The Bastard Takes a Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’ve never seen it done
at a party before.”
    There could be good reason for that.
    “Why didn’t you ask me if I wanted them?”
    “You were busy with the bridesmaids
dresses.”
    I could feel my body tensing. “This is
getting out of hand. I mean, I’m not being ungrateful but Sam and I
wanted a small celebration, not …” I waved my hand around the lawn,
“….not this. Look, if I move back in will you promise not to make
any more decisions without me?”
    “Well, erm , yes, of course.” Adele’s
face broke into a nervous smile.
    “You haven’t ordered any other entertainment
I should know about, have you?”
    “I wouldn’t count that Australia’s Got
Talent child singing the theme song from ‘ Romeo and
Juliet’ entertainment. More of surprise Engagement gift.”
    Oh God. Sam was going to freak.
    “Right,” I said. “I’d best go and start
getting ready.” And warn Sam to smile and play nice. He loathed Australia’s Got Talent only slightly less than he did the
remake of Romeo and Juliet which he’d deemed ‘bloody
ridiculous’ declaring it was ‘two hours of his life he’d never get
back’ after I made him watch it with me. There was no way he’d be
able to keep his mouth shut about it if I didn’t prep him
first.
    “Millie! Woohoo!” Paige came flying into the
room, curls springing free of her pigtails, her new Justin Bieber
t-shirt displayed proudly on her chest.
    “So you went to the concert?” I asked,
bending down to give her a huge hug.
    “Mrs Brayshaw-Jones took us for Jennifer’s
birthday. And instead of party bags we got these.” She pulled at
the bottom of her t-shirt to allow me to admire it. “He’s so hot,”
she sighed.
    “Paige. Language,” Adele admonished.
    Paige ignored her mother’s stony glare. “Did
you bring your party dress, Millie? Mine’s upstairs. It’s very
pretty.”
    “Yes,” I said as I swung her around in
circles.
    “Great. Can we get ready together?” she
puffed.
    “Sure. I might need a little longer than you
though. I have to put my makeup on.”
    “Well, don’t wear too much. You don’t want to
look Mrs. Jennings over the way. Mummy said Mrs. Jennings wears so
much makeup she’d need a shovel to put it on. I think needs it to
hide her wrinkles but it doesn’t work.”
    I ignored the statement and swung her harder.
At last, she begged me to stop and so, coming to a halt, I put her
down. She wobbled, attempting to right herself. Her cherub face
looked up at me with a wide smile. “That was fun.”
    “ Mmm . Would you like a drink? I’m
getting one.”
    I took Paige’s hand and we strolled to the
bar, where one of the catering crew was busy unpacking supplies for
the evening ahead. I took a small bottle of water from the fridge
and poured a glass each for Paige and myself.
    “Your hair is getting very long,” I remarked,
as Paige and I walked to a sofa. I sat and Paige perched herself on
the arm next to me, leaning into my shoulder. “Do you want me to
take you to Paolo’s for a trim next week? I’m going to have
one.”
    Paige shook her head. “No. I’m growing it for
the wedding. Jennifer had long hair when she was a flower girl and
I want mine to be longer.”
    “What if you wear it up? People won’t know
how long it is if you have it up.”
    “Will the other girls have their hair up,
too?”
    “We haven’t decided yet, but possibly. And
tiaras look nice when you have your hair up.”
    Paige shrugged. “Guess I’ll go with the flow,
then. Don’t want to upset the apple cart.” She jumped down from her
position, handed me her empty glass and ran out of the room.
    “Honestly, that child,” Adele muttered, as
she walked past. “’Go with the flow.’ Does she think we’re hippies?
What are they teaching her at that school?”
    “I think they’re doing a unit on
colloquialisms,” I replied.
    “Ridiculous rubbish. She’d be far better
learning the times tables.”
    “At least she’s not saying