Georgie bustled behind her, scooping up pink and white bouquets, a purse of essentials and Gucci’s diamanté lead that Brendon had forgotten.

Megan went carefully down the grand staircase, holding onto the mahogany banister with one hand and raising the front of her dress with the other. It was precarious not being able to see the steps or her feet, and she had a weird sensation of not knowing where she was.

“Ah, my darling.”

She smiled at her father and sister who were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Her father had fastened his jacket around his rotund belly and his buttonhole was a little askew—no doubt he’d been fiddling with it since her mother had left only seconds ago.

Olivia did indeed look stunning. All grown up and with a healthy Australian glow. Her dress fitted her to perfection and her hair tumbled over her slender shoulders.

“What do you think?” Megan asked, sweeping her hand down her own dress.

“Absolutely beautiful,” her dad replied.

“Like a princess,” Olivia said.

“That’s what I said.” Brendon appeared at her side and cupped her elbow, supporting her. “A fairy princess.”

“Is that Grammy’s tiara?” Olivia asked.

Megan nodded.

“I love it. Can I wear it one day?”

“Of course.” Megan hoped her father wouldn’t cry at the sight of his mother’s wedding day piece. She was wearing it in the picture that had always taken pride of place in the hallway cabinet.

“Well, I’m sure she’d be very happy to see you with it on today,” he said then pressed his lips together and nodded vigorously.

“Come on, Dad, let’s not get sentimental,” Megan said, setting a quick kiss to his warm cheek. “We’re late, no time for that.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” he said firmly.

“I’ll see you there.” Olivia took her bouquet from Georgie. “Mum is waiting outside for me. I said I’d go with her.”

“Yes of course.” Megan gave her a quick hug. “I’m so glad you’re here and you look so pretty.”

“Thank you, and me too.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t have missed my big sister getting married for the world.”

Her father held out the crook of his arm. “To the church we go, Miss Winter.”

They walked into the spring sunshine and were greeted by a white Rolls Royce complete with top-hatted driver. Pink ribbons fed from the silver lady on the front to the wing mirrors and fluttered slightly in the breeze.

It took both Georgie and Brendon’s help for Megan to get into the car. The dress needed to be folded together and squashed through the doorway. Fortunately it didn’t seem to have any creasing tendencies, it simply sprung into a big bouffant whenever it was permitted to and used up all the available space.