Chapter 47
Gwyn called on Cora one evening and it was obvious he had something on his mind. He crouched down to look at her paintings propped up in the hall.
‘For Gladdie’s exhibition,’ she explained.
‘Nice.’
He stayed looking at them for longer than he needed to and in the meantime she began to wonder whether he wanted to talk about him and Elisavet.
For a moment her mind span in that direction.
They might be good for each other, both of them intelligent and interesting.
Elisavet would be her daughter-in-law. Cora was determined not to be a demanding mother-in-law, keeping her son for herself, no indeed not, and if he wanted to go to a war zone, well.
Whatever he decided to do, she would be happy for him, happy for them both.
‘We’ve named the date,’ Gwyn said. ‘August the 10th. Frank’s birthday.’
‘That was quick!’ Cora patted her heart.
‘Not really. I’ve known Fiona for three years now and it’s time.’
‘Fiona?’ Cora couldn’t keep the astonishment out of her voice and when he looked at her sharply, it was that look people gave when you’d said something crazy and they suspected you were losing your mind. She recovered herself. ‘A summer wedding!’ she said. ‘I shall wear a hat!’
‘Good, she was hoping you would, she wants it traditional. She’s put up with a lot from us, but she’s stuck around and I’d be crazy to let her go.
’ He smiled. ‘She’s going to talk to you about it, flowers and things, but I wanted to break the news to you first. Lottie is going to be maid of honour. ’
‘Lottie is?’ Surprise upon surprise!
‘It’s funny, once we decided to get married, everything changed.
They are completely different with each other.
We’re going to be a family. It makes it permanent, doesn’t it?
She knows that Fiona’s not just – someone who’s going to be here now and one day will walk out of our lives.
She’s here to stay.’ He plucked his lower lip and smiled wistfully at her.
‘I know how you felt about Regina. You loved her like a daughter. But I’m ready now… ’
‘Yes, I’m ready too,’ Cora said firmly.
He looked surprised, and relieved. And then he nodded, as if she’d behaved in exactly the way he’d hoped she would.
They smiled at each other, his big wide smile mirroring her own.
‘By the way, just warning you, they’re going to invite you on a wedding dress hunt with Fiona’s mother, making a day of it. I’m not supposed to tell you, so act surprised.’
‘How exciting! I will!’ She reached up and cupped his gentle face in her hands. She looked into his eyes. ‘You’re a lovely son,’ she said warmly.
There was going to be a wedding!
No need to ask if he was sure – she had never seen him happier.