‘That is an excellent idea and I shall write and ask them. We should also invite the Colonel and his parents.’
‘Are you sure you want Bob to come?’ Her smile was teasing.
‘Quite sure. I quite like him now you are going to marry me. I will write to the Colonel in the morning as well.’
‘You never call him Bob, Dieter. Why is that?’
He lifted his hands in horror. ‘The man was my gaoler and then he tries to take from me the girl I love. No, no, I admire the man, but could not be that familiar with him.’
‘Did I make you jealous?’
‘You did indeed. Very jealous.’
He tipped her back on the settee until she was laughing with glee at his expression. The attempt at appearing stern just did not work. His eyes were so expressive, and they were glinting with amusement.
He put a finger to his lips. ‘Shush, you will wake Danny and he will believe I am attacking you. He is happy now that I am his father, but he will not allow anyone to lay hands on his Auntie Angel.’
That caused them both to shake with silent laughter.
A week before the wedding, and it was chaos. There was still so much to do, and Angie was close to panic. Dieter had worked tirelessly to see that all the necessary paperwork was in order, but everything else had been left to her and Hetty.
‘Keep still!’ Sally ordered as she tried to get the hem on the dress right. ‘If you keep fidgeting I’ll never be able to make it hang properly.’
Angie forced herself to stop shifting about. ‘It’s a beautiful dress, Sally. You’re really clever to make it without a pattern.’
‘I had the drawing you did, and that was all I needed. You were right to keep it plain and simple. Get off the chair and turn around slowly so I can see what the train is like. Don’t want you tripping up on your way down the aisle.’
Holding on to Sally’s hand and being careful not to fall, Angie got down and walked across the floor, turning as ordered.
After another walk around the room, she faced her friend. ‘It feels perfect.’
Sally was nodding. ‘The extra money you spent on the material was well worth it. The skirt hangs beautifully. Okay, let’s get you out of it and I’ll finish the hem this evening. That’s the last job.’
‘Oh, good.’ Angie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘At least the dress is ready on time, and the cake, of course. You wait until you see it, Sally. Hetty’s made a wonderful job of it.’
She got dressed again as Sally laid the beautiful creation on the bed.
‘Let’s have some tea; I’m gasping.’ Sally made sure the bedroom door was locked so her daughter couldn’t get at the dress, and they went downstairs.
It had been a rush, but it looked as if everything was going to be ready in time.
39
The day had arrived, and Angie’s insides were in a tight knot as Sally adjusted the veil.
‘I’m so nervous,’ she groaned. ‘My legs are shaking badly and I’ll never be able to walk down the aisle. I should never have bought such high heels, but I wanted to look taller. I’ll fall over.’
‘No, you won’t.’ Sally stood back to admire the bride. ‘You look absolutely beautiful.’
Angie gazed in the full-length mirror, hardly able to believe her eyes. The dress had a heart-shaped neckline and long sleeves; the skirt fell straight at the front and then fanned out at the back into a short train. Her hair had been piled up on top, with the lovely tiara nestling in the curls and the pearls glinting in her chestnut hair. The finished effect was one of simple elegance.
‘We gave Danny his presents this morning and he smiled politely as he took them.’ Sally fussed with the veil. ‘How is he taking the anniversary of his mother’s death?’
‘He was a bit tearful early this morning when he opened his presents and cards, but I sat on the bed with him and talked about the wedding, and what a lovely day it was going to be. He looked at me with those big grey eyes swimming with tears, and then smiled. He’s such a brave boy.’
‘He is.’ Sally nodded in agreement. ‘Once he gets caught up in the excitement of the wedding, the dark memories of a year ago will fade, but they’ll never be forgotten, Angie.’
‘They certainly won’t. I’ll never forget the horror of that day either. Choosing this day to marry might seem strange and unfeeling to some people, but we’ve done it in the hope it will give Danny happy memories of his birthday. Instead of saying this is the day my mum died, he will hopefully say this is the day my daddy married my auntie.’
‘Well, you wanted something special and this couldn’t be more special.’ Sally smiled sympathetically.
Angie’s frown disappeared when Danny, Emma and Hetty came in the bedroom.
Emma was in a pink dress with a circle of pink and white flowers in her hair; she carried a little basket overflowing with the same flowers. She looked a picture. And when Angie saw Danny her eyes shone with pride. He was wearing long trousers and jacket in dark royal blue, a white satin shirt and blue bow tie. In his buttonhole was a pink rose the same colour as Emma’s dress. But even more pleasing was the bright smile on his face, and she knew everything was going to be all right.
She bent and kissed them. ‘Oh, my, don’t you both look gorgeous.’
‘Ooh, Auntie!’ Danny ran round her, looking at the dress from all angles. ‘I’ve never seen you dressed like that before.’
