Jed slid the ring carefully onto Tilly’s finger and kissed her. By the time Amelia and Dot came in with the tea, followed by a bouncing Jemima, Tilly was weeping into that handkerchief.
‘What’s the matter, Aunty Tilly?’ Jemima asked. ‘Has he said something to upset you? If he has, I shall be very cross with him.’
‘I would never do anything to upset this lovely woman,’ Jed said. ‘I wouldn’t want to risk getting into your bad books, anyway, young lady. I get the impression that you have inherited the Truscott family genes.’
‘What are genes?’ Jemima said indignantly.
Tilly, Dot and Amelia laughed. ‘I think Jed means that you are like your mum and your aunty — you have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you are ready to stand up for those you love,’ Amelia explained.
‘I won’t let anyone upset my Aunty Tilly, if that’s what you mean,’ Jemima said.
* * *
Tilly and Jed spent several weeks together after that initial meeting, but eventually Jed explained that he really must go home to his family. His parents had been very patient in waiting for his return and now, five months after the war had ended, he must leave.
‘I’d like you to come with me,’ he said. ‘But I realise it’s a costly trip for you. I want us to be married here, in England anyway, but then I will take you to meet my folks. I want to show you off, the girl of my dreams. How about a honeymoon in the States?’
‘That would be wonderful,’ Tilly replied. ‘I can’t wait to meet them and to see the country of your birth.’
‘Well, it’s not like here, all quaint thatched cottages and green fields,’ Jed said.
‘When you go to Micklewell, you’ll see that life in the countryside is not all roses round the door either,’ Tilly said. ‘There’s plenty of dirty, back-breaking work to be done in those green fields.’
‘Anywhere is just fine by me,’ Jed said with a smile, ‘so long as you’re there by my side.’
So, Tilly waved him off on 1 February1946 and Jed promised to return to be married in Micklewell in June. Tilly asked Fliss if she would come to the wedding.
‘I need my best friend to be there with me,’ Tilly said.
‘You don’t need anyone holding your hand, Tilly Truscott. You’ve lived through a war, driven through a minefield, dug your ambulance out of a mud bath and eaten about half a ton of sand. You’re perfectly capable of letting a man slip a wedding ring on your finger.’
‘It’s a big step, though, isn’t it, Fliss? Don’t you think so?’
‘You’re not getting cold feet, are you?’ Fliss teased.
‘No, of course not. It’s just. . .’
‘Just what?’ Fliss asked.
‘Well, I like my independence, don’t I?’ Tilly said.
‘You don’t have to stop being you, Tilly. Life is freer now than it was for our mothers. Look at Dot being able to take up teaching again, even though she’s a married woman and a mother. Times are changing and for the better. Anyway, on to another subject, why Micklewell?’ Fliss asked.
‘Because Micklewell will always be my true home and I want to be surrounded by those I love, in the place I love. Ronnie and Sarah have agreed to wait, so that we can all be married together, on the same day. All I need to know now, Fliss, is if your Captain Banks has popped the question.’
Fliss slipped off her gloves and there, on her wedding finger, was the biggest, sparkliest diamond Tilly had ever seen.
‘Turns out that he comes from a very wealthy family,’ Fliss said. ‘So, my parents are delighted. Looks like it’s happy endings all round, wouldn’t you say?’
Chapter 39
20 June 1946
Tilly and Jed, and Ronnie and Sarah, walked down the aisle of Micklewell church, both couples smiling broadly, both feeling that they were so grateful to be among those who’d survived the war. They had fought for their freedom and were now free to enjoy the rest of their lives together. Now here they were in the heart of Micklewell, surrounded by family and friends. They exchanged glances with one another as theystood at the altar, waiting for the moment that theyhadwondered would ever come.
They took their vows together with the blessings of all who had come together to celebrate their special day. As the bells pealed out across the Hampshire countryside, the guests and villagers crowded the grounds of the church. The air was filled with cheering, and shouts of congratulations and confetti showered the happy couples all the way down the path to the lych-gate. Jemima made the cutest bridesmaid, laughing and twirling round in her little pink silk frock and holding hands with Anthony, who cut a very grown-up figure in his suit and bow tie. Old Jim made it to the wedding, with the aid of a stick and a glass or two of whisky to help the arthritis. The twins, Annie and Rose, made the most of the opportunity to show off their new hats, made by Annie herself. She was now training to be a milliner. Rose had received a promotion at the factory, so she could afford to buy the material for both their new outfits at cost price. Everyone did their bit to make this the most memorable day ever and the Truscotts opened their arms to welcome new members to their ever-expanding family.
The brides stole the show, of course, both choosing to wear outfits of a simple design, also made by Sarah and Kate.Material was expensive and hard to come by post-war, but they both looked stunning in their chosen outfits. Tilly wore a suit dress of cream crepe with a fitted jacket and full-length flared skirt. The jacket was expertly trimmed, with gold-embroidered lapels and edging. Sarah’s dress was fitted at the waist and made from ivory and gold brocade. It fitted her beautifully. The brides each had bouquets of cornflowers, sweet peas and nigella.
