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‘It can’t be. It’s Easter,’ Katrina said.
‘And Easter’s early this year. Take a look out of the window.’
Katrina did so. Huge flakes of slow were drifting down and settling lightly on the ground.
‘Your wedding pictures are going to be absolutely stunning,’ Madison told her.
True, but something else was worrying her more. ‘What about Helen? She’s only two months old.’
‘Stop fussing. She’s having a wonderful time, being cuddled by her dad and having her grandmother and her great-uncle cooing over her. Besides, you and I have some seriously girly stuff to do. Even if you were too mean to let me have a pink dress.’ She smiled at Katrina and tugged at the towel Katrina had wrapped turban-style round her wet hair. ‘Starting with this.’
‘I need to do something first.’ Katrina grabbed her mobile phone and sent a text to Rhys. I love you. See you in church.
He must have been waiting for her text, she thought, because he replied immediately. Love you too. And I can’t wait to carry you over the threshold tonight.
Madison groaned. ‘That text was obviously from Rhys. I know brides are supposed to be blushing, but it’s going to play havoc with your make-up if you do that now. Think of…I dunno. Stop thinking about whatever your husband-to-be just suggested and start mentally naming all the bones in the body, or something.’
‘I’m getting married,’ Katrina said. ‘To Rhys. Today. I’m really getting married.’
Madison hugged her. ‘And you look absolutely radiant. I’m thrilled for you, I really am. But if we don’t start getting you ready, hon, we’re going to be late.’
Katrina wrinkled her nose. ‘Let’s skip the make-up, then. Because I promised him I wouldn’t be late.’
‘You are not skipping the make-up on your wedding day,’ Madison informed her. ‘I’ll just be quicker about it than I would have been. Now, sit still while I do your hair. Mum says the flowers at the church are all done, your bouquet’s here, the buttonholes for our lot are downstairs and Dad—if we can prise him away from his granddaughter—is going to drop the ones for Rhys’s family at the hotel.’ She paused. ‘So is Rhys’s mum going to turn up?’
‘I have no idea,’ Katrina said. ‘I hope so, for his sake.’
‘On the other hand,’ Madison said dryly, ‘if she’s going to be a nightmare and make everyone miserable, it might be better if she stays away.’
‘Whichever way, he’s going to be hurt.’
‘Hey. He has you. And when you walk down the aisle to him today, he’s going to be lit up from the inside. You make him happy, Kat. And he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, too.’
Half an hour later, Madison pronounced Katrina’s hair, make-up and nails satisfactory. ‘Don’t put the dress on yet,’ she warned. ‘Right. Final checklist before I start getting ready. Something old?’
‘Mum’s pearls.’
‘Good, that’s borrowed we can tick off as well. New’s your dress. Blue? Oh, no, I meant to buy you a garter!’ She slapped a hand to her forehead. ‘I’m so sorry, honey. You picked a rubbish bridesmaid.’
‘No, I picked the best. And you’ve had a brand-new baby to think about. That’s far more important than a blue garter.’ Katrina smiled. ‘Besides, I bought some hold-up stockings. And the tops just happen to be blue lace.’
‘Brilliant. I think,’ Madison said, ‘we’re sorted. I’ll go down and get us a cup of tea, and then I’ll do my make-up and we’ll get you into your dress when we’ve finished our tea.’
As if on cue, there was a rap at the door and Katrina’s mother walked in. ‘Tea.’
Madison beamed at her. ‘Perfect timing. You’re an angel. Thanks, Aunt Babs.’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking so lovely,’ Babs said to Katrina. ‘I think I’m really going to need tissues in the church.’
‘The mother of the bride is supposed to cry buckets,’ Madison said with a grin. ‘Underneath her fabulous hat. And from what Mum tells me, your hat is astonishingly good.’
Babs laughed. ‘That’s because Rose came with me to help choose it.’
‘So is there anything I need to do?’ Katrina asked.
‘Just look beautiful. Everything’s under control. Bryan’s taken the buttonholes over to the King’s Arms, and he brought Rose back from the church—she did the honeysuckle this morning just in case it wilted overnight.’
The church was going to be decorated with winter flowering honeysuckle from Katrina’s parents’ garden—the same flower that was threaded through the bride’s bouquet of ivory roses—and Rose had also suggested putting little vases of snowdrops and tealight candles in clear glass holders on the shelf on the back of each pew.
