The Ribbon Weaver

Chapter Thirty-Seven



‘Hello, Gran. Why, you look absolutely lovely!’

Molly tugged self-consciously at the jacket of the smart green costume Amy had designed and had made for her. She had just arrived at Forrester’s Folly to help Amy prepare for her wedding, although she doubted that Amy would need much help. At Amy and Toby’s request, it was to be a very quiet affair.

Samuel and Josephine had insisted that Amy should go to the church from their home and Amy had been only too happy to oblige. Her grandparents had been wonderful following the Laroques’ departure, and after properly meeting Toby they were happy to welcome him into the family. He seemed like a sensible and kind person, and if he made their granddaughter happy then they were happy too. Better still, as part of their wedding gift to the couple, the workmen were now busily constructing yet another building next to Treetops which would become the new local school where Toby would be the full-time teacher. As Mr Forrester had pointed out, ‘It’s about time the local children had the chance of a decent education.’ Toby was thrilled with the idea and could hardly wait to take up his new post. Josephine had promised to work alongside him – she could hardly wait for the school to open. She and Toby were going to make a grand team.

The Laroques had returned to Paris three days after the cancelled wedding, but thankfully the two families were still on good terms and continued doing business with each other.

Now as Nancy fiddled with Amy’s hair, Molly felt a huge lump swelling in her throat. She had always known deep down that Amy and Toby were perfect for each other, and was relieved that Amy had realised it too, before it was too late.

‘Did you see Toby this morning before the coach came to pick you up?’ Amy asked, as she peeped at Molly through the mirror.

‘I did that, an’ I have to say he looked right dapper.’ Molly grinned broadly. ‘I don’t mind tellin’ yer, if I were a few years younger I’d ’ave run off wi’ him meself.’

Nancy giggled before asking excitedly, ‘Now, ’ave you got yer somefink old, somefink new, somefink borrowed an’ somefink blue? It’s bad luck fer a bride if she ain’t.’

‘I rather think I can help with the something new,’ Josephine piped up as she swept into the room. ‘I’d like you to have this, my dear; it’s a wedding present from your grandfather and me.’

She placed a long velvet box into Amy’s hands and when Amy opened it, Nancy whistled though her teeth. It was a glittering diamond necklace.

‘Oh …’ Amy was lost for words at her generosity. As Josephine lifted the necklace from the box and fastened it about her throat they all stared at it admiringly.

‘It’s lovely, but you shouldn’t have,’ Amy objected. ‘You have already had the house built for us, and now the schoolroom. But thank you. I shall treasure it.’

‘An’ now I reckon I can ’elp out wiv the somefink blue.’ Digging into her pocket, Nancy withdrew a blue lace garter and dangled it in front of Amy’s face. ‘This is the one I wore on mine an’ Billy’s weddin’ day, an’ I only ’ope it ’as the same effect on Toby as it ’ad on my Billy.’ Amy giggled as Nancy slid the garter up her leg, blushing furiously.

Now it was Molly’s turn, and bending to Amy she kissed her on the cheek before slipping her thin gold wedding band off her finger. ‘This don’t look much, I know,’ she whispered in her ear. ‘But it ain’t never been off me finger since the day me an’ my Wilf were wed. Now I’d like you to have it, lass.’ So saying, she put it on to Amy’s finger as the girl’s eyes welled with tears. The ring was Molly’s most treasured possession and she almost hated to take it from her.

‘Are you quite sure?’ she gulped.

Molly nodded emphatically. ‘Just as sure as eggs is eggs. While yer wear that, you’ll always have a part o’ me close by.’

‘Thanks, Gran.’ Their eyes locked for a moment but then Nancy broke the silence when she declared, ‘But we still ain’t got nuffink borrowed!’

‘Oh yes, we have,’ Josephine assured her. ‘And I shall be giving it to Amy when she has finished getting ready.’

Nancy renewed her efforts with Amy’s hair and some minutes later she stood back to eye it critically. She had gathered it on to the top of Amy’s head and then let it fall in curls down her back.

‘What do yer reckon?’ she asked Molly.

‘I reckon she looks bloody beautiful.’

