Seeing her distress, Jack leaped out of the car and ran towards her.

‘Mam!’ Molly’s voice calmed everyone. Quietly, with great dignity, she walked over to her mother.

Amy turned and looked at her daughter, and her heartache was tenfold. She couldn’t speak. Like everyone there, she could only wait for the reprimand she deserved.

For a breathtaking moment, the two looked at each other, and then Molly opened her arms. With a cry, Amy went to her. ‘I’m sorry,’ she cried. ‘Oh, lass, I’m so sorry.’

For what seemed an age they clung to each other, and as the wedding guests looked on, many an eye was brimming with tears.

The children watched from a distance, and when Molly called them they crept over, unsure and afraid, too young to understand. ‘We don’t want to come with you,’ they told Amy. ‘We’re staying here.’ And Amy cradled them in her arms. ‘I’m not here to take you away,’ she promised, and saw the relief in their faces.

From where he stood, Jack looked across at Frank, and Frank nodded, and at long last, everything was all right.

Suddenly, Michael Noonan’s voice called out querulously, ‘What’s going on ’ere? I’m away outside to the lavvy, and when I come back the whole place is deserted!’ He looked at Molly and Amy holding each other, and understood. With a grin, he told them, ‘Hey! There’s booze and food going to waste in ’ere. Get yer arses back inside, the lot of youse!’

When they were all back inside again, Rosie and Frank had an announcement to make. ‘We’re getting wed as soon as we can,’ Frank told them. ‘Unless anyone has any objections?’ His gaze went to Amy, and then to Jack, and when Jack winked, Frank put his arm round Rosie. ‘She’s taking on me and my kids, and who knows, we might have another half dozen into the bargain!’

To which Rosie gave him a sound clip round the ear. ‘Like bloody hell we will, Frank Tattersall. You’re too old and withered for a start!’ she said, and the uproar almost lifted the roof.

The music struck up again and everyone got dancing; Rosie and Frank, Jack and Amy, Lottie and Dave, and the younger children in amongst them.

Dancing in Alfie’s arms, Molly looked back at all her family, reunited at last, and her heart was light. ‘I’m so glad it all came right in the end,’ she said.

Alfie smiled down on her. ‘So am I, for your sake more than the others.’

‘Do you love me?’ Even now she could hardly believe it.

‘How could I not love you?’ he whispered. ‘You’re the loveliest, kindest person in the world.’

She placed her finger over his lips. ‘No,’ she contradicted him. ‘I’m the luckiest.’

She buried her face in his shoulder, and he took her gently round the floor, safe in his arms. Safe in his heart.

Later, the whole family went to the churchyard to lay the wedding flowers on Sandra’s grave.