Chapter 39
Tilly and Jed, and Ronnie and Sarah, walked down the aisle of Micklewell church, both couples smiling broadly, both feeling that they were so grateful to be among those who’d survived the war.
They had fought for their freedom and were now free to enjoy the rest of their lives together.
Now here they were in the heart of Micklewell, surrounded by family and friends.
They exchanged glances with one another as they stood at the altar, waiting for the moment that they had wondered would ever come.
They took their vows together with the blessings of all who had come together to celebrate their special day.
As the bells pealed out across the Hampshire countryside, the guests and villagers crowded the grounds of the church.
The air was filled with cheering, and shouts of congratulations and confetti showered the happy couples all the way down the path to the lych-gate.
Jemima made the cutest bridesmaid, laughing and twirling round in her little pink silk frock and holding hands with Anthony, who cut a very grown-up figure in his suit and bow tie.
Old Jim made it to the wedding, with the aid of a stick and a glass or two of whisky to help the arthritis.
The twins, Annie and Rose, made the most of the opportunity to show off their new hats, made by Annie herself.
She was now training to be a milliner. Rose had received a promotion at the factory, so she could afford to buy the material for both their new outfits at cost price.
Everyone did their bit to make this the most memorable day ever and the Truscotts opened their arms to welcome new members to their ever-expanding family.
The brides stole the show, of course, both choosing to wear outfits of a simple design, also made by Sarah and Kate.
Material was expensive and hard to come by post-war, but they both looked stunning in their chosen outfits.
Tilly wore a suit dress of cream crepe with a fitted jacket and full-length flared skirt.
The jacket was expertly trimmed, with gold-embroidered lapels and edging.
Sarah’s dress was fitted at the waist and made from ivory and gold brocade.
It fitted her beautifully. The brides each had bouquets of cornflowers, sweet peas and nigella.
When Tilly threw her bouquet, it was Fliss who caught it.
‘Your turn next,’ Tilly said.
‘I should think so.’ Fliss grinned, looking up at her captain. ‘Unless this rock on my finger is just a pacifier to stop me nagging. I’ve ordered my dress already.’
When Sarah threw her bouquet, Annie and Rose grabbed it simultaneously.
Kate laughed. ‘Well, perhaps there might be another double wedding on the cards soon.’
‘If two women catch the bouquet at the same time, it’s a sign of good luck and fertility,’ Amelia said. Annie and Rose glanced at each other and blushed.
When the newly married couples and their guests all started to walk up the lane towards the village hall, there was a loud burst of clapping and cheering from the assembled crowd. Kate and Dot took the opportunity then to slip away and place some nigella flowers on their mother’s grave.
‘Love-in-a-mist,’ Kate said, as she placed them next to Ada’s cross. ‘Her favourite flowers. She would’ve so loved to be here today,’ she continued, through her own mist of tears.
‘Yes, she would, but she lives on in all of us,’ Dot said. ‘We have inherited her strength and determination in life, and so have her grandchildren. We are our mother’s daughters.’
‘We are indeed,’ Kate agreed, taking her sister’s hand. ‘Do you suppose our Tilly will settle here, in England, Dot? Or will her American take her away from us, across the Atlantic? I do hope they choose to stay.’
‘No matter where they are and what they do, Tilly will always be a Truscott and our love will always keep us together,’ Dot said. ‘No ocean is wide and deep enough to keep us apart.’
The two sisters held each other’s hands and walked up the road together to join the next generation of Truscotts in celebration of all there was to come. All the ups and downs of family life in the Hampshire countryside. All the laughter and the tears.
THE END