‘Where would you live?’

  ‘I haven’t got that far yet, but I just think that –’

  ‘– Maybe now is the time for a fresh start for both of us?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Isn’t this sweet. I think I’m definitely going to cry now,’ Ian chirps.

  ‘I thought you weren’t listening!’ both Anna and I say at the same time, and we all start laughing.

  ‘Look at you all grown up, getting married, moving to America …’ I put my hand across on to Anna’s lap.

  ‘You’re forgetting one thing though.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘We still don’t actually have anywhere to get married. That’s the problem!’

  The car falls silent for a moment.

  ‘I’ve got an idea,’ I say smiling.

  58

  ‘Replanning a wedding, decorating the cottage and setting up a marquee in the gardens doesn’t sound like no stress to me! I thought the doctor said you need to rest for at least two weeks?’ Anna looks at me, bemused, as I hold the metal stairs to the attic.

  ‘It’s been almost two weeks now since the crash, and anyway, I’m only holding a staircase. I can handle this amount of stress … just!’ I smile back.

  The cottage with its beautiful gardens and views seemed the perfect place to hold the ceremony, and allow their wedding to still go ahead. We just need to get it ready for the big day. Fortunately we’d already booked rooms out for friends and family to come and stay.

  While my bruising is fast fading, I’m still officially meant to be resting, so Anna won’t let me climb up the stairs. Fortunately, Ollie is up there sifting through all the boxes, looking for suitable decorations. With the dreaded mice, I’d rather him than me anyway.

  ‘We’ve got loads of nice decorations up here,’ Ollie calls down.

  ‘It’s a good thing that I kept all that stuff in the attic after all.’

  As he passes down box after box, I realize just how much baggage I’ve been living with over my head – literally and metaphorically – for years.

  ‘Yes. That will be lovely. We can use that outside. Ian, can you put these fairy lights up, you know, along the front of the cottage, by the windows?’ Anna has turned into a master event organizer.

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Ian salutes her as he heads back down the stairs again to dangle fairy lights.

  I smile to him as he goes, having got more than he bargained for after staying on to assist.

  I’m touched that the whole village has clubbed together to help with the catering – a task beyond Mrs Cook – and even Daisy has shown up to help out. She seems to be a much more enthusiastic party planner than housekeeper.

  ‘I don’t know what’s in that one, it’s not marked.’ Ollie passes down another box.

  Anna looks at me as if I should know.

  ‘Don’t ask me, I did tell you most of the boxes are a mystery to me!’

  She grabs it off Ollie and places it on the carpet, before scoring the Sellotape with her scissors.

  ‘Oh look, it’s more of Mum’s stuff,’ Anna says as she sifts through a variety of Caroline’s possessions.

  ‘I’m sorry that we’ve not sorted all her things out before. It just never seemed like the right time.’

  ‘It’s all right, Dad. I know. Look how nice these are. Aren’t these …?’

  She holds a pair of pearl earrings up to me.

  ‘They’re Mum’s old earrings.’

  ‘Yeah, she used to love these ones. I always remember her wearing them on special occasions. She’s wearing them in the photo of the meal for my eighteenth birthday.’

  It’s one of the last photos we have of the three of us together.

  ‘If I remember correctly, I think that she may have been given them by her mother.’

  Anna takes out the hoop earrings she has in, and replaces them with Caroline’s pearl studs. She brushes her hair back so I can see them.

  ‘They suit you,’ I say, admiring her.

  Anna walks across to the mirror at the top of the stairs and looks at her reflection, moving her head from side to side.

  ‘You look beautiful, Anna.’

  She smiles and pauses, clearly considering something.

  ‘Do you think I could wear them for the wedding?’

  ‘Of course! Mum would have loved you wearing them. There’s your something old.’

  As Anna continues staring at her reflection, Ollie pauses, loitering above with the next box, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

  ‘I really wish she could have been here for my wedding,’ Anna talks to me through her reflection.

  ‘So do I. She’d be so proud of you. Not just with your wedding, or moving to New York, but because of the woman you’ve become.’

