by Lucy Daniels
‘It’s lovely to be back,’ she said, with a rush of gratitude for her precious parents, who had always been so proud of everything she had done. No wonder her mother was looking tired. Without an assistant, they must be snowed under. In a couple of weeks, she would be able to help them properly, Mandy reminded herself. Thank goodness the locum contract in Leeds was finishing just at the right time. Her mum and dad might even be able to take a holiday. She was sure she could manage on her own for a few days.
The rumble of a vintage car engine broke through the chatter and everyone turned to look. It was James arriving in typical style, and Mandy found herself grinning as he pulled up on the edge of the grass and climbed out of the driver’s seat. How dashing he looked in his pale blue suit. The old round glasses – the ones that had made him a dead-ringer for Harry Potter throughout their school days – had been replaced with a smart rimless pair, and he no longer wore them halfway down his nose. But his hair still flopped forwards onto his forehead, resistant to any hairbrush or styling gel.
James’s face lit up when he saw Mandy waiting for him. ‘Hello,’ he said and then pretended to wince as she threw herself at him and hugged him tight.
‘I’ve missed you,’ she said, ‘but you’re looking fantastic and it’s a lovely day and … oh I can’t believe the day has actually arrived and you’re getting married.’ She stopped, realising she was talking too much, but James laughed.
‘It does seem a bit unreal,’ he admitted and regarded her fondly. ‘But what about you? You look amazing.’
Self-conscious again under his gaze, Mandy said, ‘At least you had the sense to choose navy blue. Can you imagine me as a six-foot bridesmaid in lilac chiffon?’
‘Not really.’ James shook his head. ‘But even if you were dressed in a doily, nobody has ever had a more wonderful best woman, I’m sure of it.’
Best woman. Even though Mandy had been overjoyed when James asked, the title sounded clumsy. ‘I’ll do everything I can to make it a good day,’ Mandy said. Despite herself, she felt a sudden prickling behind her eyes. She lowered them, hoping James wouldn’t notice, but he grasped her arms, suddenly fierce.
‘You promised you wouldn’t cry, remember?’ Loosening his grip, he gazed at her. The pleading in his eyes made Mandy wince. Taking a deep breath and blinking away the unshed tears, she nodded.
‘Mum! Dad!’ James’s parents arrived and to Mandy’s relief, he turned his attention to his mother, who started to fuss over his suit, straightening the white flower pinned to his lapel and brushing invisible dust from his sleeve. Mrs Hunter looked amazing, Mandy thought. She was wearing a long cream coat with gold brocade over a linen dress in a subtle shade of bronze. Her hair, which had always been the same shade of brown as James’s, had turned white, but it was tied back in an elegant bun, and her blue eyes were full of concern as she regarded her son.
‘Look at your hair!’ she exclaimed, tipping her head back to see him better. ‘I said you should get it cut.’
‘I had better things to think about, Mum.’ James shook his head, but his voice was affectionate.
‘Do you have a comb?’ Mrs Hunter asked and when James shrugged, she turned to her husband. ‘Gavin, do you have a comb? Just look at his hair.’
Mr Hunter was regarding his son quietly. ‘He looks fine to me,’ he said, ‘and I think it’s time for us to go and find our seats.’ With an apologetic wave, he guided his wife towards the rapidly filling chairs.
‘I hope Paul gets here soon. Lily and Seamus are coming with him.’ James glanced at his watch. Lily and Seamus were James’s much-loved dogs and Mandy knew they were going to play a very special part in the ceremony.
‘Maybe they’ve got cold feet – or paws – about their big role?’ she said, trying to distract him as he looked down at his wrist again.
James managed a smile. ‘I couldn’t leave them out of the ceremony, not with …’ but his words tailed off as another classic car drew up alongside his Bentley. ‘Here they are.’
