Meet Clara Morgan (Clara Andrews Series - Book 3)

  Meet

  Clara Morgan

  by

  Lacey London

  Copyright © 2015 by S Woodhead

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Published in the UK.

  For a naughty Yorkshire Terrier who knows no bounds.

  9.43am

  To: claraandrews001@firemail.co.uk

  From: info@romancebridalgowns.co.uk

  Subject: Appointment Confirmation

  Dear Miss Andrews,

  We are pleased to confirm your appointment for February 10th at our Hampton Court Store.

  We look forward to helping you find your dream wedding dress.

  Belinda Beaumont

  Sales Consultant

  Romance Bridal

  Chapter 1

  How do you tell one of your closest friends that her wedding dress is utterly vile? That’s the question I have been asking myself for at least the last ten minutes. Eyeing up the astonishing red wedding dress dubiously, I rub my tired temples. I think I can safely say that I have never seen anything like it before.

  ‘Well, it’s certainly different.’

  ‘Good different?’ Gina fires back, shooting me a suspicious look.

  ‘Erm…’ I rack my brains to try and find something positive to say about the shocking feathered dress. ‘Lianna, what do you think?’ Turning to face my best friend, I send her a mental SOS.

  Slumped in an opulent gold armchair, wearing a huge blush gown and a frankly embarrassing diamante tiara, she looks totally ridiculous. As Lianna does her best to talk Gina out of the world’s most hideous wedding dress, I wonder how my bridal appointment has turned into a circus act. All week I have been looking forward to working my way through masses of tulle, satin and lace. Not once did I think that I would be left holding the handbags while Gina and Lianna play dress up for three hours.

  Watching Lianna attempt to shuffle over to Gina in the giant meringue, I guess it was to be expected. Taking my two newly engaged friends along to a wedding dress shop was never going to be plain sailing. I mean, what exactly did I think was going to happen? I catch my engagement ring sparkling under the bright dressing room lights and a smug smile creeps onto my lips. I still can’t believe that I am getting married and more to the point, I still can’t believe that Lianna and Gina are getting married too.

  In the space of a few short months, Oliver, Dan and most surprisingly, Marc, all decided to put a ring on it. Which brings us where we are today, three very different brides, planning three very different weddings. It’s fair to say that love is well and truly in the air. Admittedly, none of us have gotten any further with our plans than trying on wedding dresses and salivating over Sandals resorts online. No venues have been booked, no flowers have been chosen and most importantly, no dates have been set. However, with spring just around the corner we have all started to get itchy feet.

  Although no one has actually said it, there’s a definite feeling of wanting to be the first to say I do and a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. When we first got engaged, I was having far too much fun flashing my huge rock to worry about rushing down the aisle. Well, not until my American fiancé, Oliver started pushing for a Texas wedding across the pond. After weeks of steak dinners, copious amounts of beer and the odd early night, I finally got him to agree to a traditional English wedding and now that he has come round to the idea, I want to lock him down before he has the chance to change his mind.

  Marrying a hot Texan designer was never on my to-do list, not in the real word anyway. In fact, there was a time not long ago that involved Mexico, his parents and an over inflated Barbie doll when I thought that we wouldn’t make it until Christmas, let alone to a diamond ring and wedding bells. To be brutally honest, I didn’t think that any of us would get to this point in our relationships. Let’s face it, Dan doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to women and Marc, well Marc has too much of a record, if you know what I am saying.

  Wandering over to a glass display case, I stare at the delicate white veils in awe. Hearing Lianna make references to Big Bird and Moulin Rouge, I try my hardest not to laugh. She never has been one to choose her words carefully, but over the past few years I have grown accustomed to her clumsy and sometimes embarrassing ways. Gina on the other hand can be downright rude and on the odd occasion, a bit of a bitch. It’s not that I haven’t taken to Gina, I have. In fact, I have developed quite a soft spot for her in recent months and surprisingly, we have become pretty good friends. So good in fact that she is actually being one of my bridesmaids! Gina has had an amazing effect on my male bestie, Marc and with the help of a little biology she has turned him into the coolest baby daddy in town.

