“Why wouldn’t we?”
“Because that would make two in the same week. Her first was hard enough.”
“And?”
I stretched up and kissed Leo’s cheek. “That’s one of the things I love about you. Your unwavering optimism.” Leaving Leo stood there, I continued to chuckle as I headed back inside.
“Patricia will tell us she’s sorry,” he said, calling after me.
“No, she won’t.”
“Tenner says she will.”
I shook my head and smiled. “You’re on.”
Chapter 48
“These really are beautiful,” Leo said. “The colours really pop.”
I’d spent days in my workshop hand-painting a pair of bisque fired platters for Marianne. Taking her love of colour as my starting point, I’d used reds, blues, and yellows to create an abstract floral design employing a mishmash of shapes and shades. After dipping and a final firing, I knew when I took them out of the kiln that they looked good and as I bandaged each one in bubble wrap, I hoped Marianne liked them as much as I did.
The sound of a vehicle pulling up on the drive caught my attention. “That’ll be Sal,” I said. My sister honked the horn, as if telling me to get a move on, and placing the platters in a box, I picked the whole thing up and grabbed my bag. I took a deep breath, ready to go and see my dress for the very first time.
“It’ll be stunning,” Leo said.
I smiled. “I know.” I moved to leave, but Leo put his hand out to stop me.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” After kissing his cheek, I headed down the hall and out to the car.
Placing the box on the back seat next to India, I chuckled at the sight of her. Earphones in listening to something on her mobile, India wore a cerise kaftan, with a matching headscarf that knotted at the side and hid her lack of a fringe. With a tape measure hanging round her neck, Marianne had clearly made an impression on the girl. “Dressmaker-come-pattern-designer?” I asked Sal.
“Oh, yes,” she replied.
As I climbed into the front, Sal waited for me to fasten my seat belt before pulling away. “So how’s things? More importantly, did you get an apology from Mum and Grace?”
My sister had a habit of getting straight to the point. “I meant to call and ask,” she carried on. “But work’s been so busy.”
“Grace, yes. She came to the house the next morning.”
Sal looked impressed.
“You should have seen her, Sal. She really was sorry. And the way she and Leo talked it out. Did you know, there are mothers out there who actually listen to their offspring?”
Sal smirked. “And Mum?”
“Not even a phone call. Complete radio silence.”
Sal tutted and shook her head.
“She’ll turn up when she’s ready,” I said. “To be honest, I’m glad she’s stayed away. She’s hit me with so many surprises these last few months. Each one bigger than the last. To the point, I don’t think I can take any more. Every time I see her, I get this sense of dread in my stomach. Just in case she’s about to drop another bombshell.”
“The run up to this wedding of yours has certainly been eventful.”
“Tell me about it. I don’t get why she can’t simply be happy for us. Instead of making everything about her. I’m convinced that’s why she’s not been round. She’s sulking. Waiting for me to call her so she can be centre of attention again.”
“How does Leo feel about it all?”
