‘Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.’ Merrin again felt the rumble of excitement in her gut at the prospect of walking into the honeymoon suite at Pencleven Court with a wedding ring on her finger. She imagined floating into the reception. ‘Hello, can I get the key for the honeymoon suite – it’s Mr and Mrs Mortimer . . .’
The hotel rooms had heavily influenced their choice of wedding venue. She had been reticent at first, suggesting they keep things small and within a tight budget, knowing her parents wanted to contribute, but Digby had told her that the sky was the limit, that they would gratefully accept her mum and dad’s offer, but his parents were happy to pick up the tab. He was, after all, their only child.
‘We are only going to do this once, Merry. Once! And so it’s roast beef, vintage cars and five star all the way. This isn’t some budget get-together, it’s our wedding!’ He had jumped up and down on the bed in the chauffeur’s flat above the garages, which was in the process of undergoing minor renovations, and she had laughed, kissing him hard on the mouth, as he promised her champagne on ice and a real fire on their wedding night, no matter the weather. To be able to spend freely had been a thrilling novelty. In truth, she was looking forward to that time alone with him more than the service and three-course meal and disco that preceded it.
‘Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, Rubes, but I won’t be missing you tonight. We’re planning on making the most of the four-poster bed!’
‘Wiggle and tuppence!’ they chorused, and hugged each other tight for a beat longer than was usual, sharing the moment, both aware that this was the end of an era and neither entirely sure how they would navigate the next.
‘What in God’s name are you two doing up there? You’re making one hell of a racket!’ Bella yelled up to their bedroom.
Ruby ran down the stairs, humming and tooting the chorus of ‘Here Comes the Bride’, while Merrin followed more sedately. She paused as she neared the bottom, knowing that she would never forget the sight of her mum, dad, sister, gran and bridesmaids gathered in the little hallway at the bottom of the stairs, all looking incredibly smart in their finery. They scrubbed up well. The girls’ lilac dresses and her dad’s gold paisley tie matched her mum’s silk dupion coat, which sat neatly over her knee-length tunic dress. Excitement came off them in waves. Their expressions were of love and it was all directed at her. She drank it in, appreciating all that they had ever done and the fact that their unfailing support and sacrifice had given her the most amazing life of warmth and safety, right up until this moment. She might have thought she looked nice enough, but the way her dad’s mouth fell open and her mum’s tears gathered, the sharp intake of breath from Granny Ellen and the sight of Bella placing her hand over her lips as she shook her head left her in no doubt that Digby would be impressed.
‘You look so beautiful!’ her dad managed, as emotion spilled from him.
‘You really do, Merry!’ her mum echoed. ‘Like something from a magazine, but prettier.’ Then she reached up her sleeve for her handkerchief and blew her nose.
‘Where’s the photographer?’ Merrin looked into the parlour to see if she could spot the man Digby’s mother had insisted on booking.
‘I shoved him outside.’ Bella spoke around a mouthful of food. ‘He wanted to push and pull us this way and that, so I told him he could wait for you out there.’
‘What are you eating, Bells?’ Merry noticed the large sandwich in her hand.
‘Bacon sandwich.’ Her best friend lifted the offending article high. ‘So, you remember when Mac from the pub got married and we didn’t get any grub until the evening? I was bloody starving; not making that mistake again, no siree.’ She took a large bite and wiped ketchup from her bottom lip. ‘Plus, I find a chunky bacon sandwich makes a decent beer cushion.’
Her dad chuckled. He loved the girl and her manner.
‘Just don’t drip grease on to your dress!’ Merrin caught the twisted-mouthed look Bella and her mum exchanged, suggesting it might be a bit too late for that particular warning. ‘You’ll all have to move outside; I’ll never get past in this meringue!’
The huddled group did just that, apart from her dad, who held back as the troupe made their way out on to the cobbles at the front of the cottage. She could hear the photographer clicking away and smiled at the thought of Bella’s bacon sandwich featuring in her wedding pictures. God only knew what Ma Mortimer would make of that!
Her dad took his time, savouring the moment, but finally he reached up and took her hand in his, leading her down the last couple of stairs.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of anything in my whole life.’ He pushed out his chest and looked her over from head to toe. She saw pride swimming behind his eyes. ‘Look at my little girlie. Proper job. Beautiful!’
‘Thank you, Dad.’ Merrin was careful not to tread on the hem of her frock. ‘Don’t be too nice to me or you’ll set me off!’ She walked into his arms and closed her eyes briefly, knowing the next man who held her would be her husband and that her life would be forever changed. ‘I wish Gramps was here.’
‘He’s here, love.’ Her dad wiped his nose. ‘Don’t you ever doubt that he’s here.’ They were silent for a second. ‘Anyway, I have a rather unusual gift for you, Merry. Something appropriate for my daughter on her wedding day.’
‘You didn’t have to get me a present, Dad.’ She knew they had scrimped and saved to give her this very perfect day, meeting some of the cost for the wedding, with the Mortimers picking up the slack.
‘Well, it’s something I wanted to do and something I hope you won’t ever forget. The lads and I have been working on it for months.’