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‘Yes,’ I say with a big fake smile

She pulls the curtain and I hear Lina gasp beside ns are faance and intricacy Italian ivory lace over light gold featuring a high mandarin and yards and yards of silk tulle skirt There are Swarovski crystals delicately sprinkled throughout with rich decorative beading at the e eant, intricate and ined when Valeria and I first discussed it and she showed me her sketches and swatches, but I don’t want to marry Oliver Not in this dress, not in any dress

‘All of this,’ she is saying, ‘is hand finished by the top sea techniques All the stitches are so tiny you cannot see thelass Coes

I walk around it, noting its keyhole back and the fishtail train finished with scalloped edging

‘The zipper closure is hidden with silk-covered buttons,’ Valeria says proudly

I nod automatically

‘It’s absolutely eous,’ Lina says

‘It’s lovely,’ I murmur

‘Are you ready to get into it?’ Valeria says

Her assistant comes and they carefully help me into the dress I stand on a raised round platfor on a chair, watching She doesn’t say anything

‘That’s it All done,’ Valeria declares

They ask e mirror on the wall I look at ion of £45,000 and it is undoubtedly very, very beautiful, but I si bride My eyes are dull and I can barely bring a smile to my face I can see that Valeria and her assistant have both realized that the appointht it would They think they have done an a job, and they have Lina strolls over to my side

‘Do you mind if I have a moment with Tasha?’ she asks Valeria

‘Of course not,’ Valeria says, and quickly bustles out

Lina stands in front of et married, do you?’ she says slowly, her eyes filled with a sick realization that everything I was doing was a lie

I shakeat the backs of ht, I don’t kno I did it Maybe because I so desperately wanted to, I had so I could do it I could live that loveless life I could be a good wife the way I was a good daughter I would pour ei and my kids when I have them

‘Why?’

‘I thought I loved him,’ I lie

‘Don’t lie to me Please You think I didn’t know about all those other tio, but not this time Just tell me the truth for once’