Page 2 of Four of Hearts

Ben snapped round at that, wide-eyed, laughed, then signed the register. A moment or two later, with Liz’s signature also done, the registrar concluded the ceremony.

‘You may now leave the room together.’

Outside the registry office, Harry gathered everyone around.

‘That’s that, then,’ he said, then eyed Ben. ‘What time are you two up?’

Ben checked his watch.

‘We’ve an hour.’

Harry clapped his hands together.

‘Excellent. Time for a pint and a quick bite of something then, before we swap roles!’

An hour and a half later, both marriages were complete. They were now officially, two married couples.

The day was bright, with spring slowly edging towards summer, and they were now all standing beside Harry’s Rav.

‘Well, that’s the dull legal bit done,’ said Grace, then looked over at Harry. ‘We’d best on with organising the fun bit now, hadn’t we?’

‘Yes,’ Harry agreed, ‘but if you remember, half the reason we’ve kept this bit quiet, is because we know a certain number of people who’ll get a little carried away and excited by it. That’s why we’ve not exchanged rings yet, either.’

‘You mean Matt, don’t you?’

‘Of course I mean Matt.’

‘Margaret’s not going to be much better,’ smiled Liz.

‘Or Dave,’ added Ben.

‘Actually, come to think of it, I wonder how Mandy’s going to?—’

Just the mention of the name was enough to get everyone laughing.

‘One thing, though,’ said Grace. ‘The rings ...’

‘What about them?’

‘Just seems a little odd being married, but without any of us having a ring on our finger, don’t you think?’ said Liz.

Harry glanced down at his own left hand. He’d never worn jewellery in his life, unless the ID discs, or dog tags, he’d worn in the Paras counted, which he very much doubted.

‘I thought...’ Harry began, but the look from Grace was enough for him to hush.

‘Yes, as we all agreed, the official rings will be exchanged at the celebration or party or whatever it is you want to call it,’ Grace said. ‘But it didn’t seem right to go home after this with nothing.’

Harry looked over at Ben, who stared back at him with the confusion he knew was written on his own face at what Liz and Grace were saying.

‘Grace and I, we had a chat,’ said Liz. ‘And, well ...’

‘Well, what?’

Liz and Grace revealed a small, black box each.

‘Are they what I think they are?’ Harry asked.

Liz and Grace opened the boxes. Two black rings sat in each.