Twenty-seven
Jasper and I had to rush to be ready in time for the wedding. We couldn’t be late. He was the best man after all.
Noelle was helping Adele get ready. She was a closer friend to her than either Lucy, or I. Obviously.
For the legal part of the wedding, Adele wore an A-line dress in the same colour and style as the bridesmaids’ dresses, save for the fact that the hem of Adele’s dress ended at her knee. She wore a matching bolero jacket but that was made of lace, not Chiffon, and she sported a rather dainty and stunning little fascinator of the same colour, on her beautifully styled hair.
She looked absolutely beautiful and Marcus took a deep intake of breath when he saw her. He wore a dark grey suit for this part and his boutonniere was a single white rose with a sprig of lavender, as were those for all the men at the wedding.
Adele’s bouquet comprised lavender, purple peonies, white roses, and Baby’s breath, and it was tied with a silk ribbon in Tahiti to match her outfit. Even her shoes and clutch bag matched, as did her nail varnish.
Once the legalities were over and the register had been signed, we all congratulated Adele and Marcus and then each couple hurried to their respective homes. I didn’t ask Noelle and Alec if they planned to do what the rest of us were intending to between the time we left the Registry Office and before we were due to arrive at the sailing club. But as the had Melody with them, I doubted they could.
We saw them cross the footbridge just behind us though and there was no sign of Melody as they hurried towards Middle Cottage hand in hand.
‘Melody’s with her grandad,’ Alec said, answering my unasked question. And his smile and Noelle’s told me all I needed to know.
Jasper and I waited outside End Cottage for Adele and Marcus to appear, and they both looked ecstatic although a little flushed when they finally came out. Noelle and Alec were there too. The plan was, that because they were married, Adele wanted Marcus to be the first one to see her in her wedding gown. A rather unusual thing to do but this was her wedding day and she could do whatever she liked.
The dress was breathtaking, but I knew it would be because Lucy had designed and handmade it. It was a simple yet gorgeous design of an empire line dress of white silk with a low curved neck, and layers of gossamer embedded with tiny beads of pearl. Her headdress was a band of flowers identical to her bouquet and worn like a crown, and her hair was in a chignon with little tendrils curling down at the sides. The only jewellery she wore was a single row of pearls that Marcus had given her the day before, and two pearl studs with pear shaped pearl droplets.
A white carriage drawn by four white horses was waiting in the car park and I heard Marcus tell Adele more than once how beautiful she looked.
We got into waiting cars and then our cars followed the carriage down Midwinter Lane and into Fairlight Bay where the Town Crier waited to lead the bride and groom through the streets of the town, along the promenade, and to the sailing club, all the while ringing his bell and announcing their marriage.
Melody was there with her grandad, and she took the white wicker basket from Noelle and began to scatter the petals it contained.
The weather was perfect as Adele and Marcus stepped inside the sailing club a little after three p.m. and afternoon tea awaited in the function room. The sandwiches and cakes wouldn’t have felt out of place in any of the best stores in the world, or even in Buckingham Palace for that matter.
After tea, there was a tea dance, naturally and the band played a selection of dance music for all ages and tastes.
Later, there was a buffet in the function room where guests could help themselves to anything from lobster, crab and oysters, to mini burgers and fries.
Billy, the Dachshund who had accompanied Tilly and Willy and who was sporting a far fetching bow tie, that matched Willy’s own bow tie, seemed to like the mini burgers and he growled at someone who tried to pick one up that had fallen on the floor, but otherwise, he was exceedingly well behaved.
Champagne flowed, and drinks poured freely and everyone was having a wonderful time.
And then, as the sun began to set and the sky was a kaleidoscope of pink and purple and red and gold and silver and blue, Melody led Marcus and Adele towards the floral arch, scattering more petals as she went, while Bryan Adam’s song accompanied them as they walked.
Marcus’ vows were a shortened version of the toast he’d given at the taster luncheon. Adele’s vows were simple and fairly brief. She promised to love him for the rest of her life and to spend her life making his as perfect as it could be.
‘I adore you, Marcus. And I thank my lucky stars every day that you love me. I’m not good with words but you have given me everything any woman could want. You’re my best friend, a superb lover, a shoulder to cry on, a strong arm for support. You’ve given me your heart and I’ll treasure it always, as I treasure you. And you given me our child. You’ve given me the world and I couldn’t ask for a better man to put my faith and trust in, and to share my love and life and dreams and hopes with. Thank you for being you.’
Elliot took hundreds of photos, or it seemed as though he did, including one of me and Jasper, as we too, stood beneath that floral arch and the setting sun provided us with a stunning display.
‘This has been a wonderful wedding, don’t you think?’ he said after he’d kissed me beneath that arch.
‘It has,’ I said. ‘But it had a fantastic wedding planner, so of course it would be. Not to mention a rather fabulous best man who helped along the way.’
‘So, wedding planner, police officer, or crime writer?’ he asked. ‘Any more thoughts on that?’
‘Yes. Crime writer. But not gory crime. Cosy crime, I’ve decided with a touch of romance thrown in. Because, after all, I am a romantic at heart.’
‘Just a touch of romance?’
‘Just a little in my books. But I’ll still need to carry out extensive and in-depth research.’
‘Well,’ he said. ‘I think I may be able to help you out with that too. And I think we should get started on that tonight, don’t you?’
‘Absolutely,’ I said. ‘Oh, and I intend to base my hero on you. Because, despite the flip flops, and the tea, and the bicycle, you are my hero and you’re the one for me.’
‘And you’re the one for me, despite … Wait. What’s wrong with flip flops and tea, and … oh, I don’t care. I love you, Erin. Now shut up and kiss me.’
‘Hey, you’re the one who won’t stop talking. Now shut up and kiss…’
His kiss took the rest of my words right out of my mouth.