“Nothing,” he said, sliding the mobile into his shirt’s chest pocket.
I eyed him suspiciously, but before I could question him further, Mum breezed into the room. Clasping her hands together, she positioned herself in front of everyone, and wearing a big smile, stared at Leo and me. “Now.”
I flashed Leo a look. Recognising Mum’s expression, it seemed the moment had come.
Dad jumped up from his seat. “Drink, anyone?” He evidently knew what Mum was about to reveal, and his speediness did nothing for my confidence.
“Wine if you’ve got it, please,” I said, tempted to ask for the bottle.
“It’s only us!” Sal called out from the hallway.
Mum’s glee intensified. “Ooh, goody. Now we can all revel in the excitement.”
My sister, Ryan, and India trudged into the lounge.
“Oh. My. Word.” Mum’s jaw dropped and her joy turned to horror at the sight of her granddaughter.
“What?” India asked, as if semi-scalping herself was nothing.
“I’m sorry, Tess,” Sal said. “We’ve tried everything to hide it.” She lifted the sides of her daughter’s hair and swept it first one way and then the other in a comb-over fashion. But no matter Sal’s attempts, India’s locks kept springing back. “Nothing I do seems to work.” Turning her attention back to me, Sal sighed. “Honestly, I can’t apologise enough.”
“Believe me, her days as a fashion model are well and truly over,” Ryan said, his tone stern.
“We understand if you’ve changed your mind about her being bridesmaid,” Sal said.
India rolled her eyes at all the fuss.
Mum scoffed. “Of course, she can’t walk–”
“We haven’t changed our minds,” Leo said. Interrupting my mother before she could finish, he smiled at India.
Mum let out a whimper.
“Have we, Tess?”
“That’s assumingyoustill want the role, India?” I asked. A part of me hoped that she’d say no. Not being photogenic myself, the wedding pictures were going to be bad enough without her assistance. However, another part hoped that she’d say yes, because at least then I wouldn’t be alone in ruining them.
India shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I? It’s only hair.”
Observing India’s innocence, I suddenly felt humbled. It seemed Leo had been right to suggest I was more like my mother than I cared to admit. More concerned about the quality of our wedding album than the true value of our day, I’d clearly lost sight of what mattered – being surrounded by the people we love. I smiled at India. “I agree.”
Dad reappeared with a tray of glasses and while he shook his head and chuckled at his granddaughter’s hair, Mum grabbed one, put it straight to her mouth, and drained it of its contents.
“What is it with this family?” she asked.
“Speaking of families,” Leo said. “Mum and Dad are coming over and would like to meet you all.”
“Really?” Mum replied, perking up again. “How lovely.”
“They’re hoping to prevent any awkwardness at the wedding. You know, Tess’s family on one side, mine on the other, no one daring to mix.”
“What a great idea,” Dad said. He trained his eyes on Mum. “At least someone’s thinking straight.”
Ignoring Dad’s quip, Mum’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes. My news.” She nodded to Dad, indicating he should hand the rest of us a drink, and taking a deep breath, she looked to Leo and me. “You know how you visited Gregbrook Manor as a potential wedding venue?”
Ryan leaned into Sal, but before he could speak she shushed him.
“Yes,” I replied, cautious.
