of trainers flash-flash-flashed, changing color with each step taken as Lily and Joss trooped up the aisle behind their mother. They’d won, but so cleverly that no one begrudged them their moment of victory.
Ellie, standing beside Zack in one of the front pews, smiled at the memory. She had been making coffee in the kitchen earlier while the girls gazed dispiritedly at the lilac satin bridesmaids’ shoes on their feet. At length Joss had said, ‘Mummy, why did you choose to wear that dress for your wedding?’
Steph, fabulous in slinky oyster satin, had replied, ‘Because this was the one I liked best, sweetie.’
Prompting Joss to say in a sad voice, ‘Oh. I liked my flashing trainers best.’
Ellie and Steph had exchanged a look across the kitchen. And that was the moment Steph gave in. After all, she explained to the rest of the family, the whole point of getting married in the first place was for the sake of the kids.
And now they were. Getting married. In a beautiful fourteenth-century church, surrounded by friends and family. The service was being conducted by a jolly vicar who had known Steph since she was seven. As he pointed out to the congregation, it was highly likely that she’d have been partial to a pair of flashing trainers herself if only they’d been invented that many years ago.
The atmosphere during the service was relaxed and celebratory. Mya, with flowers in her hair and her lilac dress clinging to every curve, looked amazing. When the vows had been exchanged and the vicar declared that Gareth may kiss the bride, Lily said in a despairing voice, ‘They’re always doing that,’ prompting much laughter and a round of applause when Gareth announced that he was about to do it again.
Zack turned and smiled at Ellie. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. The next moment a bony finger tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
‘We were just saying,’ stage-whispered an elderly woman with peacock feathers exploding from her hat, ‘could be you two next.’
After the service everyone spilled outside into the sunshine. Ellie’s high heel skidded on one of the steps and she almost went flying. Grabbing her in the nick of time, Zack held her up.
‘Are you OK?’ His arm was around her waist. It felt gorgeous.
‘I’m fine. That was a real slip, by the way. Not a Mya-type one.’ She didn’t want him to think she’d done it on purpose.
‘I know that.’
‘Oh my goodness, look at me.’ Tizz was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. ‘Crying like a baby, how ridiculous. I’m not used to this makeup malarkey.’ She presented her face to Ellie for inspection. ‘Have I smudged anything? Do I look like a panda?’
Since neither of them had a mirror, Ellie took control of the tissue and carefully wiped away the mascara spillage. ‘There, all done.’
‘You’re a star.’ Tizz leaned in and murmured not very discreetly, ‘You never know, it could be you and Zack next!’
‘Mum,’ said Zack.
‘What? I’m just saying it could be!’
‘The photographer wants you.’ Zack pointed to where a rotund man garlanded with cameras was attempting to corral the main players into a group.
‘He’ll be wanting all of us. Come on.’
OK, embarrassing. Ellie tried to hang back. ‘It’s a family shot. You don’t want me in it.’
‘Don’t be silly, of course we do.’ Zack was being dragged over by some of the children; as soon as he was out of earshot, Tizz clutched Ellie’s elbow and said, ‘I have such a good feeling about you. I’m serious, darling. High hopes. We’ve been waiting so long for Zack to meet the right girl and I really think it’s happened at last.’
This was awful. Ellie hated having to lie. ‘But it’s early days, it’s too soon to say…’
‘Maybe so, but I see the way he looks at you.’ They were approaching the photographer now. ‘And let me tell you, Zack’s pretty smitten. I’m his mother.’ Tizz’s eyes were sparkling. ‘Trust me, I can tell.’
Then she was seized by the photographer and ushered to her allotted position. Zack murmured in Ellie’s ear, ‘What’s she been saying to you now?’
His mouth accidentally brushed the top of her ear as he said it, causing a fresh attack of the zingers. When they’d died down, Ellie whispered back, ‘Basically, you’re doing a great job.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Your mum’s convinced you like me. She says she can tell.’ Ellie marveled at her ability to sound amused. ‘I’m impressed; I didn’t know you