The ceremony goes off without a hitch, even though I am nervous all the way through that I’ll stumble over my words or call Rupert by the wrong name. The butterflies in my stomach only fade away when the vicar announces that Rupert ‘may now kiss the bride’ and Rupert turns to me, bending me backwards from the waist in his arms as he presses his mouth to mine. I am flushed and laughing when he pulls me upright, my bouquet almost tumbling out of my arms. I grin at him, mouthing the words, ‘I love you,’ relieved that it is done, that our fate together is sealed. My legs turn to jelly as Rupert smiles back at me, his arm snaking around my waist and pulling me close. When the vicar turns to the congregation and says, ‘May I present to you, Mr and Mrs Milligan,’ the church full of family and friends cheer, and Rupert raises my hand in his in a gesture of celebration.

But as we descend down the steps into the aisle, I can’t help but feel a sharp pang as I realize that I don’t have a single person there just for me. No family, and without Mags, no friend. I blink back the tears that spring to my eyes, telling myself they are ‘happy tears’, because I finally found what I’ve spent my life searching for, and I follow my husband out into the bright September sunshine.

Later, after a meze meal – I didn’t want to force our guests into a three-course dinner, not in the prolonged heat that means glorious wedding day weather – Will makes a speech, welcoming me into the family, which moves me to tears. Knowing how close they all were to Caro, I am aware that some people thought Rupert might be making a mistake, moving too fast, but there is no sign of that, not today, and I feel the warm arms of acceptance around me. Gathering up my dress so I don’t trip, I stand, a hush falling over the room. I see Rupert’s mother glance at his father – quite clearly, the bride making a speech isn’t really the done thing.