‘You look like a fairy princess.’ Emma couldn’t take her eyes off the vision in front of her. ‘Are you going to have a basket like mine?’
‘No, I have a bouquet.’ Angie pointed to the flowers on the bed. It was a profusion of pastel-coloured roses with trailing ferns. ‘You will have to look after that for me when the service begins.’
Emma nodded. ‘Mummy told me.’
Angie then reached out and straightened Danny’s tie. ‘And you must stay near your father in case he needs you.’ She wanted him to feel he had an important part to play in the wedding.
‘Emma!’ Sally spoke firmly as her daughter reached out to touch the flowing veil. ‘Don’t touch.’
‘I’m only looking.’ Her hand shot back down again, and she scowled at the reprimand. She held out her hands. ‘I’m clean, look.’
General Strachan strode in then and stopped suddenly. ‘My word, but the bride does look exquisite. Just wait until Dieter sees you. I’ll take the children to the church now and then come back for you and John.’
‘She’s dressed like that because it’s a special day.’ Danny beamed proudly. ‘Are we going in your big car?’
‘Of course. We can’t have you walking along the street in all your finery, can we? Off we go, then.’ He held out a hand to each of the children.
Having been well schooled by Sally and Hetty in what they had to do, they left eagerly.
Soon the cottage was empty except for John and Angie.
John appeared quite overcome. ‘I’m so proud to be standing in for your father.’
‘Thank you for doing it. I wouldn’t have asked anyone else.’
The General soon arrived back, and, with John’s help, Angie was settled in the back of the car. When he’d heard about the wedding he had insisted on being their chauffeur and using the Rolls-Royce as the wedding car. He drove very slowly so they would arrive right on time.
‘Robert got home in the early hours of this morning and he’s at the church helping with the ushering. That was a wise move, inviting Gerda’s German family as well. They are happy to be here and looking forward to the wedding.’ The General chuckled. ‘Robert’s come in full uniform, much to the delight of the children. There was much saluting going on when I took them inside the door.’
‘Oh, Danny will love that. I’m so pleased Bob was able to make it after all.’
There wasn’t time to say anything else, as the car pulled up outside the church. Hetty and Sally came forward to help her out and make sure the dress was hanging properly. The sun was shining, bells were ringing, and the c
hildren were waiting in the porch. She walked towards them, smiling through the thin veil.
Once they were all together, Sally fussed, getting everyone in their right place. ‘Now you must be careful not to step on the dress,’ she reminded Emma and Danny.
They both nodded, wide-eyed with excitement.
‘Mrs Poulton’s playing the organ,’ Danny told Angie. ‘She’s doing it special for you and Daddy.’
Angie smiled, too nervous to speak, and turned to gaze round the crowded church.
‘Stop it!’
Angie turned her head and saw Danny pulling his hand away from Emma.
The little girl grabbed at him again. ‘You’ve got to hold my hand.’
‘Stop arguing, you two,’ John scolded in a whisper. ‘No squabbling here.’
‘Danny’s got to hold my hand,’ Emma hissed. ‘He might walk too fast and step on the dress. And it’s a wedding, so we’ve got to hold hands.’ She gave everyone a ‘so there’ look.
They were causing people to look round and smile, so Danny let her take his hand, muttering, ‘Daft girl.’
With that little disagreement settled, John held out his arm, and at the sound of the wedding march they started down the aisle, where Dieter was waiting with Joe.
How handsome they both looked in their new suits, Angie thought, especially Dieter.
He never took his eyes off her, and when she was near him he reached out for her hand and grasped it tightly, as if he was afraid she would disappear. Then he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. It was such a loving gesture that she was sure her voice would fail her.
But it didn’t. She spoke clearly, confidently, as did Dieter. The service was lovely and the music glorious. Dieter had chosen it all himself and Mrs Poulton played with much skill.
In what seemed no time at all they were signing the register. Their kiss told them just how delighted and happy they were.
The sun was still blazing down as the photographs were taken. It was chaos trying to usher everyone into the right places and keep the children still for the pictures. Bob stepped in and, with true military discipline, sorted it out. Dieter had one taken on his own with his sister, who smiled up at him. There was no sign of the troubled girl who had come to England. Gerda was quite happy to be here with her other family, knowing she would be going back with them to her home the next day.
Once the photographer was satisfied, they all made their way to the church hall. There was a long table by the stage with a splendid cake as the centrepiece, and a buffet laid out for guests to help themselves. There were even a few bottles of wine for the toasts. Hetty had insisted on providing the food and had done a wonderful job, considering that rationing was still in place. Living on a farm had its advantages at a time like this.
Angie held on to Dieter’s arm as they received their guests and, for a moment, her thoughts turned to Jane. Her silent prayer asked, ‘Would this please you?’ A warm feeling spread through her, as if her cousin had answered with an emphatic ‘Yes!’
