Page 59 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
Archie laughed softly. ‘I wish things were different. I wish I could offer you more.’
‘No. Things are perfect. I don’t need anything except you. We’re both too old to come into a relationship with no baggage. And while I might not be living with my mother, I do have a very needy business and a hangover from my last relationship that means I will probably always want to keep my cottage.’
‘And you should. I would never ask you to give anything up.’
‘And I wouldn’t ask that either.’ She paused and idly circled a finger on his breastbone. ‘Do you think it’s ridiculous to carry on like this? Living in each other’s houses?’
‘As far as I know, there are no hard and fast rules that say what a relationship looks like. Look at Hilary and Toby, they’re making it work. If it makes us happy to arrange our lives like this, who is anyone to tell us that’s wrong?’
‘And you think Constance will go along with that?’
‘I may live with my mother, but I’m my own man.’
Nora stifled a laugh. ‘I love that you think that.’
Archie pretended to be affronted but couldn’t help grinning. ‘I suppose sneaking into my own house after spending the night with you doesn’t make me seem particularly masterful.’
‘I think you’re very masterful. Just scared of your mother and Mrs Milton.’
‘That’s a fair assessment. But I have told Mother that where our relationship is heading is no one’s business but ours.’
‘Thank you. I like your mother, Archie, you know that. But I do worry that she’s putting pressure on you to…I don’t know, make some kind of commitment that I don’t think either of us want.’
‘Well, you mustn’t worry,’ he said, tightening his arms around her. ‘Things are perfect just as they are.’
22
THE DAY OF Jess and Seb’s wedding dawned bright and sunny. Nora had been out for a swim as the sun rose while Archie had coaxed the fire back to life and made some breakfast. She didn’t mind that he wanted to sit this one out; she’d been more than happy that he’d at least tried it the day before and didn’t want to push her luck.
The ceremony was at eleven o’clock, and they’d booked a taxi, which picked them up at the end of the lane that led to the cabin and took them to Swanage where they’d arranged to meet the others outside the registry office. Nora was wearing one of her favourite summer dresses, which was long, so a little warmer, and had paired it with white trainers and a cardigan with elbow length frilled sleeves. She’d left her hair down, and it fell in waves around her shoulders. Archie had been intent on wearing a suit, but she’d persuaded him it was better to be less formal, so he was wearing some new chinos and the jacket that Constance had bought him along with the shirt Jess had made, which felt right.
The Town Hall was a pale stone building with an ornate doorway. It was right on the street, so the taxi pulled up at the door. Patsy and Matt were already there, and Lois and Oliver were walking up the road as Archie and Nora arrived.
‘Morning! What a fine day for a wedding,’ said Oliver as the men shook hands with each other.
‘No sign of Hilary and Toby yet?’ Nora asked Lois.
‘No. I think they’re staying at the pub where the reception is. Penny and her husband are there too, so I guess they’ll come together.’
Another taxi pulled up and deposited the final four guests outside the Town Hall.
‘I thought we were going to be late,’ Penny said, looking flustered. ‘I had to pick up the buttonholes from the florist on the way. Here you are.’ She handed out yellow roses with pretty pink edges to the petals to the men. Nora helped Archie with his.
‘This is my husband, Paul,’ said Penny, introducing him to everyone. ‘We’d better get inside or we’ll be stood out here when they arrive.’
Archie and Nora stayed behind, since Jess and Seb were expecting to find them there, while everyone else went in.
‘I feel nervous,’ said Archie, rolling his shoulders. ‘I wonder how Seb’s feeling?’
‘I’m sure he’s taking it in his stride. I bet he’s looking forward to Jess realising everyone’s here.’
‘This is the kind of wedding I’d have wanted,’ said Archie. ‘There’s something so elegant about it being a simple ceremony with only the people who really matter.’
‘I always thought I’d have eloped,’ said Nora. ‘Julian and I talked about it a couple of times, and it seemed romantic until I realised the romance is in the spontaneity of it and talking about it in advance ruins it.’
Archie laughed. ‘My mother would have had a fit if I’d eloped. Before Clarissa broke things off we were on course for the wedding of the century. Would have cost a fortune.’
‘Just as well we’re past all that sort of thing then.’ She wrapped his arm in hers and rested her head on his shoulder.
