Epilogue

JAMES didn’t need to be married to her to love her.

A nice guy perhaps, but he was still human and there was a small part of him that would take certain pleasure in living in sin with Minister McClelland’s daughter. But he loved Lorna more than he hated her father, so he suggested a registry office wedding—a nice quick service to make things official, with just a couple of witnesses from the street, and then they would tell everybody afterwards.

Only Lorna wanted a church.

And the more he thought about it, the more James wanted one too, because not only would the two different photos of their weddings look great on the mantelpiece and be a talking point for ever, he had a lot to be thankful for.

An awful lot.

And even though they’d intended to make it the smallest of ceremonies, there were a lot of people that wanted to share their joy, so the numbers swelled along with Lorna’s stomach, but she had this strange logic that she didn’t want people to think they were marrying just because she was having a baby, so the service was duly delayed, to her father’s horror.

But Lorna didn’t care.

This was her life, her marriage and, as she told her father on the phone one night as James pretended to be watching television, it was her God too.

And it was casual but it was formal, a lovely mix of faces that greeted them as they entered the church.

Together.

James would walk her down the aisle this time and there was no need for her to be given away, she’d been given to him years ago and, despite the time gap, in reality she’d never left.

No, three of them walked down the aisle.

James in a suit, but not a new one, and Lorna in a soft lilac dress that was new, but she’d bought it on an auction web site and had saved a fortune. It was money they needed to save, because they were fast outgrowing his little town house and had their sights set on this vast sprawling home in St John’s Wood, or that was the intention. They were trying to squeeze in just one more baby before Lorna had her operation, but whatever the outcome they knew they were already blessed.

So they faced the future as a family, James holding little James, or JJ as he was starting to be known now. The baby’s blue eyes were already turning green and his blond hair, or so Lorna insisted, looked decidedly ginger. Lorna held a single lily, which meant nothing to everyone else but everything to them.

And it was the best wedding in the world. Even Minister McClelland managed to crack a smile as he welcomed James back into the fold, while holding his grandson, because at three months old with a smile that would light up London, JJ could soften even the hardest heart. Betty let her hair down for once and drank champagne and danced and then danced some more!

‘Won’t it be confusing?’ Pauline asked as Lorna and James sat at their table and caught up with all of their guests. ‘Two Dr Morrells working in the same department?’

‘James is Mister,’ Abby said, topping up her glass.

‘Anyway, female doctors usually keep their maiden names,’ May explained. ‘So there will be no confusion.’

‘Not this one.’ Lorna drained her glass. ‘I’m going to be Morrell on everything; I’m changing my name this time. Sorry, guys…’ she smiled at the momentarily crestfallen faces because it would be confusing, but guess what? She didn’t care! She was James’s wife and wanted everyone to know it.

‘Come on, May.’ Pauline stood up as a rather energetic number came on. ‘I love this song.’

‘They’re getting on really well.’ James grinned as the two of them caused quite a storm on the dance floor. ‘It’s good we sat them together—you’d think they’d known each other all their lives.’ He pulled his new wife onto the dance floor.

‘Er, James…’ The music was slowing, and it felt as if they were the only two dancing. It was bliss to be in his arms at the end of their perfect day. And it was time to tell him what she’d worked out some time ago, that they were being looked out for and looked after, but that fate needed a helping hand sometimes. Bottles of champagne didn’t appear in the fridge for no reason.

‘What?’

She was about to tell him but she halted herself. Why spoil it? Lorna thought, staring up into his logical green eyes that, if she told him, would then discount the miracle that actually had occurred.

So she told him she loved him instead.

‘I know that.’ He buried his head in her hair and smelt the lavender of her shampoo and felt the bony angles of her body that fitted perfectly with his, and couldn’t believe he’d got so lucky. ‘But tell me again.’

So she did.

And she would.

For ever and ever.