The Cine Star Salon by Leah Ranada

Author:Leah Ranada [Ranada, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781774390337
Publisher: NeWest Press
Published: 2021-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

12

THE WEDDING WAS TO BE HELD IN A VENUE ON Burnaby Mountain. Maggie’s parents lived in a hilly neighbourhood that had a partial view of the Burrard Inlet. Sophia drove by imposing porches with stately columns, winding driveways, gated yards with storybook grass and stone pathways. Instead of pulling in front of the address Maggie had given her, she stopped a few houses down to collect herself. The water and the mountains basked in the light of the morning. A flock of seagulls cast graceful shadows on the blue surface of the inlet.

The meeting with Adrian the day before had left her reeling with fresh unrelenting pain. The rest of the day, busier than the usual Saturday, passed in a blur. There were moments when she wanted to drop whatever she was doing and weep. She didn’t do that of course. Sophia waited until she was alone in the salon, packing her kits for today’s event.

All she wanted for today was for things to go smoothly. The wedding party had emailed in their hairstyles. She had done a trial with Maggie a few weeks ago, and she had approved the look. Erica had been enlisted to help. Sophia rang the doorbell, wondering if she had arrived.

A woman wearing heavy makeup and a lilac-coloured sheath dress opened the door. Sophia tried to hide her disappointment. She had much preferred that the makeup be done after the hair.

“Good morning. I’m Sophia, the stylist.”

“Come in. I’m Claudia, maid of honour.” She hollered into the house, “Mags, Sophia’s here!”

Sophia was inwardly going through her list of items, hoping she hadn’t forgotten to pack anything. Beyond the marble foyer, the sunlight streamed through a row of tall windows, illuminating enormous chintz sofas and armchairs, porcelain vessels crammed with flowers, and rugs with deep colours and ornate prints. This opulent and somewhat imposing sight was framed by the dark balustrade of a sweeping staircase leading to an overhead hallway where Sophia spied more doors. There was no one in immediate sight, but there was an excited buzz—cheery voices, clinking dishes, and the hurried clattering of high heels—emanating from the rear chambers of that great house. “Where’s Maggie?” she asked.

Claudia led her to an adjacent room. “She’s right here.”

“Hey, Maggie said you’re also getting married?” Another bridesmaid was coming down the stairs, wearing fake eyelashes. Sophia pretended not to hear her.

She entered a cozy living room with a brick fireplace above which there was a display of tastefully arranged framed photographs in various degrees of fadedness. There were two other lilac-coloured ladies both hovering over Maggie, who was sitting tensely on an ottoman in her bathrobe. Even she was wearing makeup.

“Sophia, hi.” She rose and gave her a tight hug. “I’m freaking out.”

“You’re going to be fine.” Sophia swallowed, tasting something bitter. Envy had an actual physical taste.

Maggie let go. “I keep thinking of catastrophic scenarios. I stayed up last night reading things online. Embarrassing speeches, drunken fights. I thought if I imagine every single bad thing that could happen, it’ll prevent them from happening.

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