All at sea

Molly had always listened to other people when it came to her love life. Now was her chance to live her fairy tale¼

So, will you help me out and be my pretend bride?' Zoe said down her sister' s mobile.

Molly sat behind a screen in the bank, her heart hammering so hard she could barely get enough air down.

Don't swoon, she thought. This isn't the 1800s. You're not wearing a corset. Not yet anyway.

Just to be sure, did you say Ryan Glover will be the groom in your photo shoot?' Yes.'

During her teenage years, Ryan had been Molly' s schoolgirl crush. These days he often visited the bank to deposit petty cash from his garage. Sometimes she even spoke to him if luck sent him to her counter. She' d set him on a bit of pedestal, never once daring to suppose he might be interested in her.

Now if she agreed to her sister' s plea she' d become his pretend other half!

Did you hear any of what I just said?' Zoe asked.

Had she carried on talking while Molly zoned out?

Er¼ no.'

Zoe owned Zeal Bridal and craved a new website design. She wanted to take a few photos, something outdoorsy. Her first choice of female amateur model had come down with a streaming cold. She urgently needed a size 12. She wanted them to travel somewhere scenic at the weekend, a cornfield perhaps, dotted with poppies, or a hillside where they could linger under the boughs of an ancient oak.

There, Molly could stare into Ryan' s green eyes for as long as she liked.

Did you hear me?' Zoe asked.

Had Molly done it again, daydreaming as her older sister rabbited on?

Er¼ nope. It' s very busy in the bank today.' Molly gazed across the empty void of tiles to the bank' s glass doors. Of course I'' ll help you out. Do I ever say no?'

Thanks. Can you get to my place for six on Saturday so I can get you ready? Ryan' s going to meet us later in his car. Pray for sunny weather, OK?'

Ryan owned a flashy red motor. Molly didn' t know one make from the other, but it suited him, all sleek and chiselled. She stared into the rear-view mirror on the passenger side of her sister' s van on Saturday morning, struggling to catch glimpses of her crush behind the wheel.

Zoe used his garage now and again and so had simply rung up and asked if he' d like to make a few extra pounds. He'' d changed at home so already wore a penguin suit while Molly still sat in jeans and a sweater. A selection of gowns hung in the back of the van for her to change into later.

Our first stop isn' t far. I want to try it as a bit of an experiment. You two might have the chemistry of a dead haddock and tea bag.' Zoe laughed from the driver' s seat. You' ll have to stand on a box too. I' d planned for a five-foot-seven girl and you' re way under that.'

Thanks for reminding me I' m not your first choice,' Molly replied curtly.

Don' t sulk. I didn' t think you' d want to do it. You have been spending an awful lot of time alone in your flat

Molly stared into the green depths of Ryans eyes, her cheeks abloom. Imagine if this was real!

lately. Though I did hear that Bev managed to drag you out the other night with Cara and Debbie. I have no idea what' s wrong with you.'

Molly crossed her arms. The last person on earth she' d want to know about her crush was Zoe. She' d turn her confession into a comedy skit. She' d done it before down the years, Molly never daring to admit she liked any movie or music stars. Athletes were out, so were crushes on comedians or news readers. Zoe would instantly laugh at her choices.

Molly' s in love,' she' d chant as Molly turned redder and redder like a ripening tomato.

It got even worse when Molly landed a real boyfriend, aged 16.

Tom Robbins!' Zoe gawped. You' re seeing Tom Robbins? Why Molly? Why?'

She' d then offered a 3000-word critique. She' d done the same with every man since.

No, Zoe could never know. Hi there, Molly,' Ryan said. After they' d reached their destination, he' d finally stepped out of his car. As he spoke, Molly' s legs turned to jelly. He always did the same to her knee caps.

This looks great.' He nodded towards a gate close to where they' d parked. Zoe had scouted for locations for weeks.

Beyond the gate, the land sloped down the vista ending in a glistening blue pond surrounded by trees. It would make a wonderful backdrop to the bride and groom.

Earlier, Ryan had remained in his car, while Molly, hiding behind her sister' s van, had struggled into her first wedding gown

elegant at the top, but the skirt was a bit too full for her liking.

Hi,' Molly finally managed a reply to Ryan' s greeting, while blushing scarlet.

You look¼ hot.'

Yes, it' s all this rushing about.'

He laughed. That' s not what I meant.'

Not as in hot and bothered then, hot as in¼ gorgeous?

Zoe, still buttoning her in, gave her a tug backwards and whispered in her ear: Now he is a good choice.' She nodded at Ryan who strode up to the gate and starting fighting with the latch.

Molly frowned. You like him? I mean, for me?'

Who wouldn' t like him?' Zoe tittered. Now breathe in, will you? I told you not to eat any breakfast.'

I only ate half a grapefruit.' That was one half too many,' Zoe replied.

