‘Love you too.’ She leaned over to kiss his lips as he sat, and the guests cheered.
Alice held Jamie’s hand beneath the cream tablecloth, smiling his way. She glanced down when she felt him stroke her bare wedding finger. The memory came back of them telling the officiate they didn’t want to exchange rings. It wasn’t law, and it wasn’t as if they could wear them anyway.
‘It’s been a nice day, hasn’t it?’ said Jamie.
‘Yes, and I’m so glad everything went well.’
They got up to help some of the others tidy the tables so they could be pushed along the walls to make more space for dancing. When the lights dimmed and Sophie and Matt had their first dance, Alice swiped away another tear.
The party was alive and buzzing, leaking out onto the small front garden, and more food was laid out on the tables, including lots of seafood from Sea Shanty Shack.
Luna came over and put her arm around Alice’s waist. ‘It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it, love?’
‘It’s been quite the month.’
‘And it’s not over yet.’
Alice smiled at her grandmother. ‘Not long to the new year, which, to be honest, I’ll be glad to see.’
‘Ooh, don’t wish your life away, Alice. Enjoy each day. So much can happen between now and next year to make this your favourite year yet.’
Alice side-eyed her nan. Was she being cryptic again or simply teaching the art of being present? Either way, now that it had been mentioned, Jamie being released from prison had made it one of her favourite years. It just had brought a lot of the past with it.
‘You don’t need a new year to make a fresh start, Alice. You can make that happen at any time.’
Alice watched her nan dance off into the crowd gathered in the foyer, leaving her by the reception desk, mulling over life.
Needing a moment to herself, Alice went to her bedroom and sat on the bed. It had been a challenging month, more so for her emotions. She picked up a snow globe from the bedside table and shook it to watch the fake snow sprinkle down onto a gingerbread house. Jamie was going to be with her for Christmas, and that thought alone was just as magical as the ornament in her hand.
Sighing, she smiled softly up at the ceiling. ‘How’s it going, Lisa? Have you been watching?’ She was never quite sure what words of wisdom her sister would say. If Lisa could see life in Port Berry, Alice was sure her sister would focus more on Benny anyway. Still, it was nice to have a chat every so often.
A gentle tapping came from the door, then Benny poked his head inside the room. ‘You okay? I saw you come in and wondered if you didn’t feel well.’
Alice patted the bed, gesturing for him to sit by her side. ‘I’m fine. I was just giving my eardrums a rest from the music.’ It was quite muffled in the bedroom but still possible to know what song was playing. ‘And I was having a bit of a natter with your mum.’
Benny glanced up. ‘Do you really think she hears us?’
‘Who knows for sure? But if it makes us feel good to have that chat, then we should continue to do so.’
‘Do you think she would like my girlfriend?’
Alice leaned gently into his arm. ‘She would want happiness for you. And if Ellie is good to you, then your mum would be pleased.’
Benny smiled widely. ‘Ellie is lovely.’
‘That’s all anyone wants in a partner. Someone nice.’
‘I’m glad you have Jamie now.’
Alice blew out a small laugh. ‘I’ve always had Jamie. I’m just glad life is more settled for him now. For us all. We’ve all been through tough times.’ She shuffled around to face him full-on. ‘Benny, I want you to know that we all make bad decisions for ourselves once in a while, so when that happens to you, or you feel you’ve taken the wrong road, don’t be so hard on yourself. We’re only human. We don’t always get it right, but it’ll be okay. We learn, we grow, and change is possible. So don’t ever feel stuck — you can always move forward.’
Benny leaned in for a hug. ‘You’re starting to sound like Granny.’
Alice chuckled. ‘Your granny is wise.’
‘And she’s a great dancer. Have you seen her moves out there?’ He laughed as he stood. ‘Come on, Mum. It’s time we joined in.’ He stopped for a moment, losing his smile. ‘Or do you want to be alone?’
There had been many times she had felt alone, but she never really was, not with her loving family and many friends.
