Caroline Ch. 11.02

Now time for a quick drink before the 'breakfast'. Mike had insisted that we stay in our finery all through, even when we went to the hotel. He said he wanted everyone who saw us to know we had just got married. He said he was so proud of me he wanted to show me off (please feminists, don't be upset. I liked being shown off and anyway, I was showing him off as well).

The meal was outstanding and the wine superb although I noticed Mike didn't eat too much and drank hardly at all. He saw me looking at him one time as he took a tiny sip from his glass and he winked at me. I was pretty sure what he had in mind this afternoon, same as me I expect because I didn't eat or drink much either!

At the end of the meal Guy got up and made a short speech thanking Jo and reading a few messages. Mike was surprised that his eldest and youngest daughters had sent him a nice tele-message and there was one from his ex-wife. I thought that was nice. Some of his other friends had sent good wishes as well so he was quite pleased by the end. Then Geoff got up to say a few words about me, all nice I'm pleased to say, and told a few silly stories about me and Jo when we were kids. He was lovely really, setting just the right tone. Then Mike stood up. I could see he was very emotional and I wondered what he would say.

He looked round at everyone sitting watching him and began. "I never thought to see this day," he said, "such a wonderful day for me. Can you believe how lucky I am that this gorgeous lady sitting next to me agreed to be my wife. Sometimes I can't but, what the heck, it must be true mustn't it?" He smiled down at me.

"Isn't she the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. No," he said quickly, "I'm sorry. Let's be honest we're surrounded by beautiful women today but she does look marvellous doesn't she." He bent and kissed me then he laughed out loud, "And she's mine!

Enough malarkey. Thank you especially Sally and Bernardo for letting us get married here in this lovely house and for arranging everything so wonderfully well. It's been a marvellous occasion that we'll remember for the rest of our lives, right Lena?"

"Mmm," I said, "it has been lovely."

"And thank you as well to Jo and to Guy. Tables turned in a fortnight young man," he said smiling at them both, "and to Geoff and Mary for coming out here to celebrate our marriage. I am so happy to have my new family around me, Silvio, Gianna, and all the youngsters. It's been a wonderful occasion and I'd better sit down before I get maudlin." Everyone cheered and clapped as he sat and I gave him a great bit kiss.

Not long after that Bernardo indicated that he was ready to take us to the hotel. He was going to enjoy himself when he got back. He and Sally had planned a family only party for the evening even though we weren't there.

Jo and I had packed my things for the hotel, including two dresses for dinner that were outstanding (and terribly expensive), in a great big travel trunk that Bernado had loaned us. You didn't need to fold the dresses or anything. It was enormous and it looked as if we were going for ages but you do need a lot of clothes when you're showing off, and we were going to show off! I could tell.

As always, your votes are valuable and comments welcome.

To be continued...