Sarah watched as Elsa talked Carrie and Mandy through her designs. She was very impressed. Since Elsa had been forced into a bridesmaid's dress less than two months earlier she'd transformed into a much more confident young woman. She'd always been brilliant at her job but there was a sparkle to her now that hadn't been there before. Due, in no small measure, to Laurence, she felt.
Bron had been brilliant too. Carrie and Mandy had eaten quite a lot of cake for people so interested in keeping thin, and Carrie had adored the fake-cakes and would have ordered them to go all the way up the drive had she not been talked out of it by Mandy and Sarah and a panic-stricken Bron.
The impressive device for holding the proper cake had been admired and the designs for the final creation proved to be just what Carrie had wanted.
James and Laurence had slipped away to the pub at the earliest opportunity. Hugo was the only man in the room now, taking photographs, making jokes, flirting gently. Sarah forced him out of her mind and went over to join Carrie and Elsa by Elsa's flip chart.
‘This is the one, Sarah,' said Carrie, tapping the drawing. 'Only with many more crystals. I want to glitter like a fairy!’
Sarah took one look at the drawing and saw it was already fairly well spangled. 'Where else do you want crystals, Carrie? I can't see where you'd fit them on.'
‘Down the seams of the bodice,' said Elsa. 'They'll come down into a point and then flare out as the dress becomes full. Imagine a sort of Elizabeth the First busk, coming down into a point.'
‘She was known as the Fairy Queen, wasn't she?' said Bron.
‘Sort of,' agreed Hugo, capturing Mandy and Carrie together, fingering a fragment of crystal-nylon that shone like gossamer.
‘Are you having wings?' asked Bron. 'To complete the fairy look?’
Sarah intercepted a look of horror from Elsa.
‘No,' said Carrie, luckily. 'I think that would be a bit tacky.’
Silently several people sighed with relief.
‘Will you be able to finish it in three weeks?' asked Sarah quietly, while Carrie was posing again for Hugo.
‘Oh yes,' said Elsa. 'I'll have to crack on, but I've got nothing else going on now. There's a chance I'll have a work-experience girl to help me sew on the crystals.'
‘And the bridesmaids' dresses?' Mandy, usually quite happy to be demanding on Carrie's behalf, did now seem abashed that not only had Carrie not previously chosen her wedding dress, but that she'd been equally vague about what her bridesmaids should wear.
‘They're going to be much simpler than Carrie's,' said Elsa. 'It should be fine.'
‘I've just had a thought,' said Carrie. There was a general holding of breath. 'While wings would be tacky for me, they'd be darling for the little ones. Don't you think?’
Elsa was firm. 'If I simplify their dresses even more, they can have wings. I think wings would be quite sweet and they're perfectly possible, but with the amount of spangles currently on that design, they'd be OTT.'
‘Oh that's fine! You decide how many spangles, as long as I can have wings,' said Carrie.
‘Way to go, Elsa,' muttered Bron and Sarah.
Now everything had been sorted out and everyone seemed happy, or potentially so, with the dresses and cake, Mandy looked at her watch and said, 'I think we'd better be going, honey. It's been great! You must be so pleased that Carrie has finally made up her mind about the dress, Elsa.'
‘I do think that's a lovely choice,' Elsa agreed, not allowing the frustration she had suffered at not knowing what she would have to do until the last minute to show. 'And if you want a stand-up ruff, let me know. It could look very fairy-like.’
After much air-kissing Mandy and Carrie finally left. 'You're looking quite stressed, Sarah,' said Elsa, who was obviously fizzing with enthusiasm.
Sarah shrugged. 'I shall probably have to source a fairy coach pulled by two white horses now, with this fairy theme. Luckily I do think I know of one.' She looked earnestly at her friend. 'You're a star, Elsa. You handled Carrie so well. I know I can trust you absolutely. This dress will make you a fortune, I promise. You'll have to take on proper staff, never mind work-experience girls.'
‘Well, thank you for choosing me for Carrie,' said Elsa, hugging Sarah.
‘And you, Bron, the cake is delicious, the fake-cakes are going to look stunning..
They would have gone on exchanging compliments for longer but Hugo hooked one arm through Elsa's and the other through Sarah's. He looked firmly at Bron, having to rely on the force of his personality. 'Come on, ladies. Let's join the others in the pub. We've got a lot to celebrate.'
‘I really ought to start work straightaway,' said Elsa.
‘No. It's a Sunday, you can have a celebratory drink first, and then work. Same for you, Sarah. And Bron. No one is lifting a finger until you've all acknowledged how well you've done. Come on.'
‘He's awfully bossy, isn't he?' said Sarah to Bron, still linked to Hugo.
‘Mm,' agreed Bron. 'I rather like that!’
Sarah didn't comment but she decided that at that particular moment she rather liked it too.
