Scarlett took Michael’s arm. Such a strong, steady arm. Up in the front seat, Nancy was already smiling and crying at the same time. People tried to catch her eye as she walked, but suddenly she could see nothing except Sam as best man, and then, at last, the man waiting next to him at the altar. He smiled at her and the world vanished. And then the world came back again as she reached his side.

And knew she would never leave it, that his strength would protect her forever, hers would care for him. Her whole life suddenly clicked into place, bringing her to this perfect moment, from which so many more moments would be born.

‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this day to join this man and this woman, in holy matrimony . . .’

Old-fashioned words. You could have others now, and maybe just because you could she’d chosen the old ones.

‘Who giveth this woman?’

‘I do,’ said Michael. He kissed Scarlett’s cheek, then sat next to Nancy.

Words, and more words, so many people behind them, so much before them, but all she could think of was the man by her side, the man who would be by her side ‘until death do us part’. And she would honour him, love him and even obey him, because he’d never tell her to do anything unless it was right. She heard some chuckles behind as he promised to obey her too . . .

‘I now declare you husband and wife.’

The kiss was the warmest in the world and continued for eternity, though on another plane entirely she was turning around, arm in arm with her new husband. Though she was still Dr Kelly-O’Hara of course, for they were two, not one, and she hadn’t worked so hard to get her name known internationally to lose it now . . .

Down the aisle, the organ triumphantly playing Mendelssohn, with only a few wrong notes, and suddenly she did see people again, pressing forwards to kiss her — Blue and Joseph, Mah McAlpine in the most gorgeous hat, Carol and dear old Flinty, crying too, Nicholas and Felicity and their daughters, Julieanne and her husband and their sons, Mack (Was she still living in the tepee with a goat? She must ask Jed . . .), Susan with one of the Lee boys.

And Alex coming through the door, late of course, with Angus, though they carefully moved apart as they entered the church and tried to pretend they had been sitting up the back all along. Angus had made no secret of being gay, but Alex? I should have known, she thought. And one day, maybe, he and Angus might even be able to hold hands in public, to show their love as she was able to show hers . . .

Click! Click! Click! Click!

Mrs Ryan hugged her, then kept hugging — when a Maori hugged you, you were well and truly hugged . . .