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The confusion on everyone’s faces turned into something far more pensive. Holly could feel the collective tension wrapping around them. Ben and Caroline were exchanging looks, whereas Fin and Jamie were holding one another’s hands, while Evan’s attention was solely on Holly.

‘Go on…’ Holly said.

Giles nodded, swallowing visibly. ‘Well, she’s been part-time now since she went into semi-retirement. But she can still do weddings, she’s registered and as it happens she’s got some free spaces late next week. Which means…’

Jamie was close to tears, her hand covering her mouth as she looked from Fin to Holly.

‘Is this a joke?’ she said.

‘No,’ Holly replied, feeling the tears well in her eyes.

‘It’s not a wind-up?’

‘It’s not a wind-up.’

64

Holly couldn’t remember when, if ever, she’d seen Jamie mute, and yet there she was, stunned into silence, staring at Giles.

‘She can marry us?’ she managed.

‘Assuming you’ve submitted all the correct information to the local registry office, then yes, she can.’

Jamie started blinking, unusually rapidly, and may have stayed that way for quite some while, had Fin not reached out and tapped her on the shoulder.

‘That doesn’t change the fact we don’t have a venue, does it? You know, these rules in the UK are far more stressful than in the States. There you can just get married in your backyard.’

Jamie’s face fell.

‘He’s right. We don’t. It doesn’t matter if we have a registrar or not, even the town halls are full at this point.’

‘I know, he’s right,’ Holly said, ‘but Giles has got a solution to that, too. Go on, tell them.’

She was bouncing with anticipation now. Hope, who so far had been sitting quietly on Ben’s lap, began bobbing up and down too, mirroring Holly’s excitement. Already fairly adept with the one-arm grip, Holly reached out and took Hope withher good arm, then continued bouncing around holding her as she waited for the others to hear what Giles had to say.

‘My uncle has a place, an estate. You might have seen it. It’s just outside the village, behind the bird park.’

‘I’ve seen it!’ Holly said, unable to keep her energy in check. ‘Or at least, I think I have. They were cutting down some hedges one day when I took Hope for a walk there, around the back paths. It’s massive.’

‘Thank you for that insight.’ Giles shot her a quick roll of his eyes. ‘Anyway, he got a license for weddings a few years ago. He’s only had two or three, I think. But he kept the license running, figured it could be a money-maker at some point if he ever needs it. As well as a place for his nieces and nephews to tie the knot, if we want to.’

‘And we can use that?’ Fin asked. ‘He won’t mind?’

‘He’s never there, but I know he won’t mind. I’ve checked with him just in case.’

Jamie was once again frozen to the spot, though her eyes were locked on Giles, utterly unwavering in their gaze.

‘This isn’t some trick? You’re not screwing with me?’

‘I promise, I’m not. Here, take my phone. You can have a look at the messages on there from my mum. She messaged me to confirm it was all good to go ahead and wants me to pass on her number.’

He held his phone to Jamie, but she shook her head.

‘Just promise me. Promise on Holly’s life this isn’t some sick game you’re playing to totally mess with me?’

Holly wasn’t entirely sure she liked Jamie’s method of seeking assurance, particularly given that Evan was there with her, but it got her point through well and clear.

Giles took a step towards her.