With her sucked in and buttoned up, Molly gathered the skirt of the dress up above the training shoes she still wore.

They hurried across the coarse grass to join Ryan. Zoe raced back then to find the plastic crate she' d bought along to use as a step so the dress wouldn' t drag. Once Molly stood on it, she fussed over the fabric, smoothing it down and tugging it straight. She then thrust a bouquet into Molly' s hands.

OK, we' re all set,' Zoe said. Ryan, move closer, please. Put your arm round her. Molly lean in. Look into each other' s eyes now and think romantic thoughts.'

After more fussing and positioning, she raced off to fetch her camera.

Molly, meanwhile, stared into the green depths of Ryan' s eyes, her cheeks abloom. Imagine if this was real! She tried very hard to do so as his lips quirked into a smile.

Zoe started clicking away, taking shots. Then she made a demand.

Kiss the bride!'

Ryan hesitated. Do you mind?'

Don't swoon, Molly warned herself. No. Go ahead.'

Zoe' s clicking increased in speed as their lips touched. Molly expected fireworks to go off or for her head to explode. She expected to feel quite faint.

And again,' Zoe instructed. Molly pressed her lips to his a little harder and his hand tightened on her waist.

Let yourself go, she told herself. Dare to dream.

The world tilted, the sky swirled. Then something else happened¼

She fell right off her crate. That dress will need stitching,' Zoe grumbled at the wheel of her van half an hour later.

Molly remained silent as she examined the lining of the taffeta dress, which had been ripped by her inelegant dismount.

Now they motored down another country lane, heading for site number two, an ancient dovecote in another field.

How are you getting on with Ryan?' Zoe asked. You' ve been single for months.'

Actually, I' ve really enjoyed my time alone. I' ve read books and even taken up sketching.' Zoe barked out a laugh, only sobering when Molly glared at her.

Oh sorry, you were serious. Ryan has it all good looks, a steady job, ambitions to expand his business. He' s single, I found that out. My other model has a boyfriend, all this would have been wasted on her. Molly, you need to let him know you' re interested.'

Molly frowned. She decided she would make her interest more obvious in-between kisses this time around. She' d enquire about Ryan' s parents, find out if he liked

dramas or documentaries.

Her heart thundered as above them a cloud of pure white doves swept across the sky. Is that a sign? They release them at weddings, don't they? They're s ymbols of peace and hope.

At location number two, she pulled on a dress that hugged every curve until, down at her knees, it expanded outwards like a mermaid' s tail. Lacy and beaded, it looked like a gown worthy of the Oscars.

She could only take tiny steps when she made her way across another field.

This time at least she stood on her own two feet, no plastic crate necessary, since the dress skimmed her ankles perfectly. She did, however, wear a pair of extremely high heels. Ryan welcomed her as she tottered into his arms.

Zoe stood some way back from the stone monolith of the cote as birds circled past her lens. She waited for just the right moment, then click, click, click.

Do you like sushi?' Molly asked her groom. My friends do.'

I do actually, and kefir, hummus, and eating greens.'

Do you like hip hop and alternative rock?'

Doesn' t everybody?'

Molly laughed a little nervously. Do you like eating out? The cinema? The pub?'

She grilled him like a kipper as Zoe snapped away. They shared more kisses as her heart raced. Zoe grinned at the sight, then as Ryan gazed into the sky, distracted by another passing flock, she mouthed: Ask him out! Ask him out!'

Why haven' t you done it yet?' Zoe demanded later in the day, heading for location number three as pewtercoloured clouds broiled in the heavens. Don' t wait for him, that' s not how it' s done these days.'

I' m waiting for the right moment¼' Molly crossed her arms in the passenger seat.

Why am I hesitating? Is it because I'v e had a crush on him for years or because I can't quite believe Zoe likes him? If she does, my other friends will.

She chewed at her lip, trying her best to imagine

Ryan sitting on her sofa, scoffing sushi and watching hip-hop videos on YouTube.

On the horizon before her, the land stretched into the ocean. This would be their last location briny spray, a darkening moody sky, seagulls and a couple all at sea.

Zoe drove down a narrow lane towards another gate.

I got in touch with the landowner and asked to use their private beach. They said they' d be happy to allow it. No charge. We need to hurry we' re losing the weather.'

When she parked, Ryan' s car pulled up behind them. He waited for a third time behind the wheel as Molly hid behind her sister' s van and pulled on the last frock.

This one was a classic a plain A-line gown in silk with a fitted bodice and elegant flowing sleeves. It was very princess-locked-inside-acastle' .

Ask him out,' Zoe repeated one more time as she finished pouring Molly into the fabric. He' s wonderful. He' s perfect.' Molly didn' t dare to even nod as her sister placed a delicate tiara on top of her head. You look amazing.'