  Tearing myself away from the lovely accessories, I hand the mountain of leather handbags over to a flustered Gina who has begrudgingly shimmied out of the poultry inspired monstrosity.

  ‘I think I’ll keep on looking.’ Shaking her head regrettably, she tugs on her zebra print coat and pulls a face at a rack of simple beaded gowns. ‘Nothing feels quite right. I want something unique and classy, something that just screams Vegas wedding.’

  ‘Vegas? I thought you had settled on the zoo?’ I reply, beckoning Lianna away from the bridal shoes.

  ‘Well, we did look at it, but Marc wasn’t too keen on the idea. I mean, we don’t want it to be tacky or anything.’

  Swallowing a laugh, I try to compose myself. Only Gina could think that Vegas nuptials and a red, feathered wedding dress don’t count as tacky. ‘I’m sure that you’ll find the perfect dress eventually. Maybe they’re like men, you have to go through a lot of them before you find your perfect fit.’

  I say this having not tried on a single wedding dress since I got engaged. Reminding myself that Oliver has his heart set on a summer wedding, I try to quash the panic that is growing in my stomach. I read online that you should have your wedding dress picked out at least a year before the big day! It takes me forever to find a dress for the races, I dread to think how many I am going to have to try on before I find The One.

  Lianna appears at my side and hands a beautiful embroidered veil back to the scowling assistant. The assistant who has a face like sour milk at us leaving without a purchase.

  ‘Didn’t you try anything on, Clara?’ Li slips on her coat and links her arm through mine. ‘I thought you liked the Rebecca Bolan on the mannequin?’

  ‘Erm, to be honest, I’m not quite sure what it is that I’m looking for.’ I offer her a friendly smile and push open the door. ‘I’ll know it when I see it.’

  As we walk down the cold crowded street, I listen to Gina and Li discussing marriage vows. It’s not long before my mind drifts to my own wedding. A warm fuzz buzzes around in my stomach as I picture my special day. The bright flowers, the shiny rings and not forgetting the all important gown. Is it bad that the dress is the part that I am the most excited about? Forget romantic vows and that magical walk down the aisle. Not that they’re not important too, obviously, but if we are all completely honest, it’s all about the dress, isn’t it?

  They say that when you put on your perfect dress, you just know. It’s a feeling, a sensation that you just can’t describe. Like love at first sight or snapping up the latest iPhone in the Black Friday sales. Come to think of it, at last year’s sales Lianna almost broke my nose over a Blaupunk TV. I hope that’s not a sign of things to come. If things get that heated over discounte
d electricals, I dread to think of the carnage a wedding dress sale could cause.

  I glance over my shoulder at Lianna and Gina. They may be my best friends, but Li is easily six inches taller than me and Gina must at least a stone heavier, it would hardly be a fair fight. Shaking my head, I laugh at myself for thinking that we would really fall out over a wedding.

  Hearing Lianna mention taking up karate to get in shape for the big day, I make a mental note to dig my boxing gloves out. You know, just in case.

  Chapter 2

  Accepting a double air kiss from a tired Gina, I wave her off in a cab and turn to face Lianna. ‘Fancy a quick burger before we head back?’

  ‘I thought you’d never ask.’ Sighing dramatically, she slips her skinny arm through mine as we automatically make our way across the street.

  ‘Bistro?’ I ask, already knowing the answer.

  ‘As always.’ Flashing me a smile, she twirls a strand of highlighted hair around her finger. ‘What the hell did Gina look like in that dress? I know it’s her day and her choice, but come on.’

  ‘I know! To be honest, we should have encouraged her to buy it. Last week she wanted a flamenco dress with a see through bodice!’ Grimacing at the memory, I shove my hands into my pockets.

  Shaking her head in disbelief Li lets out a flabbergasted laugh. ‘Well, I guess Gina will be Gina, flamenco wedding dress or no flamenco wedding dress.’

