Chapter fifty-two

It was now May, which meant that Anne’s wedding was in just under a week and our final dress fitting was today. As a result, Harry and I had driven down to Holmes Chapel where we were renting an adorable cottage. Well, cottage wasn’t completely accurate. It was in a rustic area but it was by no means small and dingy. It was a perfect century home, just the right size for us. I secretly hoped that we could stay in it for a bit after the wedding.

Anne, already frantic with last minute preparations, picked me up at precisely noon with Gemma in tow.

“Relax, Mum, let the girl get her boots on,” Gemma told Anne easily with a roll of her eyes. I gave her a warning glance; Anne was in no state to be trifled with.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Anne replied dismissively, waving her hands about in the air. “But you don’t need the laces done up, we’re not going far.” She added to me.

“No matter,” I responded. “I’m all tied up and ready to go!” I told her, grabbing my small purse and stepping out the door.

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“Excellent,” Anne said hastily. “Good bye Harry, see you in a couple hours!” She yelled to Harry
who was still in a heap of sheets in our bed before slamming the door, not even giving him the chance to reply. I had a feeling that Anne would not physically be able to settle until we were sitting in the Bridal shop, dresses in hand.

I was right.

The drive there was tedious – not long – but tedious. Anne drove, her eyes darting wildly as Gemma desperately tried to avoid the subject of wedding chores altogether.

“So I heard Dani is trying to set up Niall with one of her friends for the wedding.” Gemma said, simply glowing in the face of new gossip. I rolled my eyes.

“That’s a horrible idea and I pray it’s not true.” I laughed. “Niall is never in his element with dancers.” I said protectively. Somehow Niall always felt young and vulnerable to me. Dani’s dancer friends always looked at him like a piece of meat and I resented them for it.

“That’s not what he seems to think,” Gemma added suggestively.

I gave her a look. “Don’t tell me he’s seeing one of them.”

“Alright, I won’t say it.” Gemma said but her expression already had.

“Alright then,” I sighed, “any bets on how long it’ll last?”

“I give it a week.” Gemma laughed.

“You’re being generous! I doubt they’ll even make it to the wedding.” We both burst into fits of giggles.

“That’s horrible of you two,” Anne finally interjected. “I think it’s nice Niall’s found someone.”

“Mum, don’t be naïve. Niall finds a lot of people.” Gemma said and I elbowed her.

“Oh to be young!” Anne smiled cheekily.

“MUM!” Gemma said, a mixture of shock and amusement. I whistled in response whilst Anne simply laughed at out reactions.

“It’s going to be so funny once you’re all married. You’ll have nothing to talk about anymore. No who’s-sleeping-with-who gossip.” Anne sighed almost nostalgically.

“I hope we’ll have nothing to talk about if that’s the case!” I laughed.

“Well you and Harry are too perfect for each other – when you get your shit together, at least – to worry about that.” Gemma said, pulling out her phone and flipping through instagram absentmindedly.

“Well thanks I guess,” I said, giving her a look.

“I can’t wait for you two to get married,” Anne said dreamily, surprising me.

“Really?” I asked her, but she just ignored me because we’d arrived. Piling out of the car, we made our way into the quaint shop.

--

The champagne flowed between Gemma and I as the shop keeper scampered into a back room to retrieve our bridesmaid dresses.

“Girls,” Anne tsked, “Alcohol is just empty calories. Don’t you want to fit into these dresses?”
Gemma downed the rest of her glass. “The only way I’m getting through another wedding is drunk, Mum.”

I smiled sympathetically. Gemma was at that horrible age where many of her friends were either getting married or so unbearably close to getting married that being the single one of the group was not an easy feat. And after a string of bad boyfriends, I could totally understand her need for intoxication.

“You’ll find someone!” Anne said earnestly, obviously repeating a familiar conversation.
Gemma rolled her eyes unenthusiastically and motioned for someone to bring her another glass of champagne.

“Miss. Wilson, here’s your dress.” A young employee approached me, dress bag in hand. I took it from her, peeking inside.

“Thank you,” I smiled at her before walking into one of the fitting rooms. I’d never tried this dress on before but somehow it fit perfectly. I walked out of the dressing room and was greeted by the envious and joyous stares of Anne, Gemma, and basically the rest of the boutique’s staff.

“I take it no alterations need to be made?” I joked.

“Not in the slightest!” Anne gushed.

Moments later, Anne emerged in a stunning gown. It gripped her in all the right places and hung elegantly from others. It was as if this gorgeous created had been made just for her. By the end of our session, I didn’t think I’d ever get to see Anne or Gemma looking more beautiful and elated than they did in that moment.

--

Hours later I was home. I flung my bag down in the entranceway of our little cottage, kicking off my shoes and trudging over to the couch where Harry was sprawled out. I piled on top of him, his arms holding me close to him.

“How was the girl’s-day-out?” He asked, kissing my hair.

“Really good,” I sighed back sleepily. “You Mum and sister look so amazing!” I told him, snuggling in a bit closer to him. He pulled a nearby blanket over, draping it around us.

“That’s great, I can’t wait to see them,” he murmured into my hair.

“Mhmm,” I mumbled, letting my eyes drift closed momentarily.

“But you know what I’m most excited for?” He asked me and I could hear the playful note in his voice, a teasing lilt.

“What’s that?”

He nuzzled the side of my neck, kissing it softly.

“You.”

I laughed.

“How can you be excited for me when I’m sitting on top of you?” I elbowed him, granting me one of his beautiful crooked smiles.

“Because I’m always irrationally excited about you.” He said, pulling me to face him and kissing me suddenly. There was a glint in his eyes like he was going to say more so I waited. But he didn’t say anything, he just held my gaze and before I knew it, I was leaning in to kiss those full lips of his because, really, the only thing that made me excited was him, too.

Notes

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