We Are
Gathered Here – Part 2
Saturday 10th
December
10.30 am
St Martha’s
Church
“Why are we
early,” Mike Gresham-Fox asked as he and his wife walked down the street with
Grace, Sarah and Harriet. While he was in a tailored suit with a
crimson tie and white shirt, Angela Gresham-Fox was wearing a white jersey
dress with a dark jacket and heels.
“It’s not as
cold as I thought it would be,” she said as she looked round and then at
Grace. Her sister-in-law was wearing a
grey trouser suit with a blue camisole, while Hannah wore a grey jersey dress,
and Sarah a green dress.
“I know – it’s
sunny and dry. Probably for the last
time for a while,” Grace said as they approached the church, then smiled as she
saw Juliette and the others coming from the other direction.
“Well, I’m glad
to see you made it safely,” Angela said as she saw Olga, “I presume the others
are coming with their parents and family?”
“So I believe, Mrs Gresham-Fox,” Olga said as a car pulled up
outside the church, Luke getting out first and opening the door to allow Jack
and John to leave the vehicle. John was
now in full dress uniform, Jack and Luke in the grey
tails.
“Well, you
certainly look the part,” George said as he greeted them. He was now wearing a tailored three piece suit with a silk tie and shirt and smiled as he
said “let me take you through.”
“Looks like
people are starting to arrive, boss,” Sharon said as she stood with
Caroline. “I recognise most of them –
including this lot.”
She smiled as
Piet and Charlotte walked to the steps of the church, Francesca carrying
Frances as she looked round. The young
baby was wearing a white dress and coat, while Francesca and Charlotte were in
pale blue dress coats. Piet was in the
suit as well, as he said “so was that the groom going
in?”
“It was,”
Juliette said with a smile, “shall we go in?”
As they walked
up the steps of the church, the Morse and McNally families came along the road
as well, while Doc and her family got out of the car.
“Well met by
church stairs,” Doc said as she saw Becca, “the others are on their way as
well.”
“I’m here
already,” Pepsi said as she came down the stairs, “Mom’s gone to the hotel to
check out the tabletops, so I got to bring the flowers here.”
“Ama is
probably a nervous wreck by now.”
“I think I know
a bigger one,” Doc said as she saw Kylie, Abby and Rose get out of the car.
“Nicola,
darling,” Kylie said as she walked over, “the bouquets?”
“I’ll fetch
them down in a few minutes, with my escort.”
“Your
escort? I thought Jack was… Ah, I see.”
“Good morning,”
Nick said as he came alongside them, “given Ama is busy elsewhere, I agreed to
act as Pepsi’s escort until later.”
“Hey.”
Doc slowly
turned round to see Chet standing there with Blair, as their parents talked to
Gus and Paulie.
“Hey – it’s
good to see you,” Doc said before they kissed, Kylie smiling as she shook her
head. “I’ve missed you.”
“And I’ve
missed you as well – it’s good to see you as well Kylie.”
“And you, Chet
darling, but you must excuse me, I am required,” she said as she walked off
with Pepsi and Nick.
“You look
amazing,” Paulie said as she saw Nessa arriving with
David McIlroy, Nessa wearing a brown two-piece outfit with a black camisole
underneath.
“Well, I had to
look my best for him,” Nessa said before she kissed David.
“The Wedding
Breakfast?”
“Is ready and
prepared,” Nessa said as she saw Emma arrive with Tracey and JD.
“Lucia – it is
good to see you again.”
“And you,”
Lucia Bianchini said as she rose and kissed Maria
Riva on the cheeks. Her husband Flavio
and son Sandro stood behind her as she said “will you
join me?”
“I will – if
you will allow them in first,” Maria said quietly, Lucia moving to the side as
the men went in first, and then Maria sat herself between Flavio and
Lucia. “So,” she said as she carefully
put her walking stick down, “how has the reconciliation gone?”
“Better than I
had hoped or dared dream,” Lucia said with a smile, “I even made peace with my
other sister. They will come and join me
in Victoria later in the year for a reunion.”
“I am glad,”
Maria said with a smile as she looked round, “and I see a number of the
Sisterhood are here today as well.”
“Some of them
are, yes…”
“I guess JD got
an invite as someone prominent who works for her,” Rick said as he escorted
Cassandra to the church doors.
“Not just
that,” Cassandra said with a smile, “most of her executive team are here, and
JD is filming in the area, so she was a last minute
addition.”