  Nodding in agreement I look left and right before running across the road. I knew that Gina would choose something outrageous. If her love for animal print, patent leather and bling has taught us anything, it’s that Gina certainly isn’t traditional. Maybe a feathered red gown is the best we can hope for? At least it covers her lady parts unlike the flamenco number.

  We approach The Bistro and push our way inside, instantly choosing our favourite booth at the back of the busy restaurant. Shedding our many layers, we take our seats and make a snatch for the drinks menu. My heart is screaming Cosmopolitan, but my ice cold fingers are crying out for a hot steaming coffee. Deciding to be a grown up for once, I begrudgingly settle on a milky coffee and finger the edge of the dessert menu greedily.

  ‘By the way, are you free the last weekend in March?’ Lianna asks casually, wiping condensation from her thick rimmed glasses.

  ‘Erm, I presume so.’ I dig out my Chapstick and apply a thin layer to my dry lips. ‘How come?’

  ‘Great, because that’s when I’m getting married!’ Clapping her hands together excitedly, she proceeds to pull a glossy hotel brochure out of the depths of her Prada handbag.

  A sense of trepidation washes over me as I try to do the maths. ‘But… but that’s just six weeks away! You can’t plan a wedding in just six weeks!’

  ‘Who says I can’t? I’ve already booked the venue. All I need now is a dress and the rings. Piece of cake.’

  As she passes me the brochure I try not to panic. ‘Li, there’s more to planning a wedding than rings and a dress.’

  She twists her long hair into a ballerina bun before letting it fall back down around her shoulders. ‘Like what?’

  ‘Like the catering, the photographer, the florist, bridesmaid dresses and what about a honeymoon? How are you going to sort all that out in just six weeks?’ My chest starts to feel tight as my brain tries to take it all in.

  ‘Well, the venue is all booked so that just leaves, what? Six things? I’ve got six weeks, I’ll deal with one a week. Easy.’ Sensing my rising panic, she reaches over and takes my hand. ‘Don’t worry about it. I can do this. Now, what do you think of the hotel?’

  Feeling myself start to calm down a little I flip open the brochure. Ashford House! Wow! Ashford House is the celebrities wedding venue of choice. From football stars to TV legends, everyone who is anyone gets married at Ashford House. My pupils dilate as I take in the pretty pictures. From evening ceremonies by the lake with archways adorned in twinkling fairy lights, to summer weddings in the Old Hall complete with harpist and world renown choir. Amazing.

  ‘This must have cost a fortune!’ I hand her back the brochure and try not to feel envious.

  ‘That’s just it. They had a cancellation for the end of March and offered us a 50% discount if we took it. Otherwise it would have been way out of our price range.’ Her brown eyes sparkle as she talks. ‘Can you believe it? I swear it’s fate.’

  ‘That’s incredible!’ My jaw drops at the revelation. ‘Definitely fate!’

  ‘I know! I asked around and apparently it’s not uncommon to get huge discounts on wedding venues if you book last minute.’ She pauses for a moment to order a couple of drinks before continuing. ‘Hey, why don’t you try and get a cancellation date? Think of the money that you could save!’

  ‘I dunno.’ I bite my lip thoughtfully and flip over the edge of the table cloth. ‘The thought of doing it so soon is a little scary.’

  ‘Why is it scary? You’re engaged! Engaged people get married! What have you got to lose apart from a shed load of money if you do it six months down the line?’ She sits back in her seat and folds her arms confidently.

  I hate to admit it, but she’s right. I never have been able to resist a bargain and the thought of potentially saving thousands of pounds for simply bringing the date forward is incredibly tempting. My stomach churns at the prospect of walking down the aisle in just six short weeks. What would Oliver say? It seems a bit unfair to just spring this on him. On the other hand, think of the honeymoon we could have if we saved so much on the wedding. I mean, it’s only one day. Twenty four little hours. When you think about it, it is silly to spend so much on just one day.

