Everyone is getting ready for the wedding …

Five Go Mad in 1969

Chapter Thirty Six

The big day had arrived. Mary Cooper was awake early and immediately went to the window to check the weather. A cloudless blue sky reassured her and put her in a good mood for the day. Waking her husband, she made breakfast and brought up a tray for Gwen.

"You're spoiling her," Geraint said as they passed on the landing.

"It's my last chance." She sniffed back sudden tears.

"Don't start yet, Mary. It's a happy day." He patted her on the back.

Gwen had also woken early and lay in bed gazing at her wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe door. It was beautiful. She heard the conversation outside her bedroom and smiled. She had wonderful parents who had shown her nothing but love all her life. Today she was leaving them for Rhys and she intended to make them proud of her. When her mother knocked and entered Gwen was sitting up in bed waiting.

"This is a treat, Mam. Thanks." The delicious aroma of bacon and egg made her stomach rumble.

"Won't be able to do it again so make the most of it. Happy birthday, sweetheart." She bent and kissed Gwen's ruffled hair. They had had their daughter to themselves for twenty-one years and now it was time to let her go with as a glad heart as possible.

Gwen had spotted the pile of envelopes on the tray. "Post!"

"Eat your breakfast first, before it gets cold." Mrs Cooper drew back the curtains and opened a window. "It's going to be a beautiful day."

With breakfast eaten, Gwen opened the envelopes. The majority were birthday cards with just a few for the wedding. Gwen was delighted with them all, showing them to her mother who sat on the end of the bed. "Aunt Nerys remembered, isn't that kind?" she said on reaching the last one. She had feared no one would remember this was also her birthday.

"You'll see her later." Bryn and Nerys Burton were driving up that morning. In fact, Mrs Cooper realised, they were already on the way like so many other friends and relations. All her planning was coming together at last.

"Can I come in?" Geraint Williams put his head round the door.

"Of course, Dad." Gwen smiled up at him. He was washed and shaved but in old trousers and shirt.

"Happy birthday, duckling." He bent and kissed her cheek. "This is for you, from your mam and me." He pressed a jeweller's box into her hands.

With trembling hands she opened it to reveal a pearl and ruby necklace with matching earrings. "Oh, they're beautiful." Tears ran down her cheeks.

"That's your something new, dear," said Mrs Cooper also in tears.

Mr Cooper looked from one to the other and sighed inwardly. Tears were going to be the order of the day it seemed.

-ooOoo-

Ianto was another early riser. Since Canary Wharf he had not had a full night's sleep unless medicated. Following Owen's advice, he took a pill every third day to ensure he could function with something like normality. The nightmares had lessened in ferocity but faces of colleagues floated through his mind reminding him of the hundreds who had lost their lives and disturbing his sleep. Only occasionally was he back on the seventh floor with the Cybermen's booths. Those times he woke screaming. This morning he was well rested having taken the necessary pill.

He wandered round the flat while eating a bowl of cereal. Everywhere was pristine from the hours he had filled tidying and cleaning. It was his home but an empty, sterile environment in which he existed rather than lived. Only when Jack was here did it become a home in the full sense of the word. In the bath, Ianto lay staring at the ceiling. Would Jack be home today? It had been a month, how much longer did he need? He must come back soon.

Ianto dressed in jeans and an old shirt, one Jack liked. He checked his wedding outfit once more. The suit, dress shirt, waistcoat, tie and shoes were immaculate. Hanging on the wardrobe door was Jack's suit, freshly cleaned and ready to be worn. At the last minute, he put it in the garment bag too with shirt, tie and the rest. It was a squeeze but Ianto felt better for having it with him, ready for Jack when he turned up. As he must, he really must. Ianto took everything down to the car.

The cemetery was peaceful as always. Taking a well-trodden route, Ianto walked to his father's grave. Mrs Jones tended it regularly but a couple of stray weeds had appeared since her last visit. Ianto knelt and removed them. He placed a hand on the headstone and tried to clear his mind of current worries and think of Emlyn Jones. He pictured him at the family home - in the garden, at the dining table, in an easy chair by the fire - and a wave of peace settled over him.

"Have faith, son, have faith."

The words had been said when Ianto was waiting for the results of some examinations. Ianto was reassured. It was a good omen; he had passed the examination and he would be reunited with Jack too. Tad said so.

-ooOoo-

"It's fabulous! Thank you!" Gwen threw her arms round Toshiko.

"Rhys has looked it over and said it's fine. We could only afford to tax it for three months but your current insurance covers it." Owen and Ianto had entrusted her with the car and she had driven it here that morning.

"It's wonderful." Gwen rested a hand on the wing of the white Ford Capri coupé, a birthday present from her friends. "Let's take her for a spin!"

