Page 19 of The Forever Match

”All good?” he asked.

”All perfect,” Ash lied.

“I wouldn’t quite say that,” Cam added.

Her dad frowned. “Why? What’s up?”

“Has there been a bridal emergency?” Her mum clutched Ash’s arm.

“You could say that.” Cam pointed at Ash. “This bride hasn't written her speech."

”Cam!” Ash gave her mate what she hoped were pointed daggers.

“What?” Cam replied. “You need all the help you can get.” She waved a hand. “What is it they say? Eight heads are better than one?”

“Precisely nobody says that.”

“Ashleigh.” Her mum’s hand went to her chest. ”You told me you were writing it this week. You’re getting married tomorrow.”

Why did everyone keep stating the bleeding obvious?

“I’m well aware.”

“Right.” Her dad pushed up his sleeves like he meant business. “I’ll get the drinks, the rest of you, go sit at that table over there, and we’ll have a family meeting to drum up some ideas.”

Beth waved her phone. “I’m already on Gemini and Google seeing what they suggest.”

They all sat at the table, and once everyone had a drink, her dad placed a stack of napkins and a pen in front of Ash.

“Were you trying to write on a screen?”

Ash nodded. “And my phone.”

Her dad shook his head. “Write it down. Something about doing that makes the words flow better. For me, anyway. Less distraction.” Ash nodded, and clicked the pen so the nib popped out. She scribbled on a napkin, then looked around the group expectantly.

“It says here to open with a joke,” Beth said, not looking up from her phone. “A funny one. Get the crowd onside.”

“Thanks, Beth.”

Kelly took a thoughtful sip of wine. “What about: “I always knew I’d marry above my station. I just never knew that the person in question would own a station.”

Debra frowned. “Does she own a station?”

Kelly shrugged. “She’s the future Queen. I’m sure if she asked nicely, someone would give her one.”

Ash’s jaw tightened.

“What about.” Uncle Dave leaned in. “You stand up, right, you look at Victoria, and you go: ‘When I first met you, I thought, she’s out of my league. Turns out she’s out of everyone’s league. Literally. She’s a princess.”

Maybe Ash should have put her foot down about this family conflab.

“Do a bit about how football has helped you,” her dad said quietly. “How it taught you about teamwork, partnership, putting others first. All that.”

“I’m not turning into Gareth Southgate, Dad.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Talk about her eyes,” her mum said. ”And her beautiful face. All women love that.”