  As if reading my mind, Lianna slowly pushes a folder across the table. ‘I have a list of venues right here if you want to call around? You know, just on the off chance.’ I eye up the shiny sheets of paper and take a deep breath. I guess enquiring wouldn’t do any harm, at the very least I would know how much we would save. Just out of curiosity of course. ‘OK.’ I shrug my shoulders and flash her what I hope is a nonchalant smile. ‘Let’s do it.’

  Chapter 3

  Don’t panic. Do not panic. Oh, God! What have I done? My knees feel weak as Lianna ends the call and claps her hands together excitedly. I have been talked into doing some pretty stupid things in my time, but this tops the lot. I honestly think that I might pass out.

  ‘This is going to be incredible!’ Lianna squeals, her pupils dilating as she speaks. ‘Can you believe it? The two of us getting married only days apart!’

  The thing is I can’t believe it. Lianna’s words dart around my mind and for fear of having a total meltdown I try my best to block them out. Have I really just booked our wedding for the first weekend in April? It was only last month that Oliver mentioned getting married next year! I dread to think what he will say when I tell him that the big day is in little over a month’s time.

  ‘Are you OK?’ Li’s concerned voice brings me back down to Earth with a bump. ‘You look a little pale?’

  ‘I’m fine. It’s just a lot to take in.’ Shooting her a reassuring smile, I take a sip of my drink when a thought suddenly hits me. ‘Maybe I should have run it past Oliver first. You don’t think that I have rushed into this, do you? Should I call them back and cancel? Yes, I think that I should call them back and cancel.’

  ‘Are you kidding me? You want to cancel a spring wedding at The Millington?’ Fiddling with her watch strap she shakes her head at me furiously.

  ‘But it was only a 25% discount! I thought the whole point of a last minute booking was to save a load of money?’ Biting my lip, I slide my debit card off the table and put it back into my purse with trembling fingers.

  ‘Twenty five percent is nothing to be sniffed at. The prices they charge you have easily saved a few grand.’ Li beckons over the waitress and picks up the drinks menu.

  ‘I suppose so.’ I mumble, making a mental note to call my parents and thank them.

  When they first got wind of our engagement, they transferred us over a rather
large amount of cash towards the wedding. Not that we really needed it. The amount of money Oliver makes is enough to support a small army, but ever the traditionalist, my lovely dad insisted on paying his way. Bless him.

  Hearing Lianna order a bottle of bubbles, I raise my eyebrows questioningly. ‘Champagne?’

  ‘Don’t look at me like that. We have just booked your wedding! We should be celebrating!’

  A frisson of excitement runs down my spine as the magnitude of what I have just done hits me. I’m getting married! It’s all booked! Seeing the waitress carrying a frosty bottle and two champagne flutes over to our table gives me an incredible rush of adrenaline.

  This is really happening! In just over six weeks I will be walking down the aisle at the exclusive Millington hotel. Twisting my engagement ring around my finger, I imagine a platinum wedding band below it. What an amazing feeling! Mrs. Clara Morgan, here I come.

  *

  All the way home I debate how to drop the wedding bomb on Oliver. High on fizz and drunk on marriage talk, I feel like I am floating on air. For the past two hours, Li and I have discussed everything from dresses to honeymoons, each detail getting more and more elaborate due to the copious amounts of Champagne that was consumed. By the time that we left The Bistro, we each had dreamed up custom made Pnina Tornai gowns and honeymoons on the exclusive Necker Island.

  Gliding into Oliver’s, sorry, our penthouse apartment, I shake off my coat and wander into the kitchen. It has been six months since I gave up my little chocolate box house and moved in with the very handsome American, but it is still a little surreal calling this place home.

  Spotting Oliver at the dining table I can’t help but smile. Looking over a pizza menu whilst sipping a beer he looks totally adorable. His dark hair is dangling playfully in front of his face as he carefully weighs up his options. A very hot man plus a very hot pizza makes for one very happy Clara.

  ‘Hey.’ A lazy smile plays at the corners of his mouth as he puts down the bottle. ‘Any luck with the dress shopping?’ Holding out his arms, he beckons me over.