Epilogue
Christmas Eve, One year later
A year later, Grandad Nigel sat in a wheelchair close to the fire, a blanket over his knees and a smart tie at his neck, holding Edith’s hand. Next to Edith, Tracey cried even before the ceremony had begun, and Mr Scrooge curled under the Christmas tree. From her spot in the dining-room doorway, Nell sneaked a look around the corner and saw Tom next to the celebrant and Kieran, his best man.
‘Ready?’ asked Cat, adjusting Nell’s long, sweeping veil that fell behind her in a waterfall.
Without a second’s hesitation, Nell replied. ‘Yes. I can’t wait to become Mrs Barton. Well, Barton-Jones. We’ve decided to keep my name too.’
Tallulah, who was managing the wedding, started playing the music they’d chosen, and Cat fiddled with her own dress. ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole rang out from the speakers and Nell ensured the long sweeping gown of simple ivory satin waterfalled behind her. ‘Okay soon-to-be Mrs Barton-Jones, that’s my cue. See you at the end.’
Nell hugged her. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you too. Now let’s go get ’em.’ Cat grinned. ‘My feet are killing me, and I need a sit-down. This baby is sitting right under my ribs.’
Cat went down the aisle first, her giant baby bump leading the way. Nell continued to sneak a peek from around the dining-room door and when Cat got to the front, she stood to one side and turned to welcome the bride. With a smile at her dad, Nell hooked her arm through his and walked down the aisle. Her parents had come back for the wedding and were staying at the hotel, taking over management duties so Nell could relax and enjoy her wedding and honeymoon. They’d been so pleased when they arrived and couldn’t believe what an amazing job Nell was doing.
Hotel and wedding bookings were coming in thick and fast, including Stella and Miles’s, which Nell was very excited about, and enquiries were through the roof. She’d received so many they were having a whole new brochure put together to send out with pictures from the weddings she’d organised so far. The dining room was open two evenings midweek, and on Friday and Saturday with different local chefs deciding the menu. They’d loved the challenge and chance to be a bit more experimental and her guests and the town were loving it too.
Careful not to step on the skirt of her wedding dress, Nell took each step with mounting excitement. Tom turned to watch Nell, adjusting his head so he could see her properly and drink her in. His sight wasn’t deteriorating as quickly as they had at first feared and his eyes glistened at his wife-to-be. He was having regular check-ups and so far, his central vision was still intact. As he’d lost so much of his peripheral vision, he couldn’t drive anymore but they’d hired a delivery driver and things were working out well.
Nell’s long dress floated around her feet, and the bodice showed off her shoulders. As with Cat, there was no torturous underwear, no enormous pants to hold everything in. In front of her, Nell carried a small bunch of ranunculuses and winter roses studied with greenery. Janie had done all the wedding flowers and now she was sitting next to Brenda, even more cheerful than usual. She had begun to take on more and more of the duties at the florist’s and was enjoying every minute of it. She was shaping up into a great manager. When the time came, Tom would be happy to step back further, knowing that she was in charge and that his business would go on.
At the top of the aisle, in the lounge, next to the twinkling Christmas tree decorated with traditional wooden decorations, Nell stopped in front of the celebrant and the music faded. She let go of her dad’s arm and he, Cat and Kieran went to sit down. Tom gently took her hand and she turned to face him. This time, it was she who imprinted his face in her memory, wanting to remember this moment forever. The photographer snapped a picture then moved back. They’d talked honestly with him and been clear about particular shots they wanted so that Nell and Tom could look at them for as long as his sight remained.
‘Welcome everyone,’ the celebrant began, ‘to the wedding of Nell and Tom.’
As they held hands and the ceremony began, their eyes never wavered from each other. When it came to reciting their vows, they both took a deep breath before Tom began. After writing their own in secret, it was with a mixture of excitement and nerves that Nell listened.
‘Nell, I’ve always loved you and that love has grown with each year that has passed. You’re my best friend, my soul mate and my true love.’ Grandad Nigel gave a loud sniff and they both glanced over to see the old man pull out a handkerchief and wipe a tear from his eye. ‘Last Christmas, when you agreed to marry me, you made me the happiest man in the world and I know that no matter what the future holds we’ll face it together and that I’ll get to see your face every morning. When my sight fails—’ At this Tom’s voice cracked and Nell didn’t know if she’d be able to breathe again, her body was so full of emotion. ‘When my sight fails, I’ll be able to feel you with me every morning because you’re the other half to my whole. I vow to love
