Page 57 of Four Aunties and a Wedding

“One minute, Mum,” Nathan says, exasperation tingeing his voice. He takes my arm and leads me away from the crowd.“Meddy, I know you’re keeping something from me. What is it? Tell me and we’ll work it out together, okay?”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes. Oh god, what I wouldn’t give to be able to just sag into his arms and tell him everything that’s happened.

Movement catches my eye. Staphanie. Always at the edges, always lurking, watching for a moment of weakness. And not far behind her is Ama, watching the spectacle like a really hungry hawk who can’t wait to strike. I spot Lilian, standing in between Big Aunt and Second Aunt, looking very small and helpless. I just need to get through today, and then I’ll be able to be completely honest with Nathan.

“I’m fine, really I am. I’m just not great with crowds. I mean, I’m not great with them when the attention’s all on me.” Then I say the first true thing I’ve said all day. “I kind of wish we’d eloped. Left everything and everyone behind and just—you know.”

Nathan’s eyes soften. “I know. I wish we’d done that too. But we’re here now, and we got through the ceremony.” He grins at me. “I can’t believe you’re my wife. Wow, it feels weird saying that.”

“It feels weird hearing it.” A giggle escapes me, and it feels good. The first real laugh I’ve had since everything started. Everything will be okay. No one will get killed on our wedding day and we’ll all go back home and forget about the craziness of the day. It’ll all be—

The murmur from the crowd becomes significantly louder. Nathan and I turn.

Oh god. It’s Second Aunt, and she’s...

“Is she...” Nathan mumbles, narrowing his eyes. “Is she making my dad do Tai Chi again?”

23

“Oh no.” I don’t wait before lifting my heavy skirt and running toward Second Aunt. Just as we feared, Second Aunt has accosted Nathan’s long-suffering father and bullied him into doing yet another round of Tai Chi.

“—don’t think this is a good idea,” Annie is warbling nervously, pacing around them.

“Aduh, Annie, not get your nickies in twist-twist, okay?” Big Aunt says in a singsong voice.

“Excuse me?” Annie says.

“Is what you British say, right? Not twist your nickies?”

“Knickers, I think it was,” Fourth Aunt says. “Snickers. Huh.” She stares off into the sky. “Snickers...”

Annie rushes toward us. “Nathan, oh thank goodness. Please tell them to stop whatever they’re doing.”

I hurry over to Second Aunt, who’s literally pushed Nathan’s dad onto his hands and knees on the grass while everyonecrowds around, whispering. Oh god, how is this happening? HOW IS THIS MY LIFE? “Second Aunt, stop it. Stop!”

She looks up with bleary eyes. “Eh? Oh, Meddy, good you here. Come, you help me, we must stretch him. You put hands under his armpit, I will pull from his hip.”

“We are not going to do anything of the sort!”

Nathan crouches down and helps his dad up. “Dad, are you okay?”

Chris clings to Nathan, his eyes all panicky. “I don’t quite know what just happened.”

“Oh, darling,” Annie says, clutching his arm. “Come on, then, let’s get you a chair.” Nathan throws me an apologetic look as he leads his parents away.

I smile politely at everyone and say, “Um, please enjoy the canapés and drinks, everyone. Dinner will be served soon.” Then I rush to Second Aunt, grab her firmly by the arm, and lead her away from the crowd. Along the way, I grab hold of Big Aunt, Fourth Aunt, and Ma. I have to stop myself from grabbing them by the backs of their collars as though they were naughty kittens. “Okay,” I growl when we’re safely out of everyone’s earshot. “What the hell was that about?”

It strikes me that this is the most impolite thing I’ve ever said to them, but I don’t even care anymore. “Second Aunt, how could you bully Nathan’s dad into doing Tai Chi again? Haven’t you done enough damage to his back?”

To my surprise, Second Aunt actually looks ashamed of herself. Or, well, she looks... something. She blinks slowly. I swear her eyes blink at different times. “Tai Chi good for back,” she says finally.

“I know it’s good for your back, but remember what happened the last time you tried to get him to do it? I don’t think it’s for everyone.”

“Everyone...” she echoes. “Everyone look nice, ya?”

I gape at her for a second before it sinks in, just like the pot in her system. Second Aunt is high.

Fuuuuck.

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