by Jo Bartlett
As they got closer, the glow from inside the chapel and the music drifting on the breeze left no doubt that it was where they were heading, and Anna felt like breaking into a run. She didn’t care if the guests were sitting on piles of upturned bricks, or there was a chance of being dive-bombed by a pigeon during the ceremony, as long as Brae was there waiting for her.
‘Good luck.’ Bobby whispered the words and kissed her on the cheek, as he left her at the door to walk down the aisle on her own, just like she’d planned. Ella handed her a bouquet of dried wildflowers, roses and thistles, bound with twine, and an instrumental version of the Etta James song ‘At Last’ filled the air. If she hadn’t known better, Anna would have sworn it was being played on a piano.
Breathing out, she stepped forward and everyone turned to look in her direction. There weren’t any upturned bricks, or pigeons, as far as she could see. Instead, there were fairy lights and candles everywhere, illuminating the darkness inside the old chapel, which didn’t seem to have any source of natural light. The pews were long gone, but there were rows of wooden chairs draped in garlands of dried flowers, and there were summer wreaths dotted along the walls. At the far end of the chapel, someone was playing the piano that Anna had thought couldn’t possibly be there. It was beautiful; everything was a hundred times more perfect than she could ever have imagined, even if they’d spent fourteen months planning the wedding, instead of fourteen hours.
Looking up, Anna finally caught sight of Brae, who gave her a thumbs up and all she could do was nod. She was so much more than okay and she had to force herself to slow down her pace, as she walked towards him.
‘You look amazing, I love you so much.’ Brae wasn’t waiting for anyone’s permission and he kissed her before the registrar even had the chance to speak, let alone pronounce them man and wife, earning him a huge cheer.
‘I love you too.’ Handing her bouquet to Ella, Anna slipped one hand into his as they turned to face the registrar. Ten minutes later they were finally given official permission to kiss, and it took the guests even longer to stop cheering the second time around.
‘I still can’t believe you managed to pull this off.’ Anna leant against Brae as he pulled her close to him. The hotel had brought in some agency staff, some of whom were busy serving canapés and champagne to the guests, while others rearranged the chairs in the chapel around fold-up tables, quickly covering them with white linen tablecloths and more tea lights.
‘Ella was like a whirlwind. Luke donated the canapés and desserts. The tables and chairs were borrowed from the church hall and the people at the Red Cliff Hotel were able to supply the linens, lanterns and champagne, which were stored in an area of the hotel that wasn’t damaged by the fire. Miranda and her contacts provided all the garlands and flowers. Jago and Ruth have made us another cake, and the boys from the lifeboat station sorted out the boats to bring the supplies and guests to and from the island. They’re organising the wedding breakfast too.’
‘So I’ve heard. What I really want to know is how you managed to arrange for the ceremony to take place here?’
‘Apparently, last year you delivered the granddaughter of the guy who owns the hotel, and the year before that Ella stopped there being a full-scale emergency here when a woman whose pregnancy was high-risk went into labour and refused to leave the island.’
‘I remember that.’
‘When he read about what had happened on the campaign pages for the lifeboat station, he wanted to do something.’ Brae smiled. ‘At first, we couldn’t work out how to make it work. It was too late to get a marquee put up, but then Dan asked about the chapel, because the hotel had already been given permission to hold weddings here, although they weren’t going to do that until the renovations are complete next summer. When we looked inside it seemed impossible, but you know Dan. With his artist’s head on, he could see the potential. Then it all started to happen and the hotel staff brought the piano over. Once the garlands were delivered, and the lights were strung up, I thought maybe we could make it good enough for someone as special as you. Ella, Toni and Jess were still hanging lights until about twenty minutes before you arrived. I’m still not quite sure how it all came together either, but it did.’
‘It’s so beautiful and even more so because everyone I care about has worked so hard to make it happen.’
‘You deserve it, I just hope you can forgive me for the wedding breakfast. It’s not quite as fancy as the menu we planned with the Red Cliff Hotel.’
‘I don’t care if it’s hotdogs.’
‘You’re about to find out!’ Brae laughed as some of the lifeboat crewman came in, carrying takeaway cool bags. ‘It’s fish and chips all round, I’m afraid. A couple of the weekend staff have been working at the shop all day to get it prepared and, maybe it’s not haute cuisine, it’s kind of fitting.’
‘I couldn’t think of anything better.’ Anna’s stomach growled at the prospect of a fish and chip supper and she couldn’t help laughing. It really was turning into the perfect night.
An hour and a half later, the fish and chips had gone down a storm with the guests, and Luke’s desserts had been served. Brae and Dan had both made heartfelt speeches, and it was almost time to cut the cake. Right up until that moment, the last thing Anna had planned to do was end up making a speech of her own. Doing any more than toasting her parents and her new husband had felt like too much. But looking around at everyone who’d worked so hard to make this night special, she just knew she had to do it. Before she had a chance to talk herself out of it, she was up on her feet, clinking a knife against her glass.
