Page 39 of Four of Hearts

‘I’ll be fine,’ said Harry.

‘You’ve got the rings and your vows?’

Harry tapped his jacket pocket, which contained Ben and Liz’s rings, with Ben responsible for bringing his and Grace’s. He’d managed to get a measure of Grace’s ring size one night while she slept, courtesy of a very good bottle of wine, and a length of thin string. Both rings Arthur had given him had then been resized. They’d discussed their vows that same evening, then written them separately.

‘Then best you get yourself sat down on the front row,’ Margaret directed. ‘And Rebecca here will be keeping an eye on you.’

At that, Rebecca put her arm through Harry’s.

‘Come on,’ she said. ‘You’re with me.’

And before Harry could resist, she walked them around the side of the chairs to the front.

Once sat down, Rebecca kept Harry distracted with a bit of chitchat, before being called away by Margaret to help with people arriving. Ethan was stood just far enough away to not interrupt, his face hidden behind his camera.

Harry glanced over his shoulder to see that Matt was ready to welcome people as they arrived, though Jim was nowhere to be seen. Gordy and Jameson were standing down by the river.Harry guessed they were talking about Anna. For a moment, he cast his memory back to the funeral, and to when they’d all watched as Gordy had scattered Anna’s ashes. Sadness swept through him, but then he heard Gordy laugh, and happiness replaced it. Love was a strange thing, he thought. Dangerous. Risky. He’d lived those two words his whole life. And right now, he’d never felt more alive because of it.

The sound of an approaching vehicle made Harry turn, as the tractor and trailer he’d seen up in West Witton made its way down the hill towards where he was sat. The trailer was full, and familiar faces smiled at him as the driver pulled alongside.

‘Now then, Harry!’ the driver called over, leaning out of his cab with a tanned hand raised.

Harry waved back, seeing that it was Jim’s dad behind the wheel.

Once the trailer was unloaded, and folk were being directed to their seats, the tractor headed back up the hill to collect the rest of the guests. Harry forced himself to face the table. It was all very well seeing so many people here just to be with him and Grace, but it was also a little overwhelming. Then, just as he was beginning to wonder where Ben was, he spotted Jim’s Land Rover creeping slowly down the hill once more. A few moments later, Ben was striding over to meet him.

Harry stood, went to say something, but before he could, Ben had gripped him in a tight hug.

‘We’re doing this, then?’ Ben said.

‘Hate to break it to you, but we already have,’ Harry laughed. ‘Rings?’

‘What?’

‘The rings, Ben,’ said Harry. ‘Mine and Grace’s.’

‘Haven’t you got them?’ Ben asked.

Harry went cold.

‘What? No! We’re each other’s best men, remember? You were to bring ours, and I was to bring yours, which I have.’

‘Are you sure? I thought you were bringing them all.’

Harry wasn’t listening. He was searching the faces of everyone who was already there.

‘It’s okay, we can get Jim to go fetch them. Jim? Jim! Ben’s?—’

Ben was laughing.

‘Look,’ he said, and held out his hand. Sitting in his palm was the ring box.

‘Not funny,’ Harry smiled, relief flooding his system, as a cough interrupted them.

Harry turned from Ben to see that Margaret was now standing before them.

‘You’re both ready, then?’

‘We are,’ said Harry.