The Desperate Bride’s Diet Club (40 page)

She could have lost all the weight in the world and it still wouldn’t have been enough. It wasn’t the
exterior
that needed changing so many months ago. It was the mind, the inside, her thoughts.

She had changed.

She knew she wasn’t fat any more. And she knew she wasn’t ugly. Mark had told her so but she had already begun to think that way, long before sleeping with him.

Violet now knew she needed to be comfortable in her own skin. And she was. She was OK. She liked herself.

She thought of Isabella.
She, Violet Saunders, was gorgeous. Of that, she was finally certain. And now she could move on, get married and live the life she had dreamed of.

MAGGIE SMOOTHED DOWN
her new blue dress.

‘What do you think?’ she asked, giving the girls a twirl in Violet’s lounge.

‘Gorgeous,’ said Kathy. ‘I presume it’s from New York?’

‘Of course,’ said Maggie with a grin.

She was still recovering from her brief visit to fabulous New York. It really was just like the movies. She and Gordon had wandered the avenues, relishing the crisp
winter air and blue skies above the city.

They had gone to the top of the Empire State Building for the views. They had shopped in Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. They had eaten salted pretzels whilst walking the paths of Central Park.

But it was the dancing which had been the highlight of the trip. Gordon had waltzed her around a glittering ballroom on the last evening, with a Frank Sinatra soundalike
crooning at them from the stage.

She had looked down every time they stopped for a drink, eager to check that her glorious red skirt was still sparkling. Then she sighed and looked back at her husband, ready for the next dance.

Maggie wished she had lost the weight years ago. But perhaps it had to be the right time. Perhaps she needed to be in the right frame of mind with the determination to
go through with it. Maybe she needed the help and support of her friends as well.

She only had half a stone left to lose. Maggie would reach her goal, she had no doubt of that. Gordon was talking about a beach holiday the following summer. For once she wouldn’t have to worry about swimsuits and revealing the flesh. Her body was more toned than it had ever been. And she was truly happy. Middle-aged
spread? Hah!

She and Gordon returned from their romantic break refreshed and rested. And very much in love.

‘It’s sickening,’ said Lucy, with a wink to the others. ‘They’re always kissing and cuddling. I can’t wait to get back to university next week.’

‘Aww!’ cooed Kathy. ‘Can’t wait to see your Canadian artist, I’ll bet.’

‘Don’t know what you’re talking about,’ said Lucy. ‘We’re just—’

‘—friends,’ chorused Kathy, Maggie and Violet. ‘We know.’

Lucy stuck her tongue out at them and went back to checking the wedding dress one final time.

Truth was, she had missed Todd dreadfully over the Christmas break. She had even rung him, trying to keep her voice casual and friendly. He had seemed surprised that she called him but they had chatted for over an hour. Lucy was hoping not to
be anywhere
near
her father when the home phone bill came through in a month’s time.

‘What time is it?’ asked Lucy.

‘Nearly three o’clock,’ said Maggie, glancing at her watch.

As she moved her arm, she saw the light glance off her new bracelet from Tiffany’s. Maggie admired the platinum bangle as it shone on her wrist.

‘Very nice,’ said Kathy, glancing over Maggie’s shoulder. ‘You can always
hock it if times get desperate.’

‘Never!’ said Maggie, clutching the precious bracelet.

It wasn’t the cost of the gift that made it so dear to her heart. It was the memory of Gordon telling her how much he loved her as he handed it over to her.

She glanced across at Kathy, who was playing with a heart pendant framed perfectly by the purple V-neck of her wrap dress. The necklace was new, a gift
from Edward.

She had spent a magical Christmas with him, proudly taking her home-made cake with them to his mother’s home. She had shed a tear as she finished decorating the cake with the Christmas figurines but she knew her parents would want her to be happy, to enjoy being in a family again.

Edward had introduced her to his whole family as his girlfriend and she had been warmly welcomed by
his mother, sisters and brothers. Edward’s family was huge and the atmosphere on Christmas Day had been happy and warm. They had played games with the children and laughter had rung out around the dinner table late into the day.

‘We’re so pleased to have finally met you,’ said
Edward’s
youngest sister. ‘He’s gone on and on about you!’

‘We thought you were a figment of his imagination,’ said
the other sister.

‘He looks so well,’ said Edward’s mother. ‘It must be love.’

