No, three of them walked down the aisle.
James in a suit, but not a new one, and Lorna in a soft lilac dress that was new, but she’d bought it on an auction web site and had saved a fortune. It was money they needed to save, because they were fast outgrowing his little town house and had their sights set on this vast sprawling home in St John’s Wood, or that was the intention. They were trying to squeeze in just one more baby before Lorna had her operation, but whatever the outcome they knew they were already blessed.
So they faced the future as a family, James holding little James, or JJ as he was starting to be known now. The baby’s blue eyes were already turning green and his blond hair, or so Lorna insisted, looked decidedly ginger. Lorna held a single lily, which meant nothing to everyone else but everything to them.
And it was the best wedding in the world. Even Minister McClelland managed to crack a smile as he welcomed James back into the fold, while holding his
grandson, because at three months old with a smile that would light up London, JJ could soften even the hardest heart. Betty let her hair down for once and drank champagne and danced and then danced some more!
‘Won’t it be confusing?’ Pauline asked as Lorna and James sat at their table and caught up with all of their guests. ‘Two Dr Morrells working in the same department?’
‘James is Mister,’ Abby said, topping up her glass.
‘Anyway, female doctors usually keep their maiden names,’ May explained. ‘So there will be no confusion.’
‘Not this one.’ Lorna drained her glass. ‘I’m going to be Morrell on everything; I’m changing my name this time. Sorry, guys…’ she smiled at the momentarily crestfallen faces because it
would
be confusing, but guess what? She didn’t care! She was James’s wife and wanted everyone to know it.
‘Come on, May.’ Pauline stood up as a rather energetic number came on. ‘I love this song.’
‘They’re getting on really well.’ James grinned as the two of them caused quite a storm on the dance floor. ‘It’s good we sat them together—you’d think they’d known each other all their lives.’ He pulled his new wife onto the dance floor.
‘Er, James…’ The music was slowing, and it felt as if they were the only two dancing. It was bliss to be in his arms at the end of their perfect day. And it was time to tell him what she’d worked out some time ago, that they were being looked out for and looked after, but that fate needed a helping hand sometimes. Bottles of champagne didn’t appear in the fridge for no reason.
‘What?’
She was about to tell him but she halted herself. Why spoil it? Lorna thought, staring up into his logical green eyes that, if she told him, would then discount the miracle that actually
had
occurred.
So she told him she loved him instead.
‘I know that.’ He buried his head in her hair and smelt the lavender of her shampoo and felt the bony angles of her body that fitted perfectly with his, and couldn’t believe he’d got so lucky. ‘But tell me again.’
So she did.
And she would.
For ever and ever.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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First published in Great Britain 2010
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Carol Marinelli 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4089-2847-9