Saturday 17 October 2:54 pm Howenstowe
Barbara
"Judith please! Stop fussing, I'm nervous enough."
"I just want everything to be perfect for you. Tommy's worked so hard to be ready and you've been wonderful with him. I never thought he'd be walking again now and even his hand is almost normal. I just wish he could speak for you. He had so much speech therapy I thought it would work."
"He may never be able to but it's okay Judith, I've got used to different grunts and sounds and he's never without that new tablet Peter bought him. We manage." Barbara had hoped that Tommy's voice would return. He had stopped her coming to his speech therapy, she presumed because he had made virtually no progress. She sensed his frustration but he reassured her that one day he would speak. Sometimes at night when she lay in his arms she just wanted him to be able say he loved her. She knew he did and he typed it constantly on his tablet but just once she would like to hear the words. It had only been three months but already her memory of his voice was fading. Hour after hour for years she had listened to him outlining a theory, arguing with her or boring her about a topic in which she had no interest but endured just to hear her melodious cadence of her favourite baritone. She sighed; it did not really matter. He was alive and getting stronger.
"Well I hope the vicar sees the two blinks for yes when he asks if he takes you as his wife."
"Oh, I think Tommy has made it very clear that he is keen. Now help me with this dress. I don't want to crease it."
Barbara had chosen not to be festooned as a bride. "I'm too old and awkward to look like a doll," she had told Tommy. "Just something simple." He had readily agreed and surprisingly had not been fazed at her request for him to wear a simple grey serge suit and white shirt with no tie. She had taken Judith with her to choose an outfit. She had originally envisaged a smart suit but as soon as she had seen the dress she had known it was the one. The sleeveless ivory Thai silk cocktail length dress with matching bolero jacket had a soft, full skirt and when it caught the light it transformed into an enchantingly muted gold. Emerald silk inserts on the sides hugged her figure and gave her curves that even Barbara had to admit were a little sexy. The bodice and jacket were piped with emerald; the same piping that formed an abstract flower on the left breast of the jacket. It matched the emerald earrings and necklace she had bought because she thought they highlighted her eyes. Tommy had insisted on paying but she noticed even his eyebrows went up when he saw the jeweller's bill for '2 items of jewellery'.
"Is it bad luck to wear green to your wedding?" she asked Judith as she stood frowning at herself in the full length mirror.
Judith laughed. "No, but it's too late now anyway. The wedding starts in six minutes."
Tommy
Tommy went to the bathroom for the third time in ten minutes. He was happy, nervous, excited, scared, and contented in equal measure. He could not wait to have Barbara as his countess but the ceremony scared him. His ankle was fine so long as he did not stand for excessive periods. It had healed quickly and after a month in a supportive medical boot he had been walking unaided. Each day he and Barbara would walk a little further or a bit faster. His left hand had some tenderness near the scar but otherwise was fine but his right had taken considerable therapy to restore. Now he had about half strength and he could move every finger. His writing, which had never been Copperplate, was appalling but he had practiced his signature for hours when he was alone just to ensure he could sign legibly today.
Peter handed him a box. "From Barbara with instructions to wear it."
Tommy opened it and smiled. There was a dark emerald silk tie and matching handkerchief for his pocket. She said no tie. I thought this was casual.
"You might still think of her as your sergeant Tommy but she is a woman after all. They can change their minds."
Tommy nodded then headed for the bathroom again. When he returned Peter helped him with the tie. "Schoolboy, full Windsor or Trinity?"
Full Windsor.
Tommy pointed to his finger. "Yes," Peter said, "the rings are in my pocket. Now hurry up, it's almost time. Do you want the bathroom again?" Tommy sighed and regretted drinking so much coffee at lunchtime.
Judith
She had rushed down after the shooting fearing that her family would be in tatters. Instead her mother was calm. In typical fashion her only comment had been to complain about the blood on one of her best Turkish rugs. Even her brothers had finally resolved years of resentment and animosity. The friendship and understanding between them was palpable. At the centre of it all she suspected was an unobtrusive redhead who had become lioness of the family.
