Storm, p.22
Storm, page 22
In the night, we make love like we have never before. It is sensual and loving, and I do not hold back. All my fears fly away because Malcolm is no longer in my life. I did not know what it would take to get rid of Malcolm, but apparently this news made the difference. No counsellor could have predicted this or even created such a scenario. It is life and life must take its course. I know Danny and I are meant for each other. When I think this, I remember his parents and mine. They have known this for a long time. I am the slow learner, but a happy one. I have never smiled so much in my life.
Saturday dawns bright and clear, a perfect day for a wedding. I stay overnight at my parent’s house to make an entrance at the appointed time. My friends from Christchurch arrive on time. Six are already here, staying with us. I decided on three bridesmaids, but I wanted the others to help. Danny’s three brothers will partner the bridesmaids. The little children are flower girls and boys. They will entertain us for sure. I watched George and Ian schooling the little one in spreading flowers. The girls cottoned onto the idea first, but then the boys saw it is also a good opportunity to throw them at the girls. What a site. I hope they don’t decide to do this today. They look on their best behaviour.
Up the hill, there is bunting surrounding the lawn. We all helped to put up a large marquee complete with floorboards. It wasn’t easy because it was an extra-large marquee. Once up, I see it is an excellent space with trestle tables for the food and others for the guests to sit to have their meal. We must clear a space later for dancing and the band.
We place a walkway of boards to the point above the bay for the marriage ceremony. No point in having high heels poking into the grass. The spot is close to our favourite star-gazing seat. After the ceremony, we will retreat to the marquee. I can hear launches arriving frequently. We have no idea of numbers because we haven’t limited them. All are welcome. The overflow can eat in the house or even sit on the porch. No one will stand on ceremony. We want all to enjoy the day. I hope Danny’s brothers have the hāngī well in hand. I have decided not to worry about a thing. Besides they are experienced in such things. I am the green person in this outfit and if there are bumps on the way, they will become wedding memories.
My dress is gorgeous. I have never owned anything quite like it. It is pure white silk, lined with taffeta, a body-hugging affair with long sleeves and a scooped neckline, lower at the back than the front. My mother spent many hours embroidering a sprig of roses to flow from the right hip up to the left breast. The roses are the palest of pink, and the leaves pale green. The train is separated and attached by hooks and eyes in the middle of the back. It has roses adorning the end of it. I wear a simple veil held on - you have guessed it - with a band of roses. My friends make sure my makeup is perfect. I hardly ever wear makeup. Well, some lipstick and face lotion, but that is about the long and short of it. Today, they insist I wear eye makeup and a bit of rouge, just a smidgeon. I am opposed to this, but I must admit it looks good. My lightly tanned skin sets off the whole effect.
When the time comes, my mother hands me a bouquet of roses, and my father takes my hand and walks me up the path while I try not to stumble. The little ones are throwing rose petals out in front of me and manage to do so without too much hassle. One of George’s boys can’t help but through a bunch of petals at one of Ian’s girls, but that only adds to the ceremony. The brothers and my bridesmaid follow Dad and I with Mum and my friends behind in a long procession. Danny and his family and friends are waiting on the point for us. The minister is there ready; all is set. I hear our band start ‘Here comes the bride,’ and tears begin to well in my eyes. I didn’t expect to feel this emotional. Danny’s face is a picture as he turns and sees me for the first time. His mouth drops open, and his face cracks with a huge smile. His father and brothers do the same. I look for his mother. She is standing with the boys’ wives and children, smiling in an ‘I told you so’ kind of way. It is all I can do to stop myself from laughing out loud.
The ceremony continues stunningly, and the sun continues to smile at us. The day is enchanting. The trees and birds seem to think so. I am sure I hear the trees moan while we speak our vows and the birds sing at all the right moments. I know I have made the best decision in my life.
Postscript
We didn’t do as expected at our wedding. That is, we stayed and enjoyed the party. The sun peeks over the horizon when we finally take our boat to the Bay of Many Coves. It is a luxury resort close to our farm, but they expected us in the evening, not sunrise. However, they treat us as if we arrived on time and show us our accommodation. We both drop down on the well-appointed bed with exhaustion. There is no time for lovemaking to make the marriage official. We sleep right through until lunchtime. We would have slept through lunch if it hadn’t been for noisy birds deciding it was high time we surfaced.
