Sarah, Elsa and Bron were in the back of a white stretch limo. They were on their way to Lily's hen night that was arranged at a location that not only catered for hens, but that was suitably convenient for where everyone lived.

Elsa was thinking about Laurence and wondering when he'd next text. He was away again at the moment on business, and they'd only had a chance to exchange brief 'I'll call you's after the pub that day before he had to leave. He was obviously very busy as his texts, though friendly, had been a bit sporadic and his phone calls practically nonexistent. She just hoped he'd still be keen to see her again when he returned, although he seemed rather vague about that too. She couldn't help feeling a little anxious. He was the first person she'd really liked in a very long time Bron was thinking about James. She thought she'd been giving him subtle hints, but he still seemed to see her only as the girl next door. And despite being newly out of a long-term relationship, albeit one that was dead in the water, she knew she really fancied him. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in years. But she'd just have to trust in fate. He was proving to be a good friend and better that than nothing.

And Sarah was thinking about Hugo, as she seemed to do constantly these days. Telling herself he was unavailable didn't seem to stop her from dreaming about him. It was all so futile.

‘So, how's it all going, girls?' she said now. 'Elsa, how are the fairy wings coming along for the bridesmaids? And the dresses? It must be bedlam.’

Elsa seemed fairly relaxed about it. She was wearing a dress in a wonderful deep red and the glow that had been apparent on the Sunday morning of Carrie's visit was still there, although slightly diluted.

‘I think it will be fine. I've got my woman, the work-experience girl and I've even roped in Bron's cooking ladies – fortunately it's too early for them to start making vol-au-vents. We bought the dresses and dyed them -Carrie wanted a lovely shell pink which I think I've just about achieved, haven't I, Bron?'

‘It's a lovely colour,' Bron agreed. 'I'm going to try and reproduce it in icing. I've had a commission for a wedding cake made out of cupcakes in tiers. That would be the perfect soft shade I need.'

‘You're both so talented! I'm so impressed. How lucky I am to have you both on board. Go on telling me about the dresses.'

‘Well, we ran up some really stiff petticoats – like those long tutus they wear for Les Sylphides?’

Sarah shook her head. 'I'm so sorry, I know absolutely nothing about ballet.'

‘Doesn't matter. They go under the dresses and then over both there's a layer of chiffon that opens down the front. They have little ruffs to go round their necks. They're adorable, they really are.'

‘That's all right then.'

‘The ladies are all sewing on crystals like mad,' Elsa went on. 'They're AB crystals – that stands for Aurora Borealis if you're remotely interested. They really sparkle.’

Sarah was more interested in speed than crystal types. 'Couldn't you glue them on? It'd be quicker.’

Elsa shook her head. 'Very high risk. If you get one wrong you're left with a horrible gluey mark. I will glue them down the bones though and sprinkle a few on to the skirts. They'll be a bit more random, but I wouldn't ask anyone else to wield the gadget that melts the glue.' She shuddered slightly, obviously thinking of what could happen if it all went wrong. 'Fortunately we managed to buy ballet slippers in exactly the right shade. I don't think we'd have had time to get them dyed to match.' She paused. 'They're having crystals on too.'

‘So what about Carrie's dress? That's the really important thing.'

‘It's going OK, I think. The toile fitted beautifully and she didn't want too much changed, thank goodness. I think she's finally caught on to the fact that there's a bit of a rush on and it won't get done unless she sticks to the plan. She does want a huge stand-up ruff, like in the pictures of Queen Elizabeth the First. I've got some little tiny stones for that.'

‘Phew,' said Sarah. 'You're a star. Now, Bron, what about the cake?'

‘Well, we finally managed to work out a really quick way of doing the fake ones.'

‘We? Is that the cooking ladies, too?’

Bron shook her head. 'James.'

‘That sounded a bit soulful!' said Elsa, who knew all about Bron's frustrations over James. They'd discussed it quite a bit recently, over cups of supportive mid-work tea.

‘Well, I've given all the signals I can and he hasn't picked up on them. Just as well I'm so busy I can hardly even think about him.' As Bron said this she knew that it didn't matter how busy she was, she still spent a lot of time thinking about James.

Sensing Bron didn't really want to talk about it, Sarah said, 'So, have you heard from Laurence, Elsa?’

Elsa sighed. 'He's working abroad at the moment and he's really busy too, and so can't ring me all that often. It's lovely when he does, though. And he sends sweet texts. Mind you, I haven't had one for a while…' Her doubts crept in again.

‘I've put him on the list as your partner,' said Sarah. 'I can take him off if you want.'

‘No, I'd love him to come to the wedding, but I don't think he'll be back in time.'

‘Oh well, his place is open,' said Sarah. 'You're very sweet together.’

After Elsa had denied and then accepted that she and Laurence did seem suited, she said, 'He'll probably come back and not like me after all. It's always a mistake to have sex too early on in the relationship. What?’

Bron and Sarah were laughing. 'I don't think that's a mistake you've made often, Elsa,' said Sarah. 'And anyway, I don't think you need to worry about Laurence. He's obviously smitten. Although he'd better be careful, you're looking particularly hot tonight, if I may say so.’

Elsa pulled at her dress. 'Do you like it? I've got really into red since I had my colours done. Whilst we're on the subject of men, what about you and Hugo, Sarah?' she went on deftly, still preferring not to be the centre of attention if she could avoid it. 'What was that about him taking a picture of you and putting it in an exhibition?'

‘It was lovely. He made me look – well – beautiful.'

‘You are beautiful,' said Elsa promptly.

‘Hm,' said Sarah, 'but you're looking at my beautiful soul.'

‘No!' Elsa contradicted.

‘Well, Hugo wasn't, for sure,' said Bron.

‘What do you mean? He takes pictures of everyone – it doesn't mean a thing,' said Sarah.

‘Come on, I noticed the way you stare at him when you think no one's looking. You do like him, don't you?' asked Bron.

‘Of course I like him! He's Hugo! Everyone likes him!'

‘I didn't mean it like that,' said Bron. 'And you know it.' She smiled. 'Has the cool, calm and collected but cynical wedding planner to the stars finally succumbed..

Sarah blushed. 'Don't be silly. He is attractive, there's no denying it but…' She didn't want to tell the girls he was spoken for. It would involve too much painful interrogation. 'Until this wedding – both weddings – are over, I haven't time to think about Hugo.'

‘But you do really like him, don't you?' persisted Elsa.

Sarah let out a big sigh. 'You don't give up, either of you! All right. Yes, I do, but it's not to be – it's all too complicated, believe me. Anyway, let's not talk about me. This is Lily's night.'

‘But Lily's not here yet,' Elsa pointed out.

‘It's still her night,' said Sarah firmly.

‘Hm,' said Bron. She didn't want to push Sarah too far, not tonight at least. 'So, what's the plan for this evening?'

‘I don't know much at all,' said Sarah. 'Lily said she didn't want me to have anything to do with it. One of her friends has done it all, including hiring this limo. I do hope she's going to pay for it – we don't want to have a frantic whip-round at two in the morning. Actually' – she lowered her voice conspiratorially – 'I'm going to try and slip away a bit early. I'm sure Lily doesn't want her big sister cramping her style.'