I assume it was agreed with Tess that she would be asked about her marriage, and she probably agreed on the understanding it was raised at the start so as to get it out of the way. Otherwise it would have been incredibly tactless of Chiles & Bleakley. But no matter how prepared she was, Tess could hardly hold back the tears. She must be aware that a leopard never changes its spots. When the opportunity next arises for Vern, he'll just make sure he's more discreet that's all.