His face softened slowly into a smile, so dear and familiar that she had to fight back tears. She’d had not the slightest inkling he was coming to the wedding, although now it seemed obvious that he would.

Almost involuntarily, she smiled back. A wave of all the regret and love that she had tried so hard to suppress suddenly flooded through her, so that she had to hold on to her chair in case she fainted in front of everyone. She saw the concern in his face and how, seeing her distress, he had almost started towards her, and she mouthed the word ‘Later’ to him.

At precisely the same instant, they smiled.

Now it was time for Martin’s moment. Without consulting a piece of paper, he loudly and clearly began his vow.

‘Nicky, you are my best friend. I love you with all my heart and stand here before our friends and family for the happiest day of my life. I want nothing more than to share my future with you – my triumphs and disasters.’ The look of laughter they shared at this moment was witnessed by all. ‘I can’t promise you that dark clouds will never hover over our lives. I can’t promise you that tomorrow will be perfect or life will always be easy.’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘I can promise my loyalty, my respect and my unconditional love for a lifetime. Nicola, I love you.’

‘Well, that beats to have and to hold,’ whispered her sister Lara to the bridesmaid next to her. ‘I hadn’t realized Martin was such a romantic.’

The happy couple proceeded back towards the château, greeting and being kissed by so many friends that it was going to be a slow process.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, guests of the bride and groom,’ Jo announced, smiling broadly. ‘Please make your way back to the terrace for the reception.’

‘Oh goody,’ announced someone at the back. ‘Now we can get plastered while they spend hours taking photos!’

Jo waited till they’d all gone in case anyone needed assistance, her eye fixed on that strangely shaped cloud still lowering above them in the sky. Perhaps it was something to do with how hot it had been lately.

Liam was behind the bar with two assistants, making sure all the glasses were kept filled and the guests happy. Jean-Christophe and his team were passing round delicious canapés to stop people getting too drunk. Weddings were lengthy events, and they had to be crafted cleverly.