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I cringe on the spot ‘Just for guests, mum’
‘Oh, well, I’randparents would’ve thought they were in Buckingham Palace, God rest their souls’ She faffs with led your way into your underwear yet?’ She runs her chocolate eyes up and down my robe covered body ‘It’s nearly tiain and drape it on the bed ‘Yes, I need you to fasten it’ I turn my back to her and pullcrea The physical one, but that day will be forever etched onall of the hook and eyes ‘Ava, you should see the summer room It looks absolutely beautiful You’re so lucky to have such a wonderful place to get e to afford venues like this’
I’lad she can’t see my face because she would see a painfully uncomfortable expression ‘I know’ I’ve seen the roo planner, made sure of it But then, every part of The Manor oozes splendour, anyedding or not I’ve done very little in the preparations ofJesse presented reed toour wedding--the wedding ere supposed to discuss together like adults And, quite conveniently, The Manor also holds a wedding licence I didn’t even ask how he achieved that All I’ve done forstress, just location stress
‘There’ Mum turns me around and sweeps htfully, and I knohat’s co, can your mother offer you some advice?’
‘No’ I answer quickly on a small smile
She returns my smile and sits me on the end of the bed ‘When you become a wife, you become the core of your husband’ She se, let him think you can’t live without him, but never let hi They need their ego’s stroked, thesethe trousers, and you have to let them believe it’
I shake my head a little ‘Mum, this isn’t necessary’
‘Yes, it is’ she insists ‘Men are complicated creatures’
I scoff She has no idea how complicated , manly façade, they are ithout us!’ She pullsface to hers ‘Ava, I can see that Jesse loves you, and I admire his frankness when it comes to how he feels about you, but re’
‘He won’t change me, mum’ I’m not at all comfortable with this conversation Mum and dad stayed with us for two days after Jesse proposed, and have been back in London since Wednesday, so they have had the full-on experience of Jesse’s ith s They have witnessed the s and affection, and their quiet observations haven’t gone unnoticed Not on my part, anyway Jesse is oblivious No, not oblivious, he just doesn’t care, and I’m not about to stop him I crave the constant contact, just as much as he does
Mum smiles at me ‘He wants to look after you, and he’s made it quite clear you’re precious to him It makes me and your father so happy to know that you’ve found a h fire for you’
‘I adore higing atmy voice a little quivery ‘Please don’t make me cry My make-up will be ruined’
She clasps my cheeks in her palms and plants a kiss on my lips ‘Yes, let’s stop with the e that you don’t want to I can also see he could be quite persuasive’ I actually laugh, and hs with me Persuasive? ‘It’s such a shame his family couldn’t be here’ she muses
I wince a little ‘I’ve told you, they live abroad They’re not very close’ I’ve only vaguely outlined the reason for Jesse’s lack of fauely The story that Jesse spun me e first hs ‘It causes ree So do sex houses and playboy uncles
We’re interrupted by another knock at the door and Mum leaves s
‘I have drinks! Wow, Elizabeth, you look incredible!’ Kate’s excited voice creeps into the roohted blue eyes ‘Aren’t you dressed yet?’ she asks, setting a tray on the wooden chest She looks fabulous in a si curls aher pale face--my only bridesmaid, but with the enthusiasm of ten
‘Just about to’ I stand ain
‘Here, have one of these’ She thrusts a glass of pink liquid atthe door and hastilyher way over to scoop one up for herself She takes a long sip and gasps ‘Oh, that little Italian kno to keep a lady happy’