Page 130 of Merrily Ever After
‘I love you, Dad, and I’m really proud of you.’
‘I feel the same about you, mate.’ Cole was filled with admiration for his son, his precious boy, on the verge of becoming a man, far wiser than Cole had been at his age. He kissed Harley’s head and felt a sudden urge to have him at his side for the service. ‘Can I ask you a favour,’ he said, pulling back to look Harley in the eye.
Harley nodded willingly. ‘Sure.’
‘Would you be my best man?’
‘Me?’ His voice went up an octave and he looked at his dad warily. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’ Cole swallowed, his voice breaking. ‘A best man should be someone I love and respect. Who better than my own son?’
Harley nodded wordlessly, leaned into his dad and hugged him tight.
‘I’d better let Merry know,’ said Cole, pulling his phone from inside his jacket and sending her a text. He smiled to himself, imagining her gasping with pleasure. He’d done a good thing and Harley would remember this for the rest of his life.
Chapter Forty-Two
Merry
From outside the room, we could hear Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton belting out their Christmas hit. Barbara, our registrar, who sported a strong cranberry lip and the sharpest chin-length bob I’d ever seen, closed the double doors as the last guests entered.
‘They’re all in.’ Barbara beamed, tucking her hair behind her ears. Quite large ears, I noticed absently. ‘Although quite a few of them are dancing in their seats to the music.’
‘I chose this song,’ Freya piped up. She looked adorable in her pink dress. Her sequin shoes might not live to see another day, but I didn’t think she minded.
‘And Cole’s definitely there?’
Barbara twinkled her eyes. ‘He certainly is, looking absolutely dashing. His best man is there too, showing his grandad how to moon-walk.’
We all laughed and my heart flipped with joy. Cole had sent me a text only moments ago with the surprise announcement that Harley was going to be his best man. It was the perfect addition to the ceremony and I could just imagine how proud Harley would be right now.
Freya tapped Barbara’s arm. ‘I’m getting a kitten for Christmas, but it’s not my main present because I already know about it and I’ve got to share her with my brother,although Harley says he’d rather have a snake, but Mum said no way. And I can’t get her for another week because she’s too small to leave her mummy. But I’m not too small to leave mine; I’m going skiing tomorrow with Dad and Merry, for our family honeymoon and …’ She paused briefly for breath before giving Barbara a twirl. ‘Do you like my dress?’
‘I loveyour dress!’ Barbara caught hold of one of Freya’s hands and spun her around. ‘And that all sounds very exciting. Now, are you ready to walk down the aisle?’
Freya nodded. ‘I’ve been ready since before breakfast.’
There was no hesitation on Freya’s part now, no sign that she was not happy about this wedding and it was wonderful to see the little girl’s excitement.
Nell handed Freya the posy of winter flowers which matched hers. ‘Did you have ketchup on your breakfast by any chance?’ Her eyes slid to mine in amusement and then down to a small orangey pink mark on her chest where it looked as if someone had done their best to sponge it off.
The little girl looked amazed. ‘How did you know?’
‘And are you ready?’ Barbara asked me.
I nodded. ‘Oh, I should warn you that my dad has dementia, just in case, you know, he says something unexpected.’
Barbara smiled. ‘Don’t give it a moment’s thought. This is your wedding, with your loved ones around you to celebrate with you, and that’s all that matters. Besides, I’ve been doing this job for fifteen years, nothing surprises me anymore. I’ve seen every last-minute alteration, every surprise appearance you could imagine. All right then.’
As Barbara opened the double doors, a sudden emotion hit me with such strength that I let out a gasp. Because I had a last-minute alteration of my own and I couldn’t go down the aisle just yet.
Barbara paused and immediately closed the doors again.
Nell looked at me sharply. ‘What’s up?’
‘I want Astrid,’ I said shakily.
‘Shall I fetch her?’ Nell offered.
