It might be a short walk to the altar on Dad’s arm, but it’s a tricky one, as the South West Coastal Path is anything but flat.
A gazebo has been erected just on the edge of Predannack Wollas, and walkers smile and nod at us as they saunter by, amused by this original setting. What better place to get married on this gorgeous summer’s day?
Mitchell waits at the makeshift altar, more handsome and happier than I’ve ever seen him. But also, so nervous he looks like he’s about faint.
I’m feeling pretty iffy too, and as I walk on unsteady legs, my eyes caress the sea of faces of the people who mean so much to me. Mum is in the front row, of course, sniffing, trying not to blow her nose or cry.
My aunt Milly is doing both, and so is Liz, my maid of honour, dazzling in fuchsia as she dabs at the edges of her eyes with a lacquered pinkie. There’s also Sally who’s done my make-up, and Laura, on Alex’s arm. Next to them is Penny who is guiding Danny, our ring boy, so he won’t hold up the rings at the wrong moment, and Jeremy, who has provided a horse and cart for one bumpy ride home, but it’s all in good fun.
Russell has provided a major spread back at the Old Bell Inn, which Penny has taken over exclusively, while Mitchell’s Cove Cottages will be family orientated with a children’s park complete with ponies. Sally will be opening her own spa in September and I have just opened a pottery shop called Bits and Pieces. We’ve all achieved a lot in the space of six months.
Susan Hearst has been dismissed and, were it not for Johnson Hotel’s decision to keep it quiet, she and her sister Diane would be in a pretty pickle.
Mark has disappeared off the face of the earth once again, and that’s perfectly fine.
We have everyone we need here with us, including all my carollers, i.e. most of the village, who send us knowing grins. Somehow, they knew all along, when I had no clue. And I never thought I could ever be this happy.
I watch Mitchell as I near him, all the while musing on how strange this all feels. I have been kissed by the magic of Christmas love, after having been on my own for longer than I can remember.
Because I’m still not very experienced in relationships and dynamics within a couple, I don’t know what is the right thing to say, or when to say it, or if some things are actually better left unsaid. In fact, there is a lot I still need to learn about love. But I do know that Mitchell has a heart of gold, and is untainted by all the ugliness in the world.
I know he values the simple, good things in life, like a Sunday roast and a beer after a nice long walk, high above the cliffs. I know the feeling of his arms around me at the end of a long day, and the look of love in his eyes. Danny loves him, too, and his love is totally reciprocated. They already have their ‘sacred’ time together to do their ‘bloke stuff’ and there couldn’t be any more joy in my heart. I also know that Penny will be an important part in our lives, and am looking forward to that.
But I still have a million questions, like: Is Mark ever going to come back and bother us?
Will I sell enough vases to earn my keep? And what side of the bed will I sleep on in the new cottage? But I guess we’ll just have to figure it all out. One Christmas at a time. Together.