“There you are
Mama,” Abby said as she saw Diana walk along to the bottom of the stairs. “I have not seen Brooke or Karen yet.”
“We are here,”
Karen said as she and Brooke crossed to join them, Karen taking John from her
husband’s arms and kissing the young boy.
“Brooke wanted to make arrangements to meet some people.”
“I’m glad to
hear it - how are you Brooke?”
“Better every
day, thanks Heather,” the judge said as she turned to greet her friend. She and Sandy were wearing long blue dresses,
while Sands was in a slightly altered version of the same dress. George smiled as he saw Katy approaching as
well.
“Well, at least
we’re not late,” Eleanor said as she and Veronica walked alongside Katherine, Janice and Adam.
“No, in plenty
of time…”
“A small
restorative is in order, I think,” Alex said as he poured some brandy into
three glasses, handing one each to Jack and John. “Allow me to propose a toast – to love and
marriage.”
“Love and
marriage,” the other two men said as they all raised their glasses and took a
drink. “It’s a pity you cannot marry me
and Luke,” Jack said with a smile.
“If it were my
choice, I would, but… Where did he go
anyway?”
“Outside – to
take some photographs…”
“Now, this is
truly a meeting of the minds, Mum.”
“What is,” Rose
said as she held her hand on her hat, and smiled at John Bowden as he, Barbara
and Jeannie made their way up to the church entrance.
“I think Susan
is talking about us, Rose,” Marina said as she arrived with the others.
“Rose, my dear
– how long has it been,” Beverley said as she extended her hand.
“Bev? Bev Martello?
What…”
“Some time
following in my footsteps,” Marina said as Penny and Helen came over, both
wearing trouser suits while Cathy Lo was wearing a traditional Chinese
dress. “As you can see, the results are
outstanding – ah, I believe the bridesmaids are here.”
“Got to go to
work,” Rose said as April waved “bye, Granny…”
“Come on,”
Susan said, “we had better get in…”
Park Avenue
As the elevator
car doors opened, the concierge looked up, and then walked to the front door,
opening it and saluting as Clint opened the door to
the limousine.
“Thank you,”
Shirley said as she carefully sat inside, arranging her outfit before Clint closed
the door and walked round to let John sit beside her.
St Martha’s
Church
“Oh wow,” Mylie
said as she and the others arrived, “look at them.”
“Kylie has done
a wonderful job,” Agnes said as Maisha and Ama stood on the sidewalk, waiting
as Sandy, Cat and Maddie got out, and then each of them accepting a bouquet
from Pepsi and Nick.
“Their dresses
are not like ours,” Laura said, “but even so…”
Kay glanced to
the side as she saw two familiar faces talking to the two African women, and
then saw some men watching the ceremony.
She frowned for a moment.
“Everything all
right?”
“Everything’s
fine,” she said as she looked at Richard, “let’s go in with the others…”
“The car is on
the way,” Caroline said quietly, Sharon nodding as she walked in with her
father, brother and sister. Showing them to their aisle, she said “I’ll be back in a minute” and walked quickly to the
vestry, knocking on the door.
“Ah,” Alex said
as she looked in, “showtime?”
“Showtime,” she
said with a smile as John stood up and shook himself.
“Let’s get you
married,” Jack said as he clapped his old friend on the back, and they walked
into the main chapel.
“You want to
see the dress as well, don’t you,” Juliette whispered to Cathy.
“Indeed – Kylie
ordered silk from us, but…”
They both
stopped talking as the limousine drew up, and Clint walked smartly round, John
joining him as the door was opened, and Shirley stepped out. As she did so, they saw the full length coral
pink silk cape she was wearing fall down, covering the
flowing skirt of her gown as it fell from the gathered waist. The front was studded with pearl, and it had
a high collar and long sleeves. A white
veil fell from the brim of the pillbox hat over her face, as Kylie adjusted the
hood of the cape and then stood back.
“Exquisite” she
whispered, “I am glad you asked me to do this for you Madame.”
“I am glad you
were able to do it,” Shirley said with a smile as Kylie lifted the hood of the
cape over her head, and April handed her a large bouquet of roses and lilies.
“Well, you look
beautiful,” Alex said as he walked down in his robes. “Kylie, Rose, any last
minute arrangements?”
“Only to wish
you all good luck, and to ask you to line up darlings - we will see you
inside.”
“Kylie?”
The teenager
looked over as Shirley smiled, and said “thank you.”
