Page 110 of Someone Like You

‘I was just telling these two that it’s a bust.’ One-handed, she mimes an explosion.

‘What is?’ he asks her.

‘The wedding. A hundred grand. And for what?’

Uncle Marv glances over, clearly uncomfortable to be discussing the cost of the wedding in front of us. ‘We don’t know that,’ he says to her. ‘Everyone here is working on a solution.’

‘Hah!’ she scoffs, giving us the side-eye.

Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Aunt Christine.

She may not have intended to insult me, but it wouldn’t be the first time she accomplished that without trying. A quick glance at Raff confirms that he’s not loving her attitude either.

‘Besides,’ says Uncle Marv, ‘you don’t think I’d spend this much on a wedding without taking out insurance, do you?’

Her eyes suddenly expand to the size of saucers. ‘You insured the wedding?’

‘Of course. Itoldyou I did.’

‘I must have forgotten. I’ve had a lot to deal with, Marv,’ she whines.

‘I know, honey.’ With his free arm, he captures her in a hug, rubbing her back as she slumps against him. ‘Now, how about we let these two get on with what they’re doing?’ She nods and he gently leads her out of the room, glancing over his shoulder and mouthing, ‘Thank you.’

I salute him – something I’ve never done before – toanyone. It’s been a weird morning.

‘Wowser…’ Raff mumbles under his breath.

‘Mm-hmm. Told you. Issy calls her the evil twin.’

He sniggers.

‘But not to her face.’

‘I guessed as much,’ he says with a wink.

‘Can I help?’ Now Issy’s at the door. Have I suddenly developed the ability to summon family members simply by mentioning them?

‘Sure, why not?’ I reply. ‘The more the merrier.’ Issy and I are similar that way – we’d both rather help handle someone else’s crisis than delve into our own. ‘We should probably get the bride in here too – if she’s up to it,’ I add.

‘On it,’ she replies.

I go back to my list and am about to call the celebrant when Monica enters, followed by Issy.

‘I just heard from Brian,’ she says, plopping onto a chair. ‘ETA: fifteen minutes.’

‘That’s good,’ I say.

‘I love him so much,’ she says, a peaceful smile alighting on her face. ‘Honestly – I don’t care about the flowers or the chocolate fountain or the frigging napkins… I don’t care about any of that stuff. I don’t care if we have to get married outside in the middle of a snowstorm wearing snowsuits. I just want to marry Brian. I want to be his wife and that’s all that matters.’

Which is why I’m going to do everything in my power to make this wedding happen.

‘Oh!’ Monica claps her hand over her mouth. ‘I’m so sorry, Issy.’

Her expression would be comical if it weren’t so sweet how concerned she is about Issy’s feelings.

‘Don’t be,’ says Issy. ‘It’s not your fault my marriage is in shambles – please don’t give it another thought, okay? This is about youand Brian.’ She turns to me and only a sister would recognise the bravado in her eyes. ‘Right,’ she says. ‘What’s first?’

I task Issy and Monica with contacting the Seattle-based guests – see who might be able to make it – and Issy suggests they move into the living room.

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