COMMITMENT

Woke up this morning feeling a bit strange.  Thought I was just having a hot flush. Then as the sun shone through the bedroom window, it dawned on me – The Wedding! Today!

Panic set in.  What time is it?  When are the flowers due? Is Susie up and having some breakfast, and is her dress alright, hanging on her bedroom door? And what about her sister Marcie?  It was hard enough persuading a sulky teenager to wear a bridesmaid’s dress, until Susie let her choose it herself.  Not really my taste, but at least she agreed to take part.  I just hope she tones down that horrible black makeup she wears, looks like the bride of Dracula sometimes let alone a bridesmaid. Good job it’s in a hotel rather than a church, she might have turned to stone if she set foot in a place of worship.

Our eldest daughter Sandy’s already married; she’s going to be matron of honour and her little girl will be wearing the sweetest frock as flower girl. She’s chosen a nice tasteful number for herself, thank goodness.

Susie’s my middle daughter. She’s a marvel and seems to have everything in hand.  She has arranged it all herself, catering, cars, venue, outfits – all me and her Dad had to do was sign the cheques.  Which were mind-numbingly large. I can almost hear his bank card still sobbing from the punishment.

As for me – well, I’ve never paid so much in my life for an outfit.  I’m not much of a hat person, but Susie insisted, and I must say I was surprised it rather suited me.

Susie marched all the men off to Moss Bros to hire their outfits, my Peter went white with shock when he got that bill!  Muttered for days they could have bought decent suits from Asda that cost in total what he had to pay to hire one! Still, Susie was keen on doing everything just right so he didn’t argue. And you don’t cross our Susie when she’s on a mission, especially such an important one.

It’s three o’clock now, where did the time go?  I don’t know what I was worrying about; everything went exactly to plan; Susie looks absolutely gorgeous, Sandy cool and elegant and even Marcie looks less like an alien than usual. The room looks lovely, lots of white roses everywhere, though I don’t know why they need to put these linen covers over the chairs, looks like they’re ready for a spot of decorating!

Oh my goodness, they’ve started the music now –  ‘Love is all around’ by the Wets.  Lovely song.  I sniff quietly and have to wipe a tear from my eye as the bridal party walk towards the beaming registrar.

Now Pete and I are standing side by side saying our vows, I reckon Susie was right. Thirty-odd years together. It’s high time we made it legal.