Biddy was in a cheerful mood when Millie arrived the following morning, even if she did greet her with an accusing, ‘You’re late. I’ve got some coffee on,’ she added, over Elvis’s vocal welcome. ‘No? Oh, suit yourself. Tea then?’
They settled in Biddy’s bedroom. Millie looked about her in awe. It was sumptuous. She hadn’t known quite what to expect, but it wasn’t calming blues and greys and luxurious fabrics. She sat on the chaise longue (now that she had expected) and waited, as Biddy got changed into her wedding outfit in the adjoining dressing room.
‘Arthur rang this morning,’ she yelled through. ‘I’ve heard all about your excitement yesterday. I understand young Gavin Patel is handling it?’
‘Yes. It all seems under control now, thank goodness. He seems on the ball.’
‘Yes, he would be. Bright boy. Arthur’s furious at what that Blue Elephant place has got up to.’ Biddy’s voice went muffled, as if pulling something over her head. ‘Although I think all that stuff is a load of old nonsense and an excuse to charge folk more. Still, Arthur said it could have ruined the town’s Fair Trade bid. I see the place is still shut this morning, so maybe there’s some truth in what Jed said. Got to say, it’s changed my opinion of that young man. Quite the hero.’ Biddy emerged. ‘What do you think?’ she barked. ‘Of the outfit, I mean.’
If it hadn’t been Biddy, Millie would have said she sounded nervous.
She smoothed down the skirt and repeated. ‘Well, girl, what do you think? It’s a hard thing to get right when you’re my age.’
Millie took in the cream silk skirt and matching jacket. ‘It’s perfect, Biddy.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, absolutely perfect. I like the over-sized buttons.’
Biddy fiddled with one. ‘Thought they’d be a stylish addition.’
‘Did you make it yourself?’
‘Of course. I’ve made a goose down-trimmed cape to go over it in case it’s really cold.’ Biddy hesitated. ‘Can I let you into a secret?’
‘Of course you can.’ Millie wondered what was coming.
‘I’d always hoped to wear my mother’s wedding dress. I’ve kept it nice all these years but when I tried it on it looked all wrong.’ Biddy’s face crumpled. ‘Should have realised how silly I was being. Mother was nineteen when she got married, not an old codger like me, and big-boned to boot.’
Millie rose and went to her. ‘You’re the least old codger-type person I know. And you look fantastic. Really elegant. Arthur is going to be so proud of you.’
Biddy’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. ‘Well yes, just as it should be,’ she huffed. Then she sighed. ‘Such a shame, though. Mother’s was a beautiful dress. She cast a hopeful glance at Millie. Would you like to see it?’
‘I’d love to.’
‘Let me get changed, then. Wouldn’t do to get this grubby, would it? Oh this is fun. It’s just like having one of my girls around. We used to have a gay old time.’
Millie sat back on the chaise, honoured that Biddy wanted to share the dress with her. Then she remembered who Biddy’s ‘girls’ were and giggled.
‘Arthur reckons they’ll pull out of town,’ Biddy shouted from the dressing room. ‘Scandal will be too much. And they certainly won’t be welcome.’
‘Who?’
‘Speak up, girl.’
‘I said, who will pull out?’
Biddy returned, dressed in a grey polo neck and matching slacks and carrying a navy dress bag. ‘Well, Blue Elephant, of course. Good riddance. Can’t abide places that aren’t dog-friendly. They made such a fuss about me taking Elvis in and he’s an assistance dog. It’s allowed. Made a stink about that, I can tell you. Used to know that Dougie Feniman. Born in a bottle but never got further than the cork, they said about him. Liked the garden, especially the weeds, is all I’ll say.’ She tapped her nose. ‘Still, least said, soonest mended.’ She lay the dress bag on the bed and unzipped it. ‘Well, what do you think?’
Millie, mind reeling from the news that Blue Elephant might be no more and wondering what role Biddy might have had in its demise, tried to focus on her question.
‘I’ll hold it against you, then you can see it better. Hold still, girl, stop your fidgeting.’ Biddy tried the dress up against Millie, but sucked her teeth. ‘It’s no good. The best way to see it in all its glory is to try it on.’
‘Oh Biddy, I couldn’t.’
‘Stop your nonsense. Mother would have loved to see a pretty young thing like you wearing it. She waited fourteen years for me to come along and I still didn’t grace her with the mother of the bride role. Go on,’ Biddy thrust the dress into Millie’s hands and pushed her in the direction of the dressing room. ‘I’ll help you with the buttons. They run all the way down the back.’