“Don’t be silly… I have everyone in my life altogether.”
“Not quite, everyone, I hope?”
“May!” Adam hugged her. “You’re here as well… Now it is perfect!”
I would remember that night for the rest of my life, this was my family all together. Of course, it was going change, Adam would soon be married and Annie and May would go home, but, for this one moment, I had everything together.
42
Wedding Bells
“Nervous?” It was a stupid question, I deserved the withering look I got from both Kate and Annie.
“Keep still…” Annie snapped as Kate flinched as eyeliner was being applied. “Mandy, could you please pass my makeup bag, and a straitjacket to try and keep little miss fidget here still.”
Kate was looking beautiful, her hair had been styled and pinned up and Annie was being remarkably subtle with her makeup. I had tried and failed so was back to what Dan called my ‘natural beauty’ which I thought of as chapped lips and a general weather-beaten look.
There were only a couple of hours to go before Kate was due to become Mrs Bishop, her dress was hanging on the wardrobe ready.
***
“Hair of the dog?” Dan handed the flask to me and I took a sip, coughing and spluttering. “Maybe not!” He laughed. “You ready?”
I looked at him. I was dressed in a morning suit, I had never worn a suit and not worn a tie since school so this was uncomfortable and unnatural. However, it was what was expected so I had polished my new shoes, which were cripplingly tight and got myself ready.
It was only a short drive to the church which had been beautifully decked out in flowers. It seemed that most of the town had turned out for our wedding, there were even photographers from the press, no doubt looking for a happy ending for us. The pews were full, I did a double-take to see our working pupils, who we had formally employed as full-time staff the day before, in dresses rather than breeches or jeans.
Dan was my best man, he was keeping me suitably calm and sat me down on the front pew waiting for Kate to arrive.
***
“Why’d you tell to me to close my eyes? Are those horses on the yard?”
“Keep them closed.” The carriage drew up. In a perfect world, our own horses would have pulled it for the short distance into town, but it had been more of an uphill struggle to try to train them in a short time and, as we didn’t want to be galloping past the church and into the distance, I had hired two beautiful dapple greys along with an antique carriage to transport the bride to be to her ceremony. “Now, you can open them!”
“Oh my goodness!”
It was typical that Kate went to see the horses first, and we had to make sure she didn’t get equine slobber on her wedding dress. Kate, Annie and I sat watching the world pass by. People double took and cheered as we passed and, all too soon, we’d arrived.
***
I stood up as the organ music started, turning around I saw a pure vision of beauty as Kate stepped through the door. Her dress was astonishing and as she stepped beside me and lifted her veil I was taken aback.
There was a massive cheer when the vicar announced that ‘you may kiss the bride’ and I took my advantage for a prolonged snog, ignoring the wolf-whistles.
“You can put her down now…” Amanda hissed.
“Never sis, never…”
***
Annie had arranged the reception, having a marquee build in the outdoor arena of the stables, which had been frustrating, what with lessons to complete. We all cheered as my brother and his new wife came in. We ate a beautiful meal and then Dan nudged me. Crap, time for speeches. I stood up nervously, tapping my wine glass.
“Hello, good afternoon. I’m not good at speeches, so I’ll apologise in advance.” There was a chorus of good-natured catcalls from the grooms. “I don’t think I need to tell you much about our lives, most of it has been published in the press, it doesn’t tell you much about Adam and Kate.
Adam and I were out of touch for a long time, I ran away from a children’s home and in that time he became a man and the sort of man anyone would want to spend time with. We both met Kate, an astonishingly good working pupil and, more importantly, someone I would have by my side through anything, and have done.
Both Adam and Kate have been put through some pretty serious challenges. Every couple goes through issues, however very few are kidnapped, attacked, involved in a car crash, nearly drowned and finally partially frozen. However, despite all of this their love has just grown stronger.
I know I am supposed to embarrass Adam with stories of our youth, but I’ve only just got to know him properly again. So, I can only say that he is amazing and Kate, well Kate is someone I look up to. I would love to be as strong as her. I know my brother is going to be an amazing husband and Kate will be a very strong wife.
Can I be honest with you all, as you are all friends and family, I am a bit jealous of both of you and the life you are going to have together. And, I have to say that it will be without me. I haven’t given you a present, so instead, I need to drop a bit of a bombshell. I’m leaving.” There was a gasp from Adam, Kate and the staff. “I’m giving up the stables…” I glanced down and saw Kate and Adam muttering between themselves. “Oh please
