It took just fifteen minutes for the officiant to declare Ezra and Edie husband and wife. The couple kissed as those gathered cheered, though none of them were as loud as Gilly’s ecstatic, piercing wolf whistle of pure delight.

‘Right,’ Edie said loudly, once Ezra had finally let her go. ‘That’s the official bit out of the way. I hear there’s wine somewhere? Let’s go!’

Back at the lighthouse, Edie stopped inside the door to look around. Gilly’s flowers spilled from almost every surface, filling the circular room with scent and splashes of paintbox colour. The tables had been laid with gleaming white cloths, silver tableware and more flowers. The wicker hampers of food for their guests waited beside a table laden with beautiful desserts, in the centre of which was a tower of pastel-coloured macarons. Their friends had also found a way to organize waiting staff, who were even now coming towards them carrying large trays laden with flutes of champagne.

‘What do you think?’ Ezra asked, squeezing her hand with a smile.

‘It’s perfect,’ Edie told him truthfully.

‘I should write that down,’ Ezra said, laughing and then pulling her closer for another kiss. ‘It really is a momentous day!’

Their little assembly of guests crowded into the bookshop, greeted by the couple at the door. Music started up, floating down from the mezzanine to wind between the happy chatter and clink of glasses. Edie caught hold of Gilly as she passed and pulled the girl into a tight hug.

‘Thank you,’ she said, into Gilly’s ear. ‘This is wonderful. You’re wonderful. Everything is wonderful.’

‘Oh my God, are you drunk already?’ Gilly asked.

‘No, just counting my blessings.’ Edie realized that Gilly was carrying a large, flat rectangular parcel under one arm, wrapped in beautiful paper. ‘What’s that?’

Gilly looked down at it. ‘A wedding gift, obviously.’ She indicated over Edie’s shoulder, and the bride turned to see that people were leaving presents on a small table that had evidently been set up for the purpose.

‘Oh!’ Edie said, astonished. ‘I didn’t expect people to bring us gifts!’

‘Gilly,’ Ezra said, pulling her into a hug. ‘You really shouldn’t have got us anything, you’ve got better things to spend your money on than us.’

‘I didn’t buy it,’ Gilly said, suddenly awkward. ‘I made it.’

‘You—’ Edie began, and then stopped. ‘Is it your print of us? The one you did for your final piece?’

‘Maybe,’ the girl said shiftily. ‘You’ll have to wait and see. I’ll put it over with the rest of the gifts, and then later—’

‘Oh no, you don’t,’ Edie said, blocking the way before Gilly could move. ‘I’ve waited long enough. I want to see it now!’

Gilly looked around. ‘You’ve got guests!’

‘I don’t care. I’m the bride, I can do what I want.’ Edie raised her eyebrows and held out her hands for the parcel. ‘Right?’

‘You married this,’ Gilly said, deadpan, to Ezra. ‘It was your choice, no one to blame but yourself. Remember that.’