An Enormously English Monsoon Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page A

giggled. ‘Why would I make any effort for you? We’re getting married in six weeks – I’ve captured you – it’s all downhill from here. You won’t see me in anything except trackie bottoms and dirty T-shirts once that ring’s on my finger.’
    Jay shook his head. ‘I could always call it off.’
    ‘Yeah, right.’
    He kissed her again, and she kissed him back and they smiled dreamily at one another.
    ‘We’re very lucky to have booked this for the wedding, aren’t we?’ Erin sighed, staring across the sparkling-jewelled sweep of gravelled drive to the Swan: centuries old, mellow and swathed in a tumbling mantle of blue wisteria
    Surrounded by the curve of the River Maizey, the Swan gave the impression of having been built on an island, with gently swaying willows, enticing pathways snaking between immaculate lawns, tumbling trellises and hidden arbours. The vast grounds sloped gently away to a glistening lake, encompassing a plethora of fragrant pastel-coloured flower beds, with weather-worn rustic bridges criss-crossing the irregular paths of the Maizey’s many tiny tributaries.
    It was, Erin thought, the most beautiful place on earth.
    ‘Mmm. I just wish we could have kept it a secret from Mum and Dad for a bit longer.’
    ‘Me too,’ Erin agreed. ‘It would have been lovely to hang on to the wow factor until the wedding day. Still, they’re going to love it, aren’t they?’
    ‘Course they are.’ Jay took her hand. ‘They’ll be knocked out. Anyway, ratherthan fry out here in the car park, shall we go and have a drink down by the river until they arrive?’
    ‘Oh, yes – something long and cold.’ Erin nodded. ‘A spritzer would be great. In fact, anything but ginger beer. Dora Wilberforce offered me ginger beer – as an antidote to the spider – the Nook Green cure-all.’
    Jay chuckled as they walked hand in hand towards the Swan’s imposing entrance. ‘Ah, yes – the spider … want to tell me about it?’
    ‘Not really.’ Erin shuddered. ‘Same as usual. I’ll get some help soon, I promise, but right now I’d rather talk about something else. Why are you in Maizey St Michael anyway?’
    ‘I’d finished morning surgery early and I had a house call,’ Jay said, as they ducked under the Swan’s low arches in to the dim coolness of the shady bar. ‘Or rather, a farm call. I did what I could, and I think it’ll be OK, but –’ he smiled at the barman ‘– oh, hi, two white wine spritzers, please – oh, yes with soda, not lemonade – thanks.’
    As the barman bustled with glasses and bottles, Erin gazed round with renewed delight at the glorious glowing panelling, the curving deep stone staircases, the sculpted archways, the gleaming leaded-light windows, as she always did when they came to the Swan.
    In a tiddly bit over six weeks’ time, the whole fabulous place would be filled with everyone she and Jay loved, celebrating their marriage.
    Oh, she was so lucky …
    Fighting the urge to do a little happy dance on the spot, she contented herself with just sighing blissfully.
    ‘Are you booked in for lunch, sir?’ The barman clinked ice.
    ‘We are, yes.’ Jay said. ‘But we’re waiting for my parents to join us.We’re going to have our drinks down by the river – could you point them in the right direction when they arrive, please?’
    ‘Of course.’ The barman smiled, placing the tall glasses, tantalisingly beaded with ice-cold droplets, on a tray. ‘A good choice, the river, on a day like this.’
    Jay nodded agreement, and paid for the drinks, then skilfully whisked the tray away from Erin’s outstretched hands. ‘It’s OK. I’ll carry it. I’m all for equality but I’m also desperate for a cold drink – you’re wearing heels and you might drop the lot before we get out of the door.’
    ‘True,’ Erin giggled. ‘Today I’m practising walking in sandals that aren’t just flip-flops.’
    ‘Because you’re wearing heels with your wedding