The Desperate Bride’s Diet Club

by Alison Sherlock

  The combined heat of the hairdryers, sinks and people were making Violet’s cheeks flush so she took off her scarf and coat, placing them next to her on the sofa.

  She was wearing a pair of new jeans which were a size fourteen. No sooner did she buy a new pair of trousers than she was buying a smaller size. Over the new jeans she had on her latest, favourite purchase, knee-length biker boots. She had lost so much weight that she could finally get boots over her calves. It was bizarre which areas the body lost inches from. Her shoes had gone down another half a size as well.

  A young salon assistant came to stand in front of Violet.

  ‘Do you want to follow me?’

  Violet duly trotted behind her to a large wardrobe, where her coat and scarf were hung up. In their place, a black cape was draped over her. Then she was led to sit in front of one of the thirty or so mirrors to wait for the stylist.

  Violet glanced from side to side but every customer looked the same in their black capes. Only their faces differed. People looked relaxed, as if this wasn’t at all anything special.

  ‘Hi. I’m Sarah,’ said a pretty blond woman coming to stand next to Violet. She talked to Violet through their reflections in the mirror. ‘What can I do for you today?’

  ‘I don’t really know,’ stammered Violet.

  And she didn’t, she realised. The idea had been a quick trim but now, sitting here amongst all these people, she wasn’t so sure.

  Sarah picked up a long strand of Violet’s black hair. ‘It’s not in bad condition,’ she said. ‘How long have you worn it like this?’

  ‘For ever,’ said Violet, before giving Sarah a rueful smile. ‘Sorry to be so vague. I’ve lost some weight and now it’s as if my hair doesn’t fit my new body.’

  Her shoulders sagged. She must sound stupid.

  But Sarah replied, ‘I know what you mean. Look, you’ve got fantastic hair. It’s thick with a slight wave so it would hold a really blunt cut. How brave are you feeling?’

  Violet gulped.

  ‘How about I trim it to here?’

  She held her hand just above Violet’s shoulder, holding out the six inches of hair that would be lost. Violet took a deep intake of breath but then found she didn’t really mind. She’d shed the inches around her body, why not her hair too?

  ‘Trust me,’ said Sarah. ‘It’ll look brilliant.’

  Violet was led over to a row of sinks where a different salon assistant washed and conditioned her hair. It was a total pampering experience, because not only was her back massaged by the long leather chair underneath her, the assistant also massaged her scalp whilst the conditioner worked its magic. It was wonderful.

  Violet realised it was time to start spoiling herself with little experiences like this. Not extravagant days at the spa but small things like making sure her toenails were always polished and that she was wearing make-up. Things to make her feel more feminine.

  Back at the mirror, Sarah chatted to her as her scissors scythed their way through Violet’s hair. She asked Violet about her weight loss and Violet was able to tell her that she was three and a half stone down with only one and a half to go.

  ‘That’s amazing,’ said Sarah.

  And it was, Violet told herself.

  But not nearly as amazing as her reflection once Sarah had wielded her magic scissors and hairdryer. Violet couldn’t quite believe it was her.

  She was no longer hidden behind a black curtain which made her cheeks seem huge. Her hair was now shoulder length, a simple but classic cut, which gave her hair more bounce than it had ever had. No longer dead straight, it fell softly with the odd small wave. The parting was just off centre with some strands falling over her forehead and down the side of her face.

  She bought the smoothing cream that Sarah had used before blow drying her hair but Sarah had also assured her that the hair would look good even when it dried naturally.

  Violet thanked her over and over again, still not quite believing the transformation. She paid at reception and then wandered out of the salon in a daze.

  She walked down the high street, unable to prevent herself from staring at her reflection in every shop window. Was that slim, stylish woman really Violet?

  She treated herself to a coffee, still glancing over at a nearby mirror to check her hair. It was fantastic. But her face needed something else. A little bit of fairy dust as well.

  So Violet hit Boots and treated herself to some new make-up. One of the wedding magazines had recommended telling the ladies behind the beauty counter that she was a bride-to-be. As promised, they duly offered Violet a huge array of cosmetics to try, along with a few freebies. She stuck to neutral, classic colours that weren’t too different from her skin colour. Just enough to highlight and enhance.

