‘No, he is fine and he manages well; he can even walk for short periods of time using a false leg. Anyway, before he left, we had a talk and, at the end of it, he gave me his ring and asked me to wear it, then he would know that I had a part of him with me, wherever I was.’

‘That’s a beautiful story, Wills. I love your father already.’

‘He is a special person, and so is my mother.’

‘I’d be honoured to accept your father’s ring.’

‘It will just be for a couple of days, and then I will buy you your own ring. And we can go to a church and say the proper vows over it, when no one is about.’

‘Oh, Wills, that will be lovely. One day this will be all over and we will be together, and I will meet your parents, and you my family.’

‘Yes, and I will present you to them as my wife. As you will be that from tonight, in all but the official documents.’ Taking her free hand, he led her outside once more.

Despite the wind, Marjie managed to fix her veil – she didn’t think of it as a curtain – as she lifted a hairpin from each side of her head to clip the net into place.

‘Leave your hair to tumble over your face, darling.’

She smiled up at Wills. With the veil secure, she whispered, ‘I’m ready.’

Wills pulled the curtain back so that the light shone on her. ‘You look beautiful. Oh, my Marjie.’

Dropping the curtain, he gave her the lily. His face was so close to hers, she could feel his breath on her cheek and, despite the darkness, see the tears glistening in his eyes. ‘Marjella, I give to you all that I am. I will love and honour you till the day I die. I will cherish every moment I have with you. You are the completion of me, and I take you as my wife.’

Marjie’s throat constricted and her heart swelled. ‘William, you are my rose, my sunny day, my rippling, timeless river, my pine tree in the forest where I live – my world. I will love you forever. You are me. You are my beloved husband.’

His kiss was gentle. He held her as if she were a fragile, precious being. To her he gave his love, and she accepted it. As he slipped the ring onto her finger, it didn’t matter that it was huge. It was the symbol of their love, and always would be.

Taking her hand, Wills led her inside. With no words passing between them, they climbed the stairs. Once in Wills’s bedroom, he once again took her in his arms. His kiss this time was passionate. It held his longing and lit hers.