‘Mind your step,’ the assistant said. The vivid Arthurs Seat EAGLE logo stood out on his sea blue t-shirt. ‘Don’t want to mess up that lovely white gown.’
Our reserved chair lift had a massive white bow wrapped around its circumference.
I heeded his words and stepped into the gondola with care. My three bridesmaids at my heels carried out unnecessary fussing. My two best friends, Ashley and Amber were always destined to be my bridesmaids and carried out their dutiful callings with devotion.
I got railroaded into having Chad’s little sister, Tiffany as my junior bridesmaid. Certainly not my choice to have a fifteen year old in my bridal party.
My soon to be mother-in-law’s words whirled in my head. Chad has your brother as a groomsman so it’s only fair. I gave up the battle and didn’t bother to point out that Chad and Adam had been good mates since childhood.
I sat down at the girls’ insistence while they espaliered my skirt out to its full potential and placed the bouquets down on a seat of their own.
Tiffany persisted on hanging on to her bunch of bright sunflowers. She twirled them round on the taped and gathered stems.
‘Kate,’ Ashley said. ‘Smile! You look a thousand miles away.’
‘Sorry, I –’
‘Come on, big smile!’ Amber added as she took a happy snap with her phone.
We were off. Headed up the steep hill. I had insisted on this one extravagance for our big day. I’d always dreamed of arriving and departing by the Arthur’s seat chair lift for my wedding. I’d skimped on other accessories so that I could savour this experience as a cherished memory.
I couldn’t believe that our wedding day had arrived. We’d broken up several times over the years. Chad was opposed to getting married. He said that we were fine without all that expense and fuss. I wanted the big fairytale day. Thus, we finally compromised and settled for a low key affair with home-made bouquets and pre-loved dresses, a ceremony in the Seawinds grounds, followed by a semi fancy picnic.
I pondered whether this wedding ceremony was a good idea after all. Maybe I should have cancelled the whole thing even if it was at the last minute. I was having regrets as Chad had been in a strange mood all week with what I suspected as cold feet creeping in. I wanted to be swept off my feet with him begging me for marriage. Not with me being pushy and nagging for a commitment.
The magnificent view of Port Phillip Bay was unfolding. Blue water glistened below encased in a picturesque coastline of trees and hills. I said a silent thank you to the weather. The temperature was perfect as a pleasant breeze passed through the open windows. Luck was on our side as there was no back up plan if it rained.
‘Wow!’ Ashey said. ‘What an amazing view! This was a brilliant idea, Kate!’
We all oohed and ahhed except for Tiffany. With head down she was obsessed with her phone. At least she’d stopped fiddling with her flowers.
‘And look what I’ve got!’ Amber said as she held up three mini champagne bottles.
‘Ooh, not sure if drinking’s allowed,’ I said.
‘Come on, lighten up. Even if it’s forbidden they’re not going to crack it with you on your special day. And besides, who’s going to know.’
Ashley whipped out three flutes from I’m not sure where, while Amber carried out expert pours.
‘Where’s mine?’ Tiffany said as she finally looked up.
‘Right here,’ Amber said as she pulled a small bottle of mineral water and fake crystal glass from under the seat.
‘What! I’m not a little kid! I want what you guys are having.’
‘Afraid not,’ I said like a parent. ‘You’re too young for alcohol.’
‘Huh!’ Tiffany said. She slumped and resumed playing with the flowers. I hoped they held together.
We ignored Tiffany’s sulking, clicked glasses and cheered. I slipped out of my cheap shoes as they were killing me already. I hooked them up on the window frame.
‘Aww!’ Tiffany screamed and pounced up from her seat.
‘What the matter ?’ I said.
‘A bee! There’s a bee in the flowers! Aww! It’s gonna sting me!’
Amber and Ashley laughed.
‘Stop jumping around, Tiffany! Just stay calm and it will fly off,’ I said.
My words were ignored as Tiffany screamed with arms flailing.