  She was just walking out of the shop past the perfume counters when she inhaled a familiar smell. She followed her nose and stared at the display in front of her. It was all the Ralph Lauren perfumes.

  She sniffed the top of each bottle until she found the fragrance she was looking for. That was it. That was the perfume her mother must have worn. She glanced at the bottle. Romance was the name. She squirted a little on her wrist and sniffed. Yes, that was definitely the one.

  Violet never wore perfume. Yet another piece of femininity that she appeared to have missed out on. But no longer. She squirted a little on her neck from the tester before buying a brand-new bottle.

  Then she was on her way once more, weaving her way through the Saturday crowds and continuing to check out her new reflection as she went. By the time she got home it was tea time and Violet knew that Sebastian would be back from his day of golf.

  ‘Hello!’ she cried as she pushed open the front door.

  Sebastian came out of the kitchen with a scowl on his face. ‘Where have you been?’

  ‘Hairdressers,’ said Violet, flicking her head to and fro so he could see her new haircut. ‘What do you think?’

  His eyes popped wide open. ‘What the hell have you done?’

  ‘I got a haircut. Like it?’

  Sebastian frowned. ‘No.’

  Violet’s smile dropped. ‘Really?’

  He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I liked it the way it was. Anyway, you didn’t tell me you had an appointment this afternoon.’

  ‘You were playing golf. What did it matter?’

  ‘You weren’t here when I got back.’

  ‘So?’

  He was whining like a child, thought Violet. Sometimes he was like a baby that needed constant attention.

  Violet drew a deep breath. ‘I thought it could do with a change. Anyway, I like it.’

  ‘And that’s all that matters, I suppose.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  Sebastian crossed his arms in front of him. ‘Well, it’s all about you these days, isn’t it? You and your weight loss. You and your new job, which is so great. You and your new friends.’

  ‘You’d have preferred me to stay as I was?’ snapped Violet. ‘Miserable and fat?’

  ‘At least I knew where I stood.’

  ‘Yes and I knew exactly where I stood,’ said Violet. ‘At the bottom of the pile, as I recall.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she added quickly. She didn’t want to talk about the other woman now.

  ‘I’m sorry if you feel that I’m focusing on myself at the minute but I’m trying to get a life for myself, to get some confidence. Don’t you want that for me too?’

  ‘I just want things back as they were.’

  Tough, thought Violet, but managed to stop herself saying it just in time. Yet some truths still bubbled to the surface.

  ‘And I’m sick of the fact that I get no support from you whatsoever,’ she said. ‘After all, I am your fiancée.’

  ‘Then start acting like it,’ he retorted. ‘This is all to do with those fat freaks you’re hanging round with, isn’t it? They’re putting poison in your head.’
/>   Violet’s voice remained calm even though she was simmering with anger. ‘They’re not freaks. They’re my friends. I’ve never once moaned about your snooty mates who never speak to me, not that it seems to bother you.’

  Sebastian went to snap back at her but she held up her hand to stop him.

  ‘And just remember, Sebastian. I was a fat freak too.’

  Then she went upstairs and slammed the bedroom door behind her.

  Chapter Forty-six

  VIOLET FLUNG HERSELF on her bed and cried until the tears would come no more. She had been so happy that afternoon but now it was all ruined. Her joy in her beautiful haircut, her buoyant mood. All gone. She had ruined it, as usual.

  What was wrong with her? She had snapped at Sebastian, pushing him away. He was probably downstairs wondering how he could get the engagement ring back from her. It was the biggest row they had ever had. Why was he irritating her so much at the minute?

  She suddenly sat bolt upright and got up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She cracked open the bedroom door and listened. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest as she strained to hear any movement at all. It was worse than she had feared. He had left. And was probably never coming back.

  Suddenly, she heard it. The faint hum of chatter on the television.

  Violet crept downstairs and into the lounge. Sebastian was sprawled on the sofa with his feet up.

