‘I’m getting married mum,’ Alexa said a tear finally slipping.  ‘Can’t you at least wish me luck?  Don’t you wish you were here at all?’

‘I don’t know how you can do this to me.  People will laugh at you Alexa.  I was always so proud but you’ve made me ashamed of you.’

‘You should be ashamed,’ said Peggy from across the room, ‘ashamed for the fact that you’ll never see how incredibly beautiful your daughter looks today and for the fact that on the day she commits to the love of her life you have been the one to make her cry.’

‘Who is that Alexa?’ asked Justine, more quietly.

‘I’m Peggy Peabody, here to watch our daughters pledge their love for each other, a love that you’ve never seen but still chose to condemn.  You can be as angry and as cruel as you like today but I can guarantee you in years to come you will look back on your actions with the deepest regret it is possible for a mother to feel. Enjoy your day because I assure you that I’ll make sure our girls enjoy theirs.’

Peggy pressed off the machine and Alexa looked at her stunned.  ‘Thank you,’ she said to Peggy.

Peggy took the tissue from her and dabbed away the stray tear without ruining her make-up.  ‘There now, that looks better.’

‘Have I ruined my make-up?’

‘No, it’s perfect.’

‘Is it time?’ asked Alexa.

‘Almost, I told Alice I’d send her over to get you when I left.’

‘Is Helena ready?’

‘Yes, she is.  You know my daughter has been so flighty with her affections in the past I thought she’d never settle down but there she is in the next room ready to walk down the aisle and what’s more amazing is that she’s allowing me to share this with her.’

‘I think it’s wonderful that you two can be close again,’ said Alexa, trying to fasten her bracelet and forget her mother’s stinging words.

‘Let me do that,’ said Peggy, holding her wrist. ‘Before you came into our lives I had a child in name only and you’ve not only helped me rebuild my relationship with Helena but I like to think that you and I have formed our own bonds.’