side of the huge carved stone entrance to the cathedral, each holding a cow horn and blowing into the end of the horn with swollen cheeks to create the most remarkable fanfare of music this cathedral had ever heard. Their necklaces and bright striped bandanas were somehow perfect in the bright June sunshine.
Suddenly a band of Ghanaian drummers and dancers emerged from inside the cathedral, and as Kate and Tom approached they started dancing and singing with such joy that Kate’s heart sang.
Then the ancient doors of the cathedral swung open, and with one final squeeze of her dad’s hand Kate walked slowly into the majestic church. Far above her the organ played ‘The Wedding March’, and somehow the combination of drums and horn-playing and organ music came together to create a magical combination of traditional English and African wedding music.
The dancers from Simon’s village were first in line, followed by the drummers, all dressed in brightly striped woven fabric, and the whole group danced and moved and shuffled into the long aisle of the church which stretched between the entrance and the altar.
The music soared higher and higher into the carved stone roof of the cathedral, blending with the organ sounds and echoing back into the church.
Then the pace of the music changed, and the horn players and drummers started to sound faster and louder, and on each side of the aisle people started swaying to the music with a joyous rhythm.
Gemma walked proudly in front of Kate, carrying a smaller version of her bouquet, her body swaying to the wonderful beat of the drums.
The congregation rose as one, shuffling chairs and benches, all attention focused on Gemma. It had taken a lot of persuasion to convince her that a white net floor-length skirt with a Ghanaian fabric belt was the perfect outfit for a teenage bridesmaid. But Kate needed only one bridesmaid, and this was Gemma’s day almost as much as it was hers.
The emotion was almost too much for Kate to stand as the wave of music swelled around her.
Kate was grateful for her father’s arm as she stepped slowly forward, and for the first time in her life she felt beautiful, loved, adored and admired.
She looked out through her flowing silk net veil and could see two tall, proud figures standing next to the altar in front of her.
The dancers and musicians parted to each side and there he was, the remarkable man who wanted her to be his bride, achingly resplendent in his royal robes. His toga was of the finest cloth, woven just for this occasion. The golden sash crossed his chest under the clothing, matching the rich gold amulets on his arms. The polished glittering metal reflected back coloured light from the huge stained-glass windows which brought a whole spectrum of colour and light into the stone walls.
His crown was black, with gold emblems, and standing next to him was the principal King of the village and his attendants, standing tall and proud with their golden standards, heavy necklaces and medallions. But it was Simon—her Simon—who shone brighter than anyone else.
His happy smile beamed out as Tom took the final steps towards the altar and placed her hand in Simon’s, and who looked into her face with such love and happiness that it made her head spin with joy.
He claimed her as his own as the warm sun outside the cool stone building shone through the stained glass, as the organ music blended with the drums and hornpipes. He lifted her veil and sealed their marriage with a kiss so tender and loving that she knew more than at any other time in her life that she had made the right decision.
He was the King and she was his bride and they would make a new home together in Africa. This was the life she had longed for. This was the life she had promised herself over all the years of struggle and fear and doubt and regret. It had all been worth it. She was ready to start her new life with the man she loved. Her husband and her King. It was time to begin the most exciting adventure of her life and she could hardly wait.
EPILOGUE
A SPECIAL report from the Hampshire Times Magazine:
A small African village welcomes its very special new Queen
Queen Kate O’Neill Reynolds might come from a small Hampshire village in England, but the computer scientist and her family now have a new home in Ghana.