Barbara had told her of the events of that night but no one except the brothers knew what had occurred in that hour when Peter had gone to Tommy after the shooting. Neither man mentioned it and she was sure Tommy had not even enlightened Barbara. Peter had struggled with nightmares until the inquest. In his usual style Tommy had insisted on standing with his brother and in the end the whole family had sat in a row of solidarity listening to the verdict formally clearing Peter's name. His nightmares had ceased and he now spent much of his time with Tommy. Judith was relieved and happy that they were finally the brothers they should have been.
Now Tommy and Barbara were finally being married. Tommy had insisted on waiting until he was strong enough to walk his bride down the aisle and sign the register. Barbara had confided weeks ago that he had also refused to consummate their relationship until after they wed. Judith had thought it odd for her brother who had had no qualms bedding any woman that moved in the past. She knew Barbara found it frustrating but had understood that he wanted their first time to be perfect and not marred by uncoordinated, trembling hands and a dodgy ankle that might restrict his movement and ability to bear weight. Now though they had both built tonight up so much in their minds Judith feared a disaster. Neither of them deserved that and poor Barbara was virtually a virgin. Please let it work for them!
She smoothed the wrinkles from the back of the dress and tried to assure Barbara. "No, but it's too late now anyway. The wedding starts in six minutes."
Peter
Since the night of the shooting Peter had been on an emotional rollercoaster. When he went to Tommy that first night he had told him about Millan but he had also confessed to a lifetime of sins. He had expected Tommy to judge him but instead he had held him like a little boy and wiped away his tears as he listened to Peter unburdened his soul. Neither had mentioned it since but they had grown into a new relationship that they both needed.
He handed Tommy the present and laughed at his reaction. So she can still surprise you! Barbara had become such a part of Peter's life that he had realised recently he had fallen a little in love with her. He had told Tommy expecting a jealous rage but instead his brother had simply typed, I understand but she loves me and always will. I hope you find that too one day. It had never been mentioned again but Peter had noticed Tommy and his mother scouting for suitable young women for him.
He smiled as he watched his brother stride to the bathroom again. "Schoolboy, full Windsor or Trinity?" he asked when he returned. Tommy sat on the bed. He stood behind his brother and manoeuvred the tie around his neck. Tommy flinched and Peter laid his hand on his shoulder. Stupid me! It must remind him of the garrotte. He knotted the tie quickly and made his brother stand up for review. He picked a speck off the collar. Tommy fretted about the rings and Peter patted his pocket. "Do you want the bathroom again?" Peter smiled as Tommy trudged off grunting.
Saturday 17 October 3:01 pm Howenstowe
Tommy
Barbara was a minute late and he suddenly feared she might change her mind. Who would want a crippled mute? Peter nudged him in the ribs and he turned to see Barbara walking towards him. He swallowed hard and tried not to become too emotional. She was beautiful. A vision of perfection. Her face lit up when their eyes met and he would have paid three times more for that jewellery if he had known the affect it would have on him. He straightened his tie nervously as she came towards him.
Barbara had not wanted a religious service but Reverend Martin, the Nanrunnel vicar, was young man with less traditional views. His trendy haircut and discreet tattoo were only a glimpse of his connection to real people. He had spent years working with the poor in South London and Barbara had begun to help him with some of his charity work here when he had asked her to investigate food that was being stolen from the kitchen they used to prepare meals for the older residents no longer able to cook for themselves. They had become friends and had readily agreed to modified, personalised vows.
Tommy listened enraptured as Barbara declared her never-ending love for him and her promise to help him in everything he did. He tried hard not to compare her to Helen but she had taken a genuine interest in him and everything he did. She had shocked him when he discovered she had commissioned his mother to give her "countess lessons". He had discovered that by accident when she had corrected him on the placement of the fish knives the night they had invited Hillier down to Howenstowe. I wonder what other surprises you have in store?
He knew his vows were coming up. Instead of reciting them as Barbara had done he only needed to nod when asked to make his promise. He wanted to clear his throat but could not so he waited dry-mouthed for his moment.