  59

  As the evening comes, Anna and I stand outside the cottage admiring everyone’s hard work.

  It looks truly beautiful. The garden furniture has been rearranged into rows of seats, creating an aisle through the middle, leading to the pergola which has been decorated with draped white cloth, flowers and fairy lights. The stunning background of the countryside, hill and sea are framed in the backdrop. The cottage has been decorated with lights, and there are many small touches like the specials chalkboard rewritten in calligraphy, now reading ‘Welcome to the wedding of Anna and Ollie’.

  ‘It’s amazing what you can do with some old decorations,’ Anna says delightedly, the misery of the venue cancellation now forgotten.

  ‘And thanks to your expert design touch! It really does look wonderful.’

  ‘Much better than the other venue!’

  ‘Exactly. So once we’ve got the marquee delivered, is that everything sorted?’ I look across to the bottom of the field where we’ve left space for the marquee, in which the evening meal and dancing will take place.

  ‘I just need to re-do the seating plan for the millionth time … and then the band. I still don’t know what we’re doing about music,’ Anna sighs.

  ‘Leave that one with me. I’ll sort it.’ I wrap my arm around her as the sea breeze floats in. ‘How are you feeling now about it all?’

  ‘Good. Excited. A bit nervous.’

  ‘Don’t worry, that’s normal. I still can’t believe you’re getting married. It’s crazy how quickly you’ve grown up. It only seems like yesterday that I’d give you a piggyback ride up that hill, or that you’d go swimming naked in the sea there.’

  ‘Why did you let me swim naked?’ Anna looks across, most concerned.

  ‘You would always insist on taking your costume off because you didn’t want to get it wet!’

  ‘How old was I?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know, about sixteen,’ I joke.

  ‘You’d better not mention that in your speech,’ she rolls her eyes.

  ‘There’s a lot worse than that!’

  She shakes her head.

  ‘I’m sorry, Dad, that I didn’t tell you before about New York.’

  ‘No, I understand. It’s just been the two of us for so long now. I hope you now know you can tell me anything.’

  ‘What about you, then? I hear I’m not the only one who has been keeping secrets,’ Anna jokingly tuts.

  ‘What? Have you found something in the attic?’

  ‘Is there something incriminating in the attic?!’ she jokes, exuding mock horror. ‘No, Ian told me.’

  I look back at her, confused.

  ‘He told me about Sylvie.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I told him not to tell you.’

  ‘But why didn’t you tell me, Dad?’

  ‘I know you were the one pushing me to contact her, but I wasn’t sure how you really felt about it all. I didn’t know if it was a bit weird me getting in touch with someone who I knew before Mum.’

  ‘I don’t have a problem with it. Honestly. I’m pleased for you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I smile. ‘It’s been nice writing to Sylvie again.’

  ‘And Ian said that you two got on well when you met?’

  ‘Yes, it was really nice to finally meet her after all these years, and we did have a lovely time in Bordeaux, but it was too short.’

  ‘I know, I can’t believe I interrupted your meeting. Obviously, I wouldn’t have made you change your plans had I known. Why didn’t you say anything?’

  ‘Because you’ll always come first, Anna. Wherever you are.’

  As the seagulls bicker loudly in the sky, she takes my hand.

  ‘If we’re really doing this fresh start thing, I think we should do it properly. It sounds like you might have a new friend in Sylvie, or possibly something more?’

  ‘Hold your horses.’

  ‘OK, well, I just wanted to say that’s all that I want, and all Mum would have wanted, for you to be happy.’

  ‘Do you reckon so?’

  ‘I know so.’

  We continue gazing out across the landscape as the sun sets. I look up to the bench on the hill and smile to myself.

  ‘Why don’t you invite her to the wedding?’ Anna suddenly exclaims, excited by the idea.

  ‘Sylvie?’

  ‘Yes, of course, Sylvie.’

  ‘I don’t know. I think that’s a bit much.’