Kathy blushed but secretly revelled in the confirmation that Edward cared for her. This was it, she knew. He was the one. She couldn’t wait until they moved in together in the New Year.

Their future was looking so bright. The shop was proving very popular as a find for vintage bargains. She had lots of energy to
keep up with Edward, who was getting fitter by the day. But they also found time to sit quietly and she found she could relax and be herself around him. There was no need to be the funny girl any more. She could be quiet and still. It was bliss. She told him about her family and he had let her into his. They welcomed her with open arms.

She still couldn’t do without the odd cake or chocolate
bar. But everything was in moderation. She felt wonderful. Like a whole new person. She was never going back to the way she felt and looked before. Kathy was going to keep this way for life, for Edward, but mostly for herself.

And now they had a lovely wedding to go to. Hopefully.

Kathy glanced at Violet. She appeared very serene today, as if her doubts and fears had finally been taken away
from her. Something seemed to have changed deep within Violet. The hesitancy that was always so close to the surface had disappeared. She was confident and self-assured.

In fact, Violet had had the courage to bin the awful creation of pink carnations that had been delivered from the florist that morning. Instead, she had dispatched Kathy to buy a bouquet of white roses and freesias.

Kathy watched
her inhale the scent.

‘Wonderful,’ said Violet, twirling the bouquet around in her hands.

Her hair and make-up were done. Violet had also dismissed Miriam’s expensive make-up artist and done her own. All that was needed was for the bride to get dressed.

There was a knock on the door and they all stopped chatting.

‘Who’s that?’ asked Kathy.

Violet shook her head, suddenly looking a little
less sure of herself.

‘I’ll get it,’ said Maggie, taking charge.

She went into the hallway and drew herself to full height in her heels. If it were Sebastian backing out, she was ready for a fight. If it were Mark, she was going to drag him inside and not let him or Violet out of the house.

But it was the last person Maggie had expected to find on Violet’s front doorstep. It was her husband.

‘Hello,’ said Gordon, with a smile.

‘Everything all right?’ asked Maggie, suddenly fearful.

They had arranged to meet at the church and this wasn’t part of the plan. Perhaps it was her mother. Or his. Or any number of awful scenarios conjured up in her mind.

‘Sorry to interrupt your preparations but I need to see Lucy.’

‘What’s happened?’

‘Go get our daughter and I’ll show you.’

Maggie went
back into the lounge. ‘It’s your dad,’ she said to Lucy, trying to keep her voice calm. ‘He wants a word with you.’

Lucy frowned. ‘Now?’

She followed her mother to the front door.

‘Hello, love,’ said Gordon. ‘I was just getting ready when there was a knock on the front door about half an hour ago. Thought I’d better tell you about it. It seemed quite important.’

‘Who was it?’ asked Lucy.

‘Him.’

Gordon moved aside to reveal a tall, dark stranger walking up the front path.

‘Hello, Lucy Walsh,’ said Todd.

‘Todd!’ squealed Lucy, stepping towards him. ‘What are you doing here? You’re not due back for another week.’

He broke into a huge smile. ‘Can’t a fella miss his girl so much that he gets an earlier flight?’

Lucy smiled back and then glanced at her parents.

‘We’ll give you
two a bit of privacy,’ said Maggie, leading Gordon indoors.

‘Since when did you decide that I was your girl?’ said Lucy, hands on hips.

He reached out and grabbed her round the waist, pulling her to him. ‘When I heard your voice and then couldn’t think of anything else for the rest of the holidays. You’ve ruined Christmas for me.’

Lucy snaked her hands up around his neck. ‘Then I’d better give
you a bloody good New Year, hadn’t I?’

And she pulled his head down to kiss her.

‘He’s lovely,’ whispered Kathy, peeking out of the window.

‘Come away,’ hissed Maggie. ‘I’ll be in that much trouble if she thinks we’re spying on her.’

‘She won’t care,’ said Kathy. ‘The girl’s in love.’

‘Seems a decent enough fella,’ said Gordon. ‘For a foreigner.’

‘He’s Canadian,’ said Maggie, nudging him
playfully. ‘At least it’s still in the Commonwealth.’

‘They’re coming!’ said Kathy, flinging herself away from the window.

Everyone tried to look busy but failed. However, Lucy didn’t care.