“It was my
honour,” Kylie said as she and Rose walked in, passing Alex as he walked down
the stairs.
“Well, I know
it may sound like everyone is saying it, but you do look radiant – all of
you. So, let us walk up the stairs, and
then if you can form up behind me, we have a wedding to perform.”
“I’m glad we
decided to go for capes rather than jackets,” Maddie whispered to Sandra as
they walked up, “Much warmer.”
“Yeah – and we
do make a fine group,” Cat said as they approached the doors.
The Waldorf
Astoria
Yuri looked out
of the window, various thoughts and prayers running through his mind. It was obvious now a crisis had arisen – and
whatever he was forced to do, whatever he decided to do, it had to be done in a
way that would keep his family safe.
Glancing at his
watch, he knew they would be at the chapel now.
He knew John Hammond and Shirley Xavier by reputation, and he wished
them every happiness he had not been able to feel for so many years…
Even those he
felt could possibly be of help to him were not contactable for a while – but he
knew they would be here. Unless…
Picking up the NorStar paperwork from the side table, he smiled as he took
his phone out and sent a text, praying they would not know the hidden meaning
on the wrong sides…
St Martha’s
Church
“Look at all
the pweety things, momma,” Judith said as she looked
round the church, Annie smiling as she sat Rudi on her lap.
“Indeed – but
you are the prettiest one here, aren’t you Judith?”
“As pweety as Mags?”
“She’s got you
there,” Carina said with a smile as Judy looked to the back of the church,
nodding before she turned, and the sounds of Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary came
from the organ. The congregation stood
as one, John and Jack turning their heads as they saw Alex start to walk down the
aisle, Maisha and Ama following them with the hoods down, and bouquets in their
hands.
Ama smiled at
Nick as he stood next to Caroline, while Maisha nodded to Leader and Liz as she
passed.
“Now, picture
you two walking down the aisle of Oban Cathedral,” Donald whispered to Mylie
and Laura as they passed, Maddie, Sandra and Catriona following them.
The
congregation then watched, Coco smiling as John walked with Shirley’s arm in
his, the congregation smiling as they passed by. Tatiana and Olga nodded as they watched,
Angela looking over both of them as they did so.
“Captain.”
Turning her
head suddenly, Angela looked at the couple before saying “what on earth are you
two doing here?”
“We were going
to ask you the same question,” Jo Frost said as she and Cassie Craig
smiled. “Teaching?”
“Well,
supervising at any rate. Let’s talk at
the reception…”
Alex smiled as
John stepped forward, whispering “Kylie has done an amazing job” to Shirley as
she came and stood next to him.
“Please, be
seated,” he said as the congregation sat down.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in this place to witness the
joining of John and Shirley in holy matrimony…”
As Alex spoke, Francesca
felt her cell phone vibrate in her bag.
“Something
wrong, Mama,” Charlotte said as she held Frances, while Francesca checked.
“I… I am not quite sure,” she said quietly, “I’ll
tell you later…”
“Who gives this
woman away,” Alex asked as Klaus gripped Juliette’s hand.
“I do, with
great pleasure,” John Jacobs said quietly as he handed Shirley’s hand to John,
and then stepped back, joining Coco in the aisle as Alex continued.
“John and
Shirley, have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and
wholeheartedly?”
Both of them
smiled as they said “I have”.
“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, to love and honour each
other for as long as you both shall live?”
“I am.”
“Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up
according to the law of Christ and his Church?”
“I am.”
Ama and Maisha
both smiled as Catriona wiped a tear away, while Alex continued “Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy
Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his
Church.”
They turned to
face each other, and took each other’s hands as John said “I, John Nathaniel
Hammond, take you, Shirley Xavier, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to
you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour
you all the days of my life.”
Maddie and
Sandra both smiled as Shirley said “I, Shirley Xavier, take you, John Nathaniel
Hammond, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and
in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days
of my life.”
Diana wiped
away a tear as Alex said “May the Lord in his kindness strengthen the consent
you have declared before the Church and graciously bring to fulfillment
his blessings within you. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.
“May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God who joined
together our first parents in paradise, strength and bless in Christ the
consent you have declared before the Church, so that what God joins together,
no one may put asunder.
“Let us bless
the Lord.”
As the
congregation said “Thanks be to God,” Alex said “Who
has the rings?”
“I do,” Jack
said quietly as he took two rings from his pocket and placed them on the bible.
