Tiger Bay Blues by Catrin Collier

Author:Catrin Collier
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909840713
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

‘Can you believe it, our taxi turned in the drive at the exact same moment as Harry’s car …’

The sound of Bella’s voice in the hall brought Edyth running down the stairs, Sali, Maggie, Beth and Susie out of the sitting room, and Lloyd from his study.

‘Belle, I couldn’t believe it when you wrote that you and Toby would come back in time for my wedding.’ Edyth flung her arms around her sister’s neck.

‘You didn’t think Toby and I would have stayed in America and missed it, do you? Besides, we only had to cut our visit short by a week and by then even Toby was sick of New York. The sights are wonderful and the museums and art galleries heavenly, but it’s so big and noisy. We hardly slept a wink.’

‘Really, sis?’ Harry lifted one eyebrow suggestively after dropping two suitcases at the foot of the staircase.

‘Because of the traffic.’ Bella’s cheeks flamed crimson, but Toby laughed.

‘Don’t you dare lift a single thing out of that car except yourself, Mary Evans,’ Harry shouted to his wife over his shoulder. ‘Davy, help your sister in here this minute. I warned you, that you could only go to Edyth’s wedding if you promised to behave yourself and not lift a finger more than necessary.’

‘I’m having a baby, not knocking on death’s door, Harry.’ Mary hugged Sali, Edyth and Bella in turn.

‘You’re huge, Mary. The baby looks as though it’s about to arrive any minute,’ Bella said tactlessly.

‘Mary, sit down before I have a heart attack,’ Harry ordered, stepping out of the way when his two young brothers-in-law galloped through the hall to the kitchen in search of Mari, or what was more likely, orange juice and biscuits.

‘Come into the sitting room and sit down out of this crush.’ Sali slipped her arm around Mary’s shoulders and led her out of the hall. ‘You must be parched after that long journey. I’ll get us some tea.’

‘I’ll go next door with the taxi driver and drop off our luggage, Mrs Ross.’ Toby kissed Bella’s cheek.

‘Don’t forget to leave Edyth’s wedding present here.’ Bella hugged Edyth again. ‘I can’t wait to see your gown.’

‘Edyth, where are you displaying your presents?’ Harry asked, when David walked in from the car carrying a large, and by the look of strain on his face, heavy box.

‘They’re in the conservatory.’

‘Congratulations, Edyth.’ David said flatly. ‘The vicar’s a lucky fellow.’

‘Thank you, Davy.’ He looked so devastated Edyth was glad to follow Bella up the stairs and into her bedroom. Negotiating the packing cases that littered the floor, she closed the door and pointed to the gown hooked on to the outside of her wardrobe.

Bella unbuttoned the calico cover. ‘Oh my, it’s velvet.’

‘Just as well the weather’s gone cold. It was horribly expensive, but Mam said it cost about the same as yours, and she kept insisting she couldn’t treat any of us differently to the others.’

‘You’re wearing Grandmother’s veil and tiara.’ Bella picked them up from the dressing table.

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