Chapter 6: The Bridesmaid Dress She Bought With Nora’s Money
Nora went to the bridal boutique the next morning with Anna’s folder in her bag.
The shop smelled of satin, perfume, and money people pretended not to count.
A young assistant greeted her with the bright smile reserved for brides and final payments.
“Miss Ellis, your fitting is next week,” she said.
Nora smiled back. “I am here about the bridesmaid account.”
The assistant’s smile hesitated.
That small pause told Nora the folder in her bag was not finished growing.
A manager named Ruth came out from the back room with a tablet in both hands.
“We were going to call you,” Ruth said.
Nora heard that sentence and knew it meant trouble wearing manners.
Ruth opened the order record.
“Your maid of honour requested several changes.”
Nora looked at the screen.
Megan’s blue dress had been upgraded to imported silk.
The shoes were upgraded.
The alterations were marked urgent.
A jewellery rental had been added.
A full hair and beauty package sat beneath it like a private celebration.
All charged to Nora’s wedding account.
Nora stared at the total.
It was not enough to ruin her.
That was not the point.
It was enough to prove Megan had learned how easy Nora was to use.
Ruth looked uncomfortable. “She said you approved it.”
“Did she show written approval?”
Ruth tapped the screen.
“She forwarded an email from Mr Turner.”
Nora leaned closer.
Caleb’s name appeared in the header.
Approved. Keep this simple. Nora has enough stress.
Nora almost laughed.
Stress.
That was what liars called the truth when they needed it kept away.
Ruth handed her a printed copy.
Nora placed it neatly into her folder beside Anna’s invoice.
Each page made the story less emotional and more legal.
That helped.
The assistant returned with a garment bag.
Inside was Megan’s upgraded bridesmaid dress.
It was beautiful.
Too beautiful for someone who had cried about rent three weeks ago.
Nora touched the fabric once.
Then she let it go.
“Was anything else ordered?” she asked.
Ruth looked at the assistant.
The assistant looked at the floor.
Nora waited.
Waiting had become useful.
Ruth sighed. “There is one more item in the back.”
She led Nora through a curtain into the storage room.
Rows of dresses hung in plastic covers, pale and silent.
Ruth stopped before a long white garment bag.
Nora knew before the zipper opened.
The dress inside was white.
Not cream.
Not pale blue.
White.
A second bridal dress.
Smaller than Nora’s, sharper at the waist, with a neckline Megan would choose for attention.
Nora looked at the tag.
Customer: Megan Price.
Billing: Nora Ellis Wedding Account.
Collection: Wedding Morning.
Ruth said, “She told us it was for photographs.”
Nora stared at the dress.
Then she thought of Megan crying into a microphone about being family.
She thought of Caleb’s hand on Megan’s back.
She thought of the hotel receipt.
The private room.
The note.
Bride must not see this invoice.
Nora took out her phone and photographed the tag.
Then the dress.
Then the order number.
Ruth said, “Miss Ellis, I am very sorry.”
Nora closed the garment bag herself.
“Do not release this dress to anyone.”
Ruth nodded quickly.
Nora added, “And please preserve every message, signature, and payment record.”
Ruth said, “Of course.”
Nora walked out of the boutique with the folder heavier than when she entered.
Outside, Caleb texted her.
Megan is overwhelmed. Please stop digging through bills and making this worse.
Nora looked at the message.
Then she called Victor Hayes.
“I need the full misuse-of-funds report before the rehearsal dinner,” she said.
Victor answered, “Then send me everything.”
Nora looked back at the boutique window.
“I have enough to burn them twice.”