  She cleared her throat to speak but he didn’t look at her.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, unable to find her full voice.

  He slowly turned to look up at her as she stood next to him. ‘Are you?’

  ‘Yes,’ she told him. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’

  He finally turned down the volume on the television. ‘I keep telling you. It’s these women you’re hanging around with. They’re giving you ideas. Making you think differently.’

  Violet didn’t agree with him about that but she stayed quiet. She had already caused enough trouble that evening.

  ‘Friends?’ she asked with a tremulous smile.

  He rose from the sofa to stand in front of her. ‘I hope so,’ he told her. ‘Now, what about a diet-busting takeaway?’

  She was so remorseful about upsetting him that she ate every portion of the Chinese he ordered for them. Later on, Sebastian made love to her. But Violet found it hard to relax after their row and Sebastian never lingered over the foreplay. So she faked an orgasm just so he would finish and go to sleep.

  Violet was still feeling low on Monday morning when she walked into work. She had so nearly ruined it. Had so nearly lost him. She had to be more careful. She had to watch what she said. He was all she had, all she would ever have. And she didn’t know what she would do without his love.

  She flung her handbag under her desk and slumped into her chair, seemingly the first of the department to arrive.

  ‘Hiya,’ mumbled Anthony as he came in a few minutes later.

  This was as much as anyone would get out of him until at least half past nine. He switched on his monitor and hugged a can of Red Bull close to his chest.

  Wendy was next to arrive. ‘Oh my God!’ she screeched as she stared at Violet. ‘Your hair’s bloody gorgeous!’

  Anthony clutched his head at the shrieking.

  ‘What’s all the noise about?’ said Julie, taking off her scarf as she approached her desk.

  ‘Look at Violet’s hair!’ said Wendy.

  Julie nodded. ‘Looks good, girl.’

  Violet blushed at the fuss and wished the hotline would ring so she didn’t have to cope with the attention. But, as luck would have it, the phone stayed quiet.

  ‘Where did you have it done?’ asked Wendy. ‘You’ve had loads off.’

  ‘Toni and Guy,’ mumbled Violet.

  She began to print out the report of hotline calls that Mark wanted each Monday morning. The printer sprang into life and she stood next to it whilst it spewed out her report. Then she walked into Mark’s office.

  As it was so quiet, she had assumed he wasn’t in yet. But to her surprise, he was already there, typing on his keyboard.

  He glanced up briefly as Violet entered his office and then did a double take. ‘Wow,’ he said, his eyes wide open. ‘You look fantastic.’

  Violet blushed and was grateful when she heard the hotline ring. ‘The phone’s ringing,’ she mumbled.

  ‘It’s a call centre,’ Mark told her. ‘The phone’s always ringing. Let someone else get it for once.’

  Violet hopped from one foot to the other, mortified by the way he was staring at her.

  ‘Smile, for God’s sake, will you?’ he told her. ‘You look great.’

  Their hands touched as she handed over the paperwork. Their eyes briefly met before she scuttled out of the office back to the safety of her phone.

  The hotline kept her busy all that morning. Mark had been hovering quite a bit so she escaped out into the fresh air at lunchtime, grateful to escape. Her feet led her to the alleyway where Nonna’s delicatessen was situated but she walked on. She couldn’t face Nonna’s friendly face today. She was afraid she would burst into tears.

  Instead, she headed towards the Alzheimer’s Society shop.

  She pushed the door open and went in.

  Kathy was on her knees, organising some shoes into their various sizes. She lifted her head to greet the new customer and her face spread into a massive smile.

  ‘Blimey! Look at you!’

  ‘Hi,’ said Violet with a small smile.

  ‘Maggie! Come here! Violet’s gone all trendy on us!’

  Maggie poked her head round the door to the back room and her mouth fell open.

  ‘You look amazing!’ she said, coming to stand next to Kathy.

  ‘Toni and Guy?’ asked Kathy, getting up.

  Violet nodded.

  Maggie fumbled in her pocket for her mobile phone. ‘I must take a photo for Lucy.’ She held up the phone in front of her. ‘Give us a smile, then.’