Mandy heard the relief in his voice. There were two people in the car, but Mandy only had eyes for the passenger, a handsome man with a shaven head, who smiled and waved as the car drew up. He climbed out, opened the rear door, and unclipped the harnesses of the two wriggling animals in the back seat. One black, one brindle, both whippet thin, the two mixed-breed dogs bounded towards James and Mandy, their sleek coats gleaming. James bent briefly and hugged them both and a moment later, they were hurling themselves at Mandy. She laughingly fended them off as Lily, the smaller of the two, scrabbled at her bare legs and Seamus, slightly taller, threatened to plant both feet on the front of her dress.
‘They haven’t forgotten the rings,’ Mandy said, catching sight of the tiny leather boxes that James had attached to the dogs’ collars. She stood up as the passenger from the car approached.
‘Paul,’ she said and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. ‘You’re looking great.’
‘Thank you,’ he replied, but James stepped between them with a mock-frown.
‘Hey,’ he said to Mandy. ‘It’s my job to tell him that!’ Mandy moved aside as James smiled at Paul. ‘Was the journey okay?’ he asked.
‘Not bad,’ Paul said. He looked at James with appreciation. ‘You really are very handsome in those new glasses,’ he said with a grin. ‘Just as well your looks and personality match.’
James shook his head. ‘You’ve always been the good-looking one,’ he said and he took Paul’s hand. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
Paul nodded. ‘More than ready,’ he replied and, side by side, dogs at their heels, they began the solemn walk along the pathway towards the oak tree.
Mandy turned to Simon. James might be ready, but despite her determination to honour her promise, she was finding it hard to keep herself together.
‘All right?’ Simon whispered, taking her hand and squeezing it. She nodded and swallowed.
‘Paul looks well,’ Simon commented. Mandy nodded again.
‘We should go,’ he said, and Mandy was glad to have him beside her when they walked up the narrow aisle between the rows of chairs. Ahead of them, Paul and James stopped in front of the registrar, a kind-eyed woman in a neat navy suit, who stood waiting under the scented canopy. Simon joined Mandy’s parents and she took her place beside James.
As James and his fiancé turned to face one another in the shade of the magnificent oak, the shadows around Paul’s eyes that had been camouflaged in the sunshine were thrown into sharp relief. He stood square-shouldered and smiling as if everything in his life was perfect. Mandy pressed her lips together hard. That her best friend was in love, that he had found a partner for life, should have been a source of pure joy, and yet today was exquisitely painful. Paul, who was the dearest thing in the world to James, who had brought him so much happiness, was in the final stages of osteosarcoma. Mandy knew too much about bone cancer to be under any illusion there would be a happy ending. Her friends had to steal what time they could.
In the distance, Mandy could hear the sweet chirruping of a skylark as the registrar read out the vows. ‘Paul William Franco, is it your will to have this man to be your spouse, to live together in the state of marriage? Is it your will to love him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?’
How serious Paul looked as he spoke. ‘I will.’
The registrar turned her gaze to James. ‘James Hunter,’ she said, her voice calm. ‘Is it your will to have this man to be your spouse, to live together in the state of marriage? Is it your will to love him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?’
‘I will.’
There was a moment of stillness, the silver song of the lark clear in the distance. ‘And now,’ the registrar smiled, ‘Reverend Hadcroft has been invited to say a few words.’ Stepping aside, she made way for the vicar who had presided for many years over the parish. His hair was still black, hi
s blue eyes still twinkled as he faced the congregation. Although he had only recently met Paul, Mandy knew he had taken time to sit down with the couple and learn about their short history.
‘Thank you, my friends,’ he said, ‘for joining us here today, to celebrate the marriage of these two wonderful young men. I was honoured when James asked me if I would be willing to say a few words at their wedding ceremony. I would also like to invite anyone who wishes to join us for a special prayer session for Paul and James at the end of tomorrow morning’s service in the church.’ He paused for a long moment, smiling at James and Paul, before looking out across the rows of seats. ‘It takes courage,’ he said, ‘to commit one’s life to someone, but there is a story that James has told me that I think illustrates the strength these two wonderful young men have found in one another. And,’ he smiled, casting his gaze over the crowd, ‘I think anyone who has lived in this village as long as I have will agree that this tale illustrates how well suited they are. I understand these two young men met in a very unusual way. They were walking in opposite directions down a street in York when they heard howling. Both of them felt unable to ignore such a sound and on investigation, they discovered a group of boys who had trapped something,’ he raised an eyebrow, ‘or indeed, two somethings in a plastic bag, which they were about to throw in the river. James and Paul, despite being outnumbered, chased off the boys and retrieved the bag. Inside, to their surprise, they found two young puppies, one black and one brindle.’
