The Desperate Bride’s Diet Club

by Alison Sherlock

  Maggie went back into the lounge. ‘It’s your dad,’ she said to Lucy, trying to keep her voice calm. ‘He wants a word with you.’

  Lucy frowned. ‘Now?’

  She followed her mother to the front door.

  ‘Hello, love,’ said Gordon. ‘I was just getting ready when there was a knock on the front door about half an hour ago. Thought I’d better tell you about it. It seemed quite important.’

  ‘Who was it?’ asked Lucy.

  ‘Him.’

  Gordon moved aside to reveal a tall, dark stranger walking up the front path.

  ‘Hello, Lucy Walsh,’ said Todd.

  ‘Todd!’ squealed Lucy, stepping towards him. ‘What are you doing here? You’re not due back for another week.’

  He broke into a huge smile. ‘Can’t a fella miss his girl so much that he gets an earlier flight?’

  Lucy smiled back and then glanced at her parents.

  ‘We’ll give you two a bit of privacy,’ said Maggie, leading Gordon indoors.

  ‘Since when did you decide that I was your girl?’ said Lucy, hands on hips.

  He reached out and grabbed her round the waist, pulling her to him. ‘When I heard your voice and then couldn’t think of anything else for the rest of the holidays. You’ve ruined Christmas for me.’

  Lucy snaked her hands up around his neck. ‘Then I’d better give you a bloody good New Year, hadn’t I?’

  And she pulled his head down to kiss her.

  ‘He’s lovely,’ whispered Kathy, peeking out of the window.

  ‘Come away,’ hissed Maggie. ‘I’ll be in that much trouble if she thinks we’re spying on her.’

  ‘She won’t care,’ said Kathy. ‘The girl’s in love.’

  ‘Seems a decent enough fella,’ said Gordon. ‘For a foreigner.’

  ‘He’s Canadian,’ said Maggie, nudging him playfully. ‘At least it’s still in the Commonwealth.’

  ‘They’re coming!’ said Kathy, flinging herself away from the window.

  Everyone tried to look busy but failed. However, Lucy didn’t care.

  ‘Hi, everyone,’ she said, beaming from ear to ear. ‘This is Todd.’

  ‘Hi, Todd,’ chorused everyone back, grinning at them.

  ‘Hello,’ he said, before looking at Violet. ‘Sorry to crash your big day.’

  ‘That’s fine,’ said Violet, smiling. ‘Do you want to be Lucy’s guest? You’d be more than welcome.’

  ‘Thanks,’ replied Todd. ‘That would be cool.’

  So the young lovebirds went with Gordon to the church, leaving Kathy and Maggie to finish dressing the bride.

  They held the dress open for Violet to step into and then Kathy gently pulled the zip up whilst Maggie fiddled with the shoulder straps.

  They stepped backwards and smiled.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ said Maggie, with a tear in her eye.

  ‘You really do,’ said Kathy, also a bit sniffly. ‘Such a beautiful bride.’

  Violet turned to look at her reflection and sighed with contentment. Yes, she did look beautiful. Lucy had done an amazing job with the dress. And there wasn’t a trace of fat bride about her. She had done it. She was looking and feeling gorgeous.

  She turned back to her friends with a smile.

  ‘I’m ready,’ she told them. ‘Let’s go find my groom.’

  Chapter Fifty-five

  THE BRIDAL PARTY pulled up to the church car park with five minutes to spare.

  ‘There’re still a few people milling about,’ said Kathy, opening the car door for Violet. ‘Do you want to stay in the car?’

  ‘No,’ said Violet, getting out. ‘As long as Sebastian isn’t about, I don’t mind seeing anyone else.’

  Maggie glanced up at the entrance to the church. ‘I think he’s gone in already.’

  Kathy checked her reflection in the car window.

  But Violet didn’t feel she needed to see herself again. She knew how good she looked. She remained calm, even when she spotted Sebastian’s mother heading towards her.

  ‘Violet?’ barked Miriam. ‘What are you wearing?’

  ‘My wedding dress,’ said Violet, twirling around. ‘Do you like it?’

  ‘What about Sebastian’s cousin’s dress?’

