I’d have asked to be handed back to Mum, but Judy had already rung off, so I made my way as quickly as I could up to the main house and hoped they’d come down to meet me.

And they had. The courtyard was already swarming with caterers—who, on the whole, had been very good about the last-minute venue change—and was now also graced with two women of a certain age staggering under the weight of more white silk than any reasonable person could have any reasonable use for.

I rushed forward to help and Mum, at least, gratefully unburdened herself, dumping a half ton of dress into my woefully unprepared arms. Judy, who prided herself on making light of all burdens, just fell into step beside me.

“Can’t make any promises,” she told me over a cascade of organza ruffles, “but there’s a fair bit for her to choose from at least. You know I do miss weddings. Perhaps I should get married again.” She turned to my mum. “How about it, Odile? It’d make it harder for my bastard relatives to object to your being in my will.”

“Please tell me you’re joking.” I glanced between the two of them. “Mum, you can’t just marry your best mate for a laugh.”

She gave me a disapproving look. “Don’t tell me what I can do, Luc.” Then, to my intense relief, she turned to Judy. “But I do think he’s right. Besides, being married to you would clearly be awful.”

Judy gave a won’t-stand-for-this-disparagement huff. “I beg your pardon. Being married to me is a wonderful experience. That’s why so many people have wanted to do it.”

“I’m with Mum on this one,” I said. “Marriages are like court appearances—the fact that you’ve had a lot of them doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing them well.”

That didn’t seem to help. “You’re missing out, Odile.”

“Perhaps. But I wouldn’t want to ruin our friendship. And anyway, I do not think I enjoyed being married so much the last time.”

I could see that, but I wasn’t sure I liked the implication. “Do you not think Dad was a bit of an outlier? Like he’s basically the worst person you could possibly have been married to.”

Mum gave me a reassuring pat. “I am sure that is the case, mon caneton. And I am sure that if you and Oliver want to be married, you will be far happier with each other than I was with your father. But for me—I think it is a boat that has sailed.”