Epilogue
SAINT LUCIA
Mr Pigeons and the Perilous Pitons
April 2010
‘Remember when we were sat in that Brighton café in the freezing cold and Mandy insisted we have our hen weekends in the Caribbean?’ Victoria sucked through the straw of her pineapple-garnished cocktail.
‘Yes,’ Orla laughed. ‘And just look at us now, sitting in a beach-front bar, drinking rum punch. Trust you to go one better, Sharpie, and actually be getting married in St Lucia, too.’
‘Might be you next.’ Mandy prodded her friend gently in the ribs.
Orla turned her nose up. ‘I don’t think my Greg will do it again.’
‘Hmm, my Greg, eh?’ Mandy laughed. ‘He’ll always be Mr Winkler to us.’
Orla couldn’t help but grin. ‘Shut up, the pair of you.’
Mandy put her hand to her tummy. ‘So annoyed I can’t have a drink. ’
Vic laughed. ‘Well, you will keep getting up the duff.’
‘Tell me about it. But forty was always my cut-off age and now this is a girl, I have to stop at three or Steve will actually kill me. It’s such a joy that his parents have taken the boys for the week.’
Vic kissed her friend on the cheek. ‘I love it. It makes up for all those I couldn’t have.’
Mandy welled up. ‘Oh, mate.’
‘I’m fine, honestly. I am the naughtiest auntie to those two gorgeous nieces of mine, and you know how much we love our dogs.’ Vic took another drink. ‘I really couldn’t be happier.’
‘Aww. If you’re happy, we’re happy.’ Mandy grinned.
‘And also, please can I request not to be a godmother for this one? It’s costing me a flipping fortune.’
‘And don’t you be fecking looking at me with godmother vibes in your eyes. I’ve just about learnt to look after meself,’ Orla added, causing them all to burst into laughter.
‘What a difference five years makes, eh?’ Mandy said wistfully.
‘Yes, indeedy.’ Orla put her head to the sun. ‘I meant to ask you earlier, Vic: how are you feeling on your new medication?’
‘So far so good, thanks. I remember, after that fateful Brighton night, all I could think about for months was my HIV. But now it’s only when I take the tablets and go for my regular checks that I have to think about it at all.’
‘I’m so proud of you, mate.’ Mandy welled up again. ‘You’ve handled it all so well.’
‘Thanks to having friends like you, that’s why. Stop, I’m getting teary now.’
‘Oh, quit all this emotional shenanigans, the lot of you, and raise your glasses for a toast.’
Vic and Mandy did as they were told.
‘ One for all and all for one ,’ Orla declared.
‘One for all and all for one ,’ they all repeated .
Orla stood up and shimmied her shoulders. ‘Now come on, hens – let’s get clucking!’
Victoria could feel the whole wedding party – consisting of Kath and Jake; Albie, Joti and their twin girls; Mandy and Steve; Orla and Mr Winkler; Ray and Marcus; Danny and Philip; and Gina, Jerico’s sister – willing her to get her vows right as the jovial vicar commenced the declarations.
Then, with the words ‘You may kiss the bride’ and a resounding cheer from the congregation, Mr and Mrs Pigeons began to write their very own love story.
June 2024
Victoria opened her eyes and kissed her husband softly on the lips. ‘Happy anniversary, Mr Pigeons.’
‘Right back at you, Mrs Pigeons.’
‘Fourteen years – how did that happen?’ Vic propped herself up onto her elbow and looked at her handsome beau.
‘I don’t know, but I’m so glad that I married a rich and famous artist.’ He kissed her nose. ‘Right. Breakfast in bed for my little butterfly, and even better news is that, as it’s Sunday, not only am I going to spoil you rotten, but we have a day off from your gallery.’
Jerico got out of bed, stretched noisily and opened the French windows at the end of the long, elegant room. The mesmerising sound of river birds, the swish of trees and a gentle breeze filtered in.
Then the tranquillity was broken by the sound of loud barking and panicked scrabbling against the bedroom door.
‘Oh God, here they come, the household cavalry.’ Jerico tutted as he opened the bedroom door and two lively mongrels came barrelling in, leapt onto the bed and proceeded to cover Victoria with wet doggy kisses. ‘Monica, Fat Frank the Second, get off your mother – that’s my job!’
Victoria laughed loudly. ‘Maybe having a dysfunctional family isn’t so bad after all.’
Jerico stood in the doorway in all his glorious nakedness. ‘My darling girl, I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
*
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