THE CEREMONY WAS perfect, with readings by Guy and Jack, and carols rather than hymns, which made it even cheerier. When Charles and I left the church, all the boys in uniform, including Jack, Roy and Fred from the fire station, and several of Charles’s friends who had been able to come, formed a guard of honour for us.
Mr Brand, who had come with Mrs Mahoney and Mr and Mrs Newton, had volunteered to take the ‘official’ photographs outside the church. I wondered if I would look as overwhelmed in the pictures as I felt. When he had finished, and with the light already beginning to fade and the blackout due, almost the entire congregation became what was my second parade of the day. With Charles and me at the head, and to cheers from neighbours as we went, we all walked together back to the house.
Kath and Thelma had rushed ahead to make final preparations, and now as ‘Captain and Mrs Mayhew’ we welcomed everyone inside.
The drawing room had been transformed. It looked like Christmas Day for the biggest family, which in a way, it was. The fire was now roaring, thanks to wood donated by Bunty’s granny. Swathes of holly, ivy and mistletoe decked this hall, and Bunty’s paper chains worked perfectly, almost as a little nod to those of us who worked at the magazine. Down one side of the room, the dining and kitchen tables had been put together and covered with rarely used tablecloths which we had found in the linen cupboards and laboriously washed and ironed. On top was the best feast I had seen since the war started. Small miracles had been worked with the donations from our friends. Large plates with rice and meat moulds sat next to fish savouries and cheese puffs, which smelt so nice that it was worth not having eaten an ounce of cheese since I had got engaged. There were even some salmon patties and the tiniest pies with little dabs of mincemeat. Guy had been true to his word and the day before the wedding, an assortment of bottles had been delivered, which Roy and Fred had made into the delicious if rather potent punch.
In the middle of it all sat our wedding cake, a two-tier affair with one large cake and quite a small one on top. The big one was covered in lace, and on the small one was a little church with a bride and groom. I was fully aware that the large layer was cardboard and white paper for show, but it didn’t matter. It looked lovely, and we would be able to cut the little cake, which was very, very real.
I looked for Kath and Thelma to thank them for everything they had done, and to make sure they would now enjoy the party with everyone else. They were still busy running up and down from the kitchen, helped now by young Hester, who was being as good as her word and shyly handing out drinks from a tray.
Although we were surrounded by our family and friends, Charles and I had shared a few precious minutes together as we walked arm in arm from the church. Now as everyone showered us with good wishes and love, and I introduced my husband (how peculiar that sounded) to people he didn’t know and he introduced me to some of his army friends, we were almost taken from each other again.
Knowing we were unlikely to have more than the remainder of his seventy-two hours’ leave together before Charles was posted, part of me wanted to sneak him away from the hubbub. It felt as if each minute apart was too long. But as I watched everyone shaking his hand, slapping him on the back or raising their glasses of Roy’s eye-watering punch, I was happy to share for now. When Charles went away, they would all have a little part of him, even just a moment or two that we could remember or they could tell me about for the first time. It sounded nonsensical, but if I gave other people time with him now, they could give more of him back to me while he was gone.
With so many people packed in, the drawing room was beautifully warm, and I certainly didn’t need my sensible and not entirely attractive winter vest. I excused myself and slipped upstairs to my room.
On the landing I saw Bunty coming out of hers.
‘I’ve just had a look at my hair,’ she said. ‘It was all over the place.’
‘You look lovely,’ I said. ‘Jack was right. The bee’s knees.’
‘I must get that picture with him,’ she grinned. ‘That will put the cat amongst the pigeons at work.’
Bunts sat down on the stairs. ‘Are you having a lovely time?’ she asked.
‘It feels like a dream,’ I said, sitting beside her. ‘This morning seems about a year ago. I’ve just been trying to work out whether I want every single person to have met Charles, or if I want to hide him away and have him all to myself.’
Bunty smiled.
‘Are you all right, Bunts?’ I asked. ‘I saw you limping at the march this morning.’
‘I’d just done a bit much, I think,’ she said. ‘It is getting better all the time, Em. Sometimes I don’t need my stick almost at all. It’s slow, but I’m getting there.’
‘That’s the best news,’ I said, relieved. Then I hesitated. ‘How was this afternoon?’ I asked, softly.
I knew she’d understand what I meant.
‘It was lovely,’ she said. ‘Honestly. I didn’t know how I might feel in the church, and I was thinking of Bill of course. I knew I would, and it does hurt. Loads, actually. I suppose it always will, but not because of you and Charles. I am so happy for you, Em. I wish Charles wasn’t going away so soon, but I’m so very pleased you’re married.’
‘Me too.’ It was colder upstairs, and I shivered a bit. ‘I’ve never loved anyone like this, Bunts. It’s almost frightening. I’m so proud of him, but I’m scared as anything he won’t come back.’
If anyone would understand it was my best friend.
‘Just love him,’ she said. ‘Whatever happens, if you love someone and know you’re loved back, you will always have that.’ She paused and then added, ‘To be honest, it’s not even the tiniest bit as good as when they’re actually alive, but you know, you have to try.’
