Cissie, Kathy and Edith were beginning to clear the tables now but at that moment Sunday noticed someone striding up the drive and her heart did a little skip … It was getting dark now and she was sure her eyes must be playing tricks on her but no … As the figure loomed closer, she knew she wasn’t mistaken, and a sob caught in her throat just at the moment that Kathy glanced around and saw the figure too.

The pots she was holding suddenly crashed to the table as a look of pure joy spread across her face and then she was off like the wind haring towards him.

‘David! Oh, David, I hardly dare blink in case I’m imagining this, and you disappear.’

Catching her in his arms he swung her off her feet and twirled her about as if she weighed no more than a feather.

‘You can blink as much as you like because I’m here to stay,’ he told her with a catch in his voice and then they were in each other’s arms oblivious to everyone and everything around them, as they kissed as if they might never come up for air. When at last they did, she stared up at him starry-eyed. ‘But how did you manage this? And why didn’t you let me know you were coming?’

‘I didn’t know myself till a couple of days ago and I wanted to surprise you. But now, stand still … I have a surprise for you.’

He fished in his jacket pocket, pulled out a document and handed it to her. She studied it closely before whooping with delight and throwing her arms about his neck again.

‘Can I take it that’s a yes then?’

‘Yes, yes and yes,’ Kathy cried, and grabbing his hand she said excitedly, ‘Come on, we must go and tell Mum and find the children, they’re about here somewhere and they’re going to be so thrilled to see you.’

‘David.’ Sunday greeted him warmly as he approached. ‘I’d say you’re about the perfect end to a perfect day. Are you home for good now?’

‘I most certainly am.’ Then looking slightly nervous he told Kathy, ‘You’d better show your mother what I’ve just given you and I hope she’ll approve.’

As Sunday read through the small document that Kathy passed to her, her smile grew broader. ‘Why, it’s a special marriage licence. Does this mean …?’

David let out a sigh of relief. ‘It means that in three days’ time, with your permission, I am going to make this very beautiful daughter of yours my wife.’ He knew that most mothers dreamed of seeing their daughters float down the aisle in a swathe of satin and lace and sadly there would be no time to organise all that fuss now, but even so his future mother-in-law seemed happy with the idea.