine do you want? Italian or Spanish? Do you want cava, prosecco or champagne served at the reception?’
She had laughed, feeling quite liberated at the thought of letting go of the organization. ‘I don’t mind.’
‘Bridesmaids? Dresses? Tell me you’ll manage to sort out your own dress?’
‘You and Amy and Becky will be my right-hand women on the day and, yes, just leave the dresses for me to sort. I will of course let you know what I find, and you can give me your thoughts.’
‘No meringues or flouncy gowns, please?’ Kirsty had pleaded. She and Steve had married in the grounds of Brodick Castle on a hot summer’s day almost twenty years before. Kirsty swore her photos still haunted her. And certainly they haunted her sisters too. Emma and Amy had been unable to hide from the photographer their looks of disgust at their yellow, satin full-bodied dresses. Being dressed up as giant Quality Street sweets had been traumatizing for their teenage selves.
‘I will make sure it is stylish and sophisticated. No bright chocolate wrapper colours, worry not,’ Emma had promised.
Emma was just thankful that Kirsty was happy to take on the rest of the planning and she knew her sister would also add a few wee touches to make the day extra special. Feeling a wave of love and gratitude wash over her, she really wanted to share with Kirsty what was on her mind. She could really do with some sisterly advice as she was so out of sorts and didn’t like the way she was behaving with Max and their friends too. But it wasn’t a conversation for the phone. She would have to wait until she got to Arran.
‘So how are you? Has work been busy?’ said Kirsty, her tone sympathetic.
‘Yes, crazy. Which is why I’m so glad we are having such a small and low-key wedding.’
‘That’s actually why I’m calling. I have a proposal.’
That had Emma’s attention. ‘What’s that then?’
‘Well, and hear me out, before you say anything . . .’
‘Mmm, mmm.’ Emma felt a flutter of anxiety start in the pit of her stomach.
‘I know you would like it all to be held at Meadowbank . . . however Steve went to see the new distillery the other day which has opened right down by the beach. By the way, you’ll never guess who is back and running it?’
‘Who?’ said Emma impatiently, willing Kirsty to get to the point.
‘James.’
‘James, as in James from school? As inAmy’s James?’
‘The very one.’
‘Does she know?’
‘No, I don’t think so. I thought I’d share the news when she gets home. Though I’d better tell her before the big day. Especially if she’s bringing Ross.’