‘Hi, everyone,’ she said, beaming from ear to ear. ‘This is Todd.’

‘Hi, Todd,’ chorused everyone back, grinning at them.

‘Hello,’ he said, before looking at Violet. ‘Sorry to crash your big day.’

‘That’s
fine,’ said Violet, smiling. ‘Do you want to be Lucy’s guest? You’d be more than welcome.’

‘Thanks,’ replied Todd. ‘That would be cool.’

So the young lovebirds went with Gordon to the church, leaving Kathy and Maggie to finish dressing the bride.

They held the dress open for Violet to step into and then Kathy gently pulled the zip up whilst Maggie fiddled with the shoulder straps.

They stepped
backwards and smiled.

‘You look beautiful,’ said Maggie, with a tear in her eye.

‘You really do,’ said Kathy, also a bit sniffly. ‘Such a beautiful bride.’

Violet turned to look at her reflection and sighed with contentment. Yes, she did look beautiful. Lucy had done an amazing job with the dress. And there wasn’t a trace of fat bride about her. She had done it. She was looking and feeling
gorgeous.

She turned back to her friends with a smile.

‘I’m ready,’ she told them. ‘Let’s go find my groom.’

THE BRIDAL PARTY
pulled up to the church car park with five minutes to spare.

‘There’re still a few people milling about,’ said Kathy, opening the car door for Violet. ‘Do you want to stay in the car?’

‘No,’ said Violet, getting out. ‘As long as Sebastian isn’t about, I don’t mind seeing anyone else.’

Maggie glanced up at the entrance to the church. ‘I think he’s gone in
already.’

Kathy checked her reflection in the car window.

But Violet didn’t feel she needed to see herself again. She knew how good she looked. She remained calm, even when she spotted Sebastian’s mother heading towards her.

‘Violet?’ barked Miriam. ‘What are you wearing?’

‘My wedding dress,’ said Violet, twirling around. ‘Do you like it?’

‘What about Sebastian’s cousin’s dress?’

‘This is
it.’

‘You’ve ripped it apart?’

Violet shrugged her shoulders. ‘It was huge. Plus I didn’t like the original design. And seeing as I’m the one who has to wear it, I think I should actually decide, don’t you?’

Miriam pursed her lips together. ‘I don’t know what I shall say to my sister.’

‘Tell her it was a horrible dress that now looks a million times better, thanks to my designer friend.’

Sebastian’s mother was glaring at but Violet didn’t care. She finally felt in control.

‘Hello, Miriam!’ said a female guest in a rather ugly hat, coming to join them. ‘Is this the bride?’

‘Hello, Daphne,’ said Miriam, fixing a smile on her face. ‘Yes, this is Violet.’

The complete stranger looked Violet up and down. ‘Dumped the fat one, did he? Thank goodness. This one looks a much better prospect.’

‘Thank you,’ said Violet, with a warm smile. She leant forward. ‘By the way, the fat one was me. I’ve lost five stone.’

The woman looked horrified and scurried away.

Miriam was looking around, as if desperate to get away from Violet as well. Thankfully, the arrival of a couple of bridesmaids gave her the perfect excuse.

Violet had met the bridesmaids only once; they were cousins or something.
She didn’t know and found she didn’t really care either. If there had been a choice, she would have had Maggie, Lucy and Kathy. But it was too late now.

‘You look nice,’ said one of the bridesmaids, breaking away from the pack to stand next to Violet. She was in her early twenties and obviously quite nervous.

‘Thank you,’ said Violet. ‘So do you.’

The bridesmaids were in some hideous peach
confection
that Violet wouldn’t have chosen in a million years. But as long as she didn’t have to wear it, she didn’t care.

‘Can I have a quiet word?’ whispered the girl.

Violet was nonplussed. ‘Now?’

The girl nodded and, taking Violet’s arm, led her away a small distance.

‘I have to tell you something,’ she said.

‘What is it?’

The girl glanced around her before turning back to look at Violet.
She looked upset.

‘Are you OK?’ asked Violet.

The girl shook her head but still didn’t speak.

‘It’s all right,’ said Violet with a wry smile. ‘I’ve only got a church full of two hundred guests waiting for me. Take your time.’

‘Sorry,’ said the girl quickly. ‘It’s just hard to say, that’s all.’

Violet didn’t reply and waited for the girl to speak again.