Chapter 38
After the initial drama, the wedding went without a hitch, much to Florrie’s relief.
A cheer rang out when the photographer finally declared that she was happy with the photos she’d taken as they’d shivered in the grounds of the church, being buffeted by a chilly breeze that was struggling to keep the rain at bay.
No one wasted a moment and hurried to their cars and drove to the reception.
Upon their arrival at the bookshop tearoom, Florrie and Ed were greeted with a rousing round of applause as they took their seats at the newly created top table.
Florrie glanced around her, thrilled to see the room had been given a thorough wedding makeover.
The tables had been covered with crisp white tablecloths, while lengths of frothy organza were wrapped around the backs of the chairs and tied in a bow – no doubt courtesy of Lark who Florrie recalled had mentioned recently taking a delivery of such fabric.
Spring flowers that matched her bouquet had been arranged in vases and placed on any available surface, with smaller versions dotted at intervals along the tables.
Florrie was delighted to see the wedding favours set out on the placemats.
She’d commissioned the chocolates in the shape of miniature piles of books from Becca at the Chocolate Cherub chocolatiers in Middleton-le-Moors.
They’d been placed in book-shaped boxes Becca had sourced specially for Florrie and Ed’s wedding.
The confectionary had luckily avoided being stranded at the Jolly since Mandy had expressed her concern about them getting damaged owing to the lack of storage space at the pub with all of the wedding paraphernalia taking up so much of it.
Florrie gave a grateful smile; she’d have been so disappointed if they’d been ruined in the flood.
Adding to the wedding vibe, fairy lights were festooned from the ceiling and subtle music spilled from the speakers of the vintage radio. The mouth-watering aroma of roast dinner that permeated the air made Florrie feel suddenly ravenous.
In no time at all, plates of steaming food were placed in front of them.
Gerty, who’d travelled to the bookshop in the car with Ed and Florrie, was sitting at Ed’s feet, sniffing the air appreciatively.
The room was filled with upbeat chatter, punctuated with bursts of laughter.
Florrie cast her gaze around – she was delighted that the last-minute change of venue hadn’t dampened anyone’s spirits or taken the edge off the day.
She caught Ed’s eye and the pair exchanged happy smiles.
When it came to the dessert, Jasmine’s chocolate brownies went down a storm, especially since they had been served warm, making the centres extra gooey and luxurious, melting into the warm custard.
Once the food – which had been delicious despite it having been hurriedly prepared – had been devoured, it was time for the speeches.
Florrie could feel Ed fidgeting nervously beside her.
He’d told her he hadn’t officially prepared a speech nor written anything down.
He was concerned his dyslexia would make him stumble over his words if he attempted to read from a sheet of paper.
He’d already warned her that it might not be a particularly polished affair, but he needn’t have worried.
As he spoke, it was obvious his words came straight from the heart, his love for Florrie shining through and leaving many of their guests in tears.
‘Before I sit down, I have a surprise for my beautiful wife – blimey, it feels good saying that!’ he said, making everyone, including Florrie, laugh.
He turned to look at her, his eyes warm with affection.
‘So, Mrs Harte – feels pretty good saying that, too! – it’s no secret to everyone who knows you that you’ve always been a massive fan of the Bronte sisters, and that Wuthering Heights is your favourite novel of all time.
Which is why we’ll be spending our honeymoon in the Bronte’s hometown of Haworth where we’ll be visiting what was their home at the parsonage museum.
We’ll also be taking the Bronte trail, including a trip to Top Withens, and generally getting all “Brontefied” for a good few days! ’
Florrie leapt to her feet and flung her arms around her new husband, planting kisses over his face in a most un-Florrie-like public display of affection.
‘Oh, Ed, thank you! I can’t think of a more wonderful way to spend our honeymoon!
’ In truth, they’d had a conversation and agreed that with all of the expense they’d had in setting up the tearoom and making improvements on the bookshop, they’d forgo a honeymoon and take a holiday later when funds allowed.
