And, thinking of her mum, there she stood in the front row, beautiful in a pea-green skirt suit and an enormous hat, beaming with pride. Next to her stood Amy’s real brothers, Neil and Danny, with identical grins on their faces. Both of them had been fit to burst with pride when Helios had appointed them as his ushers. Their wives had a dazed, ‘someone pinch me to prove this is really happening’ look about them.
And best of all, standing at the front, beside the altar, his brothers by his side, stood Helios; her lover and her best friend all rolled into one.
The three Princes were dressed in their military uniforms: the Kalliakis livery complete with sashes. They all looked magnificent, like three benevolent giants.
Helios might not be able to see her face through her veil, but she could see his, and see the full beard he’d grown especially for her. The expression in his eyes made every step she took closer to him feel as if she were bouncing on the moon.
When she reached him Helios took her hand, and together they knelt at the altar to pledge their lives, fidelity and love to each other for ever.
They were pledges neither of them would ever break.