Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck by Jill Steeples

Author:Jill Steeples [Steeples, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aria
Published: 2018-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

‘What do you think?’

Polly came out of the dressing room, the slim sheath dress she was wearing pushing her knees together so that she waddled like a most becoming penguin, the big flouncy flower on the neckline tickling her chin.

I couldn’t help myself, I burst out laughing, much to the disdain of the snooty shop assistant.

‘It’s one of our most popular designs. Sophisticated, elegant and classy.’

Polly wobbled precariously, waving her arms at her side in an attempt to stay upright. ‘It is a lovely dress, I know, and it is all of those things you mentioned, but sadly I’m not,’ she giggled. ‘I’ll have to keep on looking I’m afraid.’

After leaving the shop, we gave up on the idea of finding the perfect bridal dress and ran through the streets, trying to avoid the pouring rain before decamping to a wine bar, giggling as we fell through the door, where we ordered two large glasses of Sauvignon Blanc instead. Noel was at home with his dad so there was no rush for me to get home and I was determined to enjoy this first girly time out I’d had since becoming a mum.

‘Who would have thought that finding a dress could be so hard? They were all lovely, but much too formal and grown-up for me. I know exactly what I want. Something ethereal and summery and flowing. Imagine Kate Moss running through a corn field.’

‘Isn’t she a bit old for that sort of thing?’

‘Yes.’ Polly spluttered. ‘But you get the idea. Look.’ She grabbed a pen from her handbag and proceeded to draw a sketch on the back of an old envelope. Polly’s drawing skills were about as good as mine so her design looked like a fancy oblong with a squiggly flower on it, but I nodded my approval anyway.

‘Why don’t you go and see Caroline in the village. She was a dressmaker for many years. She doesn’t do it as a business anymore, but I bet she’d jump at the chance to make your wedding dress.’

‘Do you think so?’

‘I’m sure she’d love to.’

‘That’s such a good idea. I’ll ask her. Then it will be a proper village affair. Honestly, Ellie, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so excited in my whole life. I know some people might think it’s a bit soon, I mean we haven’t known each other that long, but we’re both absolutely certain that we want to spend the rest of our lives together so what’s the point in waiting?’

I nodded.

‘I mean, you must feel the same way about Max?’

‘Oh yes I do.’ Max was the centre of my world and I couldn't imagine a time when he wouldn’t be in my life. It was just that the whole marriage thing had become a bit of a sensitive subject between us recently.

‘It’s all I think about,’ said Polly dreamily. ‘When I’m at work preparing the bridal bouquets, I imagine how I’ll be feeling when it comes round to the morning of my special day.

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