The feeling in her chest wasn’t hurt but a yearning. She didn’t need him here, but she wanted him here. Not for Victoria, which was horribly selfish, but for herself. She wanted to share this moment of love with someone who loved her in that same way. And as much as she hoped that he did – had felt it in his touch that night they shared together – she also knew how much hurt was holding him back. And that was something that only he could overcome.

She was called back to the ceremony the moment the celebrant asked, ‘Do you support this union and affirm that these two should be married today?’

A resounding bark came from the best man’s dog and a gentle laughter rippled through the guests.

‘Well, that’s a good thing,’ Will Carter, Ollie’s best man, said, rubbing his golden Labrador’s head proudly.

Victoria shot Lily a look of near murderous venom, causing Lily to bite back a laugh, Malie nearly to choke and Zoe to elbow Malie.

The celebrant cleared her throat, calling the guests’ attention back to her. ‘Do you, Oliver Russell, take Victoria Scott …’

Words of love flowed between the bride and groom, touching everyone with a poignancy and joy in witnessing and recognizing such a beautiful union. Even Will’s dog remained quiet right until the celebrant declared them husband and wife, upon which his barks joined in the happy cheers of nearly eighty friends and family and not even Victoria minded. Much.

Canapes and glasses full of sparkling Reserve were brought out and while the guests milled about the grass bank, the tables were discreetly removed and the photographer began to arrange her shots. Lily watched Malie with Todd and Zoe with Finn, while Oliver and Victoria were positioned for more kisses and more photos in front of the beautiful wedding arch she had stood before with Henry. Had she loved him even then? she wondered.

Somewhere in the middle of the arguments, his help with the wedding and the insane mad dash she’d made to try and save the hen party, it had snuck beneath her skin. And standing there, slightly off to the side, watching all the joyous moments being shared between her friends and their partners, she realized that the hardest thing, the saddest thing, was not that she stood here by herself, but that she hadn’t told him. It didn’t matter if he didn’t or couldn’t return her feelings. What suddenly mattered most was that he should know he was loved. Because that, Lily realized, was what bonded the girls, was what had kept them together over the years and continents. The knowledge that they were loved. The telling and sharing of that love. The owning and acceptance of that love.