Page 128 of A Wartime Wedding in the Dales

‘I… yes.’ He laughed. ‘Too bloody right I will. Sorry, your honour.’

The chaplain smiled. ‘Plain Reverend is just fine. Still, if we could keep the colourful language to a minimum.’

Charlie’s dazed expression had lifted at last. His eyes kindled as he drank in his bride. His hand found its way to her hair, and he ran a lock through his fingers.

‘You are simply the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ he said softly. ‘Do I really get to keep you?’

‘Always, after today.’

‘Are you quite certain, darling? There’s no way back.’

‘Good, because I don’t want to go back.’

Bobby’s dad clapped Charlie on the shoulder.

‘Well, lad, take care of her,’ he said. ‘You’ve got a treasure there.’

‘I know it,’ Charlie said, smiling at him.

‘Welcome to the family, eh?’ Rob left them and sat down.

Charlie gripped Bobby’s hand tightly as they turned to the chaplain.

Bobby wasn’t sure what answers she gave during the ceremony. There had been no time to rehearse responses. The chaplain didn’t correct her, however, so she presumed it was all OK. There was no ring, but Topsy darted forward to loan hers until one could be got. Bobby felt a little dizzy as words ricocheted around her brain.To love and to cherish… in sickness and in health… till death us do part.For something so momentous, it seemed to go by in a rush.

And always, she kept her eyes fixed on Charlie. She didn’t see, now, his unshaven chin, hollow cheeks, the burns around his eye or the drawn, haggard appearance that spoke of too many weekstrapped in pain and grief. She only saw the expression of love in his open eye – that expression she feared had been an illusion.

But it hadn’t. He loved her. He had never stopped loving her, and now he was hers. Whatever challenges the future brought, they would face them together.

‘I think I probably ought to kiss you,’ Charlie whispered.

‘What?’

‘He just declared us man and wife, Bob.’

Bobby blinked. ‘Did he?’

Charlie smiled. ‘Come here then.’

He pulled her on to his lips, and the tiny congregation let out a cheer.

‘It’s done,’ Bobby whispered when he drew back. ‘Has it really happened, Charlie?’

‘It’s really happened. How does it feel, Mrs Atherton?’

She brought one hand up to caress his burnt face. ‘Say that again.’

‘I said, how does it feel, Mrs Atherton?’

She smiled. ‘It feels just wonderful.’