"Do you Thomas solemnly promise that you will love Barbara above all others, that you will protect her from harm, treat her as your equal, recognise and honour her uniqueness and strengths and work together to build a lasting and faithful marriage?"
His moment had come.
Barbara
He was as handsome as ever. He was still thin but his suit was well tailored and he looked like he had when they first met. She could not help but smile at the cheeky grin he was giving her; the one that always affected her in ways that until recently she had considered inappropriate. It was loving and proud but also greedily hungry. She knew he was thinking about tonight with the same urgent anticipation and now she could finally act on her desires.
The ceremony went quickly. She remembered her vows perfectly. The vicar read Tommy's as she and her earl stood facing each other both hands clasped together between them. "...to build a lasting and faithful marriage?" She waited for his nod but it never came.
"I do. I love you Barbara."
After a collective gasp awkward silence filled the air. Barbara knew tears were probably spoiling her makeup but she did not care. She tugged on his hands. He grinned at her then leant down and kissed her.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the vicar said hurriedly over the claps from the crowd.
Never one for protocol Barbara wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately. This was their wedding, their moment and Tommy had finally spoken. She would kiss him now and deal with the fallout later.
Saturday 17 October 3:34 pm Howenstowe
Tommy
The radiant joy on her face when he spoke would be imprinted on his heart forever. Her kiss had been so enticing that he had almost forgotten he was in front of a hundred guests who might not have understood if he had made love to her right there and then.
Now they had a quick moment alone before the reception and he walked her over behind the old oak tree on the edge of the garden. "Tonight will be special," he whispered after he had kissed again, "I promise."
Barbara pushed back from him. "And just how long have you been able to talk?"
"About two weeks," he admitted.
"And you kept it from me when you knew I was hoping so hard."
"Don't be angry, I wanted to surprise you. It's still a strain to talk but I'm going to be fine."
"I'm not really angry but no more secrets. I should have included that in our vows!"
Tommy laughed and held her to his chest. "Well in that case I had better tell you that we leave for Greece tomorrow night for two weeks."
"Greece? Ancient ruins and sleazy taxi drivers?" He spotted her wrinkling her nose then trying to disguise it."No, I've hired an island for us. It'll be just us and the housekeeper."
"An island?" He smiled at her adorable predictability. One day you'll get used to this life. He laughed softly at the incredulous look on her face. "It's only a small one with one villa and three private beaches. We can frolic naked to our hearts content."
This time he wished he had a camera. He laughed so hard his throat hurt but it was worth it. Mind you, it's not an unappealing idea.
Barbara
She could never really be angry with him for wanting to surprise her but she was not going to let him think he could get away with deception. "And just how long have you been able to talk?" she demanded with just the right note of annoyance.
"About two weeks."
Now her annoyance became real. Do you know how often in that time I have tormented myself that you might never talk. "And you kept it from me when you knew I was hoping so hard."
"Don't be angry." He was looking at her with those soft brown come-to-bed eyes that she struggled to resist.
"...no more secrets..." She could not take her eyes off his but he laughed and pulled her back into a hug. She stroked his back as he whispered a secret. Greece? Honeymoon? She pushed back to look at him but he was not joking. She tried hard to disguise her disappointment. Trust him to want to visit historical sites!
"No, I've hired an island for us."
"An island?" He had gone mad. You can't just hire a Greek Island. Can you?
"It's only a small one with one villa and three private beaches. We can frolic naked to our hearts content." Now as he laughed she thought he was taking the mickey out of her but maybe not. She knew she had looked astonished. Two can play at that! She traced her hand seductively over his chest. He stopped laughing as she ran her finger over his belt and paused.
Tommy wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, trapping her hand and making her shiver with delight. He kissed her hard as he ground his hip against hers. She had no fear about tonight; there was no mistaking that his yearning for her matched her own hunger. They would be extremely compatible lovers.
"Come on Countess that's merely a hint of what I have planned," he said breaking reluctantly away, "the sooner we get the speeches over the sooner we can slip away and into something far more comfortable."
"Tommy!" He slipped his arm around her shoulder just as he had done so often before and they walked across to the marquee that had been set up on the lawn exchanging wicked ideas about what they could do alone on an island.