Page 146 of My Kind of Happy

Chapter Forty

As soon as the service was over, Sam announced that the hog roast was ready.

There was almost a stampede. The smell of it wafting over us had been so tempting that I’d heard one or two stomachs rumbling during the vows.

Gabe, having sent Rosie for a lie-down, was helping Will and Sam serve up. I hadn’t spoken to Sam for hours, I hadn’t even had a chance to eat anything, but I saw how much he was enjoying himself. Gina, Bing and Una were wandering round with trays of champagne flutes and I did allow myself one of those.

There were seating areas set up all over the gardens as well as the marquee which, as it turned out to be the hottest place, was almost deserted. Dexter was still taking candid shots: Annabel, I noticed, had commandeered him for the longest; she needed Instagram-worthy pictures and rejected almost every one he took.

In the middle of everything were Laura and Hamish. They were having a ball, introducing each other to friends and family that their new spouse hadn’t met yet, never, even for a second, letting go of each other.

Craig kept a strict eye on Terry, forcing him out of the sun and checking he’d taken his medication. He was obviously tiring, but tucked under a large parasol, chatting to all the most important people in his life was probably the best medicine he could have.

The DJ had set a great playlist to run during the wedding breakfast: uplifting, romantic and happy. Annabel hated it. I was humming along to Taylor Swift when she appeared by my side.

‘Do you really like this music?’ She curled her lip.

‘I do,’ I beamed at her and risked giving her a hug. ‘You’ve been brilliant today. Thanks for your help.’

‘OK, you can let me go now.’ She pretended to look horrified but she didn’t fool me, her lips twitched with pride. ‘Is it time for you know what?’

I checked the time and nodded. ‘Action stations.’

She raced off to the podium and I headed into the house. Barbara, the registrar, was having a cup of tea at the kitchen table with Delphine. Barbara had been recommended to me by Kelly, whom I’d met on my first day in Barnaby at the Riverside Hotel. She was new to the job and had been very receptive to all our requests. Gina had already asked her to officiate for them at The Evergreens when the time came.

‘This is a first for me,’ Barbara said, her eyes mischievous behind her dark-rimmed glasses. Her red lipstick had transferred itself to the rim of her cup.

‘Same here,’ I said. ‘Delphine, could you go and let the bride and groom know we’re ready for them, please?’

Delphine looked stunning in a pale blue silk dress sprigged with lily of the valley, designed and made by herself. The woman was a marvel.

‘Oh, this is so romantic,’ she cried, her hands fluttering to the pearls around her neck as she danced out of the kitchen, her sprightly gait belying her age by several decades.

I’d left two bouquets of flowers in the sink earlier. I took them out now and dried the stems thoroughly.

Barbara finished her tea and wandered off nonchalantly so as not to attract attention and as soon as she was out of sight, Stanley and Bing slunk in.

‘You two look gorgeous!’ I squealed, laughing as the two old men did twirls. Both of them were in pale grey suits and coral pink cravats.

Stanley kissed my cheek. ‘And you, my dear, are gorgeous, inside and out.’

‘I’ll second that,’ said Bing, also muscling in for a kiss.

‘Eh, dicky heads!’ came a sharp voice from the hallway. ‘You already taken.’

‘Go, go,’ I said to the men, ushering them out. ‘And stay unobtrusive.’

The men slunk off and as soon as they’d gone Delphine, Maria and Una stepped into the kitchen.

‘Absolutely beautiful.’ I beamed at the three dear ladies. ‘Ready?’

Maria looked at her two friends. ‘Come on girls, we knock ’em dead.’

I led the women slowly through the garden, keeping to the opposite side of the lawn away from the food area which was to the far side of the house. We reached the first willow arch and I stepped back. At the podium, Barbara smiled and gestured for Bing and Stanley to take their places. I nodded at Annabel who’d been patiently waiting to do her bit. She pressed play and the hypnotic sound of Etta James singing ‘At Last’ echoed softly through the trees. Maria, arm-in-arm with her best friends, walked down the aisle towards Stanley who stood waiting for his bride, tears running unashamedly down his cheeks.

Ten minutes later Mr and Mrs Pigeon shared their first married kiss.

Simple, fuss-free and with the meadow flowers she’d told me she wanted, Maria had got her dream wedding and made Stanley the happiest man in the world.