After the cutting of the cake, Joe made his speech, amusing everyone with his dry sense of humour. Then John spoke for a few minutes in his role as father of the bride.
Bob stood up. ‘I would like to say a few words about my friends. I have known Dieter for some years. He was one of the least troublesome of my charges, but I had to keep a sharp eye on all of them. I was never sure if they were tunnelling or planning many other ways of escape from me. They were just a bunch of young men and most of them I liked, but Dieter stood out from the crowd. He is a talented man, and those years of captivity must have been hell for him. I know he endeared himself to everyone in this village, and I am delighted he has found happiness here with Angie. She is a fine girl and will make him a wonderful wife.’ He raised his glass. ‘I wish you many years of bliss together.’
The speech was greeted with thunderous applause, as they all raised their glasses in salute to the bride and groom.
‘I never realized Bob would be so gracious in defeat,’ Dieter smirked.
Angie looked at her new husband in surprise. ‘Oh, it’s Bob at last, is it?’
The only reply was a deep amused chuckle.
It was then time for the magic show, and Sally rounded up all the children. Joe popped behind a door and came back wearing his cape and pointed hat, making the youngsters yell in delight. Danny and Emma were right in the front. The show turned out to be as popular with the grown-ups as with the children; everyone joined in and gave Joe advice when things didn’t go quite to plan.
After that Mrs Poulton played music for them so they could dance.
By six o’clock Emma and Danny were exhausted, and Sally needed a rest. ‘I’ll take them back with me,’ she told Angie. ‘There are two beds in Emma’s room, and Danny can sleep there. You can have at least one night to yourselves.’
‘We can’t put you to all that trouble, Sally.’
‘It’s no bother. The little things are so tired I don’t think there will be any argument at all.’ She kissed Angie’s cheek and stood on tiptoe to reach Dieter. ‘Take this chance to be alone for a while.’
Joe and Dieter helped Sally home with the two very sleepy children, and in less than half an hour the men were back.
‘Is Danny all right?’ Angie asked anxiously.
‘He is already sound asleep.’ Dieter placed an arm around her. ‘We can safely leave him for tonight.’
There was no sign of the party ending, so Angie and Dieter slipped away at nine o’clock. She was a little nervous about their first night together and put the kettle on as soon as they got back to the cottage.
Dieter turned off the gas and led her upstairs. ‘We don’t need tea, darling.’
Once in their room he helped her remove the wedding dress, and when he began to make slow, passionate love to her, all her nervousness disappeared. It was a time of mutual pleasure, and she knew just how lucky she was to have married this wonderful man.
She slept curled around him and woke in the morning to his gentle caresses. They made love again just as it was getting light.
Dieter propped himself up and gazed down at her. ‘That will have to last us for a couple of days. After breakfast we are going to Burnham-on-Sea, and Danny will have a bed in our room at the guest house.’
It was when she was washed and dressed and in the kitchen that Angie realized just how hungry she was. She had been too excited to eat much at the reception, so she set about cooking a large fry-up.
There was a knock on the back door and Sally peered in. ‘Ah, good, you’re up.’
‘Hello, Sally.’ Dieter smiled. ‘How has Danny been?’
‘Fine. Never woke up once in the night, but he wants to come back now. He’s had his breakfast.’
‘Send him back, Sally. We’re going away as soon as we’ve eaten.’ Angie put a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Dieter.
‘Okay.’ Sally grinned. ‘Have fun at the seaside. Danny’s very excited about going.’
No more than five minutes after she left Danny tore in, still wearing his wedding suit, and hugged them both. ‘When we going to the sea?’
‘As soon as we’ve washed the dishes and you’ve changed into different clothes.’ Angie ruffled Danny’s hair. ‘I’ve already packed your things.’
By the afternoon Dieter and Angie were walking along the beach hand in hand, watching Danny rummaging along the edge of the water looking for shells.
He ran back towards them, holding out something he’d found. ‘Look at this, Mummy Angel. Isn’t it pretty? I’ll give it to Emma when we get back.’ He gave it to her for safekeeping.
‘You are getting all wet.’ Dieter stooped down and unlaced Danny’s shoes. ‘Take these off and you can paddle.’
As soon as his shoes and socks were off, he was tearing towards the sea again, laughing and squealing when the gentle waves lapped around his bare feet. He was loving every minute of it.
Dieter and Angie went and stood next to him. Da
nny pushed between them and reached out for their hands, his eyes clear and happy as he grinned up at them.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun was blazing down, turning the sea many shades, from blue to green, with flashes of light as it caught the tops of waves. Even the sandy beach sparkled.
And there wasn’t a shadow in sight.
THE BEGINNING
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PENGUIN BOOKS
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First published 2005
Copyright © Beryl Matthews, 2005
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ISBN: 978-1-405-91631-8
Fighting with Shadows Page 37