Alex nodded as
he said “Bless and sanctify your servants in their love, O Lord,
and let these rings, a sign of their faithfulness, remind them of their love
for one another. Through Christ our
Lord.”
Both of them
said “Amen” as John picked up the smaller ring, and
placed it over Shirley’s finger on her left hand.
“Shirley,” he
said quietly, “receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.”
Shirley smiled
as he slipped the ring on, before she picked up the second ring and said “John,
receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.”
“In so much as
they have exchanged rings, and made their vows in
front of this congregation and before God,” Alex said as he spread his arms, “I
take great pleasure in declaring you Man and Wife. What God has joined, let no man sunder.
“You may kiss
your bride.”
“With the
greatest of pleasure,” John said as he lifted the veil and kissed Shirley, the
entire congregation clapping and cheering.
Ama and Maisha just smiled as the tears ran down their cheeks, the other
three doing the same.
“Please,” Alex
eventually said as the applause died down, “be seated…”
The Astoria
Waldorf
“They are at
the ceremony, Sir,” one of his assistants said to Byushin
as he sipped his coffee, “when do we execute the plan?”
“Not there,”
Oleg said quietly, “The new Mrs Hammond is not a woman to cross.”
“You speak as
if you know of her.”
“I know who she
is,” Oleg said as he nodded, “and you need know no more than that. Where is he?”
“In his room –
he attended the meeting, and came straight back.”
“Good – we will
know soon enough…”
St Martha’s
Judy nodded as
she started to play on the organ, Alex walking to the front of the church as
Shirley put her arm in John’s and followed him.
“May I?”
Catriona nodded
as Jack offered her his arm, Maddie and Sandra following them and then Ama and
Maisha as the congregation turned to see them walk out.
“Mama?”
“I am all right
Olga,” Tatiana said as she wiped her eye, “purely enjoying the happiness of the
day.”
“We all are,”
Juliette smiled as Carina and Annie held the babies. “We all are – so let us go and congratulate
the couple.”
“Happy?”
“You have no
idea,” Shirley whispered as she hugged her husband’s arm, and they stepped out
into the winter sun, smiling as Luke started to take some photographs. “Somehow, I feel complete now.”
“More so than
ever?”
“Indeed, Cat,”
Shirley said as she turned with a smile.
“I’ll take some
photos at the reception as well,” Luke said as Emma held Maddie’s hand, and
Nick stood with Ama. Liz and the other
girls came and stood behind them, as the congregation started to come out and pass
the group.
“If you are
ready,” Clint said as he touched the peak of his cap, “we have the cars here to
take you to the hotel for the photographs and the wedding breakfast.”
“Then let us be
on our way…”
“Kylie, you
have certainly fulfilled a great commission today,” Helen said as she and
Marina stood with the young designer.
“Thank you,
Sensei,” Kylie said with a smile. “I am pleased
that Madame is pleased, as are the others.”
“And you, are
you at peace?”
“Now – although
it was a hard struggle,” Kylie said with a rueful smile, “as you taught us, the
struggle is a lesson in itself.”
“If we allow it
to teach us,” Beverley said as she stood with them. “Truly a memorable day, and yet…”
“You feel it as
well,” Helen said quietly. “Be alert…”
“So where do we
go from here,” Tatiana asked as she and Olga left the church.
“The
reception,” Klaus said, “once the family have come out. I think Mags and Rudi were being admired
again…”
As they stood
waiting, Jo Frost and Cassie Craig stood to one side.
“All right – so
who do you know, the bride or the groom?”
Jo smiled as
she looked at Angela Gresham-Fox, and said “the bride actually – and you?”
“Watching a
group from Benenden, if truth be told,” Angela said, “who insisted they had to
join their parents at this wedding.”
“And you let
them? You’re slipping,” Cassie said with
a laugh. “I see Kay and her husband are
here as well, though.”
“There are a
lot of fascinating people here – as well as us,” Angela said with a smile. “Teaching looks like it is keeping you both
happy.”
“It is –
Geography, right?”
“and Chemistry and English for you two? Perhaps we should compare notes before I head
back.” Angela looked round, before she whispered “why do I think you have other reasons to be
here?”
“You have as
well, right?”
The Waldorf
Astoria
As John and
Shirley walked in, Vanessa walked forward, wearing a blue dress, and said
“welcome – we have a room set aside for Luke to take photos while the other
guests arrive, but first, allow me to toast the happy couple.”
