Say No to the Dress by Keren David

Author:Keren David [David, Keren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd
Published: 2022-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The shop we go to for our dresses for Scarlett and Adam’s wedding is very different from the one on Fonthill Road. It’s big and grand and there’s a row of gold-painted chairs for us to sit on, and a huge gold-framed mirror for us to look at ourselves.

So many bridesmaids! Five of Scarlett’s friends, plus Tiffany and her sisters and me.

Then there’s Joanne, who wants Scarlett to try on every dress in the shop. She piles them high in the changing room.

“You might as well, darling,” Joanne says. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“You hope,” mutters Tiffany, next to me.

“It’s just that I have a pretty good idea of what I want,” says Scarlett. “And it’s been so difficult to get everyone together on the same day. I think the bridesmaids should try on their dresses first.”

“Sweetie, I insist,” says Joanne. “I want to video you in all the different styles – I’ve looked forward to this day for so long. Since you were born!”

Scarlett’s forehead creases into a frown. But she goes into the changing room and emerges five minutes later in a mass of tulle. Everyone oohs and aahs, and Joanne films Scarlett doing a twirl. It’s going to be a long afternoon.

After five dresses, Tiff whispers in my ear, “This is so messed up. Scarlett’s already chosen her dress.”

“She … what?” I say.

“She came here last week, with her friend Amisha.” Tiff jerks her head towards a dark-haired, pretty woman who’s currently discussing if fitted works better than floaty with Joanne.

“Scarlett’s told the shop people to keep quiet about it,” Tiff tells me. “Don’t say anything, will you?”

I shake my head.

“So why are we doing this?” I whisper back.

“Mum. Of course.” Tiff rolls her eyes. “The wedding control freak.”

“That’s the one!” says Joanne. “Gorgeous, Scarlett! It’s the dress of my dreams!”

Scarlett’s wearing a dress with a tight fitted bodice, a ring of sequins around her tiny waist and a ballerina-style skirt. She looks stunning. “Wow!” I say, and Joanne beams at me.

“Miri agrees, don’t you?” Joanne says. “This is the one. Say yes to the dress!”

“Maybe it’s a bit … sparkly?” says Amisha.

“Oh, do you think so?” says Joanne. She looks so disappointed. “You’re so fussy, but I suppose you know best.” Joanne turns to me. “Amisha’s the editor of What Wedding Dress? magazine. She’s the expert’s expert.”

“Yes, I agree, too sparkly,” says Scarlett. She sighs. “Let’s try another one. Will we ever find the perfect dress?”

Her friends murmur and laugh, and I realise that everyone knows. All her friends. Her sisters. The ladies in the shop. They all know that Scarlett’s already said yes to her perfect dress, and this is just a show for Joanne’s benefit.

And I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for Tiffany’s mum. But also sorry for Scarlett and even Tiffany, because it must be difficult living with a mum who dreams about what you’d look like in a wedding dress. I know my mum cares about what I do with my life every single day.

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