"Oh, no you don't" said Harry, swinging Ruth away from the main entrance, "this way."
He guided her to a small door at the side of the church, it opened and standing there was Lucas.
"You said yes , then?" a broad smile spread across his face.
"It would have been rude not to," she answered.
Harry cleared his throat.
'Thanks, Ruth. Glad you only said yes for the sake of politeness."
Ruth thought about answering him. She thought about saying something facetious, she thought about saying something romantic but it the end she said nothing but took his hand and squeezed it.
"You best get a move on," said Lucas, hurrying them inside.
As he closed the door to what seemed like the vestry he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tie, handing it to Harry. Unusually, but understandably, Ruth hadn't really had time to take much notice of what he was wearing until now. It was a dark suit with an open necked blue shirt.
"Don't," she said suddenly as Harry's hands threw the tie around his neck.
"I can't get married without a tie, Ruth."
"But…but.."
"But what?" he said, paused, tie in hand.
"…but you look sexy without it."
Harry handed the tie back to Lucas.
"You heard the lady," he said as the corners of his mouth gave away his smug sense of satisfaction.
"Then will I do, Ruth?"
Harry stood before her, Lucas hovered by the door, eager to get him into the church.
She looked at him. She was about to marry Harry Pearce. Finally.
She picked a tiny piece of fluff from his lapel.
"Yes, Harry, you'll do."
He smiled and turned to the door.
As it echoed shut Lucas looked at her, his eyes drifted from head to toe. Ruth did the same. She had been so lost in Harry she hadn't given herself a second thought.
"I can't get married in a cardigan," she said.
Lucas smiled and nodded his head towards a small side room, "be quick."
He closed the door behind her and then she saw the beautiful silk aubergine dress hanging up behind her, below it a pair of matching strapped sandals and on the table lay a small posy of wild flowers.
Ruth rifled through her bag in search of the make up she needed to hide the tears that were already falling. She wondered if he had thought of everything and then concluded he had.
Lucas turned and felt his jaw drop at the transformation before him.
"Will I do, Lucas?" she asked.
"Oh, you'll more than do. I think I'll marry you myself. Come on, sod Harry," he said grabbing her hand and pretending to pull her towards the outer door.
"He'll come after us, if we do," laughed Ruth.
"I know he will. Never mind, Ruth, you'll just have to marry him after all."
"Oh well," she sighed playfully.
"He's a lucky man," he said, more serious now.
"No, I'm the lucky one, Lucas. Come on, or he'll think I've changed my mind."
He held out his arm for her.
"May I?"
"You most certainly may."
She took his arm and they walked through the door into the church.