Drinks 'n Dares

Smoke and Mirrors

Chapter Twenty-Four - Smoke and Mirrors

Claire's POV

When Stephanie had told me that we had a lot of work to do, my mind had taken some time before it jumped to the most obvious conclusion: the wedding. Mywedding. As it turned out Stephanie had been true to her word and had arranged a meeting with the infamous Tania Grace, specialist wedding planner and adviser, for that very afternoon. Fortunately I would have Stephanie with me to help, I wouldn't be alone,unfortunately it meant that I would have to miss out on lunch with my friends. However Stephanie promised there would be snacks there. I had of course asked if Jon was coming too. She'd replied in the negative. Apparently it was always good to have the initial meeting with just the bride and the second meeting with booth halfs of the couple. I was gathering quickly that Tania wasn't exactly your usual wedding planner. She did things differently. But perhaps that was why she was so good? I was about to find out...

I'd taken the bus to the address on Waimea Road that Stephanie had given me. Now I stood in front of a medium-sized shop with a large glass window and brick walls covered with crawling ivy. A hanging wooden sign announced this to be the workplace of 'Tania Grace' for her 'Wedding Services'. Stephanie was outside the shop, leaning against the wall and checking her phone. When she saw me she walked over. She even smiled.

"Hello Claire. How are you?"

"Great thanks, and you?"

"Oh I'm fine thank you." she replied. "I've already talked to Tania, she's waiting for us inside."

I followed my fiance's sister into the shop diligently but couldn't help but think that her happy air seemed rather forced. Was it me or the notion of weddings that she was rather down about?

The inside of the shop was just as quaint as the outside, but rather more modern. Filled with decorated papers, planning boards and fabric samples it had the air of business without the overbearingness of capital means. Stephanie stopped in front of a group of pale blue sofas and armchairs. The woman who I assumed was Ms Tania Grace looked to be in her mid-fifties with blonde-grey hair and an athletic figure. There was something about her that made me think she was one of those ladies who had never married or had children, but instead focused entirely on their career and figures. For her at least, it seemed to have paid off. She set down her cup of tea and stood to greet me.

She extended a hand. "Tania Grace, and you must be Claire. So nice to meet you."

To my surprise I realised she had an American accent. How interesting. I shook her hand and replied, "You too. It was so nice of Stephanie to arrange this meeting."

Though I really wished she hadn't.

"Do take a seat." she smiled, gesturing to the sofa. I sat. "I must say I wouldn't have taken on this wedding if Steph hadn't insisted. Not that I feel repelled by your upcoming nuptials, congratulations by the way."

"Thankyou." I said.

"But two months isn't exactly a lot of notice."

"No." I said. "But that was the opening my old church had and my mother kind of got carried away..."

"Not to worry." she smiled brightly. "We'll make a day that you will treasure to remember for years to come! Now, first things first there are a few things to organise. We need to get the important things booked and the invitations sent out as soon as possible. Now I don't want to pressure you, you have plenty of time to sort it all out." Stephanie glanced at Tania; obviously she didn't feel the same. But Tania had a charisma that could not be ignored and a way of making those around her feel calm. She must be heaven to a frazzled bride. "This is just an initial meeting afterall. You and Jon can make an appointment to see me together sometime in the next week. I like to have the initial visit with just the bride. It really is her big day afterall."