  But Violet’s face disintegrated into tears. Kathy and Maggie looked at each other for a split second before coming to stand next to Violet and giving her a group hug.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Kathy.

  ‘Is it Sebastian?’ asked Maggie.

  Violet nodded between sobs. ‘Everything’s wrong. He hates my hair. He hates my new look.’

  Kathy gave Violet’s shoulders a squeeze. ‘But you look fantastic.’

  ‘I think he hates me.’

  ‘Of course he doesn’t,’ said Maggie in a firm tone. ‘Besides, you’re so much happier now.’

  ‘I know,’ said Violet, with a sniff. ‘But I’m not really. It’s all going wrong.’

  ‘I’m sure it’s pre-wedding jitters,’ said Kathy. ‘Every bride has a minor meltdown before the big day. And you’ve only a couple of months to go. It’s not surprising.’

  ‘She’s right,’ said Maggie. ‘Try not to fret, love.’

  Violet wiped her eyes and nodded. They were right. It was just the wedding getting to her.

  ‘Anyway, you think you’ve got problems,’ said Kathy, rolling her eyes. ‘I’ve got this stupid fancy dress party at the weekend.’

  ‘What party?’ asked Violet, grateful for the change of subject.

  ‘Edward’s cricket club are having a party and he’s asked Kathy to go with him,’ Maggie told her.

  ‘Just as friends,’ added Kathy quickly.

  Maggie nudged her in the ribs with her elbow. ‘Yeah, right.’ She looked at Violet. ‘He was in here yesterday, putting the shelves up for us and where was Kathy? At home with some mystery ailment.’

  ‘It was a twenty-four-hour thing’ said Kathy. ‘I don’t know why you don’t believe me.’

  ‘What was it my daughter said?’ said Maggie, screwing her face up in thought. ‘I know! Kathy and Edward sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.’

  ‘Very funny,’ muttered Kathy.

  Violet stared at her. She’d been so wrapped up in her own life that she ha
d no idea that Kathy had fallen so hard for Edward.

  ‘My boss called Edward muscly and macho,’ said Violet, remembering Edward in the nightclub.

  ‘I’ll say,’ said Maggie. ‘He’s so toned and fit now. I don’t know how any sane, single woman would be able to resist him.’

  Kathy scowled at her. ‘Anyway, nothing will happen,’ she told them. ‘There’s no point me even going on Saturday night. He’ll be flirting with that tarty barmaid.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ said Maggie.

  ‘Edward’s not like that,’ Violet told her.

  Sebastian was, she thought, surprised at the notion that had popped into her head. But Edward wasn’t.

  ‘Humph,’ muttered Kathy. ‘Besides, what the hell am I going to wear?’

  ‘Actually, Lucy gave me some great ideas about that,’ said Maggie.

  And then she burst into a wicked grin that made Kathy’s knees quake.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  ‘I CAN’T DO this.’

  Kathy turned to face Violet and Maggie, who were sitting on the bed. She had called them half an hour previously to seek reassurance. She wanted them to say that she didn’t have to go to the party at the cricket club.

  ‘Course you can,’ said Maggie. ‘You look great.’

  ‘You’re already a size fourteen,’ said Violet. ‘You look fantastic.’

  Kathy turned back to her full-length mirror. She was wearing a short, black, flared dress, tights and high heels. Maggie had pinned a cape on to her dress and Violet was looking for a safety pin to fix on the batgirl logo.

  Batgirl. Kathy sighed. Her superhero powers were obviously on the blink.

  ‘I told you both that I wanted to go as Professor McGonagall,’ she told them.

  ‘Are you mad?’ said Maggie. ‘You do want him to fancy you, don’t you?. At least this way you’ll look sexy.’

  ‘Plus it’s the whole play on words thing,’ said Violet. ‘Batgirl, as in cricket bat. I think it’s cute.’

  ‘And your legs are to die for,’ added Maggie.

  Kathy stared down at them. She supposed she felt a little more confident now that she had lost over four stone. The high heels helped her legs look thinner as well. But she was showing a fair bit of cleavage and her hair had gone fluffy.