‘That’s terrible. And the flay-pits, are they untouched?’ He stood back and looked worried.
‘Yes, thank the Lord. My father’s still got his business, so we are thankful for that. Go down and see the damage, if you have time. There’s already a crowd of people there and no doubt it will grow, once word gets out of the damage that’s been done.’ Lucy looked out of the kitchen window down to the valley bottom, but could not quite see her old home.
‘No, I’ve got Ivy and her husband to meet at Keighley this afternoon. They have asked me for dinner with them this evening. I might go tomorrow, if I get the time. But my head is full of thoughts about our wedding. Saturday will soon be here, and when I walk you down the aisle I will be the happiest man in the world. All is in place, and I’ve guarded your chrysanthemums with my life. They are safe and dry in the barn and ready for you to take.’ Adam held Lucy by the waist and kissed the nape of her neck.
‘I can’t believe this is happening to me. I’ve dreamed of it so much that I never thought it would truly happen,’ she whispered.
‘Well, it is to happen, my darling. Saturday is our day, and whether it rains or shines, I care not, because I will have you by my side forever.’ Adam kissed her once more.
‘Oh, let the sun shine for us, Adam. Even though it is autumn, there are still a few flowers surviving and the leaves are such a beautiful colour when the sun shines.’ Lucy returned his kiss and smiled.
‘It will shine for us, my love – it has to; it’s our special day and I won’t let it do anything other than shine.’ Adam held her tightly. Saturday could not come soon enough, whether it rained or shone.
28
Lucy looked at herself in the long mirror of her bedroom. She was still not used to her new room at High Ground and had not made herself at home in it, knowing that she would be leaving it shortly for her new life with Adam. She gazed at herself critically, noticing every stitch and tuck that she had added to her own hand-made wedding dress. Was the waist too tight? Did she look too fat? Was it even the right colour? Although she knew the last point to be fine, she had chosen a white lace to show that she was still virginal and to stop any gossips accusing her of having a rushed wedding. Her heart was fluttering like a trapped butterfly as she noticed her mother standing behind her in the reflection of the mirror.
‘You look beautiful, our Lucy.’ Dorothy swept a tear away from her eye. ‘I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help but cry. You are still my baby, and yet here you are getting married.’
‘Oh, Mother, don’t cry. I’m not going far – only two or three fields away – and you are welcome any time, you know you are.’ Lucy turned and hugged her mother tightly.
‘I’ve brought you this; it was your grandmother’s before you. She gave it to me on my wedding day, so now it is yours.’ Dorothy held out her hand and opened it up to reveal a silver necklace set with a blue sapphire – a necklace that Lucy had always admired, when allowed to look at it. ‘The blue will bring you luck.’ She leaned upwards and fastened the necklace around her daughter’s neck. ‘There, your gran would be proud of you; such a bonny lass and marrying such a good man. Now he might be different in bed – you’ll just have to take the rough with the smooth and let him have his way, as that’s the way of the world when it comes to men.’ Dorothy looked at her daughter. They’d never talked of such things before.
‘I know, Mother. You don’t have to say any more.’ Lucy blushed.
‘Well, I’ll be away then. Archie’s come for me and for your brothers and sister, with his cart all done up like a dog’s dinner. He’s got ribbons and the odd flower or two on it. Lord knows whose garden he will have raided for them! Your father’s having a drink with the landlord of The Fleece downstairs in the kitchen; he’s waiting for you to join him in The Fleece’s coach. Don’t be long, as they are already on their second whisky. Besides, you don’t want to keep your man waiting at the altar.’
Dorothy stood in the doorway and gave her daughter a second glance, before going downstairs and joining Archie and her younger family. She felt a lump in her throat as Archie climbed up into the cart with the excited youngsters. She must not cry; today was a good day: the sun was shining and it was Lucy’s wedding day. She must not let her feelings spoil her daughter’s big day.
Lucy picked up her spray of chrysanthemums and ivy from the marble washstand and gave herself one more glance. Her blonde hair lay long over her shoulders, and she’d made herself a small halo out of the chrysanthemum buds and placed it on her head to match her bouquet. After today she’d wear her hair in a plait; it was not right to flaunt her
