Page 127 of Wrapped Up In You

‘Janie,’ Mike lowers his voice. ‘Just one last thing. You are sure you’re doing the right thing?’

‘Oh, Mike . . .’

He puts down his tea and comes to me, resting his hands on my arms.

‘Take a minute to think about it?’

I do and a slide show of the last six months with Dominic whizzes through my mind. ‘I adore him more than life itself,’ I tell my friend. ‘And I know that he feels the same way about me.’

He smiles at me. ‘That’s all I wanted to hear.’

Leaning into him, I rest my head against his shoulder. ‘I’ve something else to tell you.’ I sigh contentedly. ‘I’m having his baby, Mike.’

‘That’s fabulous news.’ I see tears spring to his eyes. ‘And here’s me thinking you were just eating too much pasta.’

I punch him in the arm.

‘I feel like I’m giving you away,’ Mike admits. ‘As if I’m your father or something. Never thought I’d be doing that.’

‘You have been my rock, Mike. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I hope that you’ll find someone to love. And soon.’ Then I look at him. ‘But she’ll have to meet with my approval and live close by. I don’t want some flighty piece whisking you away from here,’ I tease. ‘Think anyone might fit the bill?’

‘Hmm,’ he says enigmatically, although we are both fully aware that the ideal candidate is already on the scene. Nina has looked at the cottage in Nashley and has had an offer on it accepted. I don’t think she and Mike have left each other’s side all weekend and it’s lovely to see their relationship blossoming. ‘I’ll have to see what I can do.’

Nina pops her head around the door. ‘Come and get your frock on, woman. It’s nearly time to go.’

I have a few sips of the tea that Mike has prepared and then follow her up the stairs.

In the bedroom, Dominic is admiring himself in the mirror, his full tribal dress in place.

‘Hot stuff,’ Nina teases. ‘Now get out while I dress the bride.’

‘You look wonderful,’ I say to Dominic. ‘I hope that I can do you proud.’

‘You will be a beautiful bride,’ he tells me.

‘Enough of that, you two,’ Nina chides. ‘Any more slushy stuff and we won’t get to the register office on time.’

‘I love you,’ Dominic says. ‘Aanyor pii.’

‘Aanyor pii. I love you too.’

Chapter Ninety-Two

The registrar reads out the vows and Dominic, and then I, repeat them.

‘With this ring, I thee wed.’ Dominic slips a gold band on my finger. I do the same to him. I see Nina brush away a tear and Mike slips his arm around her shoulders.

The beat of African music fills the room and Dominic places the long wedding necklace around my neck. The beads cascade down to my feet and I’ve worn a plain white strapless dress of raw silk to show it off at its best. I slip his wedding necklace in place and the registrar says, ‘You may now kiss your wife.’

Dominic kisses me long and hard while our friends cheer at our happiness. Archie, sitting at Dominic’s feet, miaows his displeasure at being so roundly ignored and Dominic lifts him onto his shoulder to appease him.

Out at the front of the register office and our friends throw confetti over us. If Dominic is bemused by this, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he lifts me into his arms and carries me down the steps to Mike’s waiting car.

‘Your carriage awaits, Mrs Ole Nangon,’ he says.

That’s me, I think. Mrs Dominic Lemasolai Ole Nangon. Plain old Janie Johnson has gone for ever!

Cristal, Tyrone and Clinton, Steph, Kelly and her man, all in their finery, follow in our wake. As do Mike and Nina, hand-in-hand.

‘Throw your bouquet,’ Cristal shouts.

‘Shall I?’ I have a simple bunch of brightly coloured flowers tied together; vibrant orange gerberas, brilliant yellow sunflowers, deep red Flamingo flowers and pink lilies. ‘Whoever catches this will be the next person to get married,’ I explain to Dominic. ‘It’s just a silly custom.’

With a carefree laugh, I toss the bouquet. It soars through the air and, as it’s heading straight for Nina, she drops Mike’s hand and lets it fall right into her own.

She looks up at me, stunned. ‘I haven’t got rid of the last husband yet,’ she says. ‘Give me a chance!’

Everyone bursts into laughter and I note, again, that Mike takes her into his arms and kisses her. Maybe wedding bouquet predictions aren’t quite so silly after all.

‘See you at the restaurant.’ We’re heading now to a local place that we’ve chosen for a meal with everyone, and then Mike has treated us to a night at a swanky hotel nearby for our honeymoon. On Wednesday, it’s back to work.

---