Page 70 of It's All Sun and Games

‘Robin,’ another joins in.

I glance over and see Andrea, Lucia, Dario, Leonardo and Antonia all standing in front of the photographer.

‘Priya, I’d better go,’ I tell her.

‘Okay,’ she says. ‘I look forward to hearing the long version of this story later.’

I head over to join Andrea and his family.

‘Hello,’ I say. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Good,’ Lucia tells me. ‘We’re having a photo of the immediate family.’

‘Nice,’ I say with a smile.

‘That means you too,’ she tells me.

‘Me?’ I reply, taken aback. ‘Really?’

‘Sì,’ she replies. ‘You’re going to be Andrea’s wife. You should be in the photos.’

I look to Andrea. Obviously I’m not going to be his wife, so I’m sure he won’t want me in the photo.

‘Come on,’ he prompts me, holding out an arm, ready to wrap it around me. ‘Be in the photo, it would mean a lot to my family.’

‘Okay,’ I say, already grinning.

I take my place, next to Andrea, for the photo.

It’s so sweet how his family has been so instantly warm towards me and accepting of me.

You know what? I think I’m going to miss all of this.

30

I’ve been quite enjoying eating three courses on an evening – in fact, on the couple of occasions where I’ve had four courses, I’ve really enjoyed that too.

But this wedding, though… oh, this wedding. Guess how many courses there are at this wedding? I’ll tell you – there are fourteen courses, and apparently that isn’t unusual.

We’re at the wedding venue and it is absolutely breathtaking, like something out of a movie. Lucia and Dario couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting – or a more perfect day, in terms of the weather, because it’s so hot and sunny, but not so much that it’s too hot, or uncomfortable to be in formal wear.

As Andrea and I strolled in earlier, the first place we were directed to was the most gorgeous private garden, one full of flowers in every colour imaginable, some I didn’t even recognise. This was our first stop, where we were served welcome drinks, but we didn’t stay long before we were moved on to the next space.

So, the first room we were in I thought was the room for the wedding but, no, no, that was just the room for cocktails and canapés. That room seems positively cosy, with its ornate bar and plush furniture.

Only after we ate and drank in there were we then showed to the actual room where the reception would be taking place and, honestly, wow.

The place is huge. I’m talking ceilings that are up there with the sun, light-coloured walls with large windows and sliding doors that seem to bring the outside inside, and a marble floor that shines like a mirror.

At an Italian wedding, the seating arrangement is a bit different from what I’m used to back home in England. There’s no top table for the bride and groom and their VIP guests – I am sitting at ‘tavolo uno’ with Andrea and his family, though. Lucia and Dario, the bride and groom, instead sit at a table for two. All of the guest tables are laid out the same, in a circle around the large dance floor. Each table has white tablecloths, with these huge orchid centrepieces in the middle, and the most beautiful silverware and glassware – such a nice touch. It is clear that someone put a lot of effort into making everything look nice, and it has definitely paid off.

Also on the tables, there is red wine, white wine and champagne on ice, on every table, and believe me when I say they are endless. There’s enough booze on these tables to keep us all happily hydrated – and delightfully drunk – for the rest of the night.

So, how many courses deep am I right now? Honestly, I’ve lost count at this point. It’s like a never-ending stream of food, and I’m not sure whether I love it or if it frightens me.

I’ve grazed on various canapés, calamari, prosciutto with figs (a combination I hadn’t tried before, but one that I will be taking back home with me to have again), I took down a whole ball of burrata cheese (far too easily, if you ask me), and had even more bruschetta (and no, it wasn’t as good as Andrea’s, but it was still really nice). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s been more meat, more fish, more everything. I’m scared to even think about how much a wedding like this must cost – and we’ve not even had any dessert courses yet, so there is definitely more food to come.

You know what, though, I’m going with the flow, eating and drinking anything that is put in front of me, because how often do you get to attend a proper Italian wedding?

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