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Kirsty leaned forward and kissed him gently on the forehead and stepped back, smiling at Emma. ‘We’ll see you at the front, sis,’ she said.
Amy reached forward to squeeze Emma’s arm. ‘Break a leg or something like that,’ she said.
Kirsty rolled her eyes. ‘That’s what you say to actors when they’re about to perform.’
‘Och,’ said Amy jovially. ‘She knows what I mean. Don’t you, Emma?’
Just then the gentle strains of ‘Highland Cathedral’ began, and James led the party through the door that led outside. Kirsty clocked the way he was smiling reassuringly at them all, his eyes lingering again on Amy. She noticed her sister’s cheeks flush and gave her a conspiratorial wink. Amy tried to glare back at her but Kirsty just tutted and rolled her eyes. ‘Come on,’ she said to Emma. ‘Let’s not keep Max waiting any longer.’
Kirsty, Amy and Becky led the way across the terrace and down the few steps to the gazebo as the guests stood up, turned around and smiled, waiting for the bride’s arrival.
With the clear blue sky and glistening sea, it was the perfect backdrop for an island wedding.
Chapter Forty-One
Emma’s eyes widened as she took in the thatched gazebo with the blue ribbons streaming gently around it in the breeze. It looked amazing and wasn’t part of the plan either, but she didn’t mind at all. She was beginning to like all of these surprises that her sister had arranged for her.
‘Shall we?’ said her dad, offering his arm.
‘Yes, let’s do this, Dad.’
Emma and her father followed the bridesmaids across the terrace and down the few steps onto the beach. She focused her eyes on Max, waiting at the top of the aisle with his best woman, Lauren. He turned to look at her, and she saw Lauren reach for his hand and squeeze it. Right then, as Emma’s gaze locked with Max’s she knew everything would be okay. This all felt right as though the planets had aligned for them and offered them this perfect day.
I must remember every single minute of this, she thought to herself, as a very gentle breeze blew in the late afternoon sun. She was annoyed that she had decided not to have it recorded, but then she spotted a friend of Becky’s at the corner of the gazebo, filming it on her phone. She smiled, again grateful that Kirsty had the sense to ignore her calls for keeping everything super simple. Glancing around, she was heartened to see all her close friends. Edie, who was dressed in a lavender linen kaftan, gave her a huge wink and a little wave which made Emma grin and eradicated any last -minute nerves.
The family minister, the Rev Gary Donaldson, stood reassuringly at the altar — a simple wooden plinth — smiling kindly at her. Emma leaned slightly into her dad, feeling grateful he was there and silently thanking Mum for watching over her today. She could feel her presence and loved that her family had been so thoughtful to include the small things to remind her that although Mum had passed she was very much part of their lives today and their futures too. Dad gripped her hand one last time and then went to sit down next to Amy, Kirsty and Becky in the front row.
The service was short and simple, and they both said their vows without hesitation. When Max slid the ring onto her finger he gazed at her lovingly. ‘I love you so much,’ he whispered. ‘You look beautiful.’
When Gary pronounced them man and wife, there was a cheer from the guests and some tears of happiness too. Emma glanced at Kirsty who was furiously dabbing at her eyes. Then she turned back to look at Max who leaned forward to kiss her.
James and his colleagues were waiting for the bridal party to arrive on the terrace where they were served flutes of champagne and delicious canapés. Emma felt so happy and relaxed, and she and Max mingled with their guests, thanking them for making the journey over.
‘Oh, darling, Emma,’ cried Edie. ‘What a wonderful ceremony. It was so romantic. Congratulations to both of you.’
‘Thanks, Edie,’ she said, hugging her tightly. ‘Thank you for being part of our special day.’
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ she said, her eyes twinkling.
Later, with the faint smell of the BBQ lingering in the air and the stars beginning to shimmer in the sky, it was time for the speeches. Emma wondered whether her dad would still want to make his father-of-the-bride speech. He had been on great form all afternoon, relaxed and mingling with the other guests and cracking jokes.
‘Of course,’ he said instantly, when she asked. ‘Just tell me when.’
Kirsty walked towards them and gave Emma a nod to check they were ready. The staff then made sure everyone had a glass of fizz as Kirsty tapped a fork against a glass to get everyone’s attention.
‘Thanks everyone for coming today,’ she began, smiling. ‘I’m sure you will all agree it’s been an incredible day. Now many of you will know that Emma and Max wanted to keep everything as simple as possible which I think we have just about managed to do. At one point they were even debating having speeches . . .’ Kirsty rolled her eyes dramatically. ‘However, we managed to persuade them to keep them short and sweet.’ There was a ripple of laughter from the guests. ‘Dad, I think you’d like to say a few words first of all?’
Dad nodded and walked towards Kirsty. ‘Thank you, dear.’ He tapped his glasses and then pulled out his notes, carefully unfolding them. ‘Hello, everyone. As Kirsty said, I would also like to thank you all very much for coming. It means a lot to Emma and Max and to Kirsty, Amy and me too. As many of you know I am a man of few words and so I will try and stay true to form.’ He smiled. ‘Emma and Max, congratulations on your wedding today. I wish you every happiness for your future together. I know your mum would have loved to have been here today . . .’
Emma held her breath, feeling Max wrap his arm around her.
‘And when I wrote this, with some help from Tom and Becky, I did wonder what she might say about you. You were always such a determined wee girl, Emma, stubborn but kind and gentle too.’
‘No change there then,’ called a guest.
Dad chuckled. ‘Indeed.’
‘I am so proud of the woman you have become, and I am proud to be your dad. You are very special to us all, Emma, as are you, Max. Take care of my girl and be happy together. Life is so short, so hold each other close.’ He paused to compose himself. ‘Now if you will all join me in a toast, I would like us all to congratulate the bride and groom.’ He held his glass high in the air and grinned. ‘To the bride and groom,’ he said again, and the words were echoed around the room as the guests clinked glasses together.