  ‘This is it.’

  ‘You’ve ripped it apart?’

  Violet shrugged her shoulders. ‘It was huge. Plus I didn’t like the original design. And seeing as I’m the one who has to wear it, I think I should actually decide, don’t you?’

  Miriam pursed her lips together. ‘I don’t know what I shall say to my sister.’

  ‘Tell her it was a horrible dress that now looks a million times better, thanks to my designer friend.’

  Sebastian’s mother was glaring at but Violet didn’t care. She finally felt in control.

  ‘Hello, Miriam!’ said a female guest in a rather ugly hat, coming to join them. ‘Is this the bride?’

  ‘Hello, Daphne,’ said Miriam, fixing a smile on her face. ‘Yes, this is Violet.’

  The complete stranger looked Violet up and down. ‘Dumped the fat one, did he? Thank goodness. This one looks a much better prospect.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Violet, with a warm smile. She leant forward. ‘By the way, the fat one was me. I’ve lost five stone.’

  The woman looked horrified and scurried away.

  Miriam was looking around, as if desperate to get away from Violet as well. Thankfully, the arrival of a couple of bridesmaids gave her the perfect excuse.

  Violet had met the bridesmaids only once; they were cousins or something. She didn’t know and found she didn’t really care either. If there had been a choice, she would have had Maggie, Lucy and Kathy. But it was too late now.

  ‘You look nice,’ said one of the bridesmaids, breaking away from the pack to stand next to Violet. She was in her early twenties and obviously quite nervous.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Violet. ‘So do you.’

  The bridesmaids were in some hideous peach confection that Violet wouldn’t have chosen in a million years. But as long as she didn’t have to wear it, she didn’t care.

  ‘Can I have a quiet word?’ whispered the girl.

  Violet was nonplussed. ‘Now?’

  The girl nodded and, taking Violet’s arm, led her away a small distance.

  ‘I have to tell you something,’ she said.

  ‘What is it?’

  The girl glanced around her before turning back to look at Violet. She looked upset.

  ‘Are you OK?’ asked Violet.

  The girl shook her head but still didn’t speak.

  ‘It’s all right,’ said Violet with a wry smile. ‘I’ve only got a church full of two hundred guests waiting for me. Take your time.’

  ‘Sorry,’ said the girl quickly. ‘It’s just hard to say, that’s all.’

  Violet didn’t reply and waited for the girl to speak again.

  The girl took a deep breath. ‘I slept with Sebastian last month.’

  Violet gazed at the girl, who was now looking downcast. She was obviously telling the truth.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ carried on the girl. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking. We bumped into each other one night at a bar. I was drunk and so was he. It’s no excuse, I know. I feel just terrible.’

  Violet stared at her for a while longer and then burst out laughing.

  The girl looked shocked, as if this were the last reaction she had been expecting.

  Violet laughed and laughed until she felt the tears sting her eyes.

  ‘Was he any good?’ Violet asked, between guffaws.

  The girl was still staring at her goggle-eyed when Sebastian’s mother came over to them.

  ‘What is it?’ she snapped. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Private joke,’ said Violet, still giggling. What an unholy mess.

  ‘She’s hysterical,’ said Miriam, frowning.

  She whipped up her hand as if she were going to slap Violet. But Violet suddenly sob
ered up and grabbed Miriam’s wrist.

  ‘There’ll be no slapping of the bride today,’ said Violet in a firm tone. ‘Or any day, come to think of it.’

  Miriam quickly withdrew her hand. Violet stared at her until she backed away.

  ‘It’s OK,’ Violet told the girl. ‘Don’t worry about it. You can go back to the other bridesmaids now.’

  The girl started to say something but thought better of it and went back to the main group, glancing nervously at her every minute or so.

  Kathy and Maggie came to stand with Violet.

  ‘Everything OK?’ asked Maggie.

  ‘What was that all about?’ said Kathy.

  ‘Nothing,’ she told them, shaking her head. She was still too shocked to tell them.

  ‘We’d better go in,’ said Kathy, giving her a hug. ‘Good luck.’

  ‘Be happy,’ said Maggie, also hugging Violet.