As a waiter
came over, she took a champagne glass and raised it as they both took one as
well.
“May your
marriage be blessed in every way,” she said as they took a drink, while Luke
walked in.
“So – where do
we go?”
“This way…”
“That was an
amazing ceremony,” Sands said as she walked in with George, Sandy
and Heather. She was wearing a grey
coat over a cream dress, while Sandy and Heather were wearing blazers over long
dresses.
“Yeah,” George
said as he looked round, “but I think it’s going to be fun here as well.” He smiled as Katy came in with Janice and
Adam, Tom and Gale bringing Allen in with them next.
“Juliette, Klaus – may I have a word please,” Francesca said as they walked
into the lobby, “in private?”
“Of course,”
Klaus said as they made their way over to a booth in the coffee shop, Carina
and Ingrid going into the reception room with Annie and the children.
“So what has happened,” Juliette said as they sat down.
“I had a text
from Yuri Markov before we went into the ceremony,” Francesca said quietly,
“and it is perplexing me.”
“It is – why?”
“Have a look,”
she said as she handed Klaus the phone.
“Marchesa,
“Boronov is withdrawing from the offer to purchase NorStar, but I fear the storm is not over,
“Markov
“Ah, that
deceit should steal such gentle shape,
And with a virtuous vizor hide deep vice!”
“The takeover
is off,” Juliette said, “well, that is good news – but why then is Boronov here, and what is that quote at the end?”
“It’s from
Richard the Third,” Klaus said quietly, “but why is he quoting Shakespeare,
unless…”
“Klaus?”
“Forgive me,”
Klaus said with a smile, “I am pleased to hear that at least NorStar, and by association our models, are safe. But I do fear other things, other forces…”
“Oh wow,” Eve
said as she, Kit and Liz accompanied their mothers into the main ballroom,
“they have done a wonderful job in here.”
The hall was decorated with yellow ribbons, and each table had a yellow centrepiece
which April Broadhurst was walking round, checking as Pepsi shook her head.
“Mum, honestly
– you can relax now,” she said as she walked over.
“Indeed, April
darling,” Mandy said as she and Will joined them, “your part is played and
played beautifully, but now it is time to relax.”
“So Beverley darling,” Kylie said as she walked in with her
old friend, “how are you finding the new lifestyle?”
“Invigorating –
and I see Tracy has bloomed as well,” the blonde said as she looked over, a
glass of champagne in her hand. “It has
been a truly – transformative experience.”
“As we
discovered as well,” Kylie said with a smile as she nodded to Doc. “And the poker?”
“As profitable
as ever – indeed, the new me finds it much easier to strategize and plan in
advance.”
“Which explains
why you only pick the choicest tournaments, Bev,” Pru
Levine said as she and Jerry joined them.
“Ah – that has
more to do with my duties in my current role limiting my free time,” Bev said
with a smile, “but it makes the challenge all the sweeter, especially when
either of you are playing as well.”
“So you have no plans to go to the World Series?”
“Not at this
time,” Beverly said as she sipped her drink, “but we shall see…”
“So where are
we sitting,” Donald asked as he looked at the seating chart. “Ah – of course – with Tamsin and Kit, as
well as Mandy and Will.”
“We’re on this
table over here,” Grace said as she looked at the chart, “and I hope you don’t
mind sitting with your teacher, Eve?”
“If I must,”
Eve said with a shrug of her shoulders, “I must.”
“Oh you must,” Angela said as she held her husband’s arm, and
looked round the room.
“We appear to
be making a group,” Jo Frost said as she and Cassie joined Liz and Itzy.
“Indeed –
Karen? I did not know you were coming?”
“Nor did I
until yesterday,” Karen Kumalo said as she took a seat, “but I had a call that
told me to be here. I arrived too late
for the ceremony, and just made it here for the reception.”
“Ah – good, you
made it.”
“Greetings,”
Karen said as she looked at Charlotte, “I was summoned, I came – but why?”
“Let us say,
things are happening…”
“So, if we have
you and Ama in front of these three,” Luke said as he positioned the
bridesmaids, and then took a few pictures, before he said
“I believe I have all I need now.”
“and you got my good side?”
“And I got your
good side,” He replied as he smiled at Jack, and put his camera away. “You are now free to join the other guests –
well, apart from you, my dear John and Shirley.”
“Oh – and why
is that?”
“You get the
grand entry,” Nessa said as she came into the room, “and besides, it is only
right and proper that you are the last ones to enter…”
“Sir?”