‘Sorry everyone, I promise this won’t take long and it’s not really a speech, but I just have to say something to you all.’ The butterflies were back as the conversation died down and everyone turned to look at her for a second time. ‘Brae has already done a brilliant job of thanking everyone from Beth, who lent me this gorgeous dress, to the lifeboat crew for all their help. I just want to echo my thanks to all of you and especially my friends and colleagues from the midwifery unit and their other halves, who have gone above and beyond to make this happen. Particularly Ella, who’s become like the sister I never had, and her wonderful partner, Dan. You’re all amazing, and every single person in this room has got an important place in my heart.’ Anna paused, glad of the chance to try and swallow her emotion, as the crowd cheered again.
When the sound finally died down, she cleared her throat. ‘Some of you know that I desperately wanted to get married tonight, on my parents’ wedding anniversary. As an only child of two only children, when I lost them I lost out on being part of a family too. I planned to toast them tonight, with a quote I found that summed up the fact that they will always be in my heart. It’s from mother to a daughter and it simply says “remember me and a part of me will always be with you”. I know they’re with me today and every day, because of that. Marrying Brae on their anniversary was so important to me, not only because I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone, but because it signified becoming part of a family again – with his parents, and his lovely sister, Morwenna, and her family. Only now, looking around this room, I realise that’s just the icing on the cake. I’ve been part of a family from the moment I arrived in Port Agnes. Only a family would go out of their way to do as much for me as you’ve all done tonight. Port Agnes has given me a family who’ve welcomed me into their community and it’s given me Brae, who I know for certain is the one for me. So I wanted to wish you all, my Port Agnes family, every good fortune in your lives and to thank you once again for letting me be a part of your clan.’
For a second or two, there was silence, but then everyone got to their feet and started to clap. Any chance Anna might have had of holding back the tears was over. But if you couldn’t cry in front of your family, when could you?
23
‘Good morning, Mrs Penrose.’ Brae smiled as Anna opened her eyes, and gently stroked the side of her face.
‘Have you
been watching me sleep?’ Anna couldn’t imagine it being a pretty sight. She’d probably had her mouth hanging open at best.
‘Only for a few minutes, but I could have watched you all day.’ Brae propped himself up on one elbow. ‘Can you believe we’re actually married?’
‘After everything that happened, it’s hard to! It really was the best day of my life.’ Just thinking about it, she couldn’t have kept the smile off her face if she’d wanted to.
‘That speech you made hit me right here.’ Brae slapped a hand against his chest. ‘And I wasn’t the only one. I think you caught everyone unawares.’
‘If someone had told me I’d have to make a speech, I’d have dreaded it, but when I saw what everyone had done just to try and make things special for us…’ She shook her head. ‘I couldn’t leave it unsaid.’
‘Everything you said was true. The community here really are like family.’ Brae pushed a strand of hair away from her face as he spoke. ‘When people found out we were originally booked to have lunch at the Red Cliff Hotel today and stay another night before we went on our honeymoon, I lost count of the number of local pubs and restaurants that offered us lunch and dinner for free.’
‘We could just eat at home. Last night’s celebrations with everyone were so great anyway, I don’t think we could top it.’
‘We did get one offer you might want to accept. At Jago and Ruth’s place, for a celebratory lunch with Dan and Ella, so you know we’ll get fed like kings too.’
‘What time do we need to be there?’
‘Ruth said last night that lunch is at one, and we don’t need to check out until twelve either, so we’ve got plenty of time. I want to give you your wedding present first, anyway.’
‘You bought the perfume.’
‘That was from your mum really. This is from me and I wanted us to be on our own when I gave it to you.’ Brae got up and took a large wrapped package out of the wardrobe. ‘I hope you like it.’
‘Thank you so much.’ Anna peeled back the paper. A painting, unmistakably one of Dan’s, was revealed beneath the wrapping, making her breath catch in her throat. ‘It’s from the photo in my purse, isn’t it? It’s beautiful!’
‘I hope it’s okay that I got it done. I was the internet bidder on Dan’s painting at the auction. I’d given Ella a pre-arranged maximum to go to, although knowing her she had something to do with ensuring it was the winning bid.’ Brae stroked her hand. ‘I scanned the photo when you weren’t looking and Dan worked his magic.’
‘I couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s such a grainy photo and, when I tried to get it blown up bigger, it just looked like a blur.’ Anna couldn’t stop looking at the painting. The photo had been taken on a family summer holiday in Port Agnes, just before she’d started secondary school on their very first trip in Vanna. That holiday was one of her favourite childhood memories and it was one of the reasons she’d decided to settle in Port Agnes after her parents’ death. The painting and Amber were the nicest presents she’d ever had, and nothing she gave Brae could even hope to match his wedding present to her.
‘I thought it would look great above the fireplace.’ Brae kissed the top of her head. ‘I might not have had the chance to meet them, but I know they must have been amazing people to have a daughter like you.’
‘They’d have adored you. I don’t even have to question that. I’ve got you a present, nothing as amazing as this. But I left it at home, because I had no idea we were going to end up spending the night on the island.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I’ve got everything I need right here.’ Brae smiled again. ‘And the hotel launch isn’t going over to the mainland until twelve-fifteen anyway.’