"We haven't got time! It's your wedding day, Gwen."

"Five minutes won't hurt. Come on."

The two girls sped away from the Cooper home and did a circuit of Penarth ending up parked on the cliff top overlooking the Bristol Channel. Gwen stroked the steering wheel and checked out the instrument panel. Everything was perfect. "You've all been so generous," she said.

"We have to get back, Gwen. Your mother will be going spare."

"She's so organised there's nothing to do." She looked out at the sun shining off the water and sighed. "This is it. The big day. Marriage."

"You ready for it?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. I love him, Tosh. I'm never going to hurt him again." She smiled at her friend. "I really think we'll be happy together."

"You deserve it." Tears pricked the back of Toshiko's eyes. This was a milestone for Gwen and a parting of the ways for the two girls. They would still be friends and colleagues but it was inevitable that things would change, especially if Gwen and Rhys started a family.

Gwen misread the tears. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Tosh. I was thoughtless and stupid. But you'll find someone. Someone better than Owen. Please don't cry."

"That's not it, Gwen. Everyone cries at weddings, it's expected." Toshiko wiped her eyes.

Something, or the lack of something, caught Gwen's attention. "Hey, you're not wearing it." She caught Toshiko's right hand. "You've finally taken off Owen's ring."

"Yes. I'll always have feelings for him, he was my first real boyfriend, but … Not like that, not any more." She bit her lip, looked away then met Gwen's gaze. "Mac and I are … We're dating."

"That's fab! I am so pleased. He's lovely." They hugged. "Is it serious?"

"Maybe. Bit soon to say. But it will be serious if you don't get back home right now!"

Mrs Cooper sighed with relief when Gwen and Toshiko returned from their jaunt. Hearing Gwen had driven off in the new car had frightened her; was she getting cold feet? Mrs Cooper had invited the guests, booked the church and reception, arranged the florist and catering, advised on the dress and bought new outfits for herself and her husband but she could not walk up the aisle for her daughter. She went out to meet Gwen by the car.

"Isn't it great, Mam?" enthused Gwen.

"Very nice, dear. Now come on in, the hairdresser is waiting." She took a firm hold of her daughter's arm and led her into the house.

-ooOoo-

At 11.25 All Saints Church was bursting with people when Toshiko, Trina and Megan – the three bridesmaids – arrived. Mrs Cooper was already inside waiting nervously for her daughter's entrance. She had exchanged a few words with Rhys and his parents and spoken with friends and family but couldn't remember what anyone had said. Sitting in the front pew she admired the flowers decorating the altar and the rest of the church and ran through a mental list of all that might yet go wrong. Her gloved fingers were tightly crossed.

Ianto, an usher, helped Toshiko and the other girls from the car. They were in long, red silk dresses with small bouquets of white and pink roses. He was in his best suit, the last one his father had made for him, a dark grey three-piece.

"You all look beautiful," he said, leading them to stand to the side in the arched doorway.

"Thanks, but wait 'til you see Gwen." Toshiko was beaming. "Everyone here?"

"Just about. Your mum and dad are inside." He scanned the road. "Is Gwen going to be late?"

"No way!" said Megan. "She's champing at the bit!"

"We even had time for a spin in the new car! She loves it, by the way. Rest of the time we've just been sitting around waiting," said Toshiko with a laugh. "How's Rhys?"

"Nervous. Oh, excuse me." He greeted an arriving couple and led them into the church. He had barely got back when a large black car appeared round the corner; Gwen was dead on time. "See you later," said Ianto and went to take his seat. There was still no sign of Jack but he was determined not to let it ruin the day, for him or anyone else. If Jack didn't show up today, there was always tomorrow and the day after that.

The car drew up at the kerb. Mr Cooper took Gwen's hand. "Last chance to change your mind."

She smiled. "This is what I want, Dad. Truly."

"That's all right then. I am so proud of you." His voice was husky with emotion and he coughed to cover it up.

With Toshiko's help, Gwen got out of the car and stood while the bridesmaids fluttered around setting her dress straight. She had rejected a modern short design in favour of a traditional long, white dress. It had a close-fitting, beaded bodice with scalloped neck. The underskirts of silk taffeta were topped with an overskirt of beaded chiffon. A short train was built into the skirt. With her hair up at the back, a family tiara held the lace veil in place. She was wearing the birthday necklace and earrings. In her hands, she held a large bouquet of white, red and pink roses. Mr Cooper stood back admiring her beauty.

"Stop dreaming, Dad. Time to go in."

