‘That’s easy too. I’ll arrange for a car to bring them up to London and I’ll book a room for them in our hotel. They can even come and wave us off at the airport tomorrow. Will that make you feel properly launched into a life with me?’

Things were so easy when you had plenty of money, she thought.

When she didn’t answer immediately, he asked again, ‘Will it make you feel better if they come? Or is there something else worrying you?’

‘Not worrying. I can’t ask my cousin Sarah because she’s away on holiday, but she’ll be upset. But I have to have my aunt and uncle there at least.’ After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, ‘Ben, am I being silly?’

His voice was cool and crisp now, where it had been soft and tender a few moments before. ‘No, it’s perfectly normal to want your family with you on your wedding day.’

He pointed to the phone. ‘Ring your aunt and uncle now!’ He started to stand up. ‘I’ll leave you some privacy.’

She listened and could hear a voice speaking in the kitchen. ‘Your aunt is still on the phone. I can hear her. I’ll have to wait until she’s finished.’

‘Use my mobile, then.’ He took it out and flipped it open.

She grabbed his arm. ‘Stay with me. Please, Ben! And show me how this fancy gadget works.’

She dialled the number with fingers that trembled and when her uncle answered, she couldn’t, for a moment, speak. Then she managed to say in a quivery voice, ‘Uncle John?’

‘Megan, love! Is something wrong?’

‘N-no. Everything’s fine. Only – well, I’m getting married today and – and I want you and Aunt Eileen to come to the wedding.’

There was a splutter, followed by an incredulous, ‘What did you say?’

Ben raised one eyebrow quizzically at Megan as the word was followed by a dead silence.

‘Uncle John? Are you still there?’

There was the sound of a throat being cleared, then, ‘Megan, did you say you were getting married today?’

‘Yes.’ Ben’s arm went round her in a gesture of support and suddenly the final doubts fell away. She was doing the right thing and she was definitely going to marry Ben Saunders today.

‘Who’s the man?’

‘He’s called Ben. I met him that weekend I went to Edinburgh.’

‘But – I thought you were going to work in Australia.’

‘That was, umm, with Ben. He’s going to live there.’

‘Oh. Well, I don’t know what to say, I really don’t. You’ve taken me by surprise.’

‘I want you and Aunt Eileen to come to the wedding, Uncle John. I know it’s short notice, but please…’