  Then they went inside the church, leaving Violet alone.

  Well, that was unexpected, she thought. Or maybe not.

  Violet had given so much time and thought to her own personal changes that she hadn’t considered that Sebastian needed to change as well. But perhaps she had to accept that he wouldn’t change, that he didn’t want to. That he would always lie and cheat on her.

  ‘It’s time,’ called out one of the bridesmaids.

  Violet glanced at the church door and there was the vicar. Time to get married.

  Miriam went ahead into the church whilst Violet and the bridesmaids organised themselves. Violet had no one to give her away so she would walk down the aisle on her own.

  The bridesmaids began their slow walk up the long aisle. Violet stood waiting until she saw her cue and then began to follow. The church appeared to be filled with at least twenty pedestal flower arrangements of carnations, in various shades of pink and peach.

  Something drew her glance away from the altar. She looked over and saw Mark. They locked eyes as she walked past, his green eyes burning into hers.

  Violet turned her attention back to Sebastian waiting for her at the altar. Why was she waiting for him to change? What if he didn’t? Why was she so afraid of life without him? She knew she was frightened of being alone again, just like when she lost her parents. But she had been alone for a long time anyway, it felt. Even when she was with Sebastian.

  Until this year. Now she had friends, true friends.

  And Mark.

  Except she didn’t have him. They had had one glorious, unforgettable night together. And that was it. That was all Violet had to hold dear to her for the rest of her married life. Her memory of another man.

  By now, she had reached Sebastian at the altar. He smiled warmly at her, acting the part of the loving groom.

  The vicar began to speak but Violet heard none of his words. Marriage would be wonderful if you loved your husband, like Maggie and Gordon. There was a marriage built on trust and friendship.

  Sebastian had never really been her friend. Not fighting her cause and battling her corner, as Edward had done with Kathy. Edward adored Kathy, any fool could see that. Sebastian had never adored her. He almost seemed to hold her in contempt sometimes.

  ‘Lord of all Hopefulness’ was the first hymn. Hopeful, thought Violet. Was that all she was hanging on to regarding her impending marriage? Hope?

  She glanced across at Sebastian as he sang. Did he even like her? It was great to love someone but it was equally important to like them as well.

  Then Violet remembered something. Herself. Violet. Forget about Sebastian, what about her own feelings? What did she really want?

  The hymn was over and the vicar was speaking of love and marriage. Violet stood in a daze, the words drifting over her.

  ‘Marriage is a solemn vow, therefore if any person can show any just cause or impediment why this man and this women may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.’

  Suddenly Violet found herself holding her breath. Would Mark speak up?

  But the church remained silent.

  The vicar smiled. ‘Excellent. Now, if you could turn to—’

  ‘Wait!’ Violet found herself blurting out. ‘I do.’

  ‘Not yet, dear,’ said the vicar with a smile. ‘That bit comes later.’

  ‘I meant me,’ said Violet. ‘I object to this marriage.’

  Sebastian spun round to glare at her. ‘What are you talking about?’ he hissed. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

  Violet was quite calm as she turned to face him. ‘Do you love me?’ she asked him.

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Sebastian glanced at the congregation who were staring at them agog. ‘Don’t be so stupid.’

  Violet shook her head. ‘I’m not stupid,’ she told him, her voice clear and loud as it echoed around the church. ‘I would be if I spent the rest of my life being perfectly miserable with you. And I’m worth more than that. I’m worth more than you will ever be.’

  He was staring at her in shock.

  ‘You’re not worth all the tears and the pain,’ she carried on. ‘And, I’m afraid, the sex isn’t worth it either. Seriously, read a manual or something.’

  Sebastian tried to speak but couldn’t.

  Violet slipped off her engagement ring and placed it in his hand.

  ‘Thanks for the offer,’ she told him. ‘But I think I’ll pass.’

  She turned from the altar and began to walk back down the aisle alone.

  Sebastian’s mother leapt up from the pews to block her path.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ she snapped. ‘Get back there and marry my son!’

  Violet’s eyes glittered as she stared at Miriam.

