by Ellie Dean
Ron sat down next to Rosie, who was wearing a scarlet dress and black hat, and took her hand as the young couple made their vows and signed the register, and Peggy and Cordelia mopped at their tears. Once he and Delia had signed as witnesses the violins broke into a toe-tapping Irish jig. The bride and groom were almost dancing back down the aisle as the two young violinists led the way out to the front steps for the photographs.
Ron hugged Rosie to him as they stood on the steps, the stirring sounds of Ireland resonating with distant memories of family weddings and wakes. He decided he’d find out who those young fellows were and ask them to play at his wedding if Rosie agreed.
The reception was a triumph – mostly due to Rosie and her barmaids, who’d closed promptly at two and then set about moving furniture, laying tables and hanging up streamers and bunting. There was plenty of food and drink to go round, the cake was ceremoniously cut with the sword and proved to be delicious, and as Danuta slipped in to join the party, Ron – who’d had a few too many beers – decided to make a very short speech. He came to the conclusion that an Irish blessing would fit the bill perfectly.
He stood and raised his glass to the happy couple. ‘Wishing you a rainbow, for sunlight after showers, miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden, happy hours. Shamrocks at your doorway for luck and laughter too, and a host of friends that never end each day your whole life through. Slainte!’
A great roar echoed the toast as glasses were lifted and drained, and then the other members of the band that Fran and Robert played with took over the old piano, a penny whistle, accordion and drum, and chairs were pushed back for dancing.
Ron watched as the bride and groom led the way into a waltz, soon to be joined by Doris and the Colonel, Ivy and Andy, and Cordelia and Bertie. There was a lot of love and happiness in the room, and he wanted very much to be a part of it. He looked around for Rosie, saw her beautiful smile and knew this was the moment.
Moving rather unsteadily through the crush, he took Rosie’s hand and drew her into the narrow hall where he could hear himself think. ‘I love the bones of you, wee girl, and seeing the happiness of those two today has made me realise that I’m wasting the precious time I could be having with you. Would you agree to us getting wed before Christmas?’
Rosie regarded him with uncertainty in her eyes. ‘Is this just wedding fever getting to you, Ron, or the beer, perhaps? Do you really mean that?’
‘The only fever I have is for you, my sweet Rosie. I want you for my wife, to have and hold you for the rest of my life.’
‘Oh, Ron,’ she breathed, throwing her arms about his neck. ‘Yes, yes, yes.’
He tenderly kissed her, his heart singing with the joy of it all. And as they held one another, it felt as if the sun had broken through the clouds of war and uncertainty to warm and bless them.
Dear Reader,
I do hope you’ve enjoyed As the Sun Breaks Through. As you now know, D-Day has finally come, and although it seems the war in Europe is almost over, the tension amongst those living at Beach View has not eased. There are impossible choices to be made by some, relationships to be mended by others, whilst the anxiety over their men is increased as the fighting continues in all theatres of the war. And yet, amid all this darkness lies hope, and the unbreakable bonds between people who love and trust one another.
Peggy has always been at the heart of the Cliffehaven series, and it’s through her love and stalwart support that the family at Beach View can find the courage to carry on. To have had a mother like Peggy would have been a blessing – and as mine was nothing like her, I decided to create one. I shall miss her when the series comes to an end, but I have a feeling that she’ll always be with me in spirit – just as Cliffehaven and the people who live there will remain in my heart.
However, this is not the final chapter in their story, for the war has to end, and the waiting will be over as the surviving men come home. In Homecoming, we shall discover how everyone has to cope with the radical changes that have been wrought throughout the war years – not only on the men, but the women who’ve waited for them.
I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts on Facebook, and you can keep up with all my news on www.ellie-dean.co.uk. Until then, I wish you well.
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Epub ISBN: 9781473539815
Version 1.0
Published by Arrow Books 2018
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Copyright © Ellie Dean 2018
Cover photograph © Silas Manhood Cover background © Getty
Ellie Dean has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published in 2018 by Arrow Books
Arrow Books
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London SW1V 2SA
www.penguin.co.uk
Arrow Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781784758127
