the book shop > j.l < MID EDIT

NINETY SIX

september 29th 1962

the big day

"charlotte you look so beautiful," penelope grinned tearfully at her best friend who just stepped out from behind the makeshift curtain in one of the back rooms of the chapel where penelope was getting married. she wore a floor length lavender dress, it had a split up one of her legs and rounded over her bump beautifully, the top half of the dress had a white mesh flower covered lace overlay with thin straps going over her shoulders. her eye makeup was light purple with glitter right in the corners and finished with a thin line of winged eyeliner. she had a dark purple on her lips to suit her skin colour and it really pulled the whole look together. her hair was curled and made wavy around her face with one side being clipped back with a silver butterfly.

nancy - from anne's daughters wedding - had come and done all of their makeups being the qualified beautician she was now. when she and bob were invited she immediately offered her services for no charge and penelope couldn't resist after seeing some of her previous makeup clients.

charlotte shook her head, "no. no more crying penelope - you'll start me off and i cannot be crying when i face my parents out there."

charlottes parents had come to see their daughters best friend get married but also to reconnect with their daughter as they hadn't had any contact with her since she told them she was pregnant.

"ok okay," penelope breathed deeply.

"right sweetheart, it's your turn," belle said from behind the curtain looking directly at penelope. penelope stood and walked behind the curtain.

"are you ready?" belle asked as she helped penelope get into the beautiful wedding dress.

"i don't think i've wanted anything more than i want this," penelope admitted looking at a finally happy belle. belle and carly had also travelled from their new home in Warwick to see their favourite Liverpudlians get married. carly and belle had taken their places as bridesmaids - penelope felt embarrassed to of only had one female friend but then realised carly and belle were as much her family as charlotte.

belle wore the same dress as charlotte minus the baby bump and carly - being the sassy little eleven year old she was wore a same coloured dress which fell to just above her knee and puffed out a little at her waist. their hairs were curled into waves with the butterfly clips but carly had only a touch of lip gloss because penelope and belle didn't want her wearing makeup she's too young - but belle wore natural makeup with a purple tinted lipgloss - she looked stunning.

belle tied up the back of the dress into the bow it made at the bottom of her back and looked at penelope through the mirror - "you look so beautiful penelope." a tear gathered in her eye.

"no, no crying - i forbid it," penelope joked fanning her face so her tears would leave too.

"well come out and show us, me nancy and anne are dying to see you!" charlotte shouted followed by,

"and me!" carly.

penelope walked out from behind the curtain and gasps came from every person.

"oh my god," anne whispered.

"you look like a princess," carly added.