Free Sealed With a Loving Kiss by Ellie Dean Page B

This place is as cold as a morgue and I still have to practise my piece for when they’re signing the register.’
    ‘Well, ’tis that I was going to ask you about,’ said Fran rather hesitantly.
    Mary frowned. ‘Why’s that?’
    ‘I thought that as I had the violin it would be a chance to do something really special for Suzy,’ she said in a rush. ‘I wondered if you’d mind if I played while they were signing the register?’
    ‘Of course I don’t mind, and I’m sure Suzy would be delighted. But what about your duties as chief bridesmaid? Won’t you be needed in the registry?’
    Fran shook her head. ‘I’ve already had a word with Sarah, and she’ll look after everything while I’m playing.’ Her expression was pleading. ‘Please let me do it, Mary. I so want to.’
    Mary laughed. ‘You don’t have to ask my permission, Fran. What are you planning on playing?’
    ‘Bach’s “Air on the G string”, she replied breathlessly, ‘so I’ll need you to accompany me. Do you know it?’
    Mary was rather startled that Fran was familiar with such a piece. ‘I have played it a few times, but I’m terribly rusty,’ she said in a mild panic. ‘Let me see if they have the sheet music in here, but it’s unlikely because it’s hardly church music.’
    She got off the large stool and opened the lid. There were sheets and sheets of music which they hurriedly sifted through, and Mary was beginning to despair when she found an old book of classic Bach.
    ‘Whew,’ she said as she placed it on the music rest. ‘You nearly had to play solo there and it wouldn’t have done it any justice at all.’ She adjusted the stops, looked at the music, then quickly began to play through the first few bars. ‘Ah, I remember it now,’ she sighed in relief.
    Fran grinned and nestled the violin into her neck. ‘I knew I could rely on you, Mary. Are you ready?’ At Mary’s nod she counted them in and drew her bow delicately over the strings.
    Mary accompanied her on the organ, keeping it soft and light so the wonderful violin strains could sing out into the silent church. The music made the hairs stand up at the back of her neck and down her arms, and swelled her heart until she could barely see through her tears.
    As the final note slowly faded and died, she sat back in awe, and had to dry her eyes. ‘Well,’ she said with a shaky laugh, ‘that’s guaranteed to get everyone emotional even if they aren’t already.’
    Fran grinned and tossed back her fiery hair. ‘Ach, to be sure, Peggy and Cordelia always cry at weddings. They’d feel they were missing out if they didn’t use at least three hankies.’
    Mary smiled as she turned back to the beginning of the piece. Barbara was just the same, and liked nothing better than a good cry during a soppy film. ‘Shall we run through it a couple of times more? Only I’m still a bit unsure in places, and you played it so beautifully I don’t want to let the side down.’
    They played it through until they were both satisfied, and then Mary went on to practise the final triumphal march that she’d play as the bride and groom left the church.
    ‘There, I think that’s enough for tonight,’ she said as the last note drifted away. She gathered up the sheets of music and made sure they were in the correct order before placing them on the rest. ‘You know, Fran, you’d be a real asset in our concert orchestra. Why don’t you come along to one of the rehearsals?’
    ‘It’s not really something I’ve ever considered.’ Mary blew out the candles and they hurried through the echoing darkness into the well-lit vestry. ‘I’m happy enough to just play in the pub and leave that sort of thing to someone like you.’
    ‘But you’re very talented, Fran. Much better than the violinist Doris has managed to find.’
    ‘Ach, well, ’tis better I stick to what I know,’ she replied with a shrug. ‘’Tis not for me, Mary.’
    Mary had to accept her refusal, but it was a