My goodness, she was brave.
She smiled and gave me a shove with her shoulder. ‘Am I helping?’
I shoved her back. Mucking about was better than being sad. ‘Not in the least,’ I said.
‘He will come back,’ said Bunty. ‘I made him promise.’
We sat together for a moment until we heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
‘I might have known,’ said Charles, cheerfully. ‘Tell me you’re not hatching a plan.’
‘Absolutely not,’ I said.
‘Thank goodness. Now, people have asked when we are planning to do the first dance,’ he said. ‘I think everyone’s dying to join in.’
‘Then we must dance!’ I said grandly.
Charles escorted Bunty and me downstairs, where we were met by Anne and Baby Tony, together with Ruby, still wearing her crown.
‘What does a bridesmaid do now?’ she asked, after I’d picked her up but explained there wasn’t quite enough room for swinging her round.
‘Well, you get to stay up as late as you want, dance with anyone you like, and eat cheese puffs until they’ve all gone.’
For the first time since I had met her, Ruby was speechless.
‘We’ll show you where the cheese puffs are,’ I said. ‘And then Charles and I will do a dance and then everyone gets to join in. Does that sound good?’
Ruby nodded very seriously. I handed her to Charles, who immediately turned her upside down and carried her, now shrieking with excitement, into the drawing room.
‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ I said to Anne. ‘Your room’s ready when you want it.’
‘We wouldn’t have missed this for the world,’ said Anne. ‘But I’d better go and keep an eye on the monster over those cheese puffs.’
‘I’ll take you in,’ said Bunty. ‘And send Charles back out to you as you’re supposed to make a grand entrance.’
I stayed in the hallway as I heard my brother ushering people around.
Charles smiled as he came back out. ‘Would you care to dance, Mrs Mayhew?’
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘I very much would.’
We walked into the room arm in arm as Jack announced us.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the bride and groom, Captain and Mrs Charles Mayhew, who will now take to the floor for the first dance.’
As Roy put on the music, we started to dance. There wasn’t enough room to charge around doing a quickstep or anything too showy, but I didn’t care. Everyone who meant anything to me was there, particularly the chap who was holding me far tighter than the dance technically required. When the song came to an end and to a rousing cheer, we called for everyone to join in.
As several other couples, including Guy and a very nimble Mrs Mahoney, took to an easy foxtrot, Charles gently pulled me to one side.
‘You do know that I intend to dance with you exclusively until we leave this party?’ he said.
‘I should hope so,’ I replied. ‘Although I have promised one with Father and then Roy.’
‘Quite right too. And actually, there is just one person I have a commitment with, if that’s all right with you?’
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘Please do.’
My mother was dancing elegantly with my father, and I looked on, expecting Charles to cut in. Instead, he walked over to Bunty, who was standing by the side watching. She hadn’t danced since the night Bill died in the explosion. It was one of the many things that we had all found so awful, because everyone knew it was one of Bunty’s favourite things. But although she was getting better, she had shown no interest in trying to dance. She once told me it was partly because of her injury, and partly because she couldn’t imagine being happy enough.
I found myself tense, wondering if I should go over and stop Charles. It was well-meaning of him, but he didn’t understand.
But when he asked her, Bunty smiled, looked over to me and mouthed, ‘May I?’
I nodded my head, uncertainly. ‘Of course,’ I said.
Bunty put her stick to one side and taking Charles’s hand, walked onto the floor. Then, with Charles helping her keep her balance, they began to dance. Slowly and carefully, but as I held my breath, Bunty was dancing.
I saw Charles ask her if she was OK and she nodded in reply, her face a study of concentration but with the widest smile.
Somehow and without fuss, the other couples gave them room, not leaving them on their own as a spectacle, but making sure no one would bump into them.
I looked over at Bunty’s granny, who was sitting regally by the fire. She was watching with tears in her eyes.
I felt my brother arrive by my side. He put his arm around my shoulder.
‘She’s been practising,’ he said quietly. ‘Secretly, in case she couldn’t do it.’
‘It’s wonderful,’ I whispered. ‘I didn’t know if she would do this again.’
‘I was going to help,’ said Jack, ‘but I’m never around, so she drafted in Charles for a test run. Which I understand you very nearly ruined.’
The night when I came home and they had the music on. They must have been rehearsing.
‘We’re getting her back, Em,’ said Jack. ‘After everything she’s been through, we’re getting her back.’
As the song came to an end, Charles thanked Bunty for the dance, and they walked over to Jack and me.
Jack quietly went to get Bunty’s stick in case she needed it. I just looked at her, unable to find any words.
‘Was that all right?’ she said.
‘It was perfect,’ I said.
After I finished hugging her, we were both in tears and Jack was back, saying that he must have got dust from the fire in his eye.
‘Shall we get a drink, Bunts?’ he asked. ‘Then, if I promise not to tread on your feet, perhaps we could give it a go?’
As Bunty and Jack went to try out the punch, I put my arms around Charles and looked up into his eyes. There was so much more I had to learn about him.
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘For the best wedding present in the world.’