Mandy couldn’t take her eyes off the vicar, even though she had heard the story before. ‘I think all of you know where this is going,’ said the reverend, bending down to pat Seamus’s head and then Lily’s. ‘Rather than allowing the police to take the puppies to a rescue centre, Paul and James agreed to take one each, but to keep in touch so that the tiny brother and sister would not lose one another completely. And the rest, of course, is history.’ He looked around, first at Paul, then at James and finally resting his eyes on Mandy. ‘Many of us can recall that in James’s younger days, he and Mandy Hope, who stands here beside her friend, had lots of similar adventures. I know that she will join me and everyone here in wishing you both,’ he beamed at the couple, ‘the great joy of sharing your love of animals with your love for one another.’
Mandy heard a single gasping sob from somewhere behind her. Half turning, she caught sight of Gran and Grandad Hope sitting beside her dad. Catching Mandy’s eye, her grandfather sent her a reassuring smile. She held her breath for a moment and dug her fingernails into the palms of her hands. If her friends could be this brave, then she must be brave for them. By the time the couple had kissed and turned towards her, she was able to smile. Unsure that she could trust her voice, she reached out. Briefly she grasped their hands, one warm and dry, one cooler, with fingers too slim. A moment later she released them and the newly married couple turned to face the congregation. Joining hands, fingers tightly intertwined, they made their way back down the aisle, the two dogs with them, one on either side.
Mandy finished her last spoonful of chocolate mousse and sat back. She suspected she was putting undue pressure on the seams of her dress. Simon was talking to his neighbour, James’s cousin Daniel, about the significance of the 1851 classification of French wine regions. On Mandy’s other side, James was holding out his hand for an elderly aunt to admire his gleaming gold ring. His free hand grasped Paul’s, resting on Paul’s slim thigh.
The horde of young and slightly nervous serving staff had almost finished clearing away the plates. Mandy took a deep breath and tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her dress. She stood up as Gary and Bev Parsons, the landlords of the Fox and Goose, filled the last few glasses with champagne. Mandy felt a flutter of butterflies as people stopped their conversations and turned to look at her.
James had asked her to make a speech. It had been almost impossible to decide what to say. It didn’t seem appropriate to joke too much and she didn’t want to dwell on Paul’s illness. Mandy wasn’t sure she could talk about it without breaking down anyway. She had settled on keeping her comments brief. Beside her, James lifted his eyes and smiled, and she felt courage flow into her.
‘I’m not going to talk for long,’ she began. ‘For those who don’t know me yet,’ she glanced over to where Paul’s family were sitting, ‘I am Mandy Hope and I grew up in Welford with James. Despite being a year younger than me, I think everyone who knows us would agree he has always been the sensible one. But I always knew he loved animals as much as I did and back then, we made it our mission to save the world. Unlike Noah, who saved his animals two-by-two, we set out to rescue them one at a time.’ She paused as a wave of laughter ran through the guests. ‘Well, it seems my efforts have been bettered. When James and Paul met, they managed to save a pair of animals. Noah would have been proud!’ Another pause for laughter and a ripple of applause. ‘Paul,’ Mandy looked at him directly, ‘I couldn’t have been dethroned by a better person.’
Paul acknowledged her words with a nod. So far, so good, Mandy thought, though the most difficult part was still to come. Taking a deep breath, keeping her voice steady, she addressed Paul again.
‘Your new husband is the most gentle, generous, loyal and, crucially for me,’ she paused and held up her hands, managing a grin, ‘the most patient man I have ever met. If I had a magic wand and could turn him into an animal, I think he would make the most wonderful pet.’ She was nearing the end now. ‘Obviously, I have known Paul for a much shorter time than James, but I know they are a perfect match. Paul, you too are generous, loyal and patient. I truly believe you deserve one another.’ From the corner of her eye, she saw her grandparents sitting beside her father. Dorothy was wiping a tear from her eye. Although Mandy’s hand was shaking, she gripped her glass tightly and raised it in a toast.
