Bridesmaids

by Jane Costello

  Georgia brings the champagne over to top me up again.

  ‘Bloody hell, not too much!’ I say. ‘Or I’ll be doing the splits on the dance floor later–and I’m leaving that to Valentina.’

  ‘You don’t think the fact that she’s eight months’ pregnant might stop her this time?’ asks Georgia.

  ‘Oh, it’ll just make it all the more impressive.’

  Georgia laughs–and I realize it’s a while since I heard her do that.

  She and Pete separated last month, an event which would make any future bride, even one with an unshakeable belief that they’re doing the right thing, think twice. Neither have been bitter, or acrimonious, or anything other than completely sensible about it. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t hit both of them hard. Which just goes to show that two good people don’t always make for a good marriage.

  With twenty minutes to go, I head into the bathroom to touch up my lipstick and Valentina follows me with her own extensive cosmetics collection.

  ‘One of the hotel staff just passed this in for you,’ she says, handing me an envelope.

  I put down my lip brush and open it, while Valentina starts tonging her hair for the fifth time today.

  ‘God,’ I say, reading it.

  ‘What is it?’ she asks.

  She leans over to read with me.

  Dear Evie

  Well, it’s been a long time, that’s for sure. I’m sorry about that. I know you kept trying to get in touch with me after Valentina’s wedding and I’d like you to know how grateful I was about that. But I also hope you understand why I didn’t return any of your calls and emails. Things were very difficult. Emotionally I was a mess–and more importantly, I began to realize that what I’d done was unforgivable. That was why I took that job in Scotland and left without saying goodbye. I just needed to put some space between me and, well, everyone really. Anyway, Valentina phoned and told me about today and I could have jumped for joy when I found out (except I’m twelve and a half stones again now so it’s not so easy any more!). The point is, I was delighted–more than delighted, in fact–ecstatic. And while that doubled when I received an invitation from you, I hope you understand why I had to decline. It wouldn’t have been fair on anyone–particularly Grace–for me to have come. That said, I wondered if you’d like to meet for coffee some time, just you and me? I miss you terribly and I’d love to catch up, next time I’m back in town, although I’ll understand if you don’t want to after all this time. My mobile number is still the same.

  Anyway, nobody deserves to be happier than you, Evie. So good luck, and all my love, Charlotte.

  ‘Oh Charlotte! Do you think I’ve got time to phone her now?’ I ask Valentina.

  ‘Absolutely not, there’s only a few minutes left,’ she says, fiddling with my hair. ‘Do it later, or tomorrow. After this long, one day isn’t going to make any difference.’

  The bathroom door opens and Scarlett and Polly poke their heads around it.

  ‘You two have got the prettiest dresses I’ve ever seen, no competition,’ I tell her.

  ‘Come on, Auntie Evie,’ says Polly. ‘It’s time to go. Bob’s here to escort you down the aisle.’

  I walk out into the hotel room and look at the clock. She’s right. Two minutes to go.

  ‘You look beautiful, Evie,’ says Bob, appearing at my side. ‘I feel so proud.’

  We link arms, and with my bridesmaids behind us, we head downstairs until we reach the door to the room where the ceremony is taking place. I can already see Jack standing at the front waiting for me, and my heart leaps.

  ‘Well, you’ve proved someone wrong, anyway,’ says Grace, straightening my veil.

  ‘Oh?’ I ask her.

  ‘My mother,’ she says, grinning. ‘She said this morning she never thought she’d see the day when Evie Hart walked down the aisle.’

  ‘You know, Grace,’ I whisper, as the guests hush and the music starts. ‘I couldn’t agree with her more.’