Heather inched forward. “I’m sorry, I have to dash away straight after the ceremony. I’ve booked an earlier flight home.”
“Oh,” Ginny said, feeling a little disappointed. “Why?”
Heather gripped the handle of her suitcase, as if needing its support. “Last night’s events made me think a lot about things. I know it might sound odd, but I actually felt lucky for the first time in ages.”
“Really?” Edna asked.
Heather nodded. “I counted my blessings and can see that I’m healthy, have lots of good friends and I love my job,” she said. “I lay in bed this morning and decided that I can choose to see Mum’s illness as darkness setting in at night, or I can try to focus on the stars in the sky. The more you look for them, the more you see.”
She puffed out her chest, trying to summon more bravery. “Mum’s still here and although she’s different, we’ll always be mother and daughter. I have to learn to embrace the new version of her, rather than mourn the old one. And feathers and fortune telling aren’t going to help me or her one bit. I’m ready to face the future, even if it keeps flinging custard pies in my face.
“I don’t know what Mum’s outcome will be and I can’t predict how things will turn out. Even if she can’t remember who I am, I want to show her my photos of Venice. We can still look at the canals and buildings together. I can tell her about my new friends.”
Ginny felt like she’d swallowed a rock. Tears sprang to her eyes and she could see Phoebe’s eyelashes shining, too.
Heather took hold of Ginny’s hand. “Thanks for everything,” she said. “I couldn’t have found this peace of mind without you, and I hope you find it, too.”
Ginny thought how it was a strange thing to say before her ceremony. “You’re a superstar,” she said, using Heather’s teacher language.
“It’s all down to terrific teamwork.” Heather winked, pulling Ginny into a hug.
Gianfranco broke their moment by rushing along the corridor waving his hands. “Dogs are not allowed in my establishment,” he called out.
“He’s a good boy,” Eric said. “Seduto, Biscotti.”
The dog sat down and lifted his paw.
Gianfranco hesitated and crouched down to shake it. “Ha, he is a clever handsome beast.” His big eyes shone and he spoke directly to Biscotti. “You are very welcome at Castello Bella Vista,bravo cane.”
The double doors to the celebration room swung open and Adrian stepped into the corridor. He looked surprised to see all the people gathered there and he nodded hellos until his gaze settled on Ginny. Breaking into a grin, he nodded approvingly.Gorgeous, he mouthed.
Ginny blushed.
“There is a little paperwork to sign before the ceremony. Please follow me,” Gianfranco said. He escorted Adrian and Ginny into a small room and showed them a couple of forms. “I will be back in a few moments,” he said.
“Phoebe and Pete have already signed theirs,” Adrian said, wrapping his arms around Ginny’s waist and pulling her close to him. “It looks like you’ve invited the entire village.” He laughed. “You did say your new friends were a random bunch. The old lady looks familiar somehow...”
Even though his description was apt, Ginny prickled. “You said it was okay for them to come,” she said. “I think you’d remember Edna if you’d met her before.”
“It’s great they’re here to support you. They can stay for a drink afterward, then I’ve booked a meal for me, you, Phoebe and Pete in the hotel restaurant.”
“Oh, great,” Ginny said, a little dismayed the others wouldn’t be a full part of her day.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Adrian said.
“Me, too.”
They kissed and it helped to quash some of the doubts that still wriggled in her mind. One question still rolled around, growing bigger until her only option was to let it out. “There’s something I need to ask you, before we go ahead with our vows,” she said. “We didn’t have a chance to discuss it last night...”
“Sure, go ahead.”
She ran her tongue around the inside of her mouth and the magnitude of her question gathered momentum. “I want to know if you met anyone on the dating site.”
Adrian’s jawline reddened. “Let’s not talk about that now,” he blustered. “It didn’t mean anything and we don’t want to spoil our special day.”
Ginny stood her ground. “It means something tome,” she said, pausing for a few beats. “Some people would say it was cheating.”
“Well, that’s an exaggeration. It was a silly thing to do, but it wasn’t like I was unfaithful.”
