3. Two Shots of Vodka

The wine does not seem paired with anything, so you stay at the bar. You do not see a polite way of raising the matter of the burning fish. Al's wine bubbles, fancier than yours:

'I suppose introductions are in order.'

The gentlemen of the red drink conspiracy join you at the bar. Chris is balding, Frank has a paunch and James is younger than the rest. Pete, the best man, does not realise that beer is slipped into his hand, muttering to himself: 

'... a union better than its parts. Much of their old selves must be discarded for this to happen. Such as the inclination to trawl streets for insecure Wi-Fi with which to download a flight simulator, in order to test the viability of a plane perpetually circling the globe with the sole purpose of making dinners. One cannot fit such habits into a marriage - not enough time in the day.'

Their attached women come and go. Emily the bride makes your partner-of-cousin-now-confidante? acquaintance with wary curiosity before continuing on her social rounds. Pete does realise when his other hand is taken by Soz (his wife, 'Sarah, actually, how do you do?'). Al makes a third introduction:

'And this is Katie.'

She corrects him: 'Megan.'

Tight lipped, she leaves.

James groans: 'Katie was two girlfriends ago.'

(Soz whispers: 'Which one was Jessica?')

Chris boasts: 'That's why we're gladly unattached.'

Frank: 'And why we're heading next door, after this.'

You thank Al for the wine. This sub-cluster dissolves into the wider crowd to perform their duties or lack thereof. Alone, you scrawl a cast list on the back of a coaster. Something is afoot and you have two avenues of inquiry, should the opportunity arise.

You fancy a better chance of answers by:

familiarising yourself with the couples

drinking with a couple of drunkards