Fuelled by Forever

Ch. 18

Imogen

My two favourite ladies are here with me at the bridal shop.

I have three potential dresses hanging in the changing room, one of which is the one Mum spotted yesterday for me. It's a stunning long-length silk dress that trails long behind with floaty, scalloped cuffed arms and embroidery all over the front.

It's angelic, floral, and lacy.

Just perfect, but I want to explore my options as I'm embracing the changing shape of my body. Like everybody, my weight has fluctuated over the years, but never like this, and it's hard not to let it play with your head.

It's my wedding day, and I'm determined to dress in something that will make me feel good.

Margot is searching through all the Vera Wang dresses while Mum wanders off with the shop assistant to look at veils.

I approach Margot, touching her back. "Are you okay being here?"

She looks at me. "Of course I am. I wouldn't miss this for the world!"

"I just want to make sure you're comfortable. I would understand if this is upsetting for you," I say, but Margot shakes her head.

"I'm serious. I wouldn't want to miss this for the world, Imogen. Just because I didn't make it down the aisle doesn't mean I don't want to see you do it," she says, pulling me in for a hug.

She's one hell of a woman. Her strength is admirable, but I will still keep an eye on her, letting her know she can lean on me.

"I wouldn't want you to miss it," I say, and she squeezes my hand before showing me the dresses she's searching through.

"Logan's trying to get in touch with me," she says, dropping the bomb.

I let go of the material. "What does he want?"

She sighs, turning away from the gowns. "It's a nightmare with the mortgage. He says we should meet up to discuss it before he travels Europe, but I don't want to. I can't stand the sight of him, why would I agree to meet up?"

"I don't think it's something you have to discuss in person if it's distressing. You're going through a lawyer anyway, aren't you?" I ask.

She nods. "Yes. I wanted to go the legal route as soon as Logan started acting like he did. I'm glad I did. I'm in touch with the bank most days, but he's done bloody nothing to help speed the process up."

"I'm pleased you did, too," I say, quieting when Mum approaches us.

"You girls having fun?" she asks.

I beam as Margot wraps her arm around Mum's shoulders. "I'm having the best time, are you?"

"Oh, yes," Mum says, eyes bright and blue, then she looks Margot in the eye. "Is your ex giving you trouble?"

Margot sighs. "He's been giving me nothing but trouble from the moment I found out he cheated on me."

The anger in Mum's eyes mirrors how I feel. Logan is a waste of space. "I'm sorry, honey. Bad men have a way of sticking around until they get what they want. Stay in your lane and don't let him push you around."

Margot's eyes soften. "Thanks, Ebony. I won't, don't you worry."

"I know you won't. I'm always here, darling," Mum replies and Margot grabs her into a long hug and mum holds on just as tight.

It's been a tense week for my poor mum, who's been fighting with my father about the divorce through Jude's lawyer. The divorce came as a surprise to him, apparently, and he refused to acknowledge it, thinking he did something clever.