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house and back garden in search of Peter. Finally, she decided that he must have left. She took what consolation she could in the thought that he was bound to be in St Catherine’s church sometime the following day and returned to the party. Determined to make the most of the reception, she partnered every man who asked her to dance and was close to exhaustion when Harry tapped her on the shoulder two hours later. Ruth was lying, eyes half closed, against his shoulder.
    ‘Sorry to interrupt, Edie, but Belle asked me to look for you. She’s gone up to change and I think she’d appreciate some help.’
    ‘I’m on my way.’ She apologised to her partner and followed Harry back to the marquee. ‘Poor little mite, it’s tiring being a flower-girl.’ She stroked Ruth’s hair away from her flushed face.
    ‘Especially when you’ve eaten as many strawberries, and as much cream, as she has. I’m just waiting for her to be sick over my morning suit,’ Harry grimaced.
    ‘Go on, admit it, you love being a father, even the messy bits.’ She picked her way over the flowerbed, trying not to let her heels sink into the earth.
    ‘Guilty as charged.’ He moved his head and smiled at Ruth, who grinned back at him before sticking her thumb in her mouth. ‘If you see Toby, tell him to bring his and Belle’s cases down to the car.’
    ‘Of course, I forgot. You and Mary are driving the newlyweds to Cardiff station.’ She glanced around the guests in the marquee. ‘I must look for the twins.’
    ‘So they can tie things to my car?’ Harry guessed. ‘I won’t thank you if you do.’
    ‘The bride and groom have to have a noisy send-off. It’s traditional.’
    ‘Any damage to my Crossley and I’ll send you the bill,’ Harry warned.
    ‘I’ll ask them to be kind to the paintwork.’ She lifted her skirts to her knees and ran towards the house, dropping them quickly when she saw Peter Slater standing on the terrace talking to Reverend Price. He left the vicar and walked over to meet her.
    ‘Edyth, I’ve been looking for you.’
    ‘You have?’ she smiled.
    ‘I admit only for the last five minutes or so.’ He dropped his voice to a whisper. ‘Reverend Price insisted on introducing me to as many of the congregation as he could find. I’ve been admiring your mother’s greenhouse for the last hour with Mrs Hopkins and a delegation from the Young Wives.’
    Her mouth twitched and she turned her back to the vicar lest he see her giggling. ‘Mrs Hopkins is a very keen gardener.’
    ‘So I’ve discovered. Your mother certainly has green fingers. I’ve never seen such large tomatoes or cucumbers. Or,’ he looked down over the lawns, ‘well designed flowerbeds.’
    ‘You should have been here last year. Despite all the watering and mulching, the hot summer has killed off some of her best plants.’
    ‘Mrs Hopkins pointed out every single bare spot.’ He returned her smile and she suppressed the urge to hug him.
    ‘I’m sorry, Peter, I’d love to stay and talk to you, but Belle sent for me to help her change into her going away outfit.’
    ‘Perhaps we can talk later?’ he suggested. ‘I always wait to wave the bridal couple off at weddings. It’s the best part after the church service.’
    ‘I think so, too.’ She looked at him and, to her embarrassment, felt her cheeks burning. She rarely blushed. Why did she have to do it now of all times?
    ‘See you later.’
    ‘I’ll look forward to it.’ She opened the front door and went into the hall. It was deserted, but an ominous thud resounded from the downstairs cloakroom. Having spotted the twins and a crowd of her younger cousins continuing their drinking and smoking in the shrubbery earlier, she thought one of them might have passed out. She knocked on the door in concern. When there was no answer she shouted, ‘Are you all right in there?’
    ‘Go away,’ slurred a masculine voice.
    ‘Not until I know you’re all right.’ She tried the door but it