She’s right, Sheila is wearing a smart navy suit with a white blouse and a navy hat, whereas I’m wearing a sky-blue dress, and matching fascinator. We’re all wearing ivory rose buttonholes like the men though.
Kenny overhears and walks over. ‘Very observant, young lady.’ He holds out his hand for a high five and first Grace then Isaac high five him. Kenny and Sheila are friendly and Kenny is great with the kids. They all seem a very close family.
I wonder what Alison will be like. Mum said that she messaged George this morning to say her flight had been delayed, and she has just messaged again to say she’s on her way in a taxi.
‘I hope Alison hurries up, the kids are getting restless.’ I retie the sky-blue sash around Grace’s ivory calf-length dress and straighten the blue bow in her dark curly hair – just like Nick’s.
‘I guess she can’t help her flight being late, but I don’t think the registrar will wait much longer.’ Nick leans forward and straightens Isaac’s bow tie. Isaac has my ginger hair and green eyes. The colouring looks good on him whereas I hated it when I was a kid and dyed it black as soon as I could. He has my high cheekbones too, and always looks serious, whereas Grace has blue eyes and a sweetheart-shaped face and when she smiles it lights up her whole face, just like her dad – and grandad, I remember sadly. I still miss Dad terribly.
‘I can’t believe we’re all here to see my mum get married,’ I tell Nick. ‘It’s been such a whirlwind romance.’
‘I know, but it’s good to see your mum happy again, isn’t it?’ He looks so handsome, the sky-blue suit brings out the deep blue of his eyes and his dark, curly hair is swept up into a quiff. ‘You look gorgeous,’ he whispers.
‘You don’t look so bad yourself,’ I say, smiling at him. He’s right, it is good to see Mum happy, and in love again. I was still living at home when Dad died and me and Mum were both really devasted, our world shattered into tiny Dad-less pieces, so we clung to each other for support. Then Nick came along and picked us both up. He’s been beside us ever since, taking care of us, helping us whenever he can. He’s our rock. I hope that Mum has found her rock in George, too.
The registrar looks anxiously at her watch. ‘I’m afraid that I can’t wait much longer, I’ve another service soon.’
George glances at the door. ‘My daughter should be here any minute.’
Isaac fidgets. ‘I’m hungry,’ he complains.
The door opens and a tall, slim woman with short blonde hair and dangling gold earrings bursts in. She is wearing a striking red trouser suit, black stilettos and a black fascinator. ‘Sorry I’m late, everyone. The traffic was awful.’
Both Mum’s and George’s faces crease into big smiles as the woman – obviously Alison – waves and slides into the seat next to Sheila and Kenny, her red trouser suit like a beacon amongst the sea of blue and silver-grey. She clearly wasn’t told the colour scheme.
The ceremony begins and we all watch in silence as Mum and George say their vows and rings are exchanged. It’s such a poignant moment tinged with sadness because it means my dad has finally been replaced, but I know he would have wanted Mum to be happy.
I hope she’s always as happy as this moment, that George looks after her. They are gazing at each other so adoringly, and we all clap as they kiss. Isaac and Grace clap the loudest and keep on clapping when everyone has finished. They both adore George. And their nanny, of course.
‘Now we have a granddad,’ Grace says to Isaac, and my heart lifts for them. Grace and Isaac longed for a granddad, but Nick’s dad died when he was young, and mine before our children were born.
Nick squeezes my hand and smiles down at me, he knows how emotional this is for me. I smile back to reassure him that I’m all right then glance over at Alison and Kenny to give them a friendly smile too. After all, we’re all family now.
Kenny catches my eye and winks, but Alison is chatting to Sheila. I’ll talk to them at the reception.
We all crowd around Mum and George, wanting to congratulate them. Alison hugs her dad then hugs Mum too.
‘Welcome to the family, Mum,’ she says.
Mum!I gasp aloud and my jaw slackens. Did she actually call my mum ‘Mum’? Wow! She barely knows her. That’s far too familiar.
Alison turns to me, and I wonder if she heard my gasp of surprise. I quickly compose myself.
‘Hello, Alison, delighted to meet you.’
My breath catches in my throat as her eyes hold mine, a small smile curving her red painted lips. My heart pounds and a wave of dizziness sweeps over me as a memory comes pounding back.
It can’t be her. It can’t.
2
JUDITH
George squeezes my hand, his grey eyes twinkling adoringly through his glasses. ‘Happy?’ he asks when both families have finished congratulating us and are chatting to each other.
‘Very,’ I assure him, enjoying the warmth of his hand wrapped around mine. I am happier than I ever thought I would be after losing Arthur so tragically. I never expected to fall in love again, or for it to happen so quickly, but George is so caring and kind I know that I am making the right decision. ‘It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it? And I’m so glad Alison got here in time.’
We were both worried when Alison messaged this morning to say her flight had been delayed. ‘Look, we can postpone,’ I told George. ‘You can’t get married without your daughter here.’
