The wedding was a triumph. Everyone said so. Biddy was complimented on her beautiful outfit, the food was devoured and the champagne flowed. The service, held against the shifting black sea, was simple and moving and fragranced with the scent of a hundred white roses. The dogs carried out their roles impeccably, without even so much as a cocked leg against the wedding arch. Worn out by their arduous role, they snuggled up with Trevor in his basket by the radiator. They’d be put safely in the flat once the fireworks began. Biddy had even thrown her bouquet and, to everyone’s delight, Berecombe’s favourite café owner had caught it.
Millie put a protective hand over Jed’s ring that she’d put safe in the pocket of her specially made green apron. She looked around the café and glowed with pleasure. Now most of the wedding was done, she could relax. The happy buzzy sound of contented people filled the space. She hadn’t realised how many friends she and Biddy had in common. And they were all here tonight. Tessa and family, Zoe and her parents, the Levis from the B&B, Percy the butcher, George Small and Old Davey too. Even the Simpsons were here, looking far more relaxed now the pressure of owning the Lord was off them. They’d nodded to Alex and had a brief conversation. Then he’d returned to Eleri, a bewitched look on his face.
Just as the speeches finished, Dora and Mike sidled in.
‘Are you sure the happy couple won’t mind?’ Dora hissed.
Millie shook her head. ‘They’ll be delighted to see you. Biddy’s been on the fizz all evening. She loves everyone tonight.’
Once she’d spotted her, Biddy launched herself at Dora and engulfed her in a bear hug. ‘Dora, my girl. How wonderful to see you. How’s your dear father?’
Dora decided she didn’t want to know how Biddy knew her father and looked relieved when Jed, in loosened tie and flushed from the success of his impromptu best man’s speech, joined them. He put an arm around Millie and kissed her on the temple.
‘Have you two made up? In the time I’ve been at my parents, have you two got back together again?’ Dora asked, eyeing them.
‘What’s that?’ Biddy boomed.
As an answer, Millie blushed.
Jed tightened his hold. ‘Actually, Dora, we’ve more than made up.’ He winked at Millie, who tried to shush him. ‘Millie has made me the happiest man possible. She’s agreed to marry me.’
It was meant for Dora’s ears only, but Biddy chose that moment to hear perfectly. ‘What’s that?’ she yelled. ‘You two getting married?’ She clapped her hands together. ‘Marvellous. Simply marvellous,’ she said it so loudly every guest heard.
In the rush of congratulations, Millie, embarrassed, blushed some more and tried to deflect the attention back onto the wedding couple.
‘Nonsense, child,’ was Biddy’s rebuttal. ‘On a day full of good news and happiness, let’s pile on some more! And, you know,’ she added, as a cunning gleam appeared in her eyes, ‘The celebrant is over there drinking your delicious espresso cocktail. There’s a beautiful wedding arch still out on the beach. The lanterns are still lit, the burners are still going. You could avail yourself of the amenities. What’s more, all of your friends are here as witnesses.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Millie, thoroughly flustered.
‘She means, my love,’ Jed put in. ‘That we could get married tonight too.’
‘Oh, don’t be so ridiculous,’ Millie began. ‘We couldn’t possibly. It’s Biddy and Arthur’s day.’
Arthur joined them and heard. ‘Nothing would give us greater pleasure than for my wife and I,’ at this Biddy simpered, ‘To share our happiest of days with you. Jed, my man,’ he clapped him on the shoulder, at which Jed tried not to wince. ‘You have become a trusted friend and you’ve been a wonderful best man.’ He winked. ‘Although we won’t tell Dennis that.’ He took Millie’s hands. ‘Emilia, my dear, Biddy and I wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for you. Allow us to make this happen for you and Jed. And, dear girl, I would be honoured if you would let me give you away.’ He hesitated. ‘Let us, in our own unique and very humble way, act as your parents tonight and give you a wedding to remember.’
‘Oh Arthur.’ Millie blinked back the tears and hugged him. She turned to Jed. ‘What about your parents? They ought to be here too.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. Ma won’t let us get away with it. She loves any excuse to buy an unspeakably expensive hat and we’ll have to do it officially anyway. If you can tolerate a marquee on the lawn up at the Lord and as much Pimm’s as you can drink, we can do it all again, properly, in the summer.’ He took Millie’s hands and drew her to him. ‘Nothing, my sweet Millie Fudge, would give me greater pleasure than to make you my wife under the starlight and in front of our friends.’ He kissed her.
The noise of the cheering nearly took the café roof off.
‘Well,’ Millie said, beyond flustered now. ‘I don’t seem to have an option.’ She blushed even more.
‘I don’t think you do, Mil,’ said Dora grinning. ‘And I’m all in favour of a repeat performance. By the time the summer comes, I’ll be able to get into a killer dress.’
‘Dress!’ Millie clapped her hand to her mouth in horror. ‘I can’t get married in a green pinafore. It can’t happen tonight, I haven’t got anything to wear.’
‘Rubbish,’ Biddy bellowed. ‘There’s a perfectly good frock at my house. And we know it fits you. We just need someone who’s sober enough to drive to collect it.’
‘I’m happy to,’ Mike offered. Biddy gave him directions and he disappeared.
Dora took Millie’s arm. ‘And, unless Trevor objects, please can I be bridesmaid?’
‘Of course you can.’ Millie hugged Dora to her. ‘Oh no Dor! What about a ring? I can’t get married without a wedding ring.’
‘Haven’t you still got your mum’s?’ Dora suggested softly. ‘That way, maybe your mum can be part of all this madness too.’ At the threat of more tears from Millie, she added, sternly, ‘Come on, up to the flat with you.’ Grimacing at the state of Millie’s hair, she yelled for Tessa. ‘I think we need all hands on deck.’ Glancing over, she saw Zoe. ‘Can you keep our guests fed and watered until Bride Number Two is ready? And Eleri,’ she said to the girl, who was trying hard not to look too smug that all had ended as predicted, ‘Could you take the dogs for a quick walk? They look like they need one.’ She looked down to where they were weaving in and out of each other with excitement. ‘Yes doggies, you’ll have a role too. Come on everyone, we have magic to create!’