Little did Florrie know that Ed had been secretly planning the Bronte trip to surprise her with, knowing how much it would mean to her.
The excitement continued with the cutting of the stunning cake Jasmine had created for them.
It was a three-tiered affair covered in ivory-coloured fondant icing.
On the top tier was a pile of three sugar paste vintage-style books set amongst a cluster of hand-painted sugar paste spring flowers.
The faux blooms continued down the side, creating a tumbling effect.
‘It’s a shame we have to cut it, Jazz,’ Florrie called to her friend.
Before long, the tables were pushed back against the walls creating space for a makeshift dance floor.
Ed led Florrie to the centre of the room as Gabe Dublin’s ‘My Rose-shaped Heart’ poured from the speakers, triggering a cheer from their guests who looked on as Ed held his new wife close, the pair swaying to the music.
‘If it’s okay with you, I wouldn’t mind sneaking out for a few minutes. Won’t take long. Sorry to sound cryptic, but I’m sure you’ll understand when I tell you the reason. Bear’s not drinking so he said he’d be happy to take us in the Landie.’
‘Oh, okay,’ Florrie said, looking puzzled.
Five minutes later, Bear pulled up at a familiar place on the top prom. ‘Here you go, folks,’ he said, yanking the handbrake on. ‘Take as long as you need.’
Ed reached for a small gift bag at his feet and climbed out of the vehicle, before helping Florrie down.
Dusk was creeping in, creating a golden glow over the sky. Taking her hand, he led her over to the commemorative bench they’d sponsored for Mr and Mrs H. ‘I thought we couldn’t let our special day pass without checking in with my grandparents.’
Florrie’s heart squeezed. ‘I love that, especially since your granddad, aka Cupid Harte, played such a big role in us getting together in the first place.’
‘As you can see, I came prepared.’ Ed pulled out two plastic bags from the gift bag. ‘They’re not very stylish, but it’ll mean we don’t get our clothes wet when we sit down.’
‘I see you’ve thought of everything.’ She smiled as they both stretched out the carrier bags on Mr and Mrs H’s seat and quickly sat down before the wind snatched them up and sent them blowing along the prom.
Florrie rubbed her arms as goosebumps pinged over her skin, prompting Ed to remove his jacket and drape it over her shoulders.
That done, he produced two small champagne glasses, handing them to Florrie as he shared the contents of a small bottle of fizz between them. ‘We won’t stay here long, it’s chilly and your dress, beautiful as it is, won’t keep the cold at bay, but I thought it’d be nice to toast my grandparents.’
‘Absolutely.’
Ed held his glass aloft and Florrie followed suit.
‘Here’s to you and Grandma, Grandad. I know you can’t be with us in person, but I know you’ll be looking down at us, smiling that mischievous smile of yours, Grandad.
I’m sorry our time together wasn’t longer, but I’ll treasure every moment.
’ Ed’s voice faltered and he fell silent.
Florrie took his hand, her throat squeezing with emotion as her gaze swept along to Mr and Mrs H’s beloved Thorncliffe. Just then, the sun broke through the clouds and a rainbow appeared, its colours softened by the deliciously warm hues of golden hour. ‘Look! How gorgeous is that?’ she said.
Ed followed her line of sight. ‘Oh, wow! It’s a double one, see?’
‘Lark says double rainbows mean good luck, that they’re a sign of new beginnings and where the spiritual world connects with the physical world,’ said Florrie. ‘Looks like your grandad heard you.’
‘Looks like he did.’ Ed’s face broke out into a smile.
‘One last thing while you’re listening, Grandad, thank you for bringing me to this amazing woman, you really knew what you were doing when you set that ball rolling.
’ He caught Florrie’s eye and they exchanged a smile.
‘And here’s to the next generation of Happy Hartes.
’ He leant towards her and pressed his lips against hers, all soft and warm. ‘Love you, Florrie Harte.’
‘Love you right back.’