An Enormously English Monsoon Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page B

bridges towards them.
    As always, no matter how carefully she’d prepared, Erin felt instantly scruffy and slightly grubby as soon as she saw Deena. Stifling a groan, she watched the elegant vision, arctic cool in sleeveless pale-green linen and nude heels, sweep as gracefully as the swans on the Maizey, towards them.
    Jay was already on his feet, and they all indulged in the ritual mutual mwah-mwah cheek-kissing and hugging.
    ‘Erin!’ Deena embraced her in a cloud of sweet-scented something so obviously expensive that it had probably involved passion flowers and unicorns and angels and hummingbirds. ‘How lovely you look.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Erin said, still slightly dazed by the perfumed embrace and catching a glimpse of tiny emerald studs glinting in Deena’s ears beneath the glossy black bobbed hair. Emeralds to go with the pale-green linen, of course. Emeralds echoed in the many golden bangles that slid sinuously up and down Deena’s slender brown forearms. ‘And so do you. As always. I know I’ve got an awful lot to live up to.’
    ‘Nonsense.’ Deena smiled. ‘It’s the other way round, darling. You’re a very beautiful girl – so young and fresh. I always feel like some ancient crone when we’re together. You’re going to be such a spectacularly gorgeous bride I might have to hide myself away in a corner.’
    ‘That’s hardly likely, is it?’ Erin said, right on cue, knowing exactly what was expected of her. ‘After September I shan’t be known as Jay’s wife in Nook Green, but simply as “that girl with the stunning mother-in-law”.’
    Everyone laughed.
    Jay and Erin exchanged grins as a mollified Deena preened and headed for the table.
    Tavish Keskar beamed at Erin. ‘What a beautiful spot.’ He helped his wife onto the bench seat after brushing it free of any minute traces of rustic debris. ‘Just right on a day like today. Let’s hope the weather holds for the wedding, eh?’
    ‘I’ve got everything crossed.’ Erin smiled at Tavish.
    Despite being slightlyintimidated by her, Erin was very fond of Deena, but she absolutely loved her future father-in-law. He was an older version of Jay, easy-going and laid-back; and although his black hair was threaded with silver and the laughter lines round his dark-brown eyes were deeply etched he was still a very attractive man.
    Deena flicked at imaginary grime on the table then reached across and held up Erin’s glass, inspecting it carefully. ‘I always find you can judge the standards of an establishment by the cleanliness of their glasses, don’t you, darlings? I always check for leftover lipstick or finger smudges.’
    Erin fought down the urge to say that there would be
nothing
like that on the Swan’s glassware and simply nodded.
    Having satisfied herself that everything was hygienic, Deena smiled. ‘So, how have you both been? Working hard, no doubt. We’ve heard so little from you recently.’
    ‘Yes, sorry. We’ve both been busy,’ Jay nodded. ‘With work, and the wedding.’
    Tavish nodded. ‘Ah, yes – not long to go now. Everyone back home is getting very excited. Your mother has bought at least nine new outfits.’
    Deena laughed and flapped her glass-free, perfectly manicured hand, but didn’t deny it. ‘I only hope I won’t clash with your mother, Erin. Do you know what colours she’s chosen?’
    ‘The last time I spoke to her, she was wanting to wear peach.’
    ‘Oh.’ Deena looked disappointed. ‘Peach? Such a bland colour I always think. Always makes pale skin look washed out. Why peach?’
    ‘I’ve no idea.’ Erinshrugged, knowing that her mum had probably found something vaguely mother-of-the-bride suitable in peach in a Sydney second-hand shop and didn’t give a tuppenny fig whether it would make her look washed out or not. ‘I do know she wants to wear a hat though. A very big hat. Dad was worrying about getting a massive hatbox into the hand luggage.’ Erin giggled. ‘My mum is so not a hat