The following two weeks flew past in a flurry of activity. Richard had said if the trains were still running, his parents would arrive the day before the wedding and he had reserved a room for them at the Albert Hotel.
As promised, Richard and Ann had scoured the town to find exactly the right items for the house, and Richard was on hand for deliveries. All manner of boxes and crates arrived, as well as furniture for each of the rooms. Even the servants’ quarters were furnished, although Ann was not sure about hiring staff. Richard had said she would need to if she was to continue to work at the shop, so Ann had eventually relented and interviewed and subsequently hired a cook and a maid. They were to move in straight away and get settled in order to aid Richard with more boxes arriving every day.
Eventually, Ann could see it all coming together as she took time out of her busy working day to visit.
The cook had made the kitchen into her holy of holies – what she saw as her personal domain – and everything was now in its rightful place.
It seemed to Ann she was living in a dream as, on each visit, their house became more of a home.
Then, before she knew it, early one morning, Maisie was helping Ann into her wedding gown. Standing back, she gasped, ‘Oh Ann! You look stunning!’
The two young women hugged and carefully made their way downstairs into the shop, Maisie holding up Ann’s train.
Len and Gladys were waiting for her, he looking smart in his new suit and his wife swishing around in her new dress. Oohs and ahhs sounded as Ann entered the shop. It was time and, with a huge sigh, she said, ‘Thank you, everyone, for all your help.’
‘Cab’s waiting,’ Len said. ‘Get hold of that frock.’ Lifting Ann into his arms, he carried her to the cab. ‘Can’t have that gown getting spoiled.’ Wrapping her in a blanket, he then helped Maisie aboard the cab before climbing inside himself. He yelled up to the driver, ‘Right George, let’s be ’aving you.’
The cab jolted as it moved forward and slowly rolled on towards its destination. Maisie and Ann exchanged a look of confusion at his joining them.
‘I know what you’m thinking, but I ain’t having our Annie’s frock spoiled by the snow on the church path,’ Len said by way of explanation.
‘You could have asked first,’ Maisie said, feeling a little disgruntled that he had made no mention of this previously.
‘I suppose I should ’ave – sorry Ann,’ Len said sheepishly. ‘Anyway we’m going by way of Brunswick Park so as to let the wenches get there first,’ he added.
Ann shivered.
‘Am yer cold gel?’
‘No, just nervous, Len.’
‘I understand. I was an’ all when I married Gladys. I was terrified ’er wouldn’t turn up.’
‘Oh Len! You still love her so much, don’t you?’ Ann asked.
Len nodded.
‘Then you should tell her more often,’ Ann said.
‘Nah, ’er wouldn’t believe me. ’Er would think I’d been up to summat. In ’er ’eart ’er knows, so best to leave sleeping dogs lie.’
Ann and Maisie shared a grin.
After a turn around the park, the carriage rolled to a standstill outside St Bartholomew’s Church.
‘Ready?’ Len asked.
Ann nodded.
Alighting from the cab, Len carried Ann into the church and set her carefully onto her feet. Then he returned to assist Maisie, before scuttling inside to take his place next to Gladys, who had arrived by way of a cab with the girls.
Arranging Ann’s train behind her, Maisie crooked her arm. Ann threaded her arm through her friend’s, and the two women walked slowly forward as the organ struck up.
Ann saw Richard waiting for her as they made their way down the aisle. She also saw her friends, who were dabbing away tears.
Her eyes sought out the woman who would be her mother-in-law in a matter of minutes.
Felicity Wyndham smiled broadly as Ann passed.
Over the sound of the organ, Ann heard Richard’s father say, ‘My, but she’s a beauty!’
As Ann joined Richard, Maisie took a step back and she looked up into Richard’s brown eyes which shone with joy.
The service began and for a brief moment Ann feared it might all turn out to be a dream.
‘I do!’ Richard’s voice echoed loudly and Ann stifled a titter at his enthusiasm. She heard the vicar’s words as he pronounced them man and wife and she beamed her happiness. Her friends burst into spontaneous applause.
At the Albert Hotel, Ann was introduced to Richard’s father for the first time.
‘Lady Wyndham,’ Jeffrey said, shaking her hand.
‘Lord Wyndham,’ Ann replied with a grin.
Jeffrey threw back his head and laughed loudly. ‘Welcome to the family, my dear.’
‘Thank you,’ Ann said on a breath.
As Richard’s arm slipped around her waist, Ann knew she would be happy for the rest of her life, and she considered herself very fortunate. She had her new husband and a lovely house in her beloved Wednesbury. She knew they could travel to Shropshire and spend time there when the weather improved. Her business was now doing well and she was surrounded by her good friends. Richard’s family had capitulated regarding the wedding and had welcomed her into the family. Victoria Beckett was gone from her life, as was Peter Unwin, and although she would never forget them and what they put her through, Ann felt she could, in time, put it all behind her. All she could ask for now would be to have healthy children. The thought raised the corners of her mouth as Richard led her towards a table covered with food.
‘What was that thought? The one which made you smile,’ he asked.
Ann grinned and said quietly, ‘Oh, I was just wondering how many children we should have.’
The cheeky grin he gave her told her it could be quite a lot!
With a laugh, Ann moved to her friend Mary, who was standing in the bay window looking out onto the snow covered gardens.
‘Floss would have loved this for sure,’ Mary said a little sadly.
A tapping on the sash window drew Ann’s gaze and she saw a tiny robin on the window ledge. The little bird tapped its beak on the glass again before taking to the wing.
The two women shared a warm smile as Mary said, ‘That was Floss giving you her blessing.’
Ann nodded, then watched Mary walk back to the others.
Ann glanced through the window once more and smiled again. Thank you, Floss, we miss you so much!
Happier than she had ever been, Ann walked away and rejoined her wedding guests.
We hope you enjoyed this book.
Lindsey Hutchinson’s next book is coming in spring 2019
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