Walking down the aisle with her proud father to the opening bars of Joan Armatrading’s ‘Love and Affection’, Sharon looked about her and felt that maybe, just maybe, she was doing the right thing. Her sons were smiling at her, her mum looked like she would burst with happiness and Annie was already in tears. Little Kathy was dressed in salmon pink and she was grinning widely as Gerry held her in her arms. Reggie Dornan winked at her as she passed him and it made her smile. Then the priest was marrying them and Sharon wondered at how different this wedding was to her first one.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Four

Jack Johnson was drinking his usual Scotch and, as Sharon walked by him, she stopped and kissed him on the cheek. She had always liked Jack and she knew that he had always had her best interests at heart.

‘Well, girl, the dirty deed has been done! I hope you will be very happy, darling.’

She smiled at him, but she felt there was an underlying question in his voice.

‘I think we will be happy, Jack. Don’t you?’

He grinned his usual easy grin as he said nonchalantly, ‘Only you know what’s in your heart, girl.’

She hugged him suddenly and he hugged her back, amazed at the emotions she was causing him to feel.

‘I will be all right, Jack. He is a good man.’

Jack smiled, but he was wondering to himself, who was she trying to convince – him or herself?

Ray came up and placed a proprietary arm around her waist and smiled, his big, handsome face looking pleased and proud, as he said happily, ‘Mrs Donovan, eh, Jack! Sounds good, yes?’

Jack laughed at the man’s obvious delight and he found himself looking deep into Ray’s eyes. He was relieved to see he seemed genuine. As they moved off on to the dance floor together Jack felt a terrible urge to weep. Shaking his head to clear it, he wondered if he was going senile in his old age. Then, seeing Reggie and his sister, he went over to them for a chat.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Five