We only booked two nights because we decided to go to Rarotonga - the Cook Islands - for our honeymoon. We chose Raro simply because we missed going last time and thought somewhere new was good for us, but we decided to delay the honeymoon until winter. Our parents thought we were crazy to postpone our honeymoon because it broke with tradition, but it made sense. We would have time in winter. Then, a temporary manager could look after the farm, and we would not be worried about what was happening at home. I know they wanted to ensure that Danny’s and my wedding got off on the best possible footing, but this arrangement suits us best.
I have never felt so content in my life. I know we will have a wonderful marriage, and although the lovemaking is excellent, that isn’t all that makes a marriage. We respect each other, and daily my love for Danny increases. And yes, the electricity is still there. It makes me wonder why I didn’t return home to Danny years ago. I hope I discovered much during those years, but I learn from Danny daily. He is so thoughtful, but of course, he has some annoying traits, but nothing I can’t stand. I look forward to the years ahead with excitement and a hopeful heart. Amazingly, I believe Danny feels the same.
Acknowledgements
Although this began as a romance novel, I discovered while writing, I liked exploring the psychology of romance in its good and bad forms. I used work and life experiences, as well as my research background, of chameleon-type characters and contrasted psychological dysfunction with a well-rounded intelligent young woman. The resulting interrelationship proved difficult for the woman as it does in real life. At work I was frequently told that a specific woman should leave her significant other. I hope this novel shows it is more difficult than simply walking out the gate.
I must thank the Picton police and former Detective Inspector, Dave Hazlett, for their help in creating the police scenes. I asked the barge and water taxi people about their experiences during the dreadful storm in 2022 which destroyed many of the roads around the Sounds. Thank you for your help. Friends from our Wine on Wednesday group helped with the cause of Malcolm's wife's accident. A farming friend helped with the situation for animals on the farm during stormy weather. And, of course, I cannot leave out Joan Rosier-Jones and the writers, at the writers retreat in the Marlborough Sounds for their encouragement and writing advice. Thanks to Barbara Speedy for her generous help in crafting advertising material and other descriptive passages.
A special mention to Jess Marks, Chantelle Woodley and all the team at Seabreeze Café for your support, particularly for enabling the book launch. Jess, it couldn’t have happened without you.
Thank you to my book launch members – Jess Marks, Pip MacFarlane, and supportive friends especially Joy Fletcher, Claire and John Welch, for your help in organising the event, and to Julie Robinson for setting up the Zoom meeting and video managing the event. You all took a great weight off my shoulders.
My editor, Gene Merica, had a bit to do with it, too. He edited and re-edited the material I sent him with helpful and insightful advice each review session. And the pre-readers particularly Lois Broadbent and Seren Williams, thank you for your perceptive comments.
Despite all this advice and the many rewrites, if there are still anomalies or mistakes, they are mine alone.
I hope that you, the reader, enjoys this quick romp through our beautiful sounds and find the material entertaining. Thank you for taking the time to read the story.
Notes
[←1]
Bach – a name for a holiday home in the South Island of New Zealand.
[←2]
Bach – a name for a holiday home in the South Island of New Zealand.
[←3]
Mokopuna - grandchildren
[←4]
Matariki – the Māori New Year. Many New Zealanders have celebrated it for years but 2024 was the first official year. A holiday was given for all.
[←5]
Rellies – shortened form of relatives
[←6]
Haere mai – Come here, in Māori. It is also a greeting.
[←7]
Kia tere – Hurry up, in Māori.
[←8]
Munted – a common term for completely broken or unusable. It came into popular use during the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010-12.
[←9]
Hāngī – an earth oven common in Polynesia.
[←10]
Kūmara – a sweet potato.
[←11]
Pūhā - green vegetable.
[←12]
Pākehā – Non-Māori or New Zealander usually of European descent.
[←13]
Taihoa – Slow down or be cautious.
[←14]
Kei te pai – All is good at the moment. Here, it implies that we can wait.
[←15]
Karakia – Prayers.
[←16]
Waiata – song.
[←17]
Huhu Bug is a long-horned beetle, endemic to New Zealand.
[←18]
Cooee – or cooey, Australian/New Zealand slang for ‘to call’. Here it means, within calling distance.
[←19]
Kia ora – A casual greeting.
[←20]
Tama – boy.
[←21]
Umu – an earth oven similar to a hāngī.
[←22]
Hei waiata – a song, or let’s sing.
Patricia Berwick, Storm
