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‘But your father did.’ Sketch’s lips thin, and I can see frustration in the fine lines around his eyes. ‘He doesn’t have a bad back, Annie. Not any more. These days he’s just a drunk. The state doesn’t pay disability to lazy alcoholics. I’ve left your father a note telling him that if he ever comes near you or your mother again, I’ll personally walk to the police station and tell them everything I know. Every farmer in the town will back me up.’
‘He’ll be furious.’ I begin to shake just thinking about it.
‘Probably. But he’s not stupid, Annie. He’ll understand I’m not bluffing. Unless he wants to lose every penny he has, he’ll stay away from you and your ma. For good.’
‘Sketch, I’m scared,’ I admit.
‘You said people have to be brave and make changes, Annie. We can be those people. Please be brave now and have faith in me. Let me be the man who respects your opinion. Let me spend the rest of my life being your equal, your friend, your husband. Let me even help you run for president if you want to.’
I giggle. ‘President? That might be taking it a bit far.’
‘Annie. Please?’
‘When? How would we even do this? My father will never approve of a wedding.’
‘Your father won’t know.’
I scrunch my nose and look around at the romantic setting of lanterns dangling off blossoming trees. ‘What’s really going on here?’ I say.
‘Your father won’t know because by this evening we will be on the ferry to Wales. As husband and wife.’ Sketch can’t contain his enthusiasm. ‘Annie, take one last brave step. You have been my best friend and soul mate since we were eleven years old. I can’t think of anything that would make me happier than spending the rest of my life with you as my wife.’
I take a step forward and take Sketch by surprise when I press my lips to his. His strong arms swoop around my back, and he pulls me close to him.
‘I love you,’ he whispers sweetly.
‘Is that your way of saying yes?’ Ma’s voice carries in the wind behind me and startles me, and I break away from Sketch and turn my head to find Ma and Mr Talbot standing a few feet behind us.
‘Annie, you’ve spent your whole life worrying about me,’ Ma says. ‘I can’t let you do that any more. It’s time to spread your wings. It’s time to grow up.’
‘I am grown-up, Ma,’ I say.
‘Yes. Yes, you are,’ Ma says. ‘And I’m so proud of you.’
‘You call this a party?’ calls a shrill female voice I instantly recognise.
I tilt my head a fraction to see past Ma’s shoulder, and, as I suspect, I find Bridget marching, with her hands on her hips, towards us.
‘Thanks for coming, Bridget,’ Sketch says as she finds her way through the long grass to stand next to him.
He smiles and kisses her quickly on the cheek.
‘Bridget’s brother is a priest, Annie,’ Sketch says, turning to face me. ‘It’ll be all legal and binding if the Lord blesses us.’
I hadn’t noticed the man dressed from head to toe in black who seems to stand in Bridget’s shadow. The priest doesn’t introduce himself, but he places his hand on my shoulder and smiles as he walks past me. He eyes up the trees, and without a word to anyone, he takes himself away to stand beneath my favourite.
‘Nice work, Sketch,’ the priest finally says with a warm smile, and I realise they know each other well.
‘Don’t praise him,’ Bridget barks, pointing towards the arch of tree branches over her brother’s head. ‘I was the one out here before the birds were awake hanging candles in cages from tree branches.’
‘And I’m grateful,’ Sketch says.
‘You did this?’ I ask Bridget.
She is dressed in a silver-and-grey polka-dot dress with an ankle-length satin coat that matches to perfection. She’s every inch the sophisticated wedding guest. My mismatched outfit of my blue dress, Sketch’s mother’s coat, and my old shoes is a stark contrast against her stylish elegance. Bridget must have noticed I’m not wearing the shoes she gave me, but she doesn’t bring it up or ask about their whereabouts,thank God.
Instead, she tosses her perfect curls. ‘Sketch asked for my help. How could I say no?’
‘Thank you.’ I smile, lost for words.
