‘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.

Cadi let out a protest. ‘Dad! You’re as bad as mam. I don’t even know if I want to get married, but if I do it won’t be for a long time yet.’

Dewi spoke disparagingly. ‘What do you mean, “you don’t know”? What else are you planning on doing, if you aren’t going to get wed?’

Sensing an argument brewing, Jill pointed at the platefuls of food. ‘Less talking, more eating.’

Using his fingernail, Dewi picked a piece of mutton out from between his teeth. ‘I don’t see what’s so bad about getting hitched, what else are you going to do with your life?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Cadi, ‘but I’m not going to work in the bakery forever, I want something meaningful, a job where I get to call the shots, instead of being told what to do all the time.’

‘What do—’ Alun began, but Jill had had enough. ‘I didn’t spend all that time preparing scrag end just for it to go cold, so quit your mithering and get on with your supper!’