I do?'

Of course you do. Now get on with it, will you?'

Ryan, who clearly liked putting himself in charge of gates, opened this one up and led the way. Zoe behind him, criss-crossed by the straps of her camera gear, held up the small train of Molly' s dress. Down a track they walked, past long rows of nettles and weeds.

The footpath opened out into a small cove, dotted with rocky outcrops that the incoming tide crashed against.

Zoe dashed ahead, pointing.

I want to go down there, then I can photograph the ocean right behind you.'

Her nostril full of the scent of salt water, Molly yanked her gown up about her knees, clinging on to the lot as she walked down the sand. She wore trainers again since her feet would never be seen. Ryan overtook her, the tails of his suit flapping in the gathering breeze.

When she reached the rocks, he gallantly offered his hand. Once on the outcrop she gingerly made her way along in his wake.

Right down here!' Zoe waved them onward.

Once they reached the right spot, she positioned

Ask him out, Zoe repeated one more time as she poured Molly into the fabric. Hes perfect

them both before their dramatic backdrop, then she backed off, her camera raised.

OK, look happy. Look married.' Could she throw hints any harder?

He is a good choice,

Molly told herself, lost in Ryan' s gaze one more time. You'v e craved him forever.

You'v e fantasised.

Kiss the bride!' Zoe instructed.

Ryan leant forward all set for one more lip-locking session.

That' s when the ocean took charge. It was as if a wet angry hand reached out and wrenched the two of them apart. A thunderous wave plucked Molly right off her feet and into the chilly depths, Ryan right behind her.

She screamed as she surfaced.

My dress!'

It soaked up the sea like a sponge, pulling her under. She fought and splashed, her arms windmilling in the massive sleeves. Help!'

She swallowed water, the sky above her head, a grey whirling mass. In the depths of panic, an image appeared

herself curled up alone with a mug of cocoa on her comfy sofa at home. Music played sweetly, Vivaldi, her very untrendy guilty secret, like the pie and mash heating up in her microwave.

Ryan, do something, you idiot!' she heard Zoe yell.

She took a deep breath, waiting for his heroic rescue as she struggled to keep her head above water. She kicked harder and harder, the dress muffling her efforts. He's not coming. This dream's a nightmare.

She kicked her feet, trying to swim, heading for the sand rather than more of the rocks. It felt like towing an anchor. Still she refused to drown in the mass of fabric billowing all about her.

She fought and fought, every stroke of her arms agony. Keep going. Keep trying. Don't sink. She swallowed more brine and coughed, battling the water and her terror.

One trainer touched the bottom, then the other. As she stood, the dress threatened to yank her backwards into the swell but then two arms did reach for her.

I' m here.' Zoe pulled her up the sand, panting with the effort. I couldn' t come in after you.'

Her sister swam like a brick.

You' d have drowned.' Molly shivered. Where' s Ryan?' She cast a look around through her bedraggled hair.

Ryan sat dripping on the rocks of the outcrop. He must have dragged himself back to it, then crawled onboard like a rat.

How hard she' d tried to imagine them together, now this crushing blow.

I'd h ave helped you, she thought. I'd h ave tried at least. I know you used to swim for the school team. You wouldn't have sunk like Zoe.

Molly collapsed on to the shore in a wet mess of silk, her sister working with the buttons to free her from the weighty gown.

I liked Tom Robbins, he was lovely,' she coughed out, her voice all a tremble.

What are you talking about? Do you need an ambulance? Are you all right? You nearly died.'

Molly blinked as her sister wriggled the soggy fabric off her shoulders.

I dumped him because you told me he wasn' t any good. I dumped him because my friends said the same. Then I almost asked Ryan out. He was a crush, a fantasy, completely wrong for me. I always do what everybody else says Bev, Debbie, Cara. You.' Molly wiped a shaking hand down her dripping face.

Did you hit your head? I' m calling an ambulance.' Zoe pulled her wet mobile from the pocket of her jeans, then tried to shake it back to life.

Molly did feel a little light-headed. She knew death had taken a grip on her, she knew she' d battled her way free. That ought to teach anybody a lesson.

She thought of her comfy sofa, her cocoa and her ancient composer. She knew who' d frown at her happiness over such simple things, but she didn' t care about them any more.

She breathed the briny air and accepted the truth.

Somebody had drowned today, somebody who' d tried to live up to a hundred expectations Go out with him. Do this. Do that. We know what's best for you. Don't disagree. Love, honour and obey¼ us all!

That silly, spineless bride had slipped beneath the waves and given her soul to the sea.

Be quiet, the lot of you,' Molly whispered, disentangling herself from her dress with grim determination. From now on I' m listening to only one person, and that one person is me!'

She screamed as she surfaced. My dress! It soaked up the sea like a sponge, pulling her under