I said nothing. I’d had a crush on Prince Harry since I was a teenager. I’d been ridiculously jealous when he and Meghan had announced their engagement.
‘Meine gute,’ Astrid cried, shaking her head. ‘Merry isn’t some chattel to be transferred from the possession of one man to another. She is an independent woman, choosing to spend her life with the person she loves. Why does she need anyone to give her away, especially a man?’
‘Go, Astrid!’ Hester said admiringly. ‘You’re so right. Down with everyday sexism.’
‘Thanks, everyone,’ I said, laughing. ‘I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered that all the men in my life appear to be eager to give me away.’
Unexpectedly, my thoughts flew to one particular man and my smile fell. My father. The one man whose official job it should be to give me away had never been in my life at all. I didn’t even know his name.
Cole squeezed my hand. ‘It’s just because everyone around you loves you.’
‘Just a thought,’ said Nell, ‘but you could go down the aisle with me behind you doing our best Beyoncé dancing, and singing about putting a ring on it?’
A suggestion which resulted in Nell, Hester and I blasting out the chorus badly until the music died down, Tasha stepped up to the microphone on stage and the light switch-on began in earnest.
‘Three, two, one … Merry Christmas, Wetherley!’ shouted the footballer a few minutes later as he pressed down on the plunger.
To the side of the stage, the magnificent tree sparkled into life, casting a colourful glow on the faces of the children who were gathered in front. We all clapped and cheered and as Jaden Hall scribbled his name onto a football and threw it out into the crowd, Nigel whacked up the music again. Soon we were all singing along to the old Wizzard favourite and wishing it could be Christmas every day.
Half an hour later, Cole and I said our goodbyes and strolled back towards where he’d parked the car. I glanced at the Merry and Bright sign above the window of the old bank, remembering vividly the makeshift workshop on the first floor Cole had kitted out for me when my cottage had been flooded last year. I’d brought Hester and Fred here before the light switch-on and Fred had started working for me the very next day. As if reading my mind, Cole slowed to a halt.
‘You know what tonight is?’ he said, pulling me close. ‘It’s a year since we had our first kiss. It was over there in the doorway of the old bank under the mistletoe.’
‘How could I forget?’ I snuggled into him, my hands finding their way inside his jacket and around his waist. ‘I think that was the night I fell in love with you.’
He smiled at me, brushing away a strand of my hair. ‘I remember going home that night not believing my luck.’
‘And now here we are, about to get married.’
‘And now here we are,’ he repeated. ‘And I still can’t believe my luck.’
‘Me neither, it’s been such an exciting year, the best year of my life. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.’ I stamped my feet. ‘Although, right now, this hanging around is making my feet cold. I wouldn’t mind changing that.’
‘We’ll head off in a second.’ He took in a breath, looking hesitant. ‘Merry, talking of cold feet, I’ve had a few weeks to get used to the idea of getting married, but you’ve had it sprung on you. So, if you have any doubts about rushing into it, I want you to know that it’s perfectly fine, you only have to say.’
I smiled up at him. It was such a thoughtful thing to say, so typical of Cole. He always seemed to tune in to my feelings, and it was one of the reasons I loved him so much. ‘I can’t wait to be Mrs Robinson,’ I assured him, ‘but I must admit I am nervous. It’s not just about the wedding, but about being married too. I have no experience of what it’s like to be part of a normal family. What if I’m rubbish at it? I’d hate to let you down.’
‘You couldn’t possibly let me down.’ Cole kissed me tenderly. ‘All it takes is a capacity to love and to let yourself be loved, and you can do both of those things. If anyone should be nervous, it’s me. I had the happy childhood, the stable home life, and yet I’m the one with a failed marriage behind me.’
‘Hold on there, mister,’ I said sternly. ‘Did it fail, or did it just end? There’s a difference. You and Lydia seem unscarred by it, and you’ve got two lovely children. I don’t see failure; I see a new chapter. One with me in it.’
‘Well, when you put it like that, it doesn’t seem so bad,’ he said, laughing. ‘I can’t wait to marry you.’
‘Then we’re on the same page.’ I smiled back. ‘Except for one thing: why did you say no to Hester’s offer?’
‘I’m not using my little sister’s house for our wedding reception,’ Cole replied firmly. ‘There’s no need for us to do this cheaply.’
‘I wasn’t thinking of the cost,’ I protested. ‘But we don’t need anywhere fancy and their house is lovely and homely. Plus, you know she enjoys hosting.’
Cole’s expression softened, he placed a hand behind my neck and brushed my lips with his. ‘I’m not hiding my beautiful new wife under a bushel. The wedding is about us demonstrating to the world that we’re going to spend our lives together. And with a big party to celebrate.’
‘I’m not really bothered what the world thinks, I just want you.’ I gave him a cheeky grin. ‘I’d be happy to run away to Gretna Green if I didn’t know how much Freya wants to be a bridesmaid.’
He shook his head fondly. ‘That’s so typical of you to be thinking of my kids. Do you really want to have the wedding reception at Paul and Hester’s house?’
‘Yes, I really do. It will be perfect.’
‘Fine, if that’s what the lady wants, then that’s what the lady shall have,’ he said, laughing. ‘I’d better let Hester know we’ve changed our mind.’
