Epilogue
Late June the following year
‘So, Xander, would you mind giving me away?’ Hattie asked her nephew.
They were sitting on the veranda at Mary’s house, looking at the view over the valley.
It was Hattie’s favourite place on earth.
‘It’s not really that you’re giving me to anyone, I’m giving myself.
It’s more for me to have someone to prop me up as I walk down the aisle. ’
Xander had been invited for lunch without his mother and stepfather and although Leonie, who knew why, had been encouraging, Hattie was worried in case Xander thought the whole idea was ridiculous. Luke was keeping out of the way.
‘In case you fall over?’
‘I’m not going to do that, I just might feel a bit wobbly. Nerves or something. I would ask my dad except he’s only just done it for your mum and, to be honest, she gets on much better with him than I do. I’d rather have you.’
‘That’s cool,’ said Xander, obviously extremely flattered.
Hattie put her arm round him and gave him a squeeze, a ‘PDA’ he wouldn’t have accepted when he first came to live with her. ‘Thank you so much. I’m sure you know my parents do not approve of us not getting married in church.’
‘I love my grandparents,’ said Xander, ‘but they are quite – you know – old-fashioned.’
‘Which is a grandparent’s role, to be fair,’ said Hattie.
Xander nodded. ‘Deffo. But we don’t all have to be like them.’
Hattie nodded. ‘And Luke needs to have Frank and Fearless with him. Like bridesmaids – except, obviously, he’s not a bride and the dogs are – well, dogs.’
Xander nodded. ‘I understand. Nerves or something,’ he said.
‘And you’ll help us get the garden all ready – with your college friends?’
He nodded. ‘Mary’s house is going to be a great place to have a wedding.’
Hattie nodded. Although it was her and Luke’s house now, they were all still in the habit of referring to it as Mary’s. ‘She’s going to love seeing it all gussied up for our wedding.’
‘And it was so cool that Luke managed to make her a snow globe too.’
Hattie nodded, remembering when she and Luke had watched her unwrap it.
Her face had genuinely lit up, making her look like a girl again.
‘And she’s really happy in her new care home.
Thank goodness Clive finally got that sorted out, although I’m not sure if he did it to make her happy or because he was worried that Mary might disinherit him if he didn’t.
’ Hattie laughed. ‘Although perhaps I’m being unfair. ’
‘Will he come to the wedding, do you think?’ asked Xander.
Hattie shrugged. ‘I shouldn’t think so. I’m not quite sure why Luke invited him.’ She glanced at her phone on the table in front of them. ‘I’m going to have to go. Rose wants to see me to check on things. Is Luke dropping you back?’
Xander nodded. ‘Did I tell you he’s taking me on the track driving day that Mum bought me for working so hard for my exams? She asked him as I think she knew he’d enjoy it too.’
Hattie laughed. ‘He did mention it. And he’ll love it! I hope not more than you do.’
‘No fear of that,’ said Xander.
Hattie gave him a friendly squeeze.
The wedding day couldn’t have been more beautiful.
Hattie woke early to see the sort of mist that meant it was going to be lovely.
Luke was staying with a friend, for superstition’s sake.
Rose and Leonie were sleeping, soon to awaken to help her get ready.
Now, Hattie went quickly down the stairs in her bare feet and into the garden.
There was dew on the lawn, every rose seemed to be flowering and the fragrance reminded Hattie of an upmarket flower shop.
Mary had always had a lot of roses and Hattie and Luke had planted more.
And there were peonies, irises, stately white crambe covered in tiny white flowers.
Perennial geraniums, and aquilegia, like old-fashioned granny’s bonnets, their country name.
There was ammi, like cow parsley, in abundance; and cosmos, like coloured stars.
In the marquee were buckets of sweet peas grown by Sheila especially for the occasion. Swags of flowers on ropes hung under the eaves and every chair had a bouquet tied to it. Sheila had convinced half the WI to help decorate for Hattie and Luke and the result was like a fairyland.
She gave a shiver of happiness. As much as she had dreamed of living in this house, her imagination wouldn’t have let her add Luke, now the man of her dreams, sharing it with her.
Or a pregnant Rose and Leonie as matrons of honour.
She realised her slight nerves were perfectly normal; in fact they sharpened her feelings of joy.
Hattie’s bare feet began to get cold and she went inside. Rose and Leonie were up now. ‘Nervous?’ asked her sister, handing her a mug of tea.
‘Just a bit.’
‘I would be too if we had to follow you down the aisle,’ said Leonie. ‘But of course, if you want us to, we can. Even without matching outfits.’
‘I just want you both here now,’ said Hattie, feeling a sudden rush of love for her sister and friend.
‘It’s going to be amazing,’ said Rose. ‘I can’t wait!’ She went to Hattie and hugged her.
Leonie came up and joined in from behind. ‘This is my first group hug,’ she said. ‘I rather like it.’
‘So do I,’ said Hattie, suddenly fighting tears.
‘I’m going to cry now!’ said Rose. ‘Has anyone got a tissue?’
Xander and Hattie stood behind a potted olive tree, waiting out of sight for the music to give them their cue. Xander, taller than Hattie now by quite a lot, squeezed her hand. ‘OK, Auntie Hattie! We’re on!’
Hattie dug him in the ribs with her elbow and they set off.
She couldn’t help smiling. Everyone she loved was there and now they were all on their feet, turned towards them.
She saw Mary, looking elegant and ageless.
Her parents, overdressed and uncomfortable with the informality.
Sheila and Malcolm, Sheila in a very stylish hat, sitting next to Fiona, ready to hold the baby should Fiona need her to.
Next to them was Nick, proud of his family, whispering something to Fiona that made her giggle.
Leonie and Tom beamed their own happiness back at her.
Then Rose and Sam and several other friends and relations.
On the other side were Carole and Jason, all the friends who’d been at the dinner dance.
Smiling broadly was April with her partner.
Then she looked at Luke, who, it seemed, only had eyes for her. Frank and Fearless, who had been waiting silently at his feet, broke free of his spell and came bounding up before remembering they were there to support Luke and bounded back as Hattie and Xander approached.
Luke couldn’t wait for Hattie to reach the end of the aisle; he stepped forwards to close the gap. He took hold of her hands and stared down at her. Hattie met his gaze, wrapped in the love that shone from him, utterly certain of their future happiness.