Olivia, what about those extra pounds?

Olivia, those extra pounds of yoursarent they a problem? Margaret, Davids mother, keeps pressing.
I dont think I have any excess, especially since my future husband finds them just fine. Not everyone can be a dainty twig, Olivia replies, giving Eleanor and Margaret a cheeky glance. Eleanor snaps, Mum! Did you buy that slimming tea? And chia seeds? Why did you dump so much butter into my porridgethose are the extra kilos! David, you bought that sourdough again? Its unhealthy! You must drink three glasses of water each morning or the weight wont come off Wheres my water? Those are the exact lines David has heard since he was a child.

His mum and his older sister have been obsessively worrying about their figures forever. Eleanor, now thirtyeight, has never married and looks like a gaunt, hunched horse with perpetually hungry eyes. Margaret is as straightlaced as a knitting needle.

It wears David down, so he always gravitates toward lively people with a good appetite. He constantly dreams of a future wife who isnt like his mother or sister. And then he finds her.

Her name is Olivia. Even her name sounds soft, pleasant and sweet, like a freshly baked scone. Olivia isnt overweight, but at a height of 1.73m she carries 85kg. Every kilogram radiates health and good humour. High cheekbones, a slim waist, curvy hips and dimples on her full cheeks beg to be pinched. The sight of her sends David into an uncontainable thrill the moment he lays eyes on her.

One evening he drives his sister to the highstreet bank on Oxford Street. She takes a ticket, settles into the right chair, and he wanders the lobby, waiting. Suddenly a silverbright laugh, tinkling like a tiny bell, drifts to his ears. Its quiet but contagious, and David cant help but smile. He feels an irresistible urge to find the source of the chuckle, so he follows the sound.

A young cashier is helping an elderly client. The client tells a joke; the girl bursts into another giggle. David cant take his eyes off herher hair falls in soft waves, her lips are pursed in a subtle smile, and even her posture shows shes comfortable in her own skin, obvious to any casual observer.

David rides in the car with his sister, listening to her monotone chatter, but his mind is elsewhere, as if hes still standing in that bank, staring at the laughing girl.

David, are you listening? Eleanor asks, irritated.
Of course, Eleanor, Im listening, he replies, straining to work out what shes saying.
Im telling him I wont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast, she sighs about her latest suitor. David nods sympathetically, sticks out his tongue as if to say, What a scoundrel.

The next day, later in the afternoon, he rushes back to the bank. The object of his daylong reverie is sitting there, and David exhales a relieved sigh. After the branch closes, he plucks a bouquet of roses from his car and heads straight for the girl.

Miss, do you need a husband, or perhaps a son for your mother? he jokes, extending the roses. His face looks bewildered and funny, and she bursts into a bright laugh, taking the flowers anyway.

Good heavens they smell divine! she coos, burying her face in the blossoms, inhaling the scent while David watches, enchanted.

From then on theyre inseparable. It happens sometimes that you meet someone and instantly know theyre the onenothing else matters. David proposes after a month of dating; Olivia accepts with a smile. Now they just need to meet the families.

Olivias parents welcome David with a spread of pies, biscuits and lively chatter. Nora, Olivias mothera strikingly beautiful womanplants a kiss on each of Davids cheeks, making him blush beyond belief. James, her father, gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder like an old friend and leads him into the kitchen.

Stay away from the women, theyll drive you mad, James jokes, but dont worry, Margaret, Olivias a gentle soul. Ive loved her for thirty years. And Olivias a real gemlook after her, lad. He looks David straight in the eye.

They sit at the table for hours, eating heartily, laughing loudly, swapping funny anecdotes. Later James picks up a guitar and the whole family sings along. David feels utterly at home, as if hes known them all his life.

Three days later they head to Davids parents house. On the way they stop at a patisserie, and Olivia buys a box of handcrafted eclairs for the women. By five oclock they arrive.

The front door opens to Margaret, Davids mum, her eyes widening at Olivias appearance. She clutches the doorframe, mouth slightly ajar.

David, I love you too, Mum. Shall we step inside together? he whispers, and they slip into the hall.

Of course, love. Come in, come in And you must be Olivia, right? Margaret says, trying to keep her composure as she scans Olivia from head to toe.

Yes, Im Olivia! Im delighted to meet you, she replies, shaking Margarets hand. Margaret stays rooted, bewildered, watching the newcomer.

David introduces Olivia to everyone: Mum, Eleanor, this is Olivia, my fiancée. Weve applied for a licence and the weddings coming up soon. Heres my sister Eleanor, my mum Margaret, and my dad Michael. The news of the impending wedding catches the family off guard; a hush falls over the room, broken only by the clink of cutlery.

Welcome, Olivia! Were thrilled for you, Michael says, pouring a glass of sparkling wine. Do you have a bottle? Perfect! Some treats too, just for the girls.

No, no, we wont be having cake tonight, Margaret says, pushing a box of sweets away with a hint of disdain.

Dont worry, well eat them! Bring the box over, Olivianothing bad will come of it, right? Michael jokes, his voice booming.

Finally everyone settles. The table holds chocolate, light canapés and a chilled bottle of prosecco. They pop the cork, clink glasses, sip, and an awkward silence follows.

Mum, I just met Olivias parents. Theyre wonderfulyoull love them, David says, trying to fill the void. Olivia stares at her glass, while Eleanor watches Olivia intently. Michael launches into a joke, everyone laughs, and the tension eases.

Olivia, dont worry, I have an excellent specialist who can help you with your problem, Margaret interjects suddenly.

A problem? I have no problem, Olivia retorts, surprised.

Then why do you have twenty extra pounds? Thats unhealthy. When you have a baby, I cant imagine what will happen to you Margaret insists.

When I have a baby Ill be even lovelier, with my husband and child beside me. And you, Eleanorsure a slender woman like you must have a handsome husband and at least a couple of kids, Olivia snaps back, biting into a biscuit with relish.

Eleanor swallows, about to fire back, but Michael steps in, fills the glasses, and raises a toast.

To the women of this familydifferent, but all beloved!

An hour later they step outside, sigh in unison, then burst into laughter.

Honestly, I never expected my future motherinlaw to call me plump, Olivia laughs.

Youre gorgeous, love, and you know it! As for my mum and sister, forgive themtheyre generous souls, you cant pick your relatives.

The wedding is set for 25August. That day the couple meets at the register office, surrounded by friends and family. After the ceremony they move to a stately restaurant.

Olivia glows in a sleek wedding dress that accentuates her feminine, enchanting figure. David cant take his eyes off her. Olivias mother, Nora, refuses to let her daughter look any less stunning, while the fathers side of the family also gapes appreciatively. Eleanor, Davids sister, mirrors her mothers features, only younger.

Music swells and the newlyweds glide onto the floor for their first dance. They spin together under the soft lights, the world narrowing to just the two of them. The guests watch, spellbound.

A disgruntled voice cuts through the music: Maybe the bride should shed a few poundsshes massive, and that dress isnt flattering. Its Margaret, Davids mum, muttering under her breath.

As the saying goes, A word once spoken flies away, you cant catch it, and Margarets remark hangs in the air, too late to retract.

James tries to calm the tension. Ladies, enough! Ill steal my own wife, dear Margaret, for a dance. He grabs Noras hand, twirls her, and the room erupts in cheer.

The evening rolls on with laughter, dancing, and clinking glasses. Everyone hopes the newlyweds will live happily, prosper, and share a good life togetherbecause, after all, isnt that the most important thing?