Mags looked over at a smiling Ciss. Her face showed her well-being. The long journey hadn’t fazed or tired her, and she looked lovely, with her little stomach mound protruding.

As the service got to the part of making the vows, there was a hush, interspersed with little happy-sobs from herself, Ciss and Susan. Mags wanted to remember for the rest of her life the picture that Betsy made as she said ‘I do’ to her Angus. It was a beautiful image of a beautiful woman, looking up to her man with pride and love. A lump in her throat threatened, which wasn’t provoked by feeling happy and moved by the proceedings, as Mags felt a sharp awareness of her own loneliness. But she kept herself in check and smiled heavenwards, as inside her heart she made her wedding vows to Montel.

‘Eeh, Mags, you all look so lovely. I’m the proudest bride there ever was.’

‘And the most beautiful.’

‘Ta, Mags. I wish—’

‘No “I wish” today. You have everything you’ve dreamed of. Be happy, my dear friend. That will make up for all that you wish for me that cannot happen.’

‘Oh, Mags.’ They were in each other’s arms, their tears wetting each other’s bare shoulders, but it didn’t last long.

‘Eeh, no crying on your wedding day. It’s unlucky, our Betsy!’

‘Ciss. Oh, Ciss, I’m so happy that you came, lass. And look at you. I tried to imagine what you looked like when you were carrying a babby last time, but I couldn’t. But you look a picture of health and happiness.’

‘Aye, I am happy, our Betsy. Happier than I’ve ever been. Patrick is a wonderful husband and daddy to our little Jobe, who’s a fine lad, an’ all. Well, I knaw he ain’t a fully grown one yet, but he’s . . . well, just a lovely bundle of fun. Mrs Dilly is looking after him while I’m away, as it would have been too much for me to cart him here. I’m missing him, though, and I’ll be glad to get on that train tomorrow to take me back to me menfolk.’

‘That makes me so happy. All I ever wanted for you was that you’d be happy, lass. And I’ll come down to see you soon, I promise.’

Mags crossed the room and left the two girls talking. They were in the back room of the local inn for the wedding breakfast, but most people had gone out to sit on the lawn. Mags looked for Susan and found her with her Rory.

‘Mags, come on over. There’s some cool lemonade on a table over here.’

‘Oh, that would be very welcome. Hello, Rory. Soon be your big day.’

‘Och, I cannae wait.’ With this he slipped his arm round Susan, and Mags’s loneliness deepened.

‘Susan, I’m going to pop home for a while. I’m so hot, I thought to freshen up. I won’t be long, but if I’m missed, you can cover for me.’