Short Story Competition

Wedding Nerves by Janet McEvoy

Something had woken her. Catherine had been asleep in the unfamiliar bedroom, but now her mind was alert, her body tense with fear.

Earlier, sitting with her mother on the edge of the bed, they had talked of everyday things, calming her jangling nerves. They spoke in hushed voices, intimidated by the size and grandeur of the house. Before leaving her, her mother went to close the heavy drapes, and, walking past the dressing table, picked up the ornate tiara Catherine was to wear the next day. ‘Good god, it’s heavier than it looks isn’t it?’ ‘Yes, and its horribly tight too’ said Catherine, ‘but then it wasn’t made for my head, but for you-know-who’s’. Her mother grimaced, returning the tiara carefully to its velvet nest. ‘Well, you’ll look beautiful in it darling, and anyway, tomorrow is all about you. Come on now, try to get some sleep’. Her mother leant over and kissed her tenderly, stroking her cheek. “Sweet dreams, sweet girl”. Moving to the door she stopped, not quite able to leave her anxious child. ‘You’re bound to feel apprehensive darling, I know I did. Especially with all those people. But you must try to screen it all out and just focus on who you’re marrying. It’ll help you get through it”. ‘I will’ she answered, and they giggled at the echo of her pending wedding vow. Her mother flicked the light switch and closed the door, and Catherine went to sleep, more easily than her fractious state would have led her to expect.