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Nina choked on her wine and then complained, “Aah, fuck, some of the fizz went up my nose”

Hugh guffawed and handed her a handkerchief Nina took it gratefully and wiped herher attention on the red-faced Miles “I don’t know if I’d prefer a bespoke dress, Miles Ifor in a boutique What about you…Vicki?”

Vicki sniggered and took the baton frorin, before replying in the saht—way “Oh, I like the idea of a bespoke dress But I can’t say I’d rule out a boutique dress Soowns What do you think…Charity?”

Charity was staring at the his laughter Miles groaned softly and dropped his face into his palht red

Charity, the only one who didn’t see on—it was hard to see the forest when you were the one walking through the trees—opened her mouth to reply, but their mother took that moment to make her entrance And all conversation si woman in awe

“Muot up to plant a kiss on theircheek

“Full disclosure, I came here before today,” their mother confessed “I shortlisted five dresses I couldn’t leave it to the very last minute, now could I?”

“That’s very wise, Enid,” Charity appeased her, and everybody else nodded enthusiastically

“This dress is gorgeous, Mum,” Vicki said “Give us a twirl”

The sparkling wine flowed freely after that, and there was a lot of laughter and differing opinions and—sadly—no further ridiculously aard, probing questions from Miles It was a fun afternoon, ave everybody the opportunity to get to know each other and break the ice

Vicki had expected to feel some kind of rivalry with Charity and Nina, because very soon she would no longer be her hter Nina—and Charity too, if Miles’s unsubtle questions were anything to go by—would soon be a part of the fa with and gossip with One of whorandchild already Vicki found that she was happy for her mother to have these tonderful women as companions when she wasn’t around And she knew that her mum would always be there for her No matter what