Jodie looked great, Leanne thought. When she was little, Jodie had always been the chubby ugly duckling of the family but now she was blossoming. Most of the guests had taken their seats, and even Paul and Tracy had managed to sit down without one pouring a pint over the other’s head. Mandy had decided that they would have the speeches before the meal. She said it was so that those speaking could enjoy their food afterwards and not have it spoilt with nerves, but Leanne knew the real reason was so they didn’t get blind drunk and say something they shouldn’t. First up was Mandy’s dad. Poor Keith, Leanne thought, he was absolutely terrified. He said all the usual stuff: how beautiful his daughter looked, how stunning the bridesmaids were, how much he was looking forward to welcoming Markie into the family. At this particular declaration Rita shifted uneasily in her chair and repositioned her hat for the umpteenth time. When he sat down, everyone clapped and cheered – they’d known how nervous he’d be.