Anna glanced at her watch. ‘Do you want to get some breakfast, then? They said they’d be serving it until ten.’
‘I’m not hungry.’ Brae trailed a hand lazily down the side of her body. ‘Not for food anyway.’
‘You’re not going to be one of those husbands, are you?’ She grinned again. ‘You know, the sort who want to spend all day in bed.’
‘Being married to someone as beautiful as you, Anna Penrose, I’m afraid it’s a given.’
‘Oh, go on then!’ She laughed, as he pulled her towards him. Married life was off to a very good start and she had a feeling it was just going to keep getting better.
Brae pushed his plate away after polishing off a third helping of Sunday lunch and sighed.
‘That was amazing, Ruth, and I think you may have finally beaten me. I’m just gutted that I might not be able to do justice to Jago’s dessert.’
‘I love to see people enjoying their food, especially when it’s something I’ve cooked.’ Ruth beamed. ‘Are you okay, Anna? You’re eating like a bird, and there’s no need to worry about looking skinny on your wedding day any more!’
‘True, you can let yourself go now, like my Ruthie!’ Jago laughed, earning himself a playful punch on the arm from his wife.
‘If I look half as good as Ruth, I’ll be happy. And lunch was beautiful, thank you.’ Anna smiled as Ruth blew her a kiss. ‘It’s just the last couple of days have been crazy and I think I’m still running on adrenaline. I keep getting that feeling, like when you’re on the top of a rollercoaster, launching into a loop the loop and your stomach can’t quite catch up with the rest of you. I think my body is still in the panic mode it went into the moment the call came through from the Red Cliff Hotel. Hopefully it’ll catch up with my brain soon.’
‘Well I’m with Brae. My stomach’s stretched to the limit and I only had two, admittedly huge, portions of roast dinner.’ Dan massaged his belly. ‘I couldn’t resist eating that second helping, but I think I could do with a break to fully do justice to Jago’s magnificent dessert.’
‘It’s a gorgeous day.’ Ella turned towards her parents. ‘Maybe we could all take Daisy and Jones for a walk on the beach to work up an appetite again?’
‘That’s a brilliant idea. You youngsters head off and your father and I will get things straightened up in here, ready for dessert.’ Ruth looked at Jago, who nodded.
‘We can’t leave you to do all the clearing away, you’ve already done all the cooking.’ Anna’s protests were immediately waved away.
‘You girls work so hard. And look at those two, they’re like a couple of your patients, they’ve got to be at least six months gone.’ Jago roared with laughter again, as Brae and Dan both patted their stomachs.
‘I think Brae’s further on than me.’ Dan winked, and before anyone could offer another protest about helping out with clearing the table, Ruth was up on her feet, clipping Daisy’s lead on. The dog had made the most of sitting under the dinner table, and being fed titbits by all of them, so she probably had a belly bulge of her own to give Brae and Dan a run for their money. Anna and Brae were still trying not to give Jones any human food, but there was a pretty good chance that Jago had already broken that rule.
‘Looks like we’ve got our marching orders.’ Ella stood up. ‘We might as well head to the beach, because if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from growing up in this house, it’s that you’ll never win when Mum and Dad make up their minds.’
The walk along the beach was breathtaking. If a Hollywood movie could paint the perfect scene, then Port Agnes offered the next best thing. The sunlight bouncing off the sand made it look like it was covered in millions of tiny diamonds. It was all laid out beneath a bright blue sky and the tide was so far out that it made the beach feel empty, even though it was the height of summer.
‘I bet you can’t wait to get on the plane and head off to the States.’ Ella turned to Anna as they walked towards the edge of the water, with Dan and Brae already trying to skim stones across its surface.
‘I’m not sure anywhere can hold a candle to Port Agnes.’ Anna smiled. ‘Although it’ll be nice to have a bit of a break and relax, now that everything seems to be covered. Jess texted this morning to say she’s going to keep going to the infertility support group m
eetings, at least until she gets approved as a foster carer and maybe even after that. She’s got her first session with the social worker next week and they’re hoping to get her to panel by October.’
‘That’s amazing. How are the rest of the group doing?’
‘Lucy’s got her first scan when I get back from holiday and she’s asked if I can go with her, because she’s still terrified it might turn out not to be true.’ Anna could understand that feeling and it was why both Lucy and Jess had agreed to stay in the group in the end. When you’d wanted something for so long, it was almost impossible to believe you might get it until it actually happened.
‘How are you feeling about adoption now?’
‘I think we’ll definitely go down that route at some point, but we’ve decided to enjoy it just being the two of us for now. Who knows, we might find out we enjoy the freedom too much to ever give it up.’
‘Maybe you will and who needs kids anyway, when we’ve got those two?’ Ella laughed as she gestured towards where Dan and Brae were trying to push each other into the sea, in an attempt to be declared the victor in the stone skimming contest.
‘Exactly! I think we better round them up before Brae ends up breaking his hand again, just in time for the honeymoon. I might have braved making a speech yesterday, but I’m definitely not up for driving the hire car in Florida!’