A golden wedding celebration is the perfect time to reveal a couple’s devotion… and a fifty-year-old family drama
Only me, Gran! Gramps said to come straight in.” Chloe bustles through the back door laden with shopping bags.
Gran casts an eye out to the garden where Gramps is weeding, making the most of the spring sunshine.
Chloe puts the brimming bags on the table. They are packed with bunting, banners, pretty confetti and streamers. Two enormous golden helium balloons in the shape of a number five and a zero trail behind her, bobbing their way into Gran’s kitchen. Chloe clasps their ribbons tightly.
“That party shop in town is great,” she says. “I’ve got all the decorations for the church hall. It’s going to look so good once we’ve dressed it for your party. I still can’t believe you guys have been married for fifty years. That’s more than twice my age!”
Gran chuckles and flicks the kettle on.
“I expect you could do with a coffee.”
“Ooh, yes, please.” Chloe ties the balloons to the back of a chair and plonks herself down in it.
“I was thinking, Gran,” she says. “The church hall has a large flatscreen TV on the wall. I’m going to hook my tablet up to it and run a montage of photos of you and Gramps over the years for everyone to see.”
“That’s a lovely idea.” Gran spoons coffee into the mugs. “But I’m not sure everyone will want to see a clutch of old pictures of me and your grandad.”
“They will,” Chloe assures her. “Everyone does that sort of thing at milestone parties these days.”
“Well, if you’re sure and it’s not too much trouble, that would be lovely. Thank you, Chloe.” Gran smiles at her granddaughter. She’s been a tremendous help organising her and Gramps’s golden wedding anniversary party.
“Mum’s given me loads of old photos of you and Gramps to scan for the montage,” Chloe says, “but she didn’t have any of your wedding day. Have you got them stashed away somewhere?”
Gran stirs the coffees.
“It would be great to show pictures of your wedding at your anniversary bash. It’s sort of the whole point of the party,” Chloe says reasonably.
Gran sets the drinks on the table.
“Well . . . the thing is,” she begins.
“OMG!” Chloe cuts in, her eyebrows practically touching her hairline. “You and Gramps aren’t married?”
Gran stifles a smile, am
