Page 16 of A Wedding in Tuscany

‘No date yet. But we’re combining the wedding with my sister’s fortieth, so it will definitely be late October.’

‘Oh, cool. We’re heading back to Edinburgh soon and I think we’ll still be in the UK then. If not, we’ll head there from Bali.’

‘Brilliant.’ I was hoping she’d say that.

‘And who’s your planner?’ she asks.

‘My planner?’

‘Your wedding planner.’

‘Oh, uh, my sister?’ Jaelee?PR consultant and event organiser extraordinaire?makes a face. She’s clearly dubious about Sarah’s abilities in this area, so I quickly add, ‘Sarah’s very organised?very.’ This results in a head tilt and narrowed eyes. ‘She also seems pleased that the wedding will take some of the focus off her. I don’t think she’s particularly keen on turning forty. It’s a good distraction for her?the planning.’

‘Mmm.’

‘I can put you in touch with her if you like. How about that?’ I do not want to get in Jae’s bad books?no one does.

‘Acceptable,’ she says, one of her dimples making an appearance. Phew. Jaelee is the type of friend who would give you the shirt off her back?even if it cost a mint?but you might have to psych yourself up to ask for it.

‘And how are you?’ I ask, redirecting the conversation.

‘Busy. But good busy, you know. I think I’ll have to hire another person soon.’ Jaelee started her own PR company last year and she’s well on her way to building an empire. She’s incredible.

‘That’s brilliant, Jae.’

‘Actually, I need to get this proposal ready so I can send it off first thing tomorrow.’

‘I’ll let you go. Say hi to Alistair for me.’

‘I will. And Cat?’ Her mouth widens into a smile, both dimples appearing again. ‘It really is awesome news.’

‘Thank you, lovely. Talk soon.’

‘Bye.’ We end the call and I set my phone on the kitchen counter.

So, that’s four more for the guest list. I add them then regard the list.

Mum & Dad

Sarah & Josh

Lindsey & Nick

Jane

Mich (?)

Siobhan

Cécile (bleh) & Louis (maybe Alice & Abigail)

Lou & Anders

Jae & Alistair

Jean-Luc called last night. It turns out that his dad will be recovering from knee surgery at the time of our wedding, so Cécile and Louis are ‘representing the family’. Cécile, the one who calls me shrill. At least I get along with Louis. And there are enough people on my side of the aisle, so to speak, to dilute the presence of my soon-to-be (horrid) sister-in-law. And if she’s particularly awful, I’ll sic Jaelee onto her?or Sarah. Hell, maybe Lou can smother her with kindness until she can’t help but behave like a humanbeing.

And maybe purple elephants will fly out of my arse.