Read Chapter 23: — THE WEDDING PROBLEM

Rebecca and George announced their engagement.

The village celebrated before remembering there were still two anxious families involved.

Rebecca's mother wanted a small civil ceremony in Bath.

Arthur wanted the wedding in Willowbrook because George was his son and because he had already told half the county.

Rebecca wanted both families to stop behaving as though she were a diplomatic treaty.

George suggested eloping.

Martin volunteered to mediate and was immediately told by Claire that no sane couple should use him as a marriage expert.

In the end, the solution was simple.

They married at the register office with immediate family, then held a village reception in the training centre.

Rebecca wore a dark green dress rather than white. George forgot half his speech. Arthur cried before the ceremony began and denied it afterward.

Instead of gifts, the couple asked for donations to a community mental-health and skills fund.

Rebecca's parents contributed enough to embarrass them.

During the reception, George took Martin aside.

"You know you didn't save me."

Martin was startled.

"I know."

"Good. People keep telling the story like you did."

"You did the work."

"You opened a door. That's different."

Martin nodded.

It mattered to him that George said it.

For years Martin had made himself the hero of every story he entered.

Now he was learning the dignity of being useful without being central.