In his smart dark suit, Alfie was handsome as ever. When he turned to see his bride coming towards him, his heart somersaulted at the sight of her.

They smiled at each other, and he held her hand throughout the service, and when it was over they walked out into the spring sunshine and he kissed her for the camera. Then he kissed her for himself, and everybody clapped and laughed. Suddenly they were showered in rice and confetti, and they ran to the car.

The reception was held in the best upstairs room at Frank’s favourite pub. ‘I don’t see much of you these days,’ the landlord told him.

‘Aye, well, I’ve other things to occupy me now,’ Frank replied with a wink. And the landlord thought, Hey up! He’s at his old tricks with the ladies again. But he could not have been more wrong.

The accordion man played, and the fiddler tapped out his music; the children played under the tables, and everyone said what a lovely couple Alfie and Molly were. Everyone danced with everyone else, and no one noticed how Frank and Rosie never changed partners.

They danced too close and spoke in whispers, and still no one noticed. Except Molly. ‘Look at them,’ she said to Alfie, and Alfie said he was glad they’d made friends, for her sake.

When Molly grew quiet, her eyes glazed over with memories, he held her close. ‘You wish your mam was here, don’t you, sweetheart?’

She smiled up at him. ‘As long as I have you,’ she said, chiding herself for letting him see how, in that one careless minute, she had let her mam overshadow her happiness, ‘I don’t mind. I love you so much, Alfie.’

Outside, Amy wasn’t sure whether to make herself known. ‘I gave away my rights to this family when I turned my back on them,’ she told Jack. But oh how she ached to see Molly on this, her special day.

Jack believed that she should go in. ‘If you don’t make your peace now, you never will,’ he said, and she knew he was right.

‘Will you come in with me?’

He shook his head. ‘Better not.’

Nervously, she walked towards the doors; twice she started back. ‘Go on!’ Jack knew it meant so much to her. He also knew that if forgiveness was in the offing, this was the day when it would be given.

Rosie was the first to see her.

While dancing in Frank’s arms, her gaze was drawn to the door, and there stood Amy, small and nervous in a dark suit with a brown beret over her glossy hair.

Frank saw her, too. ‘Jesus Christ, it’s Amy!’ Frozen to the spot, he could only stare in disbelief.

Then the others saw and the voices grew louder. ‘Shame on yer!’ ‘What right have you to ruin the lass’s day!’ ‘Haven’t yer caused her enough heartache?’ All neighbours, all knowing the circumstances.

Amy’s gaze went to Molly, and a sob rose in her throat. ‘I’m sorry,’ she mouthed, and ran out, blinded by her tears.