‘Then that’s good enough fer me,’ Nancy replied. ‘Now come on, let’s be gettin’ yer into yer dress.’

Amy obediently stood up as Nancy lifted the dress over her head. This one, if anything, was even plainer than the one she had had made to marry François in, but Amy loved it all the same. It was of a very similar style but without the long train, and this one had no adornments of any kind. Not that it mattered now that she was wearing the lovely necklace that Josephine had given to her.

Finally, Nancy lifted a fine veil and clipped it into place on Amy’s head.

‘Wonderful. Now I think we’re ready for the something borrowed.’ All eyes turned to Josephine as she produced yet another box from a drawer at the far side of the room. When she opened the lid and lifted out a glittering tiara, everyone was speechless. It was fit for a queen.

‘My grandmother and my mother wore this on their wedding day,’ she told them. ‘I also wore it on my wedding day. It is a heirloom and has been in my family for many generations, so now I am entrusting it to you, to pass on to your own daughter one day.’ Sadly, Jessica had not taken her turn, but at least her daughter could do so.

‘Oh!’ Amy could think of nothing to say as her grandmother secured it in front of her veil.

‘There.’ Josephine’s smile was haunted as she thought of the other two people who should have been here to share this special day with them. But it was no use wishing; she simply prayed that her children were in a better place now.

Amy felt like a princess as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, but if truth be known she would gladly have married Toby in rags, if need be.

As she looked at the three women surrounding her, she felt truly blessed. There would be no matron of honour or bridesmaids at this wedding, but Nancy looked charming in a blue linen gown dotted with tiny white flowers, and Josephine was striking in a lilac suit that showed off her petite figure to perfection.

Amy felt tears start to her eyes as Josephine grasped Nancy’s elbow and told her, ‘Come along now, we should be getting off to the church otherwise everyone will think we’ve got lost. Molly, we’ll be waiting for you downstairs when you’re ready to join us.’

Molly smiled at her gratefully and as the door closed behind them she turned to Amy and took her hands. ‘This is it then, lass. An’ I couldn’t be happier for yer. I reckon you’ll have a good life wi’ young Toby. He’s a good lad.’

‘Oh, I’m sure I will,’ Amy agreed. ‘But I wish you’d come to the house tonight, Gran.’ She and Toby were to go straight to Treetops following the small reception that Josephine was holding for them at The Folly, but Molly wouldn’t hear of it.

‘I reckon it will be bad enough havin’ to start yer married life wi’ me underneath yer feet, so the least I can do is let yer have yer weddin’ night in privacy.’ If she were to be honest, Molly was looking forward to spending one more night in her little cottage. She was dreading moving into Treetops, and somehow knew that it would never be home to her – not that she would ever dream of telling Amy that, of course. She crossed to a small table and lifting up a small bouquet of white roses, she placed it into Amy’s hand.

‘There yer go, yer all ready now.’ Her eyes were moist. ‘An’ yer look absolutely beautiful. I’m so proud o’ yer, lass. You’ve made me life worth livin’. Never forget that.’

‘Oh, Gran …’ Suddenly Amy was in her arms and they were hugging each other fiercely. ‘Thank you for everything,’ she whispered.

Molly sniffed loudly and held her at arm’s length before turning for the door. ‘I’d best be off,’ she murmured, and before Amy could say another thing she had slipped out on to the landing where she paused to noisily blow her nose. It wouldn’t do to be blartin’ all the way to church.

Amy waited until she heard the carriage pull away and then with her head held high she walked along the galleried landing and down the sweeping staircase to her grandfather who was waiting for her in the hall. He was pacing nervously up and down with his hands behind his back, but when he saw her he stopped abruptly. She looked so like her mother that his heart ached, and when she finally stood before him pride shone from his eyes as he gently took her hand, too full to speak.

Smiling up at him through her filmy veil, Amy squeezed his hand. ‘If you’re quite ready, Grandfather, I believe we have a wedding to go to,’ she said with a twinkle in her eye.

‘I believe we do – but are you quite sure about this, Amy?’

‘I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.’

‘Then come along, my dear. We don’t want to keep the groom waiting, do we?’

She tucked her arm into his as he proudly led her out on to the marble steps. The pony and trap that was waiting for them was bedecked with flowers, and the brass handles gleamed in the sunlight as Mr Forrester helped her into it.

