A Change of Fortune (45 page)

‘I wish I understood.’ She sniffed and gazed up at him, hardly daring to believe this was happening. ‘But you were so angry.’

‘Not at you. I was damned if I was going to let Gloria destroy what we have.’

‘I don’t deserve you,’ she murmured.

‘Well, I’m afraid you are stuck with me for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me, my darling?’

‘Yes, please!’ She sighed as his lips claimed hers.

When he finally broke off the embrace, he held her away, looking into her eyes. ‘Come on, let’s go and tell the family.’

Jenny was nervous. Suppose they didn’t approve of their youngest son marrying her?

But she need not have worried. They were all delighted.

When all the excitement had settled, Louise Stannard picked up a pad and pen, looking expectantly at Jenny. ‘Now, what kind of wedding do you want?’

Matt laughed and sat beside Jenny, holding her hand. ‘We’re being organized, Jen. Tell mother exactly what you want and she’ll be in her element arranging it.’

‘Would you mind doing it?’ she asked his mother. ‘Only I don’t want my family involved.’

‘I understand that, my dear, and I shall love planning the wedding.’

‘Well …’ She hesitated and looked at Matt, wondering what he would like.

He squeezed her hand. ‘Go ahead, Jen. Whatever you want will be fine with me.’

After smiling her thanks, she turned back to his mother. ‘I would like a quiet wedding with only the immediate family present at the ceremony. I’ll ask Fred to give me away, as he’s been like a father to me.’

‘Excellent idea.’ Louise began to make the first notes. ‘A white dress, of course. And what about bridesmaids?’

‘I’ll ask Ivy’s young daughter.’ Jenny smiled happily. ‘Oh, she’ll just love that! And I’ll ask Edna and David to come as well. I’m sure my friend would love to be a bridesmaid, and we’ll dress them in pink, I think.’

‘Lovely.’ Louise scribbled away. ‘Where shall we hold the reception?’

‘What about the community centre?’ Matt suggested. ‘We can then invite all of Forest Road and everyone from the garage.’

‘That’s just the thing,’ Matt’s father agreed. ‘Plenty of room there, and you can get in caterers for the wedding breakfast, my dear.’

Louise nodded. ‘I know the very people.’

Jenny felt a pang of concern. ‘Can we have plain, wholesome food, Mrs Stannard? My friends aren’t used to haute cuisine. But you know that by working at the centre, don’t you?’

‘I do indeed, and I shall make sure that there is something for everyone.’

‘Erm …’ Jenny still had one doubt. ‘Will you want a separate celebration for your family and friends?’

‘Certainly not!’ John declared, and the rest of the family firmly agreed.

‘That’s all settled, then.’ Gilbert had ordered champagne while they had been talking, and he now handed round glasses. ‘Let’s drink to Jenny and Matt. May you have a long and happy life together.’

After the toast, Louise looked at her list. ‘This will take a while to arrange. When do you intend to get married?’

Matt looked at Jenny and raised his eyebrows. ‘We hadn’t got around to that. What do you think, Jen?’

‘What about my birthday in August? Will that give you enough time?’

‘Yes, four months should be plenty.’ Louise pursed her lips as she studied her son. ‘Where are you going to live, Matt?’

‘I thought we’d look for a house somewhere near the river. Perhaps Barnes or in that area.’

‘Sounds good.’ John drained his glass and, ever practical, said, ‘You’d better get moving with that, Matt. It might take a while to find something suitable.’

The next three months were hectic for Jenny and Matt, as they searched for a house. They eventually found a lovely four-bedroom house near Kew with a long garden leading straight to the river. It was in good order, and they fell in love with it immediately. Then they worked every spare moment to get it ready and furnished in time for their wedding. Matt was taking Jenny to America for the honeymoon, so she could meet her father’s wife and boys. It was a trip she was looking forward to, and Gracie had written
saying that they were all very excited about the visit. They would go to the top of the Empire State Building together. It would be a wonderful adventure, and all the more enjoyable because she would have Matt with her.

Finally the big day arrived. Jenny’s dress was exquisite: flowing lace, with a filmy veil held in place with a circlet of white roses. She wore the pendant her father had given her and Ma’s brooch in memory of them. She wished they could have been here for this happy occasion, but they had been included in her thoughts. Her bouquet was of white and pink roses. As the wedding was starting from the Stannards’ house in Bruton Street, they had settled on St George’s Church. Alice and Edna looked very pretty in their long pink dresses. Alice was so excited she could hardly keep still, but Edna kept a sharp eye on her, and the little girl quietened down when they reached the church, taking her duties very seriously.

‘Here we go, Jen.’ Fred looked as if he were about to burst with pride as he led her towards the altar.

The smile Matt gave her when she reached him was enough to bring tears to her eyes with happiness.

‘You look breathtaking, my darling,’ he whispered.

The ceremony was over far too soon for Jenny, but it had been really lovely. The small party then headed for the community centre at Lambeth, which was already packed with family and friends all awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.

The reception was a resounding success, with
everyone joining in together and having a thoroughly good time.

‘Ah, this is a grand do,’ Fred declared. ‘Matt’s family and friends aren’t stuck up, are they? They likes a drink as much as us.’

Jenny agreed as she gathered together Fred, Glad, Ron and Ivy. She had a special gift for them and hoped they would accept without too much fuss. ‘I want to give you the houses you’re living in.’ She handed over envelopes with the deeds to the two houses. ‘This is with my love and gratitude for all you’ve done for me.’

They were stunned for a moment, and then Fred glanced around for Matt. ‘Hey, lad, come here. Do you know what your wife’s doing?’

‘I do, and I agree with her decision.’

Jenny and Matt were enveloped in hugs, with Glad staring in disbelief at the documents. ‘Oh, my Gawd, we’re property owners!’

That called for more drinks all round, and Jenny was so happy she had been able to do this for them.

An hour later Matt and Jenny managed to leave the party, which looked as if it was going to continue for many hours to come. They were going to their own house for the night and then catching a liner to New York the next day.

There was one more thing to do, and, still clutching her bouquet, they drove to the churchyard where Ma had been buried. There she placed the roses on the grave, and stood in silence for a moment remembering
the woman she had loved so much. She could almost hear her infectious laugh as she said, ‘Tall dark and ’andsome. Told you so!’

As Jenny turned away, walking arm in arm with her husband, she had a clear picture of a coin. But it was no longer spinning – it had settled, heads at last.

THE BEGINNING

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ISBN: 978-0-141-90911-0