Epilogue
Three months later
Will stood at the altar and watched his bride-to-be walk down the aisle in her best dress, carrying a posy of flowers, with Rose as her maid of honour. Dearne stood by his side as his best man, resplendent in full military dress. All four of them had come into the church early that morning, and when no-one was about, Will and Dearne had whispered their love, devotion, and lifelong commitment, in vows Will knew he would honour to the grave. Araminta and Rose whispered their vows to each other, with happy, tear-filled voices, and all four of them had held each other’s hands and vowed to support and love each other, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.
Dearne’s shoulder was touching his as they watched Araminta, the woman who had