All of the staff who were not attending the wedding had assembled outside on the lawn to wave her off and wish her well, and Amy waved back, feeling like a queen.

Every single one of Mr Forrester’s employees from the hat shops and the factories thereabouts had been given a day off with full pay to mark the happy occasion, and they lined the route by the dozens as they drove through Caldecote. The men tossed their caps high into the air as they passed whilst the women’s good wishes echoed around them.

Very few people attended this wedding, which was just as Amy and Toby had wanted it. There were the Forresters, Seth and his family, Bessie and Jim and their brood, and lastly Nancy and Billy – all the people in the world who the young couple truly cared about. There would be no bridal tour either, as both of them had insisted that they would rather spend a few days settling into their new home. Toby had been initially quite unhappy about living in a home that he had not provided for them, but now that the schoolroom was being built he felt as if he had a purpose. He would be a teacher and hoped he would be able to make a difference to the children hereabouts. And, as Amy had rightly pointed out, it would have been ungrateful, not to live in such a fine house after the Forresters had gone to all the trouble of having it built for her, as she was all they had left and so Toby had bowed to her wishes.

As Amy entered the church on the arm of her grandfather, everyone agreed that they had never seen a more radiant bride. Amy was glowing, and when she saw Toby turn to look towards her, her heart skipped a beat and the whole day began to take on a magical quality. Everywhere she looked were flowers, and the sun shining through the stainedglass window had turned Toby’s hair to gold. When the sound of The Wedding March struck up on the organ, her grandfather squeezed her hand for one last time and they slowly made their way up the aisle as happy smiling faces turned towards them.

As silence descended, the vicar solemnly began the marriage service that would bind them to each other for all time. They repeated their vows one to the other as they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, and Molly began to cry softly. The day she had always dreamed of had finally come to pass, and now she knew that when her time came she could die at peace, content in the knowledge that Amy would be loved and cared for. And yet as she gazed at the bride her joy was tinged with sadness as her thoughts flew unbidden to the angel-faced girl who had lost her fight for life so long ago in the church doorway.

Dragging her eyes away from the happy couple at the altar, she at least had the consolation of knowing that she had fulfilled the dying girl’s last wish. She had taken Amy and loved her as her own. But oh, how she wished that Jessica Forrester could have been here to see her daughter today. She would have been so proud.

Molly pulled herself back to the present with a start as the choirboys in their snow-white smocks lifted their voices until the church rafters rang with their sweet singing. And then when the hymn had finished, a silence descended on the church as the vicar solemnly announced that Amy and Toby were now man and wife. Hot tears began to course down Molly’s cheeks as Toby tenderly kissed his bride, and it was then that Molly saw her. At first she thought she must be imagining things, and she screwed her eyes up tight. But when she opened them again the vision was still there. Molly’s heart began to pound in her chest. Amy’s mother was standing silently at her daughter’s side and her face was a picture of incredible joy as a mother’s love shone from her eyes.

Molly gulped as she quickly glanced at Josephine to gauge her reaction. But she seemed to be oblivious to the vision as she was still firmly focused on the young couple. Panicking slightly, Molly looked around at the rest of the small congregation but again she saw only smiling guests looking on. With a little shock she realised that she was the only one who could see her; even Amy seemed totally unaware of her presence.

Jessica suddenly turned to Molly and smiled, and Molly’s fear died away as she smiled back. And then the vision simply faded away as if she had never been there at all, and Molly bowed her head. A feeling of peace had settled around her and now she knew that everything was just as it should be.

The church bells pealed joyously as the blissful young couple emerged from the church amidst a shower of rice and rose petals. Josephine took Molly’s hand and the two women embraced each other, their mutual love of the bride binding them closer together.

Amy then walked through the churchyard to her mother’s resting-place, and as she placed her bouquet on the grave, she uttered a prayer. But then Toby took her hand and she was smiling again as he led her back towards the pony and trap.

They then began the journey back to Forrester’s Folly with Samuel, Josephine and Molly following them in the carriage behind.

Josephine had noticed that Molly was unusually quiet and leaning towards her she stroked her hand as she asked, ‘Are you feeling all right, dear?’

