Sally’s Wedding: Book 3 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series (8 page)

Robert had finally gone along
with Sally
to the Frazer’s for his Tea, and was surprised at just how well he had gotten on, with the couple whom he thought he would have nothing in common with.
Sir Malcolm himself had a keen interest in the workings of the Estate; even though the day-to-day running of things was now in the hands of his son Michael – A young man that Robert never really knew, as he seemed to be always away in London on Estate business. For
Roberts
part; he loved his work, and his
enthusiasm when he talked about wood-craft
, and his work on the Estate,
was infectious.

“My Boy.”
Sir Malcolm had declared as they left
. “I predict a fine future ahead for you,
If
you plan to stay on with us here at the Loch An Eilein Estates. I have enjoyed our conversation enormously!”

The big surprise at the meal however, was when Sally asked Sir Malcolm if he would take the place of her father, who had passed away the year previously.

“My dear; I would be honoured to do so!” Was his immediate response; much to Sally’s delight. She had felt a real affinity with this Scottish Aristocrat, whom she had first met on the flight over to Scotland just
3 months previously; but who was going to play a significant role in her future she was sure.

As for the situation with John and Frank.
All charges regarding the poaching had been dropped by the Estate, as recognition of the part they had played in Sally’s rescue. The assault charges against the forestry worker however, were yet to go to court; though Sir Malcolm had promised to ask the court for leniency in this matter as well.

The situation with John regarding Agnes and Robert, was going to take a long time to be resolved – if ever.

Agnes still refused to have anything to do with him; and Robert was torn between loyalty to his mother, and curiosity regarding his father.

All this was running through Sally’s
mind as she
sat in the train
down to Edinburgh
with Agnes and Elizabeth, who was going to be her
‘M
aid
of Honour’
at the wedding
in
two weeks’ time
. Her good friend
Kiera, from her hometown in Milwaukee
; was delighted at being offered
the position of ‘Best Maid
,’ and was due to arrive at Edinburgh
Airport by 11am and from there take a taxi to meet with them at the hotel
.

The girls had planned a weekend in Edinburgh
, as a kind of ‘H
en
N
ight’ together; and
also
to do a final fit on the wedding and bridesmaid dresses; which they had ordered from a specialist wedding shop in the east end of Princes Street.

“So where are we staying when we arrive in Edinburgh Sally?” Agnes asked, excited to be going on a trip to Scotland’s capital city.”

“Well I was going to keep it a surprise, but what the heck…I have booked a lovely Boutique hote
l in George St called ‘The cat’s Whiskers’
It’s right in the centre of town, so we do not have far to go for shopping trips!”

“Oh…I have been there before
,
for a meal with Tom!” Elizabeth declared. “It has a fantastic restaurant where all the beautiful, upwardly mobile people go – we should fit right in I think!”
She declared
,
to much hilarity and jests about just what ‘upwardly mobile’ meant in these days of austerity.

“But won’t that be expensive my dear?” Agnes said with some concern in her voice.

“Really Agnes; it’s my wedding gift to myself – and anyway; I managed to get a weekend deal from them for dinner, bed & breakfast
. I’ve booked two twin rooms though, which means we’ll have to share.”

“Sounds great!”
Said Elizabeth.
“I’m really looking forward to it!”

“I must admit – so
am
I Elizabeth! The events of the last month have left me quite exhausted. I still get the shivers when I think of that creep Brandon, and what would have happened if I hadn’t been found in time.”

“Well I thank God that you were found in time Sally!” Agnes said, reaching out and taking her hand. “However let us not let him gain another victory, by thinking of what might have been, and ruining your weekend away shall we?”

“Well I can certainly say ‘Amen’ to that!” Elizabeth said while taking Sally’s other hand in her own.

“Ok, to change the subject! How excited are you about your wedding dress?
Because I’m really excited
to see
how my lovely bridesmaid dress has turned out
!”

Elizabeth said, clapping her hands together like an excited child. The effect was immediate, and the atmosphere changed from fearful contemplation, to
joyful anticipation
of the dress fitting
.
The wedding dr
ess that Sally had chosen was from
the ‘Indulge’
Collection, and featured a strapless lace bodice with an organza skirt. A colourful deep purple sash enhanced the waist and complimented the
bridesmaids
dresses – which were a deep purple also.

In no time at all the
train was pulling into Waverly
S
tation in Edinburgh, and they took a short taxi ride to the hotel. The t
axi driver was one of these characters
who really knew his way around town,
and  chatted
happily to them as they waited in one of the many delays caused by the controversial Edinburgh tram system.
“Edinburgh’s
Disgrace!”
The driver cheerfully called it. The normally five minute tri
p took all of twenty
min
utes, by which time they had
his life story, along with his opinions on everything from politicians to glamour models – including some scandalous
innuendos
thrown in for good measure
. They all had a good laugh at his ‘banter’ and booked him to collect their friend from
the airport later that morning
.

“Thanks a lot Sally!” He said in a friendly tone, as if he had known her for years. “I’ll certainly do that; and I hope you enjoy your weekend in Edinburgh
;  if
you need a taxi ride just give me a call anytime.” He handed her his card which read; ‘Graham McGuire – Taxi driver to the Stars – even the fallen ones!’

