Common people sometimes had weddings where such things happened, but it had previously been unheard of in the higher ranks of Kobekistani society; nat...urally, it instantly became de rigeur for all the best weddings, and equally naturally, the lower orders stopped doing it almost at once. Among the watchers were Marseeneh, the mother of the bride and Princess Zubeydeh, the mother of the Emir; the groom was mortified to have to admit that his own mother was dead, but did allow his Head Wife to. ." And he stared into his beer for a moment or two."Hello you chaps, it's a fine afternoon the Good Lord has provided for us."Squiffy looked up. "Hello vicar, in for a quick one before evensong?" He asked, and he signalled to the barman with a raised finger, which became two as he spotted young Pook arriving."Good afternoon gentlemen," said Pook as he took a seat, "and cheers Colonel, thankyou," he continued as the barman set a pint in front of him."Yes, indeed," said the vicar, as he drank. ”“We’re expecting another guest who will be looking for Don Reynolds,” he told her before she left.The server took our drink orders and had just arrived with the drinks when the hostess returned with another man. “Edward Scott?” Don asked.“Yes, and you’re Don Reynolds?” he asked.“And this is my son Jim,” Don introduced me as he motioned for Mr. Scott to take one of the empty seats.“Before we go any further, I need to warn you that I’m recording our entire meeting. There are unscrupulous people. " As Mort was about to leave, there was a knock at the door. Arnie went over to open it and find Antonio standing there. "Excuse me sir." he said. "I am looking for Miss Annie Farrell. Is she here?" Sorry," Arnie replied. "She's gone. Anything I can help you with?" No." Antonio said. The look on his face was heartbreaking. The sparking eyes that Arnie had seen as Annie were gone. Antonio opened the box he was holding and looked at the diamond ring sitting there and lowered his head. "No.