Summoning a smile, Molly assured her, ‘I’m fine. Just a bit tired, that’s all. I ain’t as young as I used to be.’

‘None of us are,’ Josephine replied regretfully, and then becoming serious she said, ‘You know, Molly, I’m so glad we’ve had this chance to talk. Samuel and I want you to know that we will never be able to thank you enough for all you have done for Amy. God only knows what might have happened to her if you had not come across Jessica all those years ago.’ She shuddered as she thought of it.

‘Aw, stuff an’ nonsense!’ Molly flapped her hand dismissively. ‘Wi’out that lass to keep me on me toes I’ve no doubt I would ’ave been pushin’ up daisies long ago, so happen it should be me thankin’ you.’

Amy’s grandparents shook their heads in unison.

‘No, that isn’t true and well you know it.’ Samuel meant every word he uttered. ‘As far as we are concerned, Molly, you are part of the family now and should you ever need anything – anything at all, mind – you only have to ask and it shall be yours.’

Molly was deeply touched and after a moment she answered. ‘Thank yer kindly, sir. But yer know I already have everythin’ I could ever wish for, an’ today has just been the icin’ on the cake.’

When they arrived back at The Folly, Amy and Toby were already there with smiles on their faces that lit up the whole room and with eyes only for each other.

The cook had produced a wonderful four-course meal, and once it was over everyone chatted and laughed as daylight slowly entered into twilight. Maids replenished their glasses with the very finest champagne and the sound of laughter floated on the air.

Eventually, Amy and Toby opened their wedding presents before cutting the cake, and then it was time for them to go. They began to kiss everyone goodbye before they left to spend their first night in their new home.

Outside on the soft green lawns, Amy hugged her gran to her and whispered, ‘Good night, Gran. Sleep tight and we’ll see you tomorrow, eh?’ Suddenly she started to cry as Molly stroked her hair, savouring the closeness of her.

‘Now we’ll have none o’ that,’ she scolded. ‘You’ve got a fine lad there, so you be sure an’ be good to him an’ make the most o’ yer life. Do yer hear me?’

Amy grinned through her tears. ‘Of course I’ll be good to him, Gran. I know how lucky I am. But not just because of Toby – it’s because of you too. Without you I would have been nothing, and as for making the most of my life … well, with you behind me I couldn’t do any other. You have been my whole life. And just because I’m married now, don’t think that anything is going to change. When you come to join us tomorrow, things will go on just as before.’

Molly nodded, but deep down she knew that things could never be the same again. Amy had a husband now and she couldn’t have asked for better.

‘Go on now, lass.’ Molly gently pushed her away. ‘Yer husband is waitin’ for yer.’

Amy paused to stare into her eyes one last time. ‘I love you, Gran,’ she said from the heart, and then turning she made her way to where Toby was waiting for her, and hand-in-hand they set off in the direction of Treetops.

Molly watched until the soft sweet night swallowed them up, and then Josephine gently took her elbow. ‘Tired, love?’ she asked.

‘Aye, I am a bit, pet,’ Molly admitted.

‘I shall have the carriage brought round for you immediately,’ Josephine said. ‘But be sure to be up with the lark in the morning. Seth will be calling to transport you and your possessions to the new house bright and early.’ And with that she lifted her skirts and left Molly with Samuel, while she hurried away to arrange the coach.

He stood with her right until it arrived and then helped her inside, saying, ‘Good night, Molly. It’s been a marvellous day, hasn’t it?’

‘It has that, lad. The best!’ And then with a wave she was off back to where her heart belonged as pictures of Amy’s happy face flashed before her eyes. Everything had turned out just as she had prayed it would, and she knew that she could not have wished for more.

Once back inside the kitchen of her little cottage, Molly sighed with relief as she kicked her shoes off and lit the oil lamp on the table. She stared about her. Everywhere she looked were boxes and trunks packed with all her belongings. She smiled wistfully as she looked towards her old oak dresser; stripped of its china plates it looked as she felt – empty. And in that moment she knew that she could never leave this place. It was her home. She would explain to Amy in the morning and pray that she would understand. Somehow she felt that she would.