“Last but not least,” I said, digging in for the final time.
“And the fruit, by the way, has been soaked in the finest brandy I could get.”
I winced. “You can say that again.”
“This one reminds me of Christmas,” Leo said.
“Now I can make some alternatives if none of them fit the bill.”
I looked at my sister, incredulous. “These are great,” I said. “I’d choose them all if I could.”
“I agree,” Leo said. “Except for the last one. It’s a bit yuletide for me.”
“Do you prefer any of them in particular?” Sal asked.
“I think we need to try them all again,” I said. “You know, to be sure.”
Fork at the ready, Leo nodded his agreement.
“Yoo hoo!” Mum called out, as Leo and I were about start our second run.
My face fell. Just like that, the fun was over.
Chapter 25
Mum breezed into the room with Dad close behind. “How is everyone?” Mum’s smile froze. “What’s all this?” She gestured toward the forks in my and Leo’s hands.
“Cake sampling,” Sal said. “They’re trying to decide which flavour they want for the wedding.”
Mum’s gaze went from Sal to me. “Without us?”
Dad shook his head. “Why didweneed to be here?”
“It’s not a case of need, Edward. I’d simply thought Leo and Tess might have wanted our opinion.”
ByourI assumed Mum meant hers.
Mum’s eyes scrutinised the demolished cakes. “Looks like someone’s had more than a taste.” She turned her attention to me. “Tess, shouldn’t you be watching your weight? The last thing you want is to have to alter your wedding gown.”
“Patricia!” Dad said.
“What?” Mum frowned at him. “I didn’t mean it like that.” She rolled her eyes, as she looked my way again. “No dieting either, young lady. A few pounds either way could ruin the fit.”
Her comment came as no surprise. Mum had never accepted my ability to eat as little or as much as I wanted without either affecting my weight. However, even less surprising was the fact that it had taken Mum all of sixty seconds to bring up that damned dress.
“Tea, anyone? Coffee?” Sal trained her eyes on me. “Something stronger?”
“I’ll help,” Dad said. As he headed to put the kettle on, my sister pulled out a bottle of wine from the fridge. “Where’s Ryan?” Dad asked.
As the two of them began making small talk about Ryan’s whereabouts, Mum watched on.
“How are things progressing with the invites, Patricia?” Leo said.
Too busy observing Dad and Sal, Mum didn’t seem to hear.
“Patricia?” Leo said, raising his voice a little.
As she turned her attention back to me and Leo, her eye appeared to twitch, but as quickly as it appeared the tic was gone. “Oh, yes.” Mum, at last, focused. “I’m glad you asked.” She headed for the dining table, and plonking her handbag down, reached inside. “I’ve brought one to show you.” She smiled. “I hope you’re ready for this?” she said, pulling out what appeared to be a gold envelope. Handing it over for us to have a closer look, she excitedly awaited our response.
