Annie’s Special Day

After her wartime utility wedding, she was finally to get her big church “do”…

Annie looked out of the window at the car. Shiny cream paintwork, pitch black tyres and more chrome than was good for it. Bedecked with shimmering white flowers and white satin ribbons like something out of Bonnie and Clyde – how Bob loved that film.

She remembered the 1960s trip to the pictures – not that they had watched much of the film!

The house was filling with family and friends, laughter echoing from every room, just as Annie had planned.

People chatting about old times, others sitting out in the late summer garden, sharing memories while indulging in Annie’s favourite tipple; a cup of good strong tea and a shortbread finger or four.

Their jollity was interspersed with the happy sound of children. Everyone so smart, many having bought new outfits for the occasion – perfect, thought Annie proudly.

“I dreamed of a fairytale wedding. You’ve got this spot on, our lass”

“Oh, Mum – I hope this is what you wanted. You and Dad deserve the very best.” Her daughter’s hushed words brought Annie back to the moment.

“It’s perfect!” whispered Annie, resting a hand lightly on her daughter’s shoulder. She could see tears threatening in Barbara’s eyes. “Come on now, lass.”

Annie smiled a warm smile – warm enough to cast a radiant glow over the entire room as if the sun itself were housed in the ceiling although it was October 31.

“In the war there was none of this for the likes of us ordinary folk,” Annie murmured to her beloved daughter. “Except for the gentry, it was leftover Christmas cake and parachute silk for your trousseau if you were lucky! I wore a utility costume, me, in navy serge it was. From Derry and Toms in Kensington, no less; posher than it should’ve been for the likes of me.” Her eyes twinkled. “The whole family saved their clothing coupons for it.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, your dad’s eyes nearly popped out of his head at the registry office. Said I looked the image of Lana Turner, with me long blonde hair and hourglass figure.” Annie giggled. “Before your time, was our Lana!

“Anyway, that suit did several occasions including VE Day. But, like I said, I’d always dreamed of a fairytale wedding – and you’ve got this spot on, our lass.” She looked at her daughter, still so pretty in a cerise dress and jacket belying her years.

“Your dad will be right proud of us both, lass – you’ve got my looks, I’m glad to say. No offence to your dad’s side!”

As her daughter got on with the teas Annie’s gaze alighted on eldest granddaughter Sammy. Now all grown up and happily married with two teenage children.

You’ve a beautiful open smile, just like your Grandpa’s, thought Annie.

The scent from Annie’s bouquet of white freesias brought forth a million more happy memories.

Barbara bustled out of the parlour sniffing into her hanky. “Hello, lovely Great Granny.” Melody, Annie’s great granddaughter plonked herself down on a sofa. “Great Gramps will turn up – you’ll see.”

“Of course he’ll turn up, you idiot!” growled her brother Tom, a worldlywise sixteen, sitting down next to his sister and putting a protective arm around her. Such good kids, thought Annie proudly. She wanted Bob speechless when he saw her, like all those years ago – not all crumpled up, she thought as she smoothed down her dress in the confines of her “wicker chaise longue” as she had christened it when she and Barbara had gone to choose it.

“I’ve always liked wicker. Anyway it’s eco-friendly, the kids told me…”

Barbara had frowned at the time but Annie had been determined.

Now she wandered over to where the cake sat proudly in the centre of the dining table. Annie couldn’t resist a crumb of white fondant that had dropped on to its silver platter. When she was sure no one was looking she popped it into her mouth, its sweetness delighting her. Yes, Barbara’s inherited my cookery skills as well as my looks, she mused.

Glancing about she couldn’t help but wonder what life had in store for all her loved ones. Oh, all families had their ups and downs. Take Cousin Julie, for instance; widowed so young, bless her. She looked at the slight blonde woman with pretty blue eyes. Julie and Annie had been more like sisters than cousins. Yes, like sisters even though Julie was twenty-five years her junior. She’d have made a lovely mum but it wasn’t to be.

Gently she nudged her cousin towards where long-time family friend Kevin was standing – not that he or Julie noticed until they nearly bumped into each other! Julie needed someone and Kevin was that someone. Always been a bit slow on the uptake, the pair of them!

Oh, Annie had seen the looks; both of them too shy to make the first move. Kevin was an excellent mechanic, not to mention quite a dish for his age.

Annie chided herself – whatever would Bob think of her!

She’d told Julie they’d be perfect together and now as she saw them chatting so easily her hopes soared. Yes, a do like this had a way of breaking down barriers, Annie thought happily.

It was then she noticed Churchill, her cat. Curled up, fed up, wishing everyone would leave. Annie stroked him gently and he purred, relaxing into her touch.

“Won’t be long; then it’ll just you me and Dad again, you’ll see,” she told him softly. He opened one eye, purred and then carried on with his nap on the sunny window ledge, behind the curtain, always his favourite place. He’d never been a people cat, had Churchill…

Madge from next door was talking to Hilda from number thirty-three. They hadn’t spoken in years, yet both such nice women.

It took something like this to bring people together and Annie had exactly that in mind when the plans were made. In fact she’d insisted that Barbara invite them both, even though Barbara had seemed somewhat surprised.

At last everyone had arrived and Annie felt a warmth flood over her and the house.

“OK everyone. Time to walk to the church! We don’t want to keep my mum and dad waiting, do we?” Barbara spoke briskly but with a smile.

She walked over to the wicker chaise longue where the kids had congregated.

“Come on, you lot – we don’t want Great Granny getting there before us! Remember her instructions, she was very clear!”

Annie winked but Barbara was already out of the door.

Trooping out, they chattered about what the buffet would be like and how they hoped Great Granny may have included just a few chart CDs in with all that old stuff from the forties!

“See you at the church, Mum!” whispered Barbara softly.

Thanks, lass… thought Annie by way of reply.

At the church people took their places as the Rev Peterson’s wife, Mildred, played a rousing Get Me To The Church On Time. She seemed to be enjoying the break with tradition, going by her enthusiastic foot-tapping.

As the chauffeur and his assistant arrived to collect Annie, she felt those butterflies of near sixty-six years ago return as, in her dream car, she made the two-minute drive to the church. Bob? Of course he’d be there. Sure enough as they alighted from the car and passed through the grand church doors, serenaded by 1940s swing, there beyond the sea of faces stood her handsome Bob, looking no older than the day they had first wed.

Stranger still, Annie felt as if she was floating on air as she made her way to his side. No arthritis, no stiff knees. “Oh, my darling handsome Bob…” “Hello, my very own Lana Turner.” Bob kissed Annie tenderly and together they stood with family and friends, on Annie’s very special day.

Then came the words that had to be said by Rev Patterson and even he, normally so sombre a man, seemed to sparkle, if just a little.

Words said, hymns sung, Annie and Bob followed the procession out to the churchyard, Churchill weaving in and out of their feet, more sprightly than when he was as a kitten back in 1952!

They watched the wicker casket – Annie’s chaise longue – join the oak one that had lain alone for ten long years.

The family dispersed and Bob, Annie and Churchill made their way back to the house they had shared for so many happy married years, where in spirit they’d remain husband and wife and cat.

Blissfully together again, but this time for all eternity…

Annie had seen the looks, both too shy to make the first move