A perfect wedding
It was supposed to be the best day of her life, but after broken bones and literally seeing red when her dress finally arrived, Harriet – aka Bridezilla – was in despair. Can her mother come to the rescue in this tale of love and perspective by Adele Parks?
The door bangs, the house trembles, I hold my breath: Bridezilla is home. My son coined the phrase and normally I try to minimise teasing between my children (a lifetime’s habit, a lifetime’s work) but frankly, I agree with him. A blood-curdling scream causes me to dash to the hall, where I find her literally pulling at her hair and stamping her feet, like a toddler. She kicks an enormous box towards me. It’s almost comical, except she’s my baby, my 27-year-old baby, but my baby still. I fold her into my arms.
“Hush. Harriet, please.” I ease her tight fists from her hair and walk her towards the sitting room.
“The dress! My dress!” She’s livid; every pore on her face is tight with tension and fury. I’m almost afraid. Where has my contented, comical, serene daughter gone? Why have I been left with this despot?
When Harriet first called to say Jason had proposed, I was delighted, ecstatic. They’re a great couple, very compatible, and a wedding! So many of my friends have given up on the idea of their children getting married. They’ve accepted the word “partner” and say things like: “Well, he’s like a son-in-law in every way. Marriage is outdated.”