‘AS MOST – IF not all – of you know, I have known V for nearly all my life,’ Lily began. ‘V, Malie, Zo and I … not even continents could divide the four of us. And as most – if not all – of you know, we’ve had some rough times. Times that shaped our futures in ways that were unimaginable, difficult, hard … but through it all, we’ve been there for each other. Through the years, months, hours, and some that were lost,’ she said, breaking off as Victoria and the girls laughed a little, ‘we’ve stayed together, fierce in our love and support of each other.

‘So it’s safe to say that Malie, Zo and I were going to have high standards for the man who would steal V’s heart.’ A gentle laughter rippled through the guests. ‘Oliver is a man who sees V as the wonderful, amazing, talented and beautiful person that she is. He sees her like we do and loves her all the more for it. So yeah,’ she said shrugging, ‘he’ll do.’

The guests laughed again, some cried ‘Hear! Hear!’ and a few whistlers cut through before they quietened down again. She found her mum sitting near to Zoe and Malie, her eyes bright, and felt the love and pride shining there for her as much as for Victoria and Ollie. She thought of all the ways she’d wanted – needed – her best friend’s wedding to be perfect. But she now realized her mum was right. That was not what was most important.

‘I was told a few weeks ago, by a very clever woman,’ she said, nodding to her mother, ‘that a wedding can be beautiful, it can be perfect, it can also be disastrous and funny and ridiculous. Because what’s really important isn’t the flower arrangements, or the wedding breakfast – although—’ Lily broke off, ‘it bloody well will be!’ much to the laughter and appreciation of the guests. ‘It’s not the photographs or the music … All that really matters, is V and Oliver. Two people who are so very special. Not just because they’re amazing but because the love that they share is … palpable. You can feel it because they choose to share it with each and every one of us.’

As she looked out at the guests, her eyes snagged on the sight of Henry filling the doorway to the orangery, dressed in a dark suit and tie, looking so devastatingly glorious her heart soared.

He’d come back.

She stifled the gasp in her chest, taking a moment to collect herself and called forth the things she wanted to say.