‘As one of the usher’s plus ones.’

‘Sly bitch.’

Sudden visions of their very first wedding never taking place invaded Meredith’s mind. Why had they gone for a bloody wedding château? Why not a yoga retreat or a posh B&B like Steph’s? Then she remembered all the grinding labour Steph and David had to put in.

She took a long look at Nicky. She liked the girl. She showed humour and dignity dealing with her ghastly mother. But should she try and talk her out of this risky course of action, for all their sakes? Probably; and yet, hadn’t Meredith herself always been one to dare to take risks?

‘Are you sure? What if he says no?’

‘Then there’s no point my coming down anyway.’

Meredith gave her a quick hug. ‘You’re absolutely right. You’re a girl after my own heart. I’d better go before the guests start to arrive.’

Nicky made herself walk away from the window. The next five minutes were the longest she could ever remember.

Twenty-Nine

Finally Nicky could resist the temptation no longer. She walked over to the window to stare down at the terrace below. Meredith had disappeared and Martin was looking straight up at her window, the sweetest smile on his face.

There was no sign of Emma anywhere on the horizon.

Nicky blew him a kiss, suddenly remembering that it was supposed to be bad luck for the bridegroom to see the bride.

Forget that. It was a lot better luck for the bridegroom to make it clear who he really loved. And that was her.

Seconds later, Meredith reappeared. She was smiling. ‘The bitch has gone,’ she announced. ‘You’re also one usher down, but I expect you can cope with that. Martin was brilliant. He just went straight up and told her to go.’ She stood aside as the door began to open. ‘And here’s your father to take you down.’

‘Hello, darling,’ Bill greeted her. ‘You look absolutely ravishing! Are you ready to do the deed?’

‘Let me just get my vows.’ Nicky picked up a sheet of paper from the dressing table while Lara fussed over her veil and the bridesmaids twittered happily in the background. Finally Lara handed her the simple bouquet of a dozen calla lilies, encased in their shiny green leaves.

‘It’s perfect.’ Lara embraced her, fighting back tears. ‘And so much better than anything Mum would have done.’

‘Where is Mum?’ They smiled at each other, acknowledging how much more peaceful it had been without her.

Almost instantly, the door opened and Ronnie appeared. The cause of her delay was more than obvious in the flawless perfection of her hair and make-up and the perfectly matching dress and shoes in a dazzling lime green. From her uber-confident smile and the dismissive shrug of her shoulder towards her kind ex-husband, it was clear Ronnie had decided she looked the biz.