Oleg Byushin looked up, wiping his mouth with the napkin before
he said “they have returned?”
“As part of the
main party, yes. When do we move?”
“Not yet – we
must allow more time, and then the test may begin…”
“LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN!”
The room fell
silent as John, Jack and Alex led the bridesmaids in and waited as they took
their seat at the top table. They had
now removed their capes and long gloves as they looked around the room, Ama
smiling at Nick.
“Pray be
upstanding and welcome John and Shirley Hammond!”
The room broke
out in applause as they came in, Shirley holding John’s arm. She had also removed her cape and veil, and
she nodded to the guests as they walked round, John holding Shirley’s chair before
he took his one.
“Father Richmond?”
Alex stood up
and looked round the room before he said “let us pray.
“Lord, on this
most precious of days, we give thanks that John and Shirley are now united in
your sight, and we ask you to bless both this food we now receive, and the
celebrations that are to come.
“Amen.”
As the room
responded, Ama whispered to Maisha “you have your family complete at last
Sister.”
“Indeed – and
my joy is made complete in that,” Maisha said as the staters were brought out.
“You all right,
Sis,” George said as he looked at Sands.
“Yeah – I was
just wondering what’s going to happen later?”
“Why?”
“Holly and
Tommy are coming later on – I just hope they can at least talk to each other.”
“And to
you? Has Tommy said anything to you?”
Sands shook her
head, but inside she was wondering if Krystle would make an appearance instead…
“This is a
truly excellent meal,” Tatiana said as she looked at Juliette, “so do you have
any idea where they are heading?”
“Absolutely
none – I understand the only other person who may have an idea is Maisha, and
that is because she had to arrange for the suitcase to be brought here for Shirley
to take with her.”
Olga shook her
head before she said “where did you and Father go,
Mother?”
“Nice – it was
a wonderful place to go for such a time,” Tatiana said as she had a faraway
look in her eye.
“you know, he is in the hotel – why don’t I invite him to
join us later on,” Klaus said quietly.
“Please, Mother
– it would be a good thing to do,” Olga said quietly. Tatiana thought for a moment, and then nodded
before she said “why not – so long as he does not talk
business.”
“Ladies and
Gentlemen,” the toastmaster called out, “pray silence for Mister John Jacobs!”
John smiled as
he stood up, and took some cards from inside his jacket, before he looked round
and said “well, this is truly an august occasion, isn’t it?”
As the room
nodded, he said “When Shirley asked if I would accept the honour – and it is an
honour – of being the Father of the Bride, I admit I was surprised – but as she
said to me, I have known her longer than anyone else here, and as such I was
the obvious choice. I could have debated
the point, but if you know Shirley, you know if she asks something it is very,
VERY difficult to say no.”
Maddie and
Sandra both shook their heads as there was a ripple of laughter round the room.
“So – although
I have known Shirley long enough to know how it felt to bounce her on my knee,
which is a little longer than some of the others here. She was a happy, outgoing child, even when
she went to boarding school and made fast friends, such as Catriona, and then
went out into the wider world.
“Today – this
place – is not the time or the place to reflect on those years,” he said as
John squeezed Shirley’s hand, “but they taught her the lessons she has applied
in her business world. But - and I hope
she forgives me for saying this – those who remained close to her always knew
there was something missing.
“Then, two
years ago, she emerged from the shell she had built around herself, and in that
emergence, she met John. I have only the
word of those who were at the party when they first met, but according to those
sources the teenage Shirley appeared out of nowhere – and there was an instant
and mutual attraction.”
John paused for
a moment, before he said “I want, now, to acknowledge one thing they also have
in common – both have lost partners in the past, and on this special day, it is
only right and proper we remember them. Join
me, in raising a glass to Robert, and to Helen.”
Shirley and
John both nodded as they returned the toast, before
John spoke again.
“But enough of
the past – this is about the future, and their lives together. Lives they share now with their daughter,
Maisha, as well as with us, so I may forgo the usual talk about raising
children together.”
“She’s not too
old,” Hannah White called out as the room laughed in response.
“True – but it
has been a rare privilege for me to see their love for each other, and their
care and love for Maisha, grow these last few months. As I look round the room, I know there are
friends here from every aspect of both their lives – friends who have seen this
love grow and blossom, and supported them all the way.
“Including
today – so my words of wisdom to you, John, are simply these – love her, and
your daughter, with all your heart and soul, and the rest will follow.
