Peggy welled up immediately as she watched Stan proudly lead Ruby towards an awed Mike, and hearing Cordelia sniffling beside her, couldn’t help but smile through her tears. Weddings always made them cry, but today’s seemed extra special, for Ruby was one of their own who’d lived through hell before she’d found hope and love in Cliffehaven, and Mike bore the scars of that disastrous Dieppe raid with admirable stoicism. They were both survivors in their own way, and had more than earnt the right to be so very much in love.

Ron came to sit beside Rosie and lovingly took her hand as the young couple exchanged their vows, and when Mike placed the ring on Ruby’s finger and kissed his bride, there was a general sigh of pleasure and smattering of applause.

Stan was doing his best to hide his tears as he sat next to April, for little Paula was watching him with deep concern, her face puckering up to howl in sympathy. This was swiftly avoided by April moving her to her other side and distracting her with a lollipop.

Daisy spotted the sweet immediately, and looked up at Peggy expectantly. Peggy dug in her handbag and found a toffee, glad she’d remembered to bring something to keep Daisy quiet whilst the register was being signed.

It didn’t take too long for the large book to be signed and dated, and the young couple held hands, their faces beaming as they walked back towards the door. Everyone hurried after them, and as they gathered on the Town Hall steps, Stan and April threw confetti, and Bertie used his box Brownie to take a whole roll of pictures.

And then, with Cordelia riding like a queen in Bertie’s car, it was a leisurely stroll down the High Street towards Camden Road and the reception at the Anchor. Gloria emerged from the Crown to wish them luck and hand over a bottle of champagne. Housewives in the queues outside the shops turned to congratulate them and men doffed their hats as delivery boys whistled cheekily from their bicycles.

As they passed Solly’s factory they were cheered and whistled at by the girls who were taking a break in the courtyard, and Peggy could see Solly standing at the office window with a beaming smile as he waved to them. Andy’s colleagues at the fire station were on the forecourt to cheer them on, and the shopkeepers in Camden Road came to their doors to wave and shout their good wishes.

Peggy became tearful again, for the lovely people of Cliffehaven knew the young couple’s story and clearly wanted to do them proud and ensure they had the best wedding day possible.

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