‘To James and Paul!’ she said and collectively, the guests lifted their drinks and toasted the newly-weds. With a thump, Mandy sat down in her chair.
James reached his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. ‘Thanks,’ he whispered. ‘That was lovely.’
As soon as the speeches were over, Mandy left Simon talking to her parents and escaped into the garden to cool her burning cheeks. She was inhaling the scent of a huge yellow rose when she heard her name.
‘Mandy?’
She turned to see Mrs McFarlane, who had worked in the post office when Mandy and James were growing up. The elderly lady was resplendent in a blue and white floral suit and scarlet hat. Mandy felt a rush of gratitude that she had taken so much trouble to dress up for James’s wedding.
‘I thought of you this morning,’ Mandy said, ‘when I passed the post office. I was remembering all the ice creams James and I used to buy.’
‘Those were the days,’ Mrs McFarlane agreed. Her eyes were bright behind her glasses. ‘I remember you used to come in during the holidays to post samples for your mum and dad.’
Mandy smiled. ‘So we did,’ she said. ‘So much responsibility! I think we even argued about who got to carry the envelopes.’
‘You and James were always together.’ Mrs McFarlane glanced around the garden and her face softened when she caught sight of James, who was sitting on a bench in the sun with Paul beside him. ‘It was such an exciting day for the village when James decided to have his wedding here. And I was so happy to hear you were coming back for the occasion as well. It’s amazing how time passes. You’re both so grown up.’
‘We are,’ said Mandy.
‘What are you up to now? I’ve seen you around Welford a few times, but I hear you’ve been working in Leeds this past year.’
‘That’s right,’ Mandy said, ‘but in three weeks’ time, I’m coming back here to Welford for more than a visit. I’m going to help Mum and Dad out.’
The former postmistress’s face lit up. ‘You’ll be working at Animal Ark? That’s wonderful.’
‘It’s not a permanent thing though, is it?’ Mandy hadn’t heard Simon approaching and she jumped when he spo
ke. Several other people had drifted into the garden by now, including Jean Knox, who was helping Susan’s son Jack to pick dandelions.
Simon put his arm around her waist and smiled at Fiona and Mrs McFarlane. ‘Mandy is only here until Adam and Emily find a replacement. After that, we’re going to open our own clinic in Leeds. We’re very interested in the recent advances in orthopaedic surgery, aren’t we?’
Mandy wrinkled her nose. She wished Simon hadn’t interrupted quite so condescendingly. It wasn’t even entirely true, she thought. Simon was much more interested in extreme surgery than she was. She had always been fascinated by animal rehabilitation and had chosen to study animal behaviour to Masters level when she had finished her vet degree. They had talked about setting up a combined clinic and rescue centre. She didn’t know what to say and was glad when Jean Knox, having heard Simon’s comment, started asking him questions about progress in small animal surgery.
‘I’m going to see if I can find James,’ Mandy said. He and Paul had disappeared from the bench. Simon was too busy explaining the technicalities of toggling a hip joint to do more than wave at Mandy as she walked away.
She couldn’t immediately see James and Paul inside. She approached the bar, where Bev Parsons, red-cheeked and wild-haired, was pulling a pint of local ale.
‘Hi, Bev. Do you know where James and Paul are?’ Mandy asked.
Bev pointed towards an inconspicuous doorway beside the bar. ‘They’re through there,’ she said.
Mandy walked into a wood-panelled room where James was holding the hand of a grey-looking Paul. ‘Is everything okay?’ she said, feeling a stir of concern. ‘Is there anything I can do?’
James smiled at her in a strained way. ‘Actually, you’re just the person we need,’ he said. ‘You know how Paul has to get injections of Fragmin to help prevent blood clots?’ Mandy nodded. ‘Well, we’re lucky enough to live next door to a nurse, and she’s been helping with the injections.’