Smiling, I sip my ice-cold drink and risk a quick glance around the room. There’s a large contingent of family members – I’m picking up that they’re on Lizzie’s side – taking their seats at the two round tables near the front. They look tense and uncomfortable, as if at any moment, the whole lot of them are going to erupt into a full-blown feud.

Hovering around the windows overlooking the pond are family members from the other side. There are several pretty little girls in cute linen dresses and a couple of oldies sunk into seats already looking exhausted. Overall, the window group are a more laid-back, relaxed-looking lot. One pimply teenager is even in jeans.

Circling the bar area appear to be friends of the bride and groom. They’re possibly my age or younger. Some of the females are in cocktail dresses so short they’re going to have serious trouble keeping their arses covered when they sit. I catch a few of them glancing in my direction. One guy isn’t even trying to hide his fascination with my chest area. Nothing new there.

I return my gaze to Scott. “Seems strange that hardly anyone here is Japanese.”

Scott rolls his eyes. “Harry was keen to have the wedding back in New Zealand, but Lizzie wanted to have it somewhere more exotic.”

“She sounds Australian,” I state, recalling her accent.

“Yeah, she’s from Brisbane originally. I’m surprised how many people have made the effort to come. It’s not a cheap place to fly to.”

We’re interrupted by an attractive woman who throws her arms around Scott and gives him a loud smacking kiss on the cheek.

“Scott! You look completely gorgeous, as always.”

For a split second I feel a flare of jealousy.

Scott smiles. “Hey, Annie, you’re looking pretty nice yourself.”

Annie punches him on the arm. “I look hot, Scott, and I have every intention of finding myself a man tonight. Any ideas?”

Scott shakes his head. “None whatsoever. Annie, this is Trish. Trish, this is Harry’s little sister, Annie.”

Annie pulls me into a hug. “Aren’t you stunning,” she shouts. Lowering her voice, she tries to look menacing. “You’d better not go breaking our Scottie’s heart. If you do, I’ll be”

“All right,” Scott says, pulling her away. “Leave her alone.”

I’m saved from saying anything, as Annie spots someone across the room, calls out to them and charges off.

“I think she may have knocked back a few already,” I murmur.

Scott grins. “You think?”

We both pause to sip our drinks. I wish I could be having a glass of champagne like nearly everyone else in the room. I could do with the Dutch courage.

“This is going to sound weird, Scott, but I’ve been curious about something since I dribbled all over your T-shirt on the plane.”