Poppy looked up. ‘What homework was this?’

There was a long pause before Cadi finally admitted that it had been her maths homework.

‘But you were always dreadful at maths!’ said Poppy. ‘Same as me, if I were you I’d’ve jumped at the chance.’

‘If it were anyone else I probably would’ve, but not him, he only offered to help so that he could show off.’

Seeing Aled standing with his hands in his trouser pockets, laughing at those who missed the coconuts, Poppy spoke thoughtfully. ‘Ok, I’ll grant you he’s a bit of a show off, and he is a little bit big headed, but aren’t most boys?’

‘Not my brothers,’ said Cadi.

‘But …’ Poppy tried to counteract Cadi’s comment but her friend was speaking the truth.

‘You always try to see the good in everyone,’ said Cadi, ‘which is a truly endearing quality, but you’re wasting your time when it comes to Aled.’

‘I just want everyone to get along.’ reasoned Poppy.

‘Everyone else does,’ said Cadi simply, ‘and if Aled ever gets down off that high horse of his, things might be different, but I can’t see that happening somehow.’

‘Everyone changes as they grow up, so you never know!’ She looked around the rest of the stalls, some of which were beginning to pack up. ‘Come on, we’d best get a move on before everything’s gone.’

It was much later that evening when the girls returned to their homes. Reluctantly, Cadi had taken the dress off and hung it up in the back of her wardrobe, before she joined her family at the dinner table.

‘Your majesty.’ Said Alun, making a low bow.

‘Tell him to stop being silly mam,’ snapped Cadi, but everyone was chuckling, including her mother. She glanced at the faces around the table, all of which were staring at the top of her head. Reaching up she gently pulled the crown down and handed it to her mother with an embarrassed smile.

‘I’ll pop a couple of the roses between the pages of the encyclopaedia as a keepsake,’ said Jill.

Alun took the seat next to Cadi’s. ‘It’s not like any of us is ever going to read it.’

Jill addressed Alun, as she carefully placed the roses in the middle of the book. ‘Wash your hands young man.’

Stowing the book back on the shelf, Jill then began to dole out the stew. With everyone ready, Dewi said grace, before tucking into the delicious meal.

Speaking between mouthfuls, Dewi winked at his daughter. ‘Beautiful you were, I shouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t ask you to be Rose Queen again next year.’

Cadi beamed proudly. ‘You know you can only be Rose Queen once dad, that’s why I made the most of today.’

‘I know cariad, but look on the bright side, at least you’ve your wedding to look forward to.’ He said as he skewered a chunk of potato with his fork.