“I don’t know much about women’s fashion but I do know what I like and I think you look positively radiant. Pregnancy obviously agrees with you and the colours are just right for your complexion.”

“Thanks, Austin.” Paula glanced around the tidy kitchen looking for something to do. His comments had been sincere but she was embarrassed by them. The kettle sat in its usual place on the cupboard. She made a move towards it. There was no point getting to the church too early and sitting in the heat. The house was hot but more comfortable at least. “We still have a bit of time before we have to leave,” she said. “Why don’t I make you a tea or a coffee? I have a machine. What would you prefer?”

“I’d prefer a shot of whiskey but I suppose it’s too early in the day for that.” Austin’s lips turned up in a wry grin.

“It’s your wedding day. I don’t have any whiskey but Mum left her bottle of Pimms here. How about a small Pimms and lemon?”

His eyes lit up. “Why not?”

* * *

When Dan pulled up at Rowena’s there was already a line-up of cars there. Inside, the kitchen was a hive of activity.

“Hello, Dan.” Joan Talbot blocked the kitchen door with her considerable frame. “Don’t you scrub up well?”

“Thanks.” Dan peered over Joan’s shoulder at the other women who were too busy to notice him.

“I’ve banished Rowena,” Joan said. “I was worried she’d spill something on that magnificent outfit she’s wearing. She’s gone up to the bedroom.” Joan leaned in closer and winked. “No point in having two chiefs in the kitchen.”

Dan was happy to escape and went in search of his aunt. Hopefully she wasn’t sulking over her banishment from her domain. He headed up the passage and stopped as he reached the big double doors that opened into the lounge. There had been a makeover since he’d been here yesterday.

The room was dotted with tall round tables. They looked like those used in the front bar of the local pub but they were draped in white cloths so it was hard to tell. The cloths were pulled in underneath with soft bows and decorated with a few sprigs of something he recognised from Rowena’s native garden. Through the next set of doors, he could see into the dining room, which looked much bigger without the large dining table. There were more chairs and tables scattered in there.

“Dan, thank goodness.”

Rowena was beckoning him from around her bedroom door. “Come in here, will you? If I set foot out of here that woman starts giving me orders. I know she’s a good manager but…”