It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on
– Othello
‘So what do you think?’ Cesca did a twirl, the white gown fanning out behind her. She was in a bridal shop with Kitty, who was holding her camera and letting Lucy and Juliet watch as she tried on dress after dress. ‘Is it too big do you think?’
‘I liked the last one more,’ Lucy said, ‘but you still look beautiful. You could wear a sack and you’d still bowl everybody over.’
‘It needs to be right though,’ Cesca said as the assistant unzipped the back. ‘Elegant but eye-catching. Demure but sexy.’
‘You don’t ask for a lot do you?’ Kitty said from behind the camera. Juliet bit down a laugh. It was bittersweet watching her younger sister trying on wedding dresses on her laptop screen. She couldn’t help but wish she was with Cesca and Kitty – and Lucy too – with champagne glasses in their hands, gossiping about men and weddings and whatever else they always found to talk about.
She missed them like crazy. The thought of missing Cesca’s wedding was like a knife to her heart.
The assistant carried out another gown. ‘I’ve saved this one for last,’ she said. ‘It only came in last week.’ She lifted it over Cesca’s head, being careful to avoid her hair. ‘It’s a little different from the others.’ She stepped around the back as Cesca slid her hands out of the sleeves, and then fastened the zipper. Kitty’s hold on the camera wobbled as she took in the sight before her. Juliet had to lean in to try and see the dress.
‘That’s the one,’ Kitty said firmly. ‘Without a doubt.’
‘I can’t see it,’ Lucy said. ‘Can you hold the phone up, Kitty?’
When she did, the vision took Juliet’s breath away. The assistant was right, this dress was different to the others, but in a perfect way. The dress itself was simple – a sheer layer of tulle over a nude underdress, the sleeves long and the bodice tight, forming a low v on Cesca’s chest. The tulle was embellished with white silk flowers, cascading down the bodice and over Cesca’s hips. On some people it might have looked too much, but it was perfect for Juliet’s sister. It was whimsical yet fashionable, and clung to her curves without looking too sexy.
‘She’s right,’ Lucy said. ‘That’s definitely the one.’
Juliet’s throat was tight. She felt tears stinging at her eyes. She was so happy to be able to share this with her sisters, delighted to see Cesca looking so beautiful. And yet there was that nagging thought again, the one she couldn’t quite banish.
What if she couldn’t go to the wedding itself?
Cesca walked over to the long mirror on the wall of the bridal shop, staring at herself as she moved this way and that. Even from behind you could tell how special she felt, the dress making her hold her shoulders higher and her spine straighter.
‘It is perfect,’ she said softly. Then turning to look at Kitty – and the camera – she smiled. ‘Thank you so much for doing this with me, I wouldn’t want to be here without my sisters.’
‘There are some amazing bridesmaid dresses to go with this,’ the assistant said, smiling like the rest of them. ‘I’ll bring them out for you to take a look.’
‘Do you have flower girl dresses too?’ Cesca asked. ‘My niece is six.’
Juliet felt herself stiffen. She really could do with that glass of champagne, even though it was barely the afternoon. She listened as her sisters chatted about the wedding plans, about Sam’s wedding suit, and where they were planning to honeymoon. Juliet stayed silent, not wanting to spoil her sister’s excitement. But that bitter taste was still in her mouth, no matter how many times she tried to swallow it down.
‘You okay, Jules?’ Lucy asked. ‘You’ve gone a bit quiet.’
‘I’m fine.’ She nodded tightly.
‘You don’t sound fine,’ Kitty said, turning the camera to herself. She was frowning. ‘What’s the matter?’
Juliet rolled her lip between her teeth. ‘I still don’t know if Poppy and I will be able to come,’ she admitted, hating the way her voice sounded. ‘Thomas is still being stubborn.’
On the screen she could see Lucy lean forward. ‘But the mediation is happening, isn’t it?’ she asked. ‘Then you’ll be able to agree the terms of your divorce.’
Juliet nodded. ‘That’s right.’ Her sisters were as frustrated with the Maryland divorce laws as she was. Having to live separately from Thomas for a year before her divorce could be finalised felt like a special kind of purgatory. She’d hoped they would have agreed the terms of their separation long ago, but Thomas had other ideas. He’d cancelled their final mediation session three times. It was as if he didn’t want to get things settled between them.
‘We have the final mediation on Wednesday. I’m hoping we’ll be able to agree on custody and maintenance. But none of it will be implemented until next year, once we can prove we’ve been apart for twelve months.’
‘And after that you’ll be able to travel?’ Cesca asked, looking hopeful.
‘I will.’ Juliet nodded. ‘But I’ll only be able to take Poppy out of the country with Thomas’s agreement.’ She curled her hands with frustration. ‘And you know Thomas, with him there’s no such thing as a free lunch.’
Lucy gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘Is everything else going okay with the mediation?’ she asked. ‘How about custody and maintenance?’