  ‘Your son is a cheat,’ she said. ‘A lying, cheating idiot who was only marrying me for my money, I think. He doesn’t love me. And I don’t love him, I’ve realised. The truth is, I’m too good for him. And you know it.’

  Violet brushed past her and continued to walk all the way out of the church, her head held high.

  Chapter Fifty-six

  VIOLET STOOD OUTSIDE the church, breathing in the sweet air of freedom. Well, she’d done it. She’d finally spoken her mind. And it felt good. Really good.

  Kathy and Maggie came to stand either side of her.

  ‘Well,’ said Maggie, still in shock but grabbing hold of Violet’s hand. ‘That was unusual.’

  ‘Best wedding I’ve ever been to,’ said Kathy with a grin as she clasped hold of Violet’s other hand.

  They both looked at Violet, who was standing still but looking serene.

  ‘So? What happens now?’ asked Maggie.

  Violet looked at them both before breaking into a lovely smile. ‘I have no idea.’

  Edward joined them. ‘How about a large drink?’

  ‘Good idea,’ said Violet, still smiling.

  ‘Do you want to go to the reception?’ asked Kathy.

  Violet shook her head. ‘I think I’ll leave that for Sebastian’s family to sort out. After all, it is their country club.’

  ‘What about the wedding cake?’ asked Maggie. A three-tiered chocolate cake was in the back of Kathy’s car.

  ‘There’s always room for chocolate,’ said Violet with a small smile.

  ‘I agree,’ said Edward. ‘Pub?’

  ‘Pub,’ said Violet.

  An hour later, they were settled around a couple of large tables in the pub where they had ended up after Trudie had walked out on them many months ago. It was New Year’s Eve and the place was gearing up for party night.

  There weren’t many of them around the table but Violet didn’t mind. Most of the congregation had been complete strangers. The people who were with her now were friends, good friends.

  She glanced across at Maggie and Gordon, who were telling Julie about New York and their plans for a trip to Greece the following year. Wendy was feeding her baby with a bottle whilst she talked to Kathy and Edward, who were holding hands under the table. Wendy’s husband and Julie’s bo
yfriend were chatting and keeping an eye on Wendy’s toddler.

  Lucy and Todd were deep in conversation with Anthony and his girlfriend about webcams and long-distance communication. That was a romance that was destined to run a long time, thought Violet with a smile.

  The surprise guest was Trudie, who had quickly followed them down the road as they had escaped. She was currently outside, calling Trevor on her phone. Nobody quite knew why she was there but everybody was accommodating her. Sort of. Besides, they were desperate to find out what kind of man would marry Trudie.

  Somebody had ordered some bottles of champagne and everybody was enjoying themselves as if it were the most normal thing in the world to walk out of your own wedding. Nobody questioned Violet about it. Perhaps they already knew, she thought. Perhaps she was the last one to realise that the marriage would have been a disaster.

  Sebastian had texted her a few times. The texts had gone from irritation to panic. But they didn’t affect Violet. In the end, she didn’t bother reading any more from him. She knew she wouldn’t see him ever again.

  There was only one person missing and that was Mark. Perhaps he felt guilty, having witnessed her bridal meltdown. Perhaps he didn’t really care that much. Violet felt a little sad, but ultimately she would survive. The wedding had shown her that. She had finally come out of her shell and she wouldn’t be going back in there now. There was a big, wide world out there just waiting to be enjoyed.

  Violet went to the ladies’ and stared at her reflection. Had she really just done that? Walked out on Sebastian in front of all those people? She found she couldn’t stop herself breaking into a grin. Yes, she really had.

  What would her parents have said? She knew they would have supported her, wanted her to be happy. Of that, she was certain.

  Violet suddenly realised somebody was sobbing inside one of the cubicles.

  ‘Are you OK in there?’ she asked, knocking gently on the door.

  The door slowly opened to reveal a large woman in her mid-twenties with mascara running down her face.

  ‘Sorry,’ she muttered. ‘I’ve just been dumped.’

  ‘Poor you,’ said Violet, grabbing some tissue for the girl.

  ‘He said I was too fat,’ said the girl with a sob. ‘Left me for some stick insect called Mandy.’