Page 10 of A Wedding in Tuscany

‘We haven’t told them yet,’ she says quietly.

‘What? But …’

‘Look, his parents … well, you know how he’s closest to his mum?’ I only know what Cat has told me but I nod. ‘Well, she’s been even more clingy with him lately. The last time I was there visiting … I don’t know, it’s odd, how she is around him?how she is with me. It’s almost like we’re in competition. I think she’s afraid I’m going to steal him away to England and she’ll never see him again.’

‘Oh, god.’

‘Mmm-hmm. And she’sthe nice one in the family.’

‘Not the sister?’

‘Cécile? Uh, no. She’s still close friends with Vanessa.’

‘What?!’ Vanessa is Jean-Luc’s ex-wife.

‘Yes, exactly.’

‘You never told me that.’

‘I haven’t wanted to bother you with it.’

‘It’s not a bother?’

‘Anyway … Jean-Luc’s going to tell them tonight after dinner, but I won’t be on the call.’

‘Oh, Cat, I’m so sorry.’ She shrugs, but it’s clear how much it hurts. ‘At least you have us. No matter how intense Mum gets about wedding stuff … we’ve got the best parents.’ It’s true. Sure, Mum can drive me around the bend sometimes but she always means well. Cat nods, her smile unconvincing.

‘And, I mean, Jean-Luc was practically part of the family when you guys were at school together and now, he’ll be official.’ I just need her to see how our family, and all the love that comes with it, can make up for what’s lacking in Jean-Luc’s.

‘I know. It’s just …’

‘What?’

‘What if she’s right?’

‘Who?’

‘Jean-Luc’s mum.’

‘About you? She’s wrong. You’re wonderful.’

‘Thank you, but I mean the part about me stealing him away to London.’

‘Is that where you’re going to live?’

‘I’m not sure where we’re going to live.’

‘What? You haven’t talked about that?’

‘No. I mean, we have, sort of … I mean, he’s asked me to move to Paris a million times, but …’

‘That’s not home.’ I get it?I really do. Sydney is home for me and I would never want to give that up.

‘Exactly.’

‘And?’

‘And what?’ she asks.