Page 73 of All You Need is Greece

‘You made it!’

‘Just about,’ says the good-looking guy, before saying hi to me, then crushing Judith in an embrace. ‘And you look fantastic.’

‘Watch the hair,’ she says, stepping back slightly and smiling.

‘We would have been here earlier, had someone not booked the wrong name for the taxi at the airport.’ He rolls his eyes at Liz.

‘It wasn’t exactly my fault,’ she protests, before looking up at the ceiling innocently. ‘Okay, yes, maybe it was.’ She breaks out into laughter. ‘But we are here now! So let’s not worry about that. Judith is getting married!’ She hugs her then, before we head inside and everyone is introduced and offered a drink. I can already tell that the pretty dark-haired Liz is a bundle of energy and fun.

Wes, handsome and well-dressed, has a southern American drawl. He and Liz have the sort of banter that might take place between a brother or sister, or a couple of lifelong friends, so I was surprised to discover that they only met in the summer when they volunteered here together.

‘I can’t wait to see Tania’s face when she sees you!’ says Judith, before she pours her guests a glass of champagne. Liz glugs hers down and accepts a second glass, as Wes sips his slowly.

‘I can’t believe you never told Tania we were coming,’ says Liz. ‘How did you manage to keep it a secret?’

‘At times I almost slipped up,’ admits Judith. ‘But I know you all intended to meet up, and what better occasion than a wedding?’

‘Oh completely. I love a wedding,’ says Liz, before adding, ‘For other people.’

‘Are you still with Frank?’ Judith enquires.

‘I am and we’re very happy together.’ She smiles. ‘I just don’t necessarily believe in marriage. Sorry, that was a daft thing to say as I’m here for your wedding.’ She pulls a face.

It seems Marco wasn’t the only person to have thought that way and I wonder whether Liz will think differently one day.

We chat together easily, the atmosphere happy and relaxed. Michael has nipped back for a minute for his cigars, and is introduced to Wes and Liz. He’s about to tell them all about his dance achievements, when I see Doll nudge him gently, and tell him to save it until later as it’s Judith’s wedding day.

‘And remember, not a word to Tania,’ Judith warns Michael, as he heads back across to her house.

Soon enough, it’s time to leave for the church, just a short drive uphill. Judith’s car has been decorated with peach and cream ribbons and she gives a little gasp when she sees it.

‘Who’s driving?’ she asks and Wes steps forward.

‘It makes sense if I do, I’ve barely had a drink,’ he offers. ‘I’ll wear my sunglasses so Tania won’t recognise me when we first pull up.’

‘I never thought about that,’ says Liz, and Wes says she can hide in the back with a blanket over her head if she likes, and she thumps him on the arm. The rest of us follow behind in the hire car, and literally a minute or two later, we arrive at the church.

A table has been set at the front of the church with a floral display and a register to be signed, next to the remembrance tree. The priest is standing waiting, dressed in a purple gown.

Several rows of chairs from the bar have been transformed with ribbons and small sprigs of wild flowers tied to them, the handiwork of Helena. Marco and I find seats next to each other, but after being seated for only a few moments, the priest invites us all to stand.

I glance around at the assembled group, before my eyes turn to Lars, who is standing next to the priest in a cream suit, and when Tania walks Judith down the path to join him, I can feel a lump in my throat.

The stunning church, rising high, looks over the ceremony, and when the branches of the remembrance tree waft gently in the wind, the moment Judith and Lars exchange vows, I think maybe Ray is giving his blessing to their union.

Marco curls his hands around mine and smiles when the wedding vows are over, and when Judith hurls her bouquet over her shoulder and I find myself clutching it, I look at Marco and laugh.

Tania looks around then, taking in the guests and her mouth falls open when she spots Wes and Liz.

‘I don’t believe it!’ She races over and squeezes them both, before she is joined by Nicos, who shakes their hands warmly.

‘Just look at that.’ I almost have to wipe a teardrop from my eye as I take in the scene. Panos is chatting to Hannah and Lars and Judith look so in love, as their guests warmly congratulate them.

‘That will be us one day,’ says Marco, joining me for the drive back down the hill. ‘Hopefully not too far in the future.’ He kisses me on the lips and I feel a surge of happiness.

Back at Tania’s house, Tania and Nicos have arrived first to welcome everyone to the party and soon everyone is filtering through the gate. The house looks resplendent, with a gorgeous balloon arch leading onto the large patio, and swathes of white and yellow curtains are stretched across the patio, the handiwork of Yolanda and Helena, as well as her mother, I am told. There are fresh blooms of yellow flowers dotted around the garden and in pots and, beneath a small marquee that has been erected, a banner has the word ‘Syncharitiria’ written across it, which means ‘Congratulations’ in Greek.

‘I really can’t believe people have gone to so much trouble,’ says Judith. ‘This all looks wonderful, although I’m not sure I can take any more surprises.’

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