‘How are you feelin’, lass?’ she chirped cheerfully. ‘Are the pre-weddin’ nerves settin’ in yet?’ Before Amber could answer, she went on, ‘I brought you a cake for after the service. Every bride an’ groom should ’ave a nice cake to cut. I gather you will be havin’ a little do ’ere?’

Amber was acutely embarrassed as she stared into the kindly woman’s face. ‘Actually, we weren’t planning on anything like that, Mrs Jennings. We were just going to go, get the service over with and come back here.’

May Jennings looked horrified. ‘Well, that don’t sound like much of a weddin’ to me,’ she said plaintively. ‘An’ what will you be wearin?’

Amber blushed. ‘I, er . . . hadn’t really given it much thought,’ she admitted. ‘It don’t really matter, does it?’

‘But o’ course it matters. Now come on, if you ain’t bought anythin’ new we’ll go in an’ ’ave a look through your wardrobe.’

Amber reluctantly followed her into the house and minutes later they were staring into her wardrobe.

‘Ah, now this would be just perfect.’ May sighed with delight when her eyes lit on the beautiful green gown Amber had worn for her uncle’s wedding.

‘But don’t you think it might be . . . a bit much for such a quiet weddin?’

‘Too much, me foot!’ May exclaimed indignantly. ‘If a bride can’t look beautiful on ’er weddin’ day then when can she? You’ll wear this, my girl or I’ll ’ave somethin’ to say about it, do you ’ear me?’

‘Yes, Mrs Jennings,’ Amber answered meekly. There didn’t seem much point in arguing and she supposed it would be nice to wear it again, even if for only a short time.

‘That’s settled then. Me an’ Bill will pick you up in the carriage at half ten, that’ll give us plenty o’ time to get you to the church for eleven.’

So saying she lifted the gown from the wardrobe, warning, ‘An’ just make sure you’re wearin’ this else I’ll come in an’ put it on you meself.’

When she had gone it hit Amber that this time tomorrow, she would be Mrs Barnaby Greenwood and the nerves really kicked in. What if I’m makin’ a terrible mistake? she asked herself. Luckily common sense took over. She was doing this for Charlotte so that she could have respectability and that was reason enough for tying herself to a man she didn’t love, or she hoped it would be. It was too late to back out now.

*