They enjoyed a good laugh,
as their new friend
helped them with their cases into the foyer of the hotel
,
and headed off
through the chaotic Edinburgh traffic to
his next assignment.

The hotel receptionist was
a beautiful girl
in her early twenties, who immediately took their names, and had a porter take their cases up to the rooms, where a complimentary bottle of champagne awaited them, along with fresh-cut flowers and a small selection of chocolates.

“Oh, this is just beautiful!” Agnes said, looking all around her at the luxurious fittings in the room that she was sharing with Sally.

Sally nodded in agreement
as she
also checked out the room, admiring the chic fittings and the slightly decadent feel of the place.

A Few moments later Elizabeth arrived at the room, enthusiastically endorsing her own
accommodation  –
much to Sally’s delight.

Noticing that the time was now almost eleven, and that Kiera would b
e arriving at the airport soon; t
hey decided to unpack while they waited, then they could all go down to lunch together.

It was nearly 11.45 when Kiera was dropped off at the hotel by the friendly driver, and they laughed as she recounted her journey
, made short by his endless stories.

Introductions were made, and after Kiera had dropped off her luggage they headed downstairs for lunch in the hotel restaurant.

Sally and Kiera had a lot to catch up on – not the least being the latest episode with Brandon; which Kiera had found out about through the police investigations regarding his whereabouts.

They were still chatting when Sally suddenly looked at her watch. “Ouch! She exclaimed. “We have ten minutes to get to the dress-fitters!”

They all scrambled to make haste, as Sally signed the chitty for their meal.

They arrived at the Wedding Shop right on schedule, and were welcomed in
.

Sally went first, and retired to the changing room; returning ten minutes later
wearing the b
eautiful dress she was confronted by a tearfully smiling, enthusiastic group of friends
.

The dress fitted perfectly, with the purple sash adding a splash of colour and highlighting Sally’s slim waist; while
the strapless bodice emphasised her flawless neckline and shapely chest.

“Oh Sally!” Agnes said between sobs. “Robert is just going to die when he sees you!”

“Well I certainly hope not Agnes –
I have high hopes to spend
some time together first!”

Sally laughed delightedly at them all sniffing and wiping their noses.

Agnes took out the shoes that they had brought with them, and Sally tried them on with the dress. All agreed that they were a perfect match, with heels not too high, and comfortable enough to wear for what would be a long day.

“Right then ladies; time to get around to Coast in George street
,
  and
try on your bridesmaid dresses!”

The dresses were ready for Elizabeth and Kiera to try on when they arrived; and this time it was Sally’s turn to wipe a tear from her eye. In a deep purple with a sweetheart neckline, the dresses complimented beautifully the curvaceous figures of her friends.

“You girls look gorgeous!” She declared. “I’m going to look like a fright beside you both!”

The girls, along with Agnes, were loud in their denials; but secretly pleased with the end result.

“Sally, how could you say such a thing? You look hotter than a scotch bonnet
pepper,
in that wedding dress!” Elizabeth laughed at her.

With the dress
fittings  a
major success, they all headed back to the hotel;  chatting excitedly about the wedding to come.

“It may not be a large affair.”
Thought Sally.
“But it sure will make an impact
!”

The weekend in Edinburgh was soon over; Sally a
nd
her companions choosing to celebrate her
upcoming
wedding in the hotel itself, rather than go on the traditional Pub Crawl
. This was mainly for Agnes’s sake, who declared herself “Too old for all that nonsense!” However, thanks to the excellent facilities
at the boutique
hotel ,
and the many attractions within Edinburgh itself over the weekend; time flew by and they were soon on their way back to Aviemore laden with dresses and other shopping.

Robert had chosen to go to Amsterdam for his Stag night; thanks mainly to the pressure being brought to bear by his peers!
Sally heard later that the party of 15 burly Scots had caused something of a ‘stramash,’ and subsequently had ended up in the custody of the local police for the evening. No major damage was done though; and they were allowed out of the jails to catch their flights home after a stern warning.

“Honestly Sally, it was not us that started the fight!” Robert had protested when Sally cornered him about it.

“Oh yes, of course…..It was these bad local lads – nothing to do with you at all eh!” She laughed, as she slapped him about the head.

Finally the day of the wedding came; Sally arriving at the church with Sir Malcolm in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by Romeo. The carriage had been especially adapted for him by the Estate workers, and his massive bulk pulled it easily along the quiet road to the little white church at
Coylumbridge. He was decked in gleaming harness, intertwined with flowers; his mane and tail especially pleated and finished in the blooms that matched the bridesmaids own
; which were a mixture of lilac freesia and white Calla
lilies
.
Sally was delighted that Romeo had been able to play such an important part in her big day, and Romeo seemed to be enjoying the event almost as much as she; with his head held high and a definite haughtiness to his step.

It was a small informal church, with an atmosphere that was friendly and comforting to all who came under its roof. Sally marched down the aisle not to the traditional ‘Here comes the Bride,’ but to
‘The first time
ever I saw your face
’
sung by Roberta Flack
.
It was a beautiful song and always made her cry.