‘I prefer the Reverend Capstick to your father’s replacement,’ she had told Louise on a previous visit. ‘Besides, people I used to call my friends frown on me for marrying a Yank.’‘Why?’‘I dunno. Perhaps they think I should wear black for the rest of my life. They don’t like to see me enjoying myself.’‘Perhaps they’re just jealous.’‘Maybe. Anyway, I’ve asked the rector if he’ll marry us and he said yes, so that’s what we’re going to do. Stan said he’d give me away. Will you be a maid of honour?’‘I’d love to.’‘Beattie will be a bridesmaid. Will you let Angela be another one?’‘She’s very small, not yet four.’‘I know, but she’s so pretty and I don’t want her to feel left out. And you’ll be there to look after her.’ She laughed suddenly. ‘This wedding is going to be different from my first. I was three months gone with Tommy and we had to get married. It was done in a registry office with only a couple of Dan’s friends for witnesses.