James and Laurence were surrounded by Sunday papers. They'd obviously been enjoying a quiet time while the others had been involved with Carrie. They both got to their feet and the three girls threaded their way between them and collapsed into the squashy chairs.
‘Right,' said Hugo. 'It's a celebration. Do we want champagne?'
‘I take it it all went well?' said James.
‘It did,' said Elsa. 'But no champagne for me, thank you, Hugo. I don't want to be a party pooper but I really do have to work later and I'm quite tired as it is.' She glanced at Laurence who twinkled back at her. Part of her would have liked to be here on her own with Laurence. She hoped they'd have a moment at least to arrange another date before he had to dash off again.
‘I'd love a glass of white wine,' said Bron, who, unlike the others, didn't have to work later.
‘Sarah,' said Hugo. 'What about you? If you'd like champagne I'm sure I could persuade them to do it by the glass.’
Touched, Sarah smiled back at him for a few seconds. 'No thank you. What I'd really like is a grapefruit juice with soda water.'
‘Are you sure? I know you like a bit of fizz.' He smiled at her.
Sarah became aware of her friends watching this discussion and blushed a little. She nodded and turned to James, who was seated next to her. 'That cake-stand thing is brilliant!' And they chatted about how relatively easy it had been to construct, if you knew how.
Hugo came back with the drinks and as he dispatched them, Sarah found herself wondering about Electra again. Although she was extremely attractive, if he'd known her so long surely he must see that she wasn't right for him? Or was it only wishful thinking on her part? Maybe they were perfectly suited. Maybe he wanted something a bit different, exotic, someone who was adventurous and wouldn't be by his side all the time.
‘So, Hugo,' asked Laurence, breaking into her thoughts. 'Do you get fed up with all this girly dressy stuff?' He winked at Elsa, who blushed and smiled and looked down.
‘Well-' he began.
‘He's awfully good,' said Bron. 'I've seen quite a lot of his work in Sarah's albums – he's great!'
‘Well, thank you, Bron.' Hugo bowed. 'Besides, it's not all I do.'
‘That's true,' said Elsa. 'His portfolio is very impressive.' Hugo bowed again and laughed.
Sarah had been wondering if she should confess to having visited his exhibition before it was even open. Now would be the perfect time, but would it make her seem stalkerish? She decided to be brave. 'Actually, Hugo, I've been meaning to tell you. You know that exhibition that you're in?’
He laughed. 'Think so. I'm in it, after all.'
‘Well, I went to see it. I was in that part of town.' This was a lie, but only a small one. 'So I popped along. It wasn't open yet.' She laughed and took a sip of her drink. 'But I met your friend.' She didn't mention her name because it would look as if she cared enough to remember it. 'Who was it?'
‘Electra.'
‘That's it! Lovely girl. She showed me round. You're really good, Hugo. You're wasted on weddings.. Suddenly she felt rather self-conscious.
Elsa and Bron glanced at each other, confused. Why hadn't Sarah mentioned this?
‘So you've seen it?' He leant forward eagerly. His usual laid-back manner seemed to have left him.
‘Yes. I said. I thought it was amazing.'
‘But the picture of you. I was going to ask permission. He hesitated, seemingly unsure of himself. It wasn't like him at all and Sarah was rather touched. Confident, assured Hugo, anxious for her approval. Then she told herself not to be so silly. They were colleagues; he was being professional, wanting to make sure he hadn't broken any rules.
`Do you ask everyone you photograph for permission -obviously you would famous people, but all the others?' She was curious. That would have involved a lot of work.
‘Well, not always. But I wanted to ask you.’
Sarah became fascinated by the fact that condensation had formed on her glass. 'It was a lovely photo.'
‘What was it of?' asked James.
‘It was just one of Sarah at Ashlyn's wedding,' said Hugo. 'With one of her bridesmaids.' He sounded nonchalant now. Sarah thought she must have misinterpreted his earlier concern.
Laurence, who had been half listening and half looking at the motoring section of the paper, looked up. 'Is that Electra Handforth-Williams, you mentioned?' he said. 'That's right. Do you know her?' Hugo asked.
‘I've only met her a few times. She always seems to be on her way to some far-flung country when I do. She's a great traveller, apparently.'
‘Yes,' said Sarah, feeling she could risk talking about her now she was general conversation. 'Very adventurous.' Sarah felt Hugo's gaze on her but ignored it.
‘I went inter-railing after leaving school,' said Elsa. 'With a friend. I love Europe but I don't think I could settle down anywhere but in England.'
‘That's just how I feel,' said Laurence.
Sarah, who had Hugo in her line of sight noticed him nodding and heard him say, 'Me too. I love this country, can't imagine living anywhere else. A house in the country, dogs and children – at least three…' She stared at her now-empty glass. What was Hugo doing with Electra then?