Gracie’s mother was secretly pleased for her daughter. She knew there was a lot more to her daughter’s return than Gracie was ever going to explain, and she’d seen how happy she was whenever she’d received a letter from Jeff’s brother. Now she’d met him, she understood why. But she and her husband were both shocked when Gracie told them her news. ‘You are going back to the States?’ ‘Yes Mum, but first Rick and I are getting married here in Southampton.’ ‘That’s if you’ll allow me to marry your daughter?’ Rick looked at Gracie’s father. ‘My boy, I don’t think I could stop her! I’ve not seen Gracie look this happy for some time. Welcome to the family!’ he shook him warmly by the hand. His wife came over and hugged him, then produced a bottle of sherry, poured four glasses and they all drank to celebrate. Rick sipped his sherry then he looked at Margaret Brown. ‘I’ve promised Gracie that we’ll come visit you every other year, that way we’ll still be in touch.