They entered to the strains of the Wedding March. Rhys glanced over his shoulder and his nerves disappeared. Gwen looked stunning and very soon she was going to be his wife. The prayers and a hymn went by in a blur. All his attention was on the vision that stood beside him. This was what he had dreamed of almost from the moment he had met her in that field at Trecastle Farm six years ago. He was brought back to the here and now when Gwen nudged him. It was time for the vows and he swallowed hard. He had to concentrate and get this right.

The vicar said in a light-hearted tone, "If anyone knows of any just cause or impediment why these two persons should not lawfully be joined in wedlock, speak now or forever hold your peace."

No one had made an objection in the thirty years of his Ministry and he paused merely for effect. He was as startled as anyone when the double doors at the back of the church opened noisily and an unkempt man appeared. The sun was behind the man who was a tall shadow in a long coat. The vicar stood open-mouthed. Gwen and Rhys glanced at one another then looked round. The bridesmaids and guests did likewise.

A guest stood up and walked slowly down the aisle.

Jack saw him coming but couldn't move. It was true, Ianto was alive. He didn't see the people staring at them or hear the soft sigh of relief when people recognised him. All he could see was Ianto who, a few paces away, stopped and turned back.

"Sorry for the interruption. Please carry on." Ianto walked more quickly to Jack and took one of his hands. They went out of the church together, closing the doors behind them.

A ripple of laughter relieved the tension. Mrs Harkness settled back into her seat; Jack and Ianto deserved some time alone. She gripped her husband's hand and he wiped away her tears. Beside her Mrs Jones wept silently. Gwen, Toshiko and Owen exchanged delighted grins before the vicar called them all back to the business at hand.

-ooOoo-

In the vestibule Ianto and Jack were locked in a passionate embrace. They stayed that way until they had to break for air. Jack continued to hold the Welshman, refusing to let him go. Frantic hope had driven him through the long night. Sustained him on empty railway platforms and through long waits on the side of the road for lifts from the few travellers. Hope had been rewarded.

"I thought you were dead, Ianto. And you're not! You're really not." All his pent up emotions were released suddenly in a dam burst of tears. He wept nosily.

Ianto's own emotions were close to the surface but he was also aware of the many people in the church. They would be coming out eventually and then there wouldn't be any privacy which, clearly, Jack needed. He stroked Jack's back and murmured soothing nothings to calm him. They had no effect. "Come on, cariad. Let's go somewhere quiet." He wriggled free of Jack's vice-like grip and took his hand. "This way."

Unable to stop crying, Jack clung to Ianto's hand like a child and ran with him to the car. Once inside he immediately restored contact, leaning his head on Ianto's shoulder. Normally Ianto would have objected on grounds of safety alone but this time he allowed it; he wanted the contact too. He drove the short distance to his mother's house. Jack stood in the hall at the bottom of the stairs, silently feasting his eyes on Ianto: his hair, his turned up nose, his kissable lips, his slim body in the familiar suit. For the past thirty-six days he had believed this man dead. How had he escaped the carnage at Canary Wharf?

"Ianto, how? How did you get away?" he asked wonderingly through his tears.

"There was a big misunderstanding. I was muddled up with someone else." He eased Jack's greatcoat off. The hem was caked in dried mud with big splashes up the back. The collar was ingrained with dirt and grease. The rest of Jack's clothes were in much the same state, as was Jack himself. "Looks like you've been rolling in mud. You need a bath."

Ianto led Jack by the hand up the stairs and into the bathroom. Like a child, Jack did whatever Ianto wanted. The tears finally stopped but he was still lost in wonder that his partner was alive, was in the same room as him. He reached out to touch Ianto's back, turned towards him as he was bent over wrestling with the taps.

"Careful!" Ianto spoke without thinking. He span round at Jack's whimper of distress. "Cariad, I'm sorry. It's okay. It's okay." Holding Jack close, he rocked him back and forth.

"I only wanted to check," said Jack in a small voice. "To check you're really here."

"I'm here. I've been here all this time waiting for you to come home."

Over the next ten minutes Jack gradually regained control of his emotions. He stripped off his dirty clothes and got into the bath, the first private one he had had in weeks. He sank below the water and came up spluttering. Ianto removed his jacket, waistcoat and tie and knelt by the bath, shirt sleeves rolled up. He reached for the soap and began sponging Jack clean. The familiar body was leaner than he remembered, the muscles more developed.

"Have you been working out?" he asked.

Jack shook his head. "Picking peas."

"What?"

"Picking peas. Little green things." He smiled impishly. "I was a pea-picker."

Ianto laughed. "And what does a pea-picker do?" He knew what would come next, Jack was so easy to read.

"Pick peas!" they said together with more laughter.

He's back, at long last. Next time, Jack and Ianto get to know one another again …