Free The Wedding Countdown by Ruth Saberton Page B

with my writing. How cool is that?
    ‘It isn’t our usual policy to take on two interns but I was intrigued. Interfaith friendship is a fundamental ideology of GupShup and you two embodied that. You are also aware that we intend to launch a desi lad mag, Kya Yaar , next year and that we’ll be looking for well-trained and talented young writers?’
    I nod.
    ‘So there are excellent opportunities for young people who share our values, which is why I decided to offer internships to you both.’
    Excitement ripples through me. This is it! My career really is beginning!
    Nina describes the responsibilities that will now be mine. I’ll be assigned to general office work necessary to create the magazine. Running errands, sorting mail, photocopying (but I won’t tell Raj), and on the publishing side I’ll assist the staff with advertising, editing, copyediting, proofreading and circulation.
    I’m starting to feel quite exhausted just thinking about all this.
    ‘To gain editorial experience you’ll also be given an opportunity to carry out research projects for the magazine,’ continues Nina. ‘Will you be up for that?’
    ‘That’s what I’m dying to do! I can hardly wait to go out and start looking for stories.’
    Nina considers me thoughtfully. ‘Amelia, are you engaged?’
    I’m taken aback. ‘No.’
    ‘What about Nisha?’
    I shake my head.
    ‘Good.’ Nina’s lips twitch upwards. I guess that in a face full of Botox this passes as a smile. ‘I want both of you reporting to me first thing tomorrow. There may be an assignment for you.’
    ‘Really?’ I can hardly believe it. I’ve not even been here a day and already I’m being offered an assignment. ‘What is it?’
    ‘First thing tomorrow,’ Nina repeats. ‘Don’t be late.’
    Sheesh! How frustrating! I hate having to wait to find things out. I’m a nightmare at Eid. Mummy- ji has to think of really ingenious places to hide my presents. I’ll never last until tomorrow.
    As I leave the office, with Nina’s back to me as she turns to face her stunning view, I’m grinning. I’m going to be given my very first proper assignment as a journalist. I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement. What a day.
    And it’s only lunchtime!
     

Chapter 10
    ‘Was I right about these noodles?’ Raj looks smug as I fork up my food like there’s about to be a world noodle shortage. ‘Aren’t they divine?’
    I nod, unable to speak because my mouth is full of the scrummiest noodles I’ve ever tasted. Tossed in sesame oil and coated with just a splash of soy sauce, they are exactly what I needed. Throw in the crunchiest mange touts and there you have it: noodle Heaven.
    ‘Am I forgiven?’
    I decide to put him out of his misery. Apart from buying me such great food Raj has proved to be a very entertaining companion.
    I’ll let him off the hook.
    ‘Phew,’ says Raj, when I tell him so. ‘Nina would so have gone crazy if you’d told her.’ He stares at me hard from behind the trendy specs. ‘You were in there simply ages! What were you talking about?’
    ‘Just the internship.’ I’m not going to tell Raj anything about a potential assignment. Wish had a good point: when it comes to spreading news Raj could give Reuters a run for their money. ‘She asked me a weird question though. She wanted to know whether I was engaged.’
    Raj steeples his fingers. ‘Our boss has a bit of a thing about marriage. Have you heard the tragic tale?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘It’s a tragic story of broken romance, and the real reason she’s a Ms and not a Mrs.’
    ‘I assumed she was gay.’
    ‘Girlfriend, you are so wrong,’ says Raj. ‘When Nina was eighteen her parents arranged her marriage and also for her sister to marry the brother of Nina's fiancé.’
    ‘That’s not unusual,’ I begin, but he raises his hand to stop me.
    ‘Nina went along with her parents’ wishes and the wedding festivities started – but a few days before the nuptials, tragedy