  ‘Dad, you cycled to France to see her, nothing is ever going to be a bit much compared to that.’

  I chuckle, knowing she’s right.

  ‘But it’s only in a few days. It’s very short notice. I doubt she can just drop everything like that.’

  ‘Surely you know better than anyone how important it is to act before it’s too late. Look at Mum and Raj. Who knows, none of us might be here for as long as we think. If she can’t come she can’t come, but you could ask. Just please hurry up and ask her before I redo the seating plan!’

  ‘I’ll think about it, but thank you. I love you, Anna.’

  ‘I love you too, Dad.’

  As we turn to head back inside the cottage, to join Ian and Ollie for an evening of board games, I admire Caroline’s favourite sunflowers which have transformed from before our trip.

  ‘Mum’s flowers have just bloomed,’ I comment, pointing to the golden yellow flowers which tower above the window sill.

  ‘Yes they have! They are beautiful, aren’t they? Did you know sunflowers represent new beginnings?’ Anna smiles. ‘Maybe it’s a sign.’

  ‘Maybe it is.’

  From: Sylvie, To: Simon

  Simon, I hope you had a safe flight back, and all is OK with Anna and the wedding? It was so nice, and unexpected, to see you. Do keep in touch, and let me know if you’re ever back in France. Sylvie x

  From: Simon, To: Sylvie

  Hi Sylvie,

  Thank you – yes, we made it back safely and the wedding is going ahead fortunately, but we’re hosting it at our cottage instead.

  Sorry for my delayed response, but as I’m sure you can imagine it’s all been a bit manic here. It was lovely to see you too, and I’m just sorry I couldn’t stay longer – especially after waiting so many years to see you.

  I know this will sound quite out there, but I wondered if you fancied being my Plus One for the wedding on Friday? I appreciate it’s very short notice, and obviously, I understand if you can’t, or don’t want to. But if you can get a flight you could stay in one of the rooms here at the B&B, and then I could show you around Dorset and Bristol afterwards.

  Maybe we could finally do that exchange we wanted to do when we were teenagers?

  I hope to hear back from you soon.

  Simon x

  60

  It is a light, warm summer’s evening; a gentle breeze flows in from the sea, and the sun which has shone all day slowly starts to make its descent. The cottage and gardens couldn’t look more beautiful, decorated with all the old fairy lights that we found stuffed away in the attic. The day may not have gone totally to plan, but the important things did. Even my speech got a few laughs.

  ‘How did you convince the band to perform? I thought they cancelled,’ Anna leans across and asks excitedly as the tables in the marquee are cleared away to make room for the dance floor. I sit to her right, as Ollie sits the other side, still beaming with delight.

  ‘It was only the singer who was sick, so I asked the band if they’d still be able to come, and well, I found you a new singer.’

  ‘How did you manage that? Where did you find them?’

  ‘Just an old friend,’ I smile.

  I point to Ian, who is dressed – for once – modestly in a smart black tuxedo. The weight we lost on the trip has benefitted both of our waistlines.

  ‘Ian?!’ Anna replies, looking shocked and unconvinced. She raises her left eyebrow.

  ‘You’re very privileged. It’s the first time he’s ever performed as himself. He’s been rehearsing with the band all morning.’

  ‘But is he actually any good though?’

  ‘Do you think I’d let him perform at your wedding if he wasn’t? I promise you he’s fantastic,’ I respond, realizing that I’ve probably never complimented him before.

  ‘Good evening everyone,’ Ian speaks into the microphone, testing if it is working. We turn to face the band, the marquee almost instantaneously transformed from restaurant to nightclub.

  ‘My name is … my name is Ian Pratt,’ he says proudly for the first time in his life, ‘and this fabulous band behind me are the Dorset Dreamers. Now, without further ado, please can the bride and groom make their way to the front for their first dance.’

  Everyone applauds, and whoops, and cheers, as they clear a path for Anna and Ollie to take to the dance floor.

