Away With the Fairies (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 2)

Epilogue

"Clem! Clem! Clem!!!" Fiona shouted, and her almost-sister-in-law rushed into the room.

"Is it the baby?" Clem panted out, still trying to push an earring into her earlobe.

"No, of course not," Fiona said and turned back to face the mirror she'd been staring at for the past five minutes. "I'm– not feeling OK," Fiona muttered.

"What's wrong?" Clem immediately started fretting. "Do you want some water? Something to eat? Something salty? Something sweet? Are you nauseous? I have Xonvea. Or maybe some tea?"

Fiona closed her eyes and took a slow breath. That was the wrong almost-sister-in-law to call. Except if she asked for Di now, she'd hurt Clem's feelings.

"Could I have some tea and something sweet actually?" Fiona gave Clem a soft look. "And maybe some crisps too. You're right, something salty would help."

"I'll be right back."

Clem saluted Fiona with her clutch and ran out of the bedroom. Fiona waited for the front door to bang, and shouted, "Di!"

Di came in much slower than Clem, her mobile in her hand, her thumbs typing quickly.

"Is everything alright?" she said without lifting her face.

"Di, I'm sorry, but I need to talk to you right now," Fiona said, her voice ringing hysterically - and Di's eyes flew up.

"Alright." She put the phone down on Clem's old vanity. "What's the matter?"

"I'm– I'm not feeling OK," Fiona said.

"Is it the baby?"

"No! I mean yes, but not–" Fiona mumbled. "Not in the physical sense. Physically I'm more than alright. Never better. And why is everyone asking if it's the baby?! I'm only seven months pregnant. It's not like I'm going to go into labour in the middle of the ceremony."

"You better not," Di said with a laugh. "Although that would surely make a memorable wedding."

"Di, I'm seven months pregnant! And I'm getting married and wearing a white dress! It's ridiculous! It's supposed to symbolise purity, and I'm a divorced woman up the duff!" She sounded more and more shrieky. "And we can't have the first dance because Will– Well, you know. And it's raining! And the tent is gathering water in one corner, don't think I don't know what you're trying to fix there on your phone!" Fiona pointed at Di with her shaking index finger. "I'm having habdabs! No! I'm bricking it! Why did I decide it was a good idea?! We should have cancelled the whole thing when we found out about Teddy!"

Di stepped to her and put her hand on Fiona's shoulder.

"OK, stop," she said, and Fiona closed her mouth. "Deep breath. Slow inhale through your nose - and an even slower exhale through rounded lips. C'mon, Fiona, do it."

Fiona obeyed - and repeated it two more times for good measure.

"Listen to me," Di said firmly. "Sod the tent. It's just one corner, and Oli will poke it with a broom or something, and it'll be just fine. And sod the first dance. It's pretentious - and who wants everyone to stare at them while they're trying to remember the steps? I've done it. Felt like taking a driving test."

Fiona laughed shakily.

"Sod the rain," Di continued. "The photographer will figure something out. Actually sod the photographs. And who needs those cliché photos under a bloody tree or something? Every time I see you two, you're on his lap - and that's your best look. Sit on his lap, and let the photographer do her job. And you've already done your photoshoot, which is all that matters because, Fiona, your dress is perfect. And you look absolutely beautiful. And white is your colour. And you're super sexy when preggers, so shut it."