Page 34 of A Wedding in Tuscany

We’re at the front door of the apartment now and I pause before going inside. ‘You thinking the same thing as me?’

‘Not sure. What are you thinking?’ he asks.

‘That there’s mounting evidence that something is fucking with my sister’s wedding.’

‘Oh, that? Yeah, definitely.’

‘Jaelee will fix it, right?the venue?’ I ask hopefully.

‘Sure! I’ve never met the woman, but I am one hundred per cent positive that she will fix it,’ he says.

‘I wish I could do more.’

‘Hey, you’re doing everything you can to make this a special time for Cat?for both of them. And don’t forget, you’re supposed to be enjoying this too?this is your special time as well. Hey, what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing, I … It’s nothing.’

‘You sure?’ I nod.

‘Look, tomorrow we’ll get the venue figured out, and you and your mom and Cat will get her a new dress. These are just blips, okay?’

‘Okay,’ I say, wanting to convince myself that it will all fall into place, even though some things are completely out of my control no matter how organised I am. Still, it’s my sister’s wedding and I absolutely will not be defeated by a missing wedding dress and a bizarre wedding venue.

‘They’re here, Cat,’ I call out as I exit the apartment and cross the crunchy gravel. Hopefully, that was loud enough to rouse her. Last time I saw my sister, she was prone on her bed snoring softly.

A white taxi covered in decals idles in the castle’s driveway, Mum emerging from one of the back doors. ‘Hi, Mum.’ It’s only been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen her, but I am so glad she’s here?a reinforcement for addressing current and future catastrophes. Everything I know about organisation, troubleshooting, and reining in wayward plans, I’ve learnt from my mum.

‘Hello, Sarah,’ she says. Despite being in transit a day-and-a-half, she looks pristine and when she falls wearily into my hug, smells only of her signature scent, Lancôme’s Tresor. Karen Parsons, Travel Maven.

I release her and she starts stretching in that delicate way she has, like an ageing ballerina. Dad is handing over a wad of cash to the driver and I glance at the metre on the dash. Good god?€85! ‘Dad,’ I say as he climbs out of the car, ‘that’s a fortune. You should have let us pick you up from the airport. We’ve got the four-wheel-drive.’ I nod my head towards our rental car.

‘Hello, love,’ he says, giving me a quick tight hug.

‘Sorry, hello.’

‘And don’t worry about the cab. We’re on holiday!’

‘Well, yes okay, but promise we can take you to the airport when you leave.’

‘Hmm, maybe.’ He waggles his eyebrows at me.

‘Honestly, Sarah, we’ve only just arrived and you’re already talking about us leaving.’

‘Sorry, Mum.’ The driver has unloaded the boot by now, setting the luggage next to the car, and he gives us a wave and backs out of the driveway.

Dad and I each lift a suitcase while Mum collects her carry-on. ‘How’s it been the last couple of days, just the four of you?’ Dad asks.

‘Perfect, Dad. Thanks.’ There had been a bit of discussion about when our parents should arrive but Dad had been the one to convince Mum that their girls needed some time together?other halves in tow?before everyone else arrived. He’d been right, as he often is when it came to matters of the heart.

‘Mum! Dad!’ Cat emerges from our castle apartment, crossing the driveway and flinging herself at Dad. He sets down the suitcase and wraps his arms around her. ‘How’s my girl?’ he says, his voice cracking with emotion. So sweet.

Mum waits patiently and when Cat is free of Dad’s embrace, she goes to Mum and reaches up for a hug. ‘Hello, Mum, you look beautiful.’

Their embrace ends and Mum looks down at Cat and strokes the side of her face, then blinks back uncharacteristic tears. ‘Hello, darling,’ she says and they just smile at each other for a moment.

As much as Cat moans about Mum, there is clearly an abundance of love between them. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to live so close to our parents but this moment is a reminder. It’s also the first time our immediately family has been together since Christmas nearly three years ago. I blink back my own tears, then say, ‘Did you want to come inside, see our cool little apartment? The view is amazing.’

‘That sounds wonderful, darling,’ says Mum.

‘Yes, please, love. I’m busting for the loo,’ says Dad.

‘Ron! Goodness,’ says Mum, adding a tut. Dad just grins cheekily. God, I love my family. Cat takes Mum’s carry-on from her, leading the way across the gravel driveway to our home in a Tuscan castle.