The sunflowers were tossed and scattered across the floor. Ashley scooped up the remains and pieced them together the best she could.
‘Please stop!’ I yelled at Tiffany.
‘Oops,’ she said as her waving arm knocked one of my white stilettos off the window frame.
We lent over the side and stared in disbelief as my shiny white heel sailed away. It descended and disappeared into the bush below.
‘I can’t believe I did that,’ Tiffany said soberly.
‘Really?! What am I gunna do now?!’
‘Kate, I’m so sorry.’ Her face was flushed with embarrassment.
‘We’ll work something out,’ Ashley said brightly.
‘Yeah,’ Amber said. ‘Someone will have a spare pair up at Seawinds.’
‘Someone?’ I said as tears welled.
‘Yeah, like one of the guests.’
‘Not likely,’ I said as I turned away.
Tiffany slid back into her seat and continued to play with her phone. Thumbs thumped away furiously. She bashed away with a determined frown. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
‘Hey, who needs shoes anyway,’ Amber said.
‘Completely not necessary,’ Ashley said. ‘We’ll all take them off. The barefoot wedding. A new trend.’
‘Drink up!’ Amber said. ‘We’re almost at the top of Arthur’s Seat. The photographer will be waiting to get some shots of us. Come on practice our smiles.’
Amber snatched up the bouquets and doled them out. The girls giggled while I slapped an exaggerated smile on my face.
As rehearsed, the photographer stood on the gravel snapping away furiously. ‘Perfect shots, girls! Just perfect,’ he said. ‘Now a couple of you departing the ride.’ He took individual shots of us stepping out, then a group one on the landing. As expected, Amber and Ashey had removed their shoes. My lone shoe was hidden behind Amber’s bunch of giant sunflowers. The photographer didn’t comment.
I looked across the driveway as the groomsmen, Jon, Jack and my brother, Adam came tearing across.
‘Kate,’ Adam said while catching his breath. ‘You look beautiful, sis.’
‘Adam, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be over the road. At Seawinds! Looking after Chad until I arrive!’
‘Yeah, about that,’ Adam said. ‘We kinda lost Chad,’ he said as he stared at his shoes.
Jon and Jack stood in silence and studied the sky.
‘Lost Chad? What do you mean lost him?!’
‘Well, he was with us guys one minute then just vanished the next. He’s not answering his phone. Kate, I don’t know what to say.’
I felt a lump form in my throat. Chad didn’t want marriage. What a fool I was to expect him to be harassed into it.
‘I’ll keep trying his phone,’ Adam said.
I tried to hold back the tears. My makeup would be a mess if I cried. Although what did it matter. There wouldn’t be a wedding anyway. I leant into Adam and sobbed.
‘Tears of joy, I hope,’ a voice said from behind.
I looked up. ‘Chad?’
‘Apologies for being late. I had to retrieve Cinderella’s shoe from the bush.’
‘How-’
‘Tiffany. She plastered the mishap all over Facebook. She was extremely upset. Said she’d ruined the wedding. I know I shouldn’t be looking at social media on our special day but the phone pinged and when I noticed that the post was from my little sister …’
‘Oh, Chad. I love you so much.’
‘I love you, Kate. With all my heart. I’ve been doing lots of thinking this week. I never want to lose you. I want to marry you.’
‘I want to marry you too, Chad.’
‘I was scared about being the centre of attention at our wedding. Freaks me out. You know what I’m like but I should have explained. I now realize how foolish those thoughts are. All will be fine with you by my side.’
I grinned and watched our wedding party back away to give us some space. They formed a circle and encouraged Tiffany to join them. As my junior bridesmaid laughed and chatted with them she glanced back, and we exchanged warm smiles.
‘Well, let’s do this!’ Chad said as he helped me into my shoes. ‘Blow tradition. We’ll walk over together. Do it our way! The celebrant and guests are waiting.’
I got my fairytale wedding after all.