Page 95 of Old Girls on Deck

Everyone else has gone into the dining room to take their places around the huge table which I expect was hewn from some enormous oak tree by a MacLeod many years ago. I can see them through the doorway; most of the men are in kilts so it’s just as well there is a small tree burning in the fireplace to keep their knees warm. Diana’s brother-in-law Eric is there, rather self-conscious of the fact that he is not used to wearing Highland dress, and also that his young wife has stayed behind at home with the baby. Diana has a feeling all is not well in that department, but she’s not asking.

The women are in smart outfits with pashminas to protect against the chill from the old, stone walls, and elegant shoes, which might not be such a good idea on the ancient flagstone floor. The bride is glorious in a white silk gown with a MacLeod tartan sash over one shoulder, and my nephew Sam is handsome in morning dress, his curls tamed down for once. There’s a lot of loud chatter and laughter coming from that room.

Diana is in there somewhere too, elegant in a pale blue dress that matches her eyes, her silver hair shining in the candlelight. And never far from her side, although he is supposed to be taking photographs of the bridal party, is Raphaël who is equally as attractive in a dark suit and silk tie. They have just come back from a week in Cornwall, staying at a funny little cottage overlooking the sea, which seems appropriate as both of them have that connection. She is transformed from the worried, insecure sister she gradually became when she was married to Casper. Perhaps a different sort of love did that for her. She has her old enthusiasm for life, for everything.

After we got home, she went to see Sam, ready to apologise to him for the way his childhood had been less than satisfactory, but luckily, he is a happy-go-lucky soul and in the end, explanations were not necessary. They have spent a lot of time rebuilding their relationship and getting to know one another properly again. Sam can see how happy Raphaël has made his mother, how he looks after her and encourages her, and it was Sam’s idea that he should be their official photographer at the wedding. I hope he is taking as many pictures of the happy couple as he is of my sister.

And me? When I got home there was another surprise for me. Eddy had arranged an official opening of the new patio. His brother Simon and their two accomplices Big Tommy and Billy were there too with their wives, who were voicing the opinion very loudly that something similar should be done in their gardens. Eddy had even tied a red ribbon across the patio doors for me to cut with the kitchen scissors which I think, by the state of them, he had also been using to prune the roses. And more than that, at the end of the garden, exactly where we had always agreed it should be, was a little pergola. Eddy had even put two chairs and a table underneath it. Surprising what they had achieved while Diana and I had been living it up in the Mediterranean.

And so, I’m just taking a quiet moment with my glass of champagne to think about everything and enjoy the feeling. I’m so happy I think it must be illegal. And it’s not just the event or the alcohol because this is, after all, my first glass of the day, and it’s cool and refreshing and tastes like optimism.

‘Are you okay?’

It’s Eddy, coming to find me. He’s not keen on champagne but he has a small whisky in his hand. He looks cheerful and rather handsome, and the more I look at him, it seems that he hasn’t really changed that much in all the years we have been together. It just needed me to look a bit closer.

I smile at him.

‘More than okay,’ I say. ‘Isn’t this lovely?’

He nods and takes a sip of his drink, giving an appreciative ah at the taste.

‘Nice wedding,’ he says. ‘There are canapés if you want me to get you some.’

I suddenly remember Thelma and Ken and their ceaseless quest for food on the ship and I laugh at the memory.

‘I’m fine for now,’ I say.

‘Sam says there is lemon posset and home-made shortbread for dessert,’ he says, his eyes lighting up.

‘You and your biscuits,’ I say. ‘You do love them, don’t you?’

Eddy grins and kisses me on the nose. ‘I love you too, you know. Come on, someone is banging on the table, I think they want us to sit down.’

He takes my hand, and we walk together into the dining room which is illuminated by four huge candelabra on the tables. We stop in the doorway and Eddy puts an arm around my shoulders. It feels warm and welcome, and I give a little sigh.

‘Guess where we will be in three months’ time?’ he says.

I look up at him and he’s smiling.

‘At Heathrow,’ he says, ‘about to fly to Boston.’

‘I told you all those supermarket points would come in handy one day. All we need to do then is find your huge truck at the car rental, and we will be off on our own adventure.’

‘Sounds like we are going to have some fun in our old age,’ he says.

‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Doesn’t it?’