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person. I’ve told her it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t have to wear one. It’s not that sort of wedding.’
    ‘Well, no –’ Deena frowned ‘– a hat, if she’s not used to wearing one, might be a little uncomfortable. Maybe she could opt for a fascinator?’
    Erin shook her head. ‘You haven’t met my mum. My mum in a fascinator would look like an electrocuted emu.’
    ‘Erin, darling!’ Deena raised both perfectly threaded black eyebrows in horror. ‘That’s not very nice.’
    ‘No, seriously. My mum is the loveliest person in the world, but she’s the first to admit that she can sabotage the smartest of outfits. She’s much happier in – um – more casual clothes.’
    And that, Erin thought to herself, was putting it kindly. Her mother had no interest whatsoever in fashion, in clothes, in shopping. Rose Boswell had no idea what suited her, neither did she care. She wore what was comfortable; most of her clothes were charity shop buys or old favourites, worn until they fell to pieces.
    Rose Boswell and Deena Keskar were light years apart.
    Jay drained his glass and glanced at his watch. ‘I think it’s probably time for lunch. We can’t wait to show you the dining room. It’s got sensational views.’
    ‘Mmmm.’ Deena smiled. ‘We did have a little peek just now, actually.’
    ‘Did you?’ Erinfrowned, slightly annoyed. ‘Oh … but you wait until you see the rest. We’d hoped to keep it as a lovely surprise for you, but –’
    Deena giggled. ‘Oh, it will be, and we have a stunning little surprise of our own for you too, darlings.’
    Oh, God, Erin thought.
    Tavish cleared his throat. ‘I thought we’d agreed not to say anything until …’
    ‘Oh, I know, but it’s
so
exciting.’ Deena flapped her hands. Jewels sparkled in the sunshine. ‘Sorry. No, no, Erin, darling, you carry on. Our little surprise will keep until we have lunch.’
    Erin and Jay exchanged amused glances. Deena’s surprises were usually notoriously expensive, expansive, huge and totally impractical gifts. The loft in Jay’s cottage was full of them.
    ‘And we’re both very much looking forward to seeing the rest of the Swan,’ Tavish said firmly. ‘Aren’t we, Deena?’
    Deena nodded. ‘Yes, we’re delighted to get an early glimpse at where you’re having your reception. The restaurant is certainly gorgeous and the whole place – what little we’ve seen of it – looks very nice indeed. But …’
    ‘But?’ Jay raised his eyebrows. ‘There’s a but?’
    ‘Well, yes, darling.’ Deena beamed. ‘It all seems a little confusing. You still haven’t told us where you’re having the ceremonies. The invitations merely said the Swan – which we knew was for the reception – and we all assumed you’d be sending separate invitations for the rest.’
    ‘What rest?’ Erinfrowned. ‘Rest of what? We’re having everything here. That’s what it says on the invitations. Our ceremony is taking place in the marriage room, the wedding breakfast is in the dining room, we’ve got the ballroom for the dancing, and the grounds for the entire day. We’re having a buffet during the evening’s entertainment, and we’ve booked rooms for everyone who wants to stay overnight, with breakfast the next morning and –’
    Deena laughed. ‘Really? That all sounds wonderful, and I know that’s what it says on the invitations, but surely, you can’t actually be
getting married
here? I know it’s a beautiful old manor house, and it’s in a stunning location, and it still looks like a minor stately home, but it’s
an hotel
.’
    ‘With a designated wedding room,’ Erin said. ‘It’s licensed for marriages.’
    Deena nodded. ‘Yes, yes, I understand that. Most Indian wedding ceremonies – and I’m talking here about the actual marriage only – take place in venues that have been blessed for the occasion these days. Not everyone wants to wait for the temple to become available. But even so, there are still