As they came out of the church, and the excitement of all the congratulations was over, a voice called out, ‘Marjie!’

They all looked round. There was a silence that held anticipation. It was as if everyone was in on a secret. Marjie looked over to where the sound had come from, and then at Sibbie, who seemed mystified.

Marjie asked, ‘Did you call, Papa?’ As it was, he and Mama were standing where the sound had come from. Both had wide grins on their faces as they parted. Marjie stared, not believing what she was seeing, and then a scream of delight came from her and at the same time from Sibbie, and they both ran towards Randie . . . and, unbelievably, Gisele.

‘Oh, Randie. Randie, it’s so good to see you. And Gisele – how? I mean, are you all right? I can’t believe it – it’s so good to see you. Thank you, dear brother, for being here and for bringing Gisele to me.’

With this, Marjie enclosed them both in a big hug, laughing and crying tears of joy. At last they were back together. For a moment she felt a lump in her throat as memories threatened to overwhelm her, but she swallowed hard. Today was for happiness only.

As she came out of the hug, a little boy stepped forward and offered her his wooden toy soldier. ‘Papa.’

Marjie knew immediately that he was Monty’s son. The boy was so like him. She looked at the lovely Gisele. ‘Oh, Gisele, what a beautiful gift on my wedding day.’

As she bent down, her little nephew put his arms up to her. Again, as she picked him up, he showed her his toy. ‘Papa.’

‘Yes. That is Papa – that is Monty.’

‘No. Me Monty.’

Marjie looked at Gisele. Gisele spoke in French, her eyes pleading. ‘Yes, he is called Monty. I – I told him about his father being a brave soldier.’

Marjie took a deep breath. This was so much to cope with, and she wondered at her mama and papa even thinking that she could. But then Wills was by her side. ‘It’s so lovely to meet you, Gisele. I know all about you and your very courageous work. And so this is Monty – how lovely to meet you, Monty. You are something really wonderful to come out of such pain.’

‘Yes, yes, you are, little one.’ Marjie had recovered. ‘You’re beautiful, Monty. I’m a very proud aunty.’

‘Marjie – Gisele and I, we’re in love, we’re going to marry.’

Suddenly Marjie understood. There was nowhere better to have heard all this news, or to have met her little nephew, Monty’s son. If she’d been told and had had it to look forward to, she would have suffered agonies of guilt. But now that the initial shock was over, all she felt was love for this little one, and for Gisele and her brother Randie.