Read Online Mother of the Bride by Marita Conlon-Mckenna - Free Book Online

take into account. I think we should pay some of those, Amy, it’s only fair . . .’
    Amy totally agreed with him. Her mum and dad were so good and generous, but they had probably no idea how much a big wedding could cost! She and Dan both had good jobs and savings accounts, and sharing some of the wedding expenses would make it easier on everyone.
    â€˜This is exactly what we are looking for,’ she insisted. ‘We’ve looked everywhere and this is by far the best that we have seen. It’sabsolutely gorgeous. My mum and dad and your mum and dad will love it. I know they will. Just wait till they see it.’
    â€˜Are you sure, Amy?’
    â€˜Of course,’ she said, trying to dispel any qualms she had about the price of the castle rental.
    â€˜It seems crazy spending so much on a wedding,’ he reasoned. ‘I think we should talk to Paddy and Helen about it, see what they think before we decide. I know it’s by far the best we’ve seen, but I just don’t know if we can afford it.’
    â€˜Let’s go talk to Hugo,’ urged Amy, giving him a big hug.
    Hugo’s office was in the west wing of the castle, with a huge window overlooking the grounds. A computer and screen were on the massive mahogany desk, and the shelves around the small room were packed with books and maps and photographs.
    â€˜I talked to Tamsin and she checked our calendar of bookings,’ he said, tapping quickly on the keyboard. ‘The summer, as I said, is already totally booked, but you’re in luck as that opera date on Saturday the sixth of June is definitely now available. There was meant to be a wonderful open-air production of
Carmen
coming in, but due to the current economic climate the company has decided not to go ahead with staging it this year. It’s most unfortunate, and very disappointing for local opera-lovers, but that Saturday in June is available if you are interested. Otherwise we go into October, like I mentioned.’
    â€˜You have a Saturday in June, just the day we are looking for,’ said Amy, unable to contain her excitement. ‘Please can you book us in for the sixth?’
    â€˜The procedure is that I will put you in our books and up on the computer so this date will become yours,’ smiled the castle owner. ‘I will need a small deposit of three hundred euros to hold the booking, and the rest of the deposit will be due in eight weeks, with the full payment due six weeks before your wedding.’
    â€˜I want my parents to see it, if that’s all right,’ explained Amy. Hermum and dad had been looking at a few venues, too. ‘Maybe they could come to see it next weekend if they are free?’
    â€˜They will be most welcome,’ Hugo agreed as he took Dan’s credit card details and printed them out a receipt.
    Walking back towards the car half an hour later, Amy was elated. It was the most perfect place ever. She and Dan had actually found somewhere they both agreed on. They had their wedding date set and they had Castle Gregory. Amy couldn’t believe it!
    About half a mile down the road they found the small grey-stone church which Hugo had mentioned. It was locked, but from the outside it looked perfect. It was surrounded by oak and beech trees and there was a little graveyard and a path that led back up towards the castle.
    â€˜It’s so beautiful,’ she whispered.
    Dan took her hands in his.
    â€˜I love you, Amy,’ he said, touching her face. ‘If there was a priest here I’d marry you right now and forget all the palaver and fuss. It would be just the two of us here in this little church under the trees.’
    â€˜I love you, too,’ she said. ‘And it will always be the two of us for ever and ever. But having our wedding here with all the people we love around us will be wonderful, Dan. I know it will.’
    â€˜OK.’ He sighed, kissing her. ‘On the sixth of