Get me to the church ON TIME

A bride’s special day had been ruined – but could Sally offer some words of wisdom?

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You want to donate your wedding dress?’

‘Yes.’

‘You know we can’t give any money for it?’

‘Yes.’

‘It looks expensive.’

‘It is. Look, you’re a charity shop, aren’t you? You take and sell second-hand clothes. Why are you making such a fuss about taking mine?’

Sally regarded the young woman at the counter. ‘Well, you do look as if you might be just a little bit uncertain about this.’

‘I don’t know what you mean!’ the young woman shrieked – and burst into tears.

Behind her, a small queue of impatient people had formed. Sally looked around for Mrs Miller, the manager of Gently Used Things. She was nowhere to be seen. ‘Most women do like to keep their wedding dresses, you know, to remind them of the happy day.’

The woman with the dress howled. ‘I didn’t get married. And I’m never going to!’

‘Oh.’ Sally glanced at the queue. One of the men was checking his watch. She sighed. Most days they were lucky to get a couple of pensioners and a tourist asking for directions. ‘Do you mind telling me why not?’

‘Because…’ the woman hiccoughed, ‘…because my fiancé cheated on me.’

‘Before the wedding?’ ‘During the wedding!’ Sally lowered her voice.

‘How did he do that?’