“So,” he
concluded as he raised his glass, “join me, be it with champagne, soft drink,
or freshly brewed tea, in a toast. The
Bride and Groom.”
“THE BRIDE AND
GROOM!”
There was
applause as John sat down, Shirley whispering “thank you” into his ear as the
toastmaster said “and now, please pray silence for the
groom, Major Sir John Hammond!”
John nodded as
he stood up and smiled.
“Well – before
I submit myself to whatever it is Jack Linklater has planned for me, I just
want to say a few brief words.
“Firstly, to
thank Alex for conducting the ceremony today, and Nessa for making the
arrangements here – and also to thank the staff here
at the Waldorf for the way they have served us all today. Please, show your appreciation for them.”
The room
applauded, before John continued “I also want to thank April for providing the
floral arrangements, and those who helped Shirley and the others prepare for
today – and I especially want to thank Kylie Mitchell, who has made five women
look amazing today.
“and one very special lady look even more amazing.”
Kylie blushed
as the room applauded again, before John looked to his
side. “I never thought I would find love
again, after my first wife died, but I have given thanks every day since we met
at New Year’s Eve, Shirley, and today you have made me feel complete once
more. Thank you.”
Shirley blushed
as he leaned over and they kissed, before he turned to
face the room again.
“Obviously, our
own parents are no longer here – but as I said earlier, Nessa Richmond has done
an amazing job with the arrangements today, and I know Shirley regards her as a
mother as well – so, I am hoping that young Miley McAdam is ready with Laura?”
The room turned
as Miley carried in a large bouquet, Laura accompanying her as she walked to where
Nessa was sitting to David, and then handing them over as the older woman whispered “thank you.”
“Now, who else
– oh. Yes. I want to thank Jack for supporting me today,
and Luke for both taking the photographs and supporting Jack in those
duties. I understand they may be doing
something similar in the spring, and we look forward to joining them on that
occasion.
“Which leaves
five very special women sitting at the table here with us. Catriona, Maddie and
Sandra, who are among Shirley’s oldest friends, and Ama and Maisha, our
daughter and in many ways her sister as well.
They have been the bedrock of support these last few days, and I ask you
now to join me in thanking them and toasting them.
“Ladies and
Gentlemen, the toast is The Bridesmaids.”
“THE BRIDESMAIDS!”
Again there was applause as John sat down,
and Jack stood up and looked round.
“Okay – I hope
your camera is hidden, young Abigail?”
“Now would I do
that to you today,” Abby laughed in response with a look of mock horror on her
face.
“Okay then,”
Jack said with a smile, “before I take my life in my hands – from Shirley as
much as from John – I have a few messages to read out.
“Sorry we could
not be there today, but we wish you all the joy and happiness of the day – John
and Marianne Vosloo.
“Hope this is
the beginning of the best chapter of your lives – Amelia and Maggie.
“May blessings
fall like raindrops upon you and yours – Tamika.
“and finally – on this most special day, my there be nothing
but love. Charles, Olivia and family.”
“Why are they
not here anyway,” Nell whispered to Mick Harron.
“They’re
meeting Fiona’s girlfriend this weekend in Newcastle.”
“Oh – right…”
“So – Major Sir
John Hammond, MBE, and Miss Shirley Xavier…
To be fair, I have known John for more years than I care to try to
remember, ever since we were first brought together by the late Fiona MacKenzie to do a shoot in Paris. I remember seeing him for the first time, the
former Guardsman, and thinking one thing.
“How the hell
did he manage to get that shine on his shoes?”
“Practice,”
John laughed as he smacked the table with his hand.
“At any rate –
I found him a charming man, and then a good friend, and when Helen fell ill I
and my fellow photographers supported him through those dark times. He has repaid that a thousand times over,
which speaks to the sort of man he is, and how he is concerned for everyone.
“And over the
years, we have also shared in good and bad times – so when he asked me to stand
by his side today, I took it as an opportunity to do what he would have done
for any of us. In fact, we need to have
a chat later on today…”
John raised an
eyebrow as Luke shook his head. “Anyway
– I have known Shirley for as long as John has, but I have also seen her fill
that gap, and I have seen that the two of you are perfect together. So I just want to
make a small toast – and a slightly different one.
“To the
future.”
The room
repeated the toast as Jack said “and now, the management asks if you would
repair to the outer hall while the dance fall is cleared…”
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