As they continued with the proceedings, Heather noticed that Pam was starting to look a little restless. Rachel and Tully were doing their best to settle her, but eventually Stephen gestured at them to let her be. Immediately, Pam was out of her seat. She headed toward the altar determinedly. She looked like a woman on a mission, Heather thought . . .

60

TULLY

Tully liked to think she’d become pretty zen since she’d started therapy, but she had to admit this whole affair was pushing it. It was supposed to be a wedding, for heaven’s sake! Instead she felt like she was herding cats.

Dad had insisted on having Locky and Miles as his ‘best men’ – which was all glory and cuteness for him, all pain-in-the-arse for her. She was the one who’d had to strongarm them into tiny little dinner suits and then forbid them to play on the grass. She was the one who had their little fingers poking her in the butt during the service, accompanied by their constant asking to go outside and play and, also, were there any snacks? And, as if this circus wasn’t enough, now Mum was wandering around the altar while the entire congregation ignored Dad and Heather’s exchange of vows and watched her with bated breath, waiting for her to do something.

It wasn’t civilised, Tully thought. This was why people liked civilised things.

Mum was standing at the altar now, holding Heather’s posy. What are you thinking, Mum? Tully wondered. Do you know what is happening? Are you aware that you are being usurped before your very eyes? Tully wasn’t sure. Mum had seemed perfectly happy at first, but she was definitely getting a little restless now. She placed her posy on the altar table, and picked up a large candlestick. The celebrant looked a little nervous about it, but it appeared everyone had decided to pretend nothing unusual was happening. How very middle class of them.

‘I now pronounce you husband and wife,’ the celebrant said finally. ‘You may kiss the bride.’

There was an outburst of cheers as Dad and Heather shared a (thankfully chaste) kiss. It startled Mum, who looked around worriedly, wielding her candlestick. Dad and Heather beamed and waved at the crowd, until the celebrant invited them into the sacristy to sign the register. They were followed by the little boys, who took off at a run. Rachel and Tully went after them, collecting Mum along the way and taking her with them, for her own safety as well as everyone else’s.

‘Congratulations,’ Tully said to Dad in the sacristy. Heather was already signing the register. It was a small room and the boys were all but bouncing off the walls.

‘Thanks, sweetie,’ Dad said. He seemed pleased but also a little distracted by all the commotion. ‘Can you –’

‘I’ll deal with the boys,’ Tully said, but unfortunately it was easier said than done. She looked to Rachel for help, but her sister was trying – and failing – to prise the candlestick from Mum’s grip. Each time Rachel reached for it, Mum swung it this way and that, as if it were a game. The boys thought this was wonderful and tried to join in, ducking and weaving around her. Tully wondered if Dad was finally rethinking his ‘family is everything’ stance. Locky took a flying leap, his elbow narrowly missing his grandfather’s groin.