Chapter Twenty Six
Bella
Jasper and Garrett disappeared before day break so when Mary and Dennis came down to breakfast they found Lisa and myself already sitting with toast crumbs on our plates and empty coffee cups at our side. Lisa arranged it to look as of we'd both eaten.
"Andy will be down soon and you two need to get yourselves to Crystal's hotel as soon as you can."
"Have you met her mother and father yet Mary?"
"No its very strange, apparently they run a ghost hunting business and couldn't get away until today. To be honest its a bit of a relief, if she's anything to go by I dread meeting therm. I spoke to Andy about this whole wedding thing but he's under some kind of spell, he can't see past Crystal and I guess its his choice so we just have to grin and bear it.
"Well that explains her crackpot ideas. I dread to think what outfit the mother of the bride will be wearing!"
"Don't even go there Lisa please. Now get your stuff and go before the twins get back. I really wish we could have avoided them attending the wedding but there you go. I'm just hoping Jasper and Garrett will be able to keep them in line. Where are they by the way?"
"They'll be here soon Mary, don't worry. Well Lisa come on, once more into the breech dear friend!"
Crystal's hotel was surprisingly light and airy, I'd expected a cobweb draped haunted mansion but perhaps she was mellowing...well we could but hope. We were directed up to her suite where we finally got to meet her mother and was that a shock too. She looked perfectly normal, almost mousy, so was it her dad who had the strange kink?
"Mum this is Andy's sister Lisa and her friend. She's been ill, that's why she's so pale and tormented looking, she'll look perfect in the dress. The risen corpse following the beautiful bride trying to stop her from marrying the handsome prince."
I looked at Lisa as she smiled biting her lip to stay silent then at Crystal's mother who regarded me for a moment before smiling,
"You know Crystal I think she'll be perfect but Lisa dear you're going to need a little make up I think, you look far too healthy."
Oh God, it was a waking nightmare, I thought we were playing bridesmaids not auditioning for the Rocky Horror Show! I couldn't wait to see Crystal's gown.
"What colour are you wearing Crystal?"
"I'm glad you asked that Lisa, let me explain. I wouldn't wear white because that would be pure hypocrisy. Everyone knows Andy and I have been sleeping together after all."
I closed my eyes and wished I could close my ears too as she continued,
"I suppose I could have worn it and carried Peonies to symbolise my shame at being so brazen but I decided I wanted roses so I went with a pale pink. I looked it up and the symbolism was perfect. Have you heard the rhyme?"
I opened my eyes and shook my head, no but we were about to I was sure.
"Married in green, ashamed to be seen
Married in grey, will go far away
Married in red, wish yourself dead
Married in blue, always be true
Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow
Married in black, wish yourself back
Married in pink, of you he'll think
Married in white, sure to go right."
Isn't that lovely of course the grey isn't good but the poem doesn't affect you two because you aren't the bride, I wouldn't have chosen them otherwise. And while we're on the subject of superstitions..."
Were we? I must have missed that bit up to now!
"You might like to know that there are several I've been scrupulous about adhering to. The veil, this custom originated in Rome, when a bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness. And of course the rings, Snake rings dotted with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands in Victorian England, the coils winding into a circle symbolized eternity. Then of course I insisted no one buy us knives for a wedding present because according to folklore, a knife signifies a broken relationship and is bad luck to give as a wedding gift. I'm carrying salt sewn into the hem of my dress to overcome bad omens..and of course Andy will be carrying a miniature horseshoe in his pocket also to overcome bad omens... I researched it all very thoroughly."
If she'd done that one had to wonder why she'd chosen a haunted Inn as the venue!
"There are a few others too but they are concerned with after the ceremony."
"Oh do go on Crystal its fascinating!"
Lisa and I both looked at her mother and groaned inwardly, just when we thought she'd finally finished with all the garbage here came more.
"Well, Andy has to carry me over the threshold of our suite and this was really interesting. The superstition began in Medieval Europe where many believed that a bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home. We're going to have glass smashing at the wedding, I know its an Italian custom but I just wanted to make sure we'd covered everything, The tradition says that however many pieces the glassware breaks into will symbolize how many years they'll be happily married. Oh yes, I gave dad his instructions earlier, he has to make sure I leave the room with my right foot leading to ensure good luck. Now then was there anything else?"
Please no...!
"Oh yes but I couldn't do much about this except Lisa, I want you to stand close enough to catch it if one of the rings gets dropped, you too Bella."
"Why is that dear?"
Why did her mother encourage her?
"We mustn't drop the rings because you'll die. Apparently, if you or your man accidentally loses hold of your wedding bands, whoever drops the ring will be the one to die first. Which is totally something you need to think about during your marriage ceremony! I don't want to know that just yet, its a bit spooky."
And the rest isn't? Crystal was crazier than a soup sandwich!
Eventually her mother left, all tears, and shedding tissues as she walked and Crystal went to get her dress on,
"I want your candid opinion on this. I know its wonderful but its always nice to hear it from others."
Lisa and I looked at each other again and struggled into our bridesmaid dresses and footwear, Lisa unsteadily, unable to stop from laughing but as we heard Crystal call out we donned our serious faces, or as serious as we could manage without medical intervention, and went into the bedroom. Standing with her back to the full length mirror was Crystal and she looked panic stricken,
"Cover the mirror quickly. I almost saw my reflection in there and that would have been disastrous."
We looked around for something to cover the huge mirror with finally pulling the sheet from the bed and stuffing the edges into the small gap between the mirror and wall so it covered the glass.
"OK, Its covered."
Now we had time to look at Crystal's dress and both of us were lost for words, it was nothing like we expected. She looked like an insane version of a princess, albeit a dumpy one with short cropped hair but the idea was there.
"What do you think?"
Lisa nodded and smiled,
"Beautiful Crystal, absolutely beautiful."
I nodded my agreement, just glad the dress hadn't been green or she would have resembled a toad rather than a princess. There was just so much material and frills. Lace, froth, pearls, diamanté, gold braid, silver sequins, and other trimmings I could hardly see let alone name! I was just glad we would be behind her as she walked down the aisle. If I'd been Andy I would have taken one look and run as far and as fast as I could. What the twins would make of her I hated to imagine but we'd soon find out.