The ceremony was due to start at six. They went to their rooms to get ready. Eliza had changed into a long blue gown and was finishing her make-up when her phone pinged. It was Sullivan. He seemed to have stopped playing any words. It was all messages.

Hello Fearless Flyer! How is your jetlag?

Nearly gone, Eliza replied. How is your little sister?

Very babyish. What are you doing today?

I’m in a place called Gretna Green, getting ready for a wedding.

Really?!!! Are you eloping???

She shouldn’t have been surprised he’d heard of Gretna Green. No, it’s my godmother’s wedding.

How exciting! Perhaps we could meet up when you’re back in Edinburgh? You could tell me all about it.

He sounded strangely forlorn, she thought. Of course, Navillus.

Thanks FF! Have a great time!

At ten minutes to six, they all met downstairs. Maxie and Hazel looked beautiful in their wedding gowns, both in antique cream lace. Olivia was in a flowing green dress. There was no official photographer. Instead, Maxie asked Eliza and Olivia to take photos on their phones.

They walked over to the blacksmith’s cottage. Their celebrant and the wedding organiser were waiting, smiling. They made their way through the front rooms of the cottage, past exhibits telling the story of Gretna Green weddings, with examples of wedding dresses over the decades glowing in their glass cases. Then, into the marriage room, the anvil standing in the centre. Maxie became teary as soon as she saw it. Eliza saw her reach for Hazel’s hand.

The service was brief, the celebrant sincere. Hazel and Maxie read the vows they’d written themselves, promising to honour, cherish, love and look after one another. They’d asked Eliza and Olivia not to take photographs during the ceremony. Afterwards, they posed arm-in-arm, holding their bouquets, faces alight with love. The celebrant hit the anvil, in keeping with tradition. They all cheered as the sound echoed around the room.

The wedding dinner took place in a private room of the hotel, decorated with flowers, fairy lights and lanterns. It looked like an enchanted garden. Maxie grew tearful as she thanked Olivia and Eliza.

‘I knew having you both here would make today perfect. I didn’t realise just how perfect.’

‘You knew I’d be here?’ Eliza said. ‘It wasn’t a surprise?’

‘Oops,’ Maxie said.

‘Oops,’ Olivia said.

‘But this morning, when you saw me —’

‘The Academy Award goes to Maxie Hill,’ Hazel said, smiling at her wife.

‘You’re both such good liars,’ Eliza said to her godmothers after they explained how it had all happened. ‘I don’t know whether to admire you or be nervous of you.’

‘Admire me, darling,’ Maxie said, leaning over to touch her cheek. ‘It’s my wedding day.’