  Ian smirks as the band starts playing. After all these years of pretending to be Bowie, the first time he decides to perform as himself, and the song that Anna and Ollie have picked for their first dance is ‘Heroes’ by none other than David Bowie. At least he knows the lyrics perfectly to this one.

  I look across at Ian smiling as he sings, and then at Anna and Ollie dancing together, and I’m not sure who I am most proud of.

  I may be biased, but she looks beautiful in her modern, open-back ivory gown. Her brown hair is tied up, her make-up minimal showing her natural beauty. Caroline’s earrings twinkling in the light. I can’t stop smiling as I look at her and Ollie, happy together.

  Anna was never into dancing in school, but clearly she and Ollie have been practising as they shimmy and sway together, before she beckons everyone else to join her as the chorus begins.

  I laugh as Mrs Cook and Sue from the Post Office rush to be the first on to the dance floor. It seems that Ian finally has groupies of his own.

  As everyone else celebrates joyously, I step back and out of the marquee, leaving Ian to revel in his new catalogue of songs. I carry on walking, slowly climbing up the hill to the castle ruins. Whilst I can still hear Ian’s voice reverberating through the air, the countryside is as tranquil and peaceful as ever. I gaze across at the cows, who are wondering what all the fuss is about.

  As I reach the top, I take a seat on the bench and reflect on all the changes of the last few months. I look down at the cottage differently now, smiling as I do so. Caroline’s dream wasn’t just to open a B&B, it was for us to create a happy family here. And that is just what we did.

  I turn to stare at the sea, watching the rolling waves in the distance, wondering about the future.

  ‘So this is where you got to.’ The voice makes me jump.

  I look down the path and see Sylvie. I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn’t notice her climbing up.

  ‘How are you doing?’ I say, standing up, walking down towards her, and extending my hand to help her up the last part of the incline.

  ‘I don’t think these shoes are the best for climbing hills! Wow, look at this view.’ As we sit down on the bench, she looks around, admiring the panorama. ‘This is nearly as nice as France!’ She winks.

  ‘Sorry I’ve not been able to spend much time with you today. I invite you all the way over here to the wedding, and then I’m busy chatting to everyone –’

  ‘– No, there’s no need to apologize. I completely understand. I’ve had a lovely time. Although some woman did seem to be asking me a lot of questions as if she was interviewing me!’

  There’s Shirley’s lead story for the Gazette this week.

  Sylvie smiles sweetly, finding her day most amusing.

  ‘So you’re happy you came?’

  ‘Of course. You’re the only man who has ever cycled six hundred miles to see me, not once but twice … I could hardly say no, now, could I?’ She smiles. ‘It wasn’t what I was expecting to be doing this weekend, but that’s a good thing. What about you? Have you been able to enjoy it?’

  ‘Yes, it’s been lovely. I just wish that Caroline could have been here to see it … sorry, is that weird me saying that to you?’ I turn to face her, worrying I’ve said the wrong thing.

  ‘No, not at all. You can talk about Caroline as much as you want to with me. I might not talk about my ex as much because he was an idiot, but there you go,’ she smiles.

  ‘Thank you,’ I say.

  ‘Honestly, you can talk to me about anything and everything.’

  ‘Just like we used to.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  We both look down at the marquee, the flashing multicolour lights inside changing its appearance.

  ‘I thought after everyone’s gone home tomorrow, we could take a trip to Bristol so I can finally show you the city and my old school? Maybe we could see if we could have a look round inside, and I could show you where I used to write to you, and –’

  ‘I’d love to,’ she interrupts, smiling, placing her hand on top of mine.

  ‘Good. We’ve just got to get rid of everyone first!’ I joke.

  ‘We’d better get back before they send a search party to look for you.’

  As we walk back through the little white gate into the garden – the gate that Ian nearly broke a few weeks ago when he came back into my life – the band strikes up again.

  I immediately recognize those first few notes.

  ‘One for the oldies next. This is “Hot Love” by T. Rex, and it’s dedicated to Simon, the father of the bride,’ Ian announces over the microphone, winking at me as he sees us walk back into the marquee.

 

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