‘Oh, my goodness! Look at her. She’s absolutely stunning!’ Merrin felt a tightening in her throat and wished her gran and gramps could see their oldest granddaughter today of all days. How proud they would be! Her sister had opted for a sleeveless ivory gown that was gathered in at the waist and sat in a slinky knot on her hip. Her frock was set off with a champagne-coloured faux fur stole draped around her shoulders and the wide gold-and-pearl brooch that held it together sparkled where the sun caught it. Her make-up was thankfully minimal, save for the pillar-box-red lipstick that highlighted her full lips. The wedding theme was very vintage/wartime and her sister had nailed it.

‘Wowsers!’ She heard Miguel gasp and smiled for her sister.

‘Ruby Mae!’ Her dad stepped forward and her sister slipped her arm through his. ‘You look beautiful.’ He beamed and Ruby looked out over them all with an uncharacteristic softness to her expression that only added to her beauty.

Merrin’s bottom lip trembled; the way her dad looked at his oldest daughter took her back to the moment she had descended the stairs.

‘Thought you might have rigged up the old cart!’ Ruby looked around, although it was unclear whether her expression was one of disappointment or relief.

Merrin followed her eyes, hoping this was not the case; anything that might have mirrored her disastrous day was not a thought she relished. She painted on a smile, aware that this statement had encouraged people to turn and look at her as if seeking out her response. Keeping her eyes fixed on her sister and gripping Miguel as if her life depended on it, she beamed.

‘Better than that, Rubes!’ He turned towards the slipway and called out, ‘All right, lads, when you’re ready!’ And on cue music floated up over the wall.

‘What the . . . ?’ Ruby craned her neck, as they all did, turning towards the unmistakable sound of a jazz band, who walked in perfect formation from the slipway and around to the front of the cottages. They were playing an upbeat, catchy tune more likely to be heard in New Orleans than Port Charles and the effect was electrifying. Everyone, as if rehearsed, either broke into a little jig, moved their shoulders, waved their hands or shuffled their feet. It was genius; a band to lead the procession up to the church, meaning the party started the moment the first note was played.

Merrin ran forward and gripped her sister in a hug, whipped up like the rest of the revellers into a state of pure excitement that made her feel like anything was possible. ‘Isn’t this wonderful?’

‘It is!’ Her sister was breathless and uncharacteristically short of words, clearly swept up in the moment.

‘Have the best day, darling!’ Merrin looked steadily into her eyes, willing her sister to see only love. ‘You look out of this world! Enjoy every second!’