The winter of 2023 turned to summer and Sam and Kate's wedding was looming large in the calendars of at least three households on the moor. It was to be a small wedding service in a pretty local church, but there would a much larger reception at Mike and Saira's hotel later in the day. Of course, Mike had told Sam and Kate about their encounter with the big cat and Amyus Conybeare, but as they were local and had already heard the stories, they weren't put off from hiring the hotel. Everyone agreed that it was strange that the beast had attacked without provocation though! Mike had the new security cameras operational, plus safety plans were in place, just in case anything went wrong on the big day. They would use the dining room of the hotel for the formal meal and dance and then the huge reception area for music and dancing until late in the evening. A menu had been agreed with the hotel chef, musicians employed and everything was set! Mike was sure that every angle was covered and in the event of any problems, they could lock the doors and windows and keep everybody safe inside. This wedding was special to Mike and Saira, as Sam and Kate had become good friends and they wanted the happy event to go off without a hitch.
The wedding service and reception sorted out, Kate and Laura were busy with plans for everything else. Laura's baby was almost due and she had resorted to maternity leggings and a smock instead of her usual overalls or jeans. Kate hoped that the baby would hang on long enough to allow Laura to continue as matron of honour. Laura on her part had said that she would get to the church, even if she had to cross her legs to do it! Kate went through everything again.
"OK, the church is booked for two o'clock, then we go to the hotel, have the reception and head back here to the farm and get changed. Then we are due back at the hotel for seven thirty to party!"
Sam's Dad and his step-Mother were coming over for the wedding and staying for a holiday from Australia, so they would take a room in Sam and Kate's house, while Kate's extended family were staying at the hotel, so they could party through the night if they wished. Sam and Kate weren't going to take a honeymoon yet, as with Sam's family over, it would have been too bad to disappear after just one day!
Amyus Conybeare had dropped in to see them on a few occasions recently and seemed quite excited to be invited to the reception. He had declined the invitation to the church, but nobody really knew why. His reasons were vague and if pushed, he would remember a previous engagement and walk quickly away. The man never seemed to drive or ride on any form of transport, but then he never seemed to leave the moor. Although he had told everybody that he lived a short walk away across the moor, several hikers had reported that there were no houses within ten miles in the direction he gave them. He was a mystery and make no mistake! But, he had certainly saved Mike's life and seemed to have some power over animals generally. He was also very knowledgeable about the moor and farming on the moor and Mark and Laura had learned a lot about their flock from him.
"It takes all sorts, I guess!" Said Sam.
The night before the wedding, Sam stayed over at Mike and Laura's house, it being unlucky for the bride and groom to be together until the wedding itself. Laura, a hairdresser and both of the happy couple's Mothers descended on Kate during the wedding morning and after a typical 'Laura Breakfast', they proceeded to get Kate ready for the church.
"Now, there's still time to back out and get a chap with a proper job, y'know!" Joked her Mum, while Laura struggled into her Matron of Honour dress.
A maternity bridesmaids outfit had been hard to find, but they had located a seamstress in Taunton who had made her a lovely, flattering dress, along with dresses for Saira's daughter, Ava and Kate's niece. All three of them looked amazing! When Kate was finally free of hairdressers, family and fussers, she put on the finishing touches to her ensemble and turned around to show them all the result. She was radiant! She had chosen to wear green, to complement her red hair and as she said, it would have been hypocritical to wear white anyway!
Meanwhile, Sam was being looked after by Mark and his appearance was now completely immaculate. As best man, Mark was concentrating on doing everything properly and Sam had full confidence in him. They were more brothers than friends, as they always said! At the allotted time, they piled into the pickup and headed for the church.
Sam sat and waited. Kate was never late, but it was now two fifteen and there was no sign of her. Sam was getting a little worried in case something had happened, but Mark was completely calm and confident that she would appear at any time. The vicar was tutting a bit, but just when Sam was about to make a run for home to see where she was, the little organ struck up the wedding march and everyone took their places. The church had been decorated by friends with wild flowers and ferns and it looked lovely. All their close family and friends were there of course, plus the craftspeople who hired Sam and Kate's workshops and a few other local tradesmen who would have been insulted if they had not been asked. Kate seemed to be almost shining as she walked up the aisle on her Father's arm. Everybody else was also smiling and Sam was... well, as usual he thought he was the luckiest man around! The service was quite short, with a couple of favourite hymns and the vows they had written and eventually they turned away from the altar as man and wife at last!
Outside the church there was quite a crowd of moor folk who just wanted to be there to see Kate's dress, chat to friends and enjoy the good feelings that spread all around the ancient building. The confetti they held was water soluble and animal friendly as the vicar had insisted and the amount thrown over them as they passed seemed endless. Poses were struck for the photographer and as well as the typical wedding photos, the various family groups and the vicar had their picture taken, along with random crowd shots. The limousine, loaned for the day by a company that had commissioned Kate to paint their fleet, then sped Mr. and Mrs. Wise -- the newly weds - over to the hotel for the reception. Laura had started to get cramps, but managed to get the two younger bridesmaids into her car and over to the reception before she had a sit down to recover.
After the meal and speeches, the happy couple enjoyed some dancing and socialising, mingling and chatting with their guests. Laura was getting more and more cramps and Mike was getting worried that they might have to leave for the hospital soon. Laura brushed it all off, but secretly she was holding her breath!
Mike had decided that he should check that everything was ship shape at the reception and came across Amyus Conybeare looking thoughtfully out of the window. This was unusual, as Amyus was normally in the thickest part of the party, dancing up a storm. Mike took a pause to stand next to him and follow his gaze.
"Penny for your thoughts, Amyus." He said.
"Eh? Oh, it's you Michael!" Amyus was still quiet.
"Are you OK?" Asked mike.
"Ah,yes!" Amyus regained a bit of his usual smile, "Just thinking."
Mike made to leave.
"Michael, All of this new technical gubbins you've put out there. Do you trust it to tell you the truth?"
Mike thought it was an odd thing to ask, but replied, "Yes, Amyus, it shows everything that is out there."
