Outside in the spring sunshine they stood in the blacksmith’s yard, reluctant to leave this sacred spot and not quite sure what to do next. It was all so simple, so tender. The world of war closing in on them was pushed back for ten precious minutes: all it had taken to join them forever.

They found the tiny Register Office down the Annan Road but it was closed. Rae slipped a note through the door, giving notice of their intention to marry in fourteen days’ time. Then they roared off along the coast road and found rooms on a farm. The wife was suspicious and asked to see their marriage lines before turning them away. They found an empty byre near Powfoot on the edge of the Solway Estuary, made themselves a bridal picnic of morning rolls and cold meat, fruit and fruit bannocks. Afterwards they walked barefoot, making patterns of footprints in the mud, sketching the coastline under a cloudy sky. There was so much to talk over, fresh plans to make for the official ceremony, but more important was planning their future lives together. So much about each other’s past lives they still didn’t know.

Rae told her about his Aunt Freddie and her friend, Annie. ‘I saw so much love between them – I never saw them as odd or different – and when Annie was told of her terrible illness they decided they just couldn’t be parted. They bound themselves together with rope, face to face, and jumped into the Tweed. I wouldn’t want you to do anything silly if anything happened to me… Promise me you will be brave and get on with your plans, with or without me? I’m sorry it’s all been such a hotch-potch. I never thought to check about Gretna Green…’

‘Stop that! I won’t hear such nonsense on our honeymoon. Don’t let anything spoil this time, Rae, please. No army, no wars or relatives. I wouldn’t swap our anvil wedding for the poshest of cathedral weddings with all the champagne and fancies. I just wish it could last forever.’ Netta sighed, snuggling into his arms, feeling the chill of the sea breeze.

‘Nothing lasts forever, Jeanette. After Aunt Freddie died I had no one in the world who cared if I lived or died. I used to feel I was cut adrift without a rudder to guide me. Now, with you steering the ship, I know we’ll set the heather on fire, search the whole world for our inspiration. The war must end once we land in Europe. I feel such hope for us.’ Rae kissed her enthusiastically and they fell together to the damp grass.