Every CLOUD

It was a day to celebrate love - and Erin prayed that nothing would spoil it

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Don't cry, Erin, don't cry! But I fear it's a losing battle. I can only hope that the mascara the professional make-up artist used was waterproof. She assured me that it was.

My son Callum hired her – at no small expense – to make 'the best mum in the world' feel amazing on his special day.

To distract myself, I look around the room. The florist has done a wonderful job. The floral displays are beautiful. And I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed that the predicted rain will hold off. Outside the open French windows, the hotel garden looks so pretty.

Taking a deep breath, I return my attention to what's happening in front of me, and once again, I feel an almost choking surge of emotion rising in my throat.

Through a blur of tears, I look at Callum. So handsome standing there in his jacket and kilt on his wedding day. He is facing Finn, his husband-to-be. They are holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes.

'I will always be there for you, Finn,' my boy says. 'You have filled my world with light, with happiness, with love.'

Another shudder of emotion bubbles up inside me, and my chin starts to tremble.

My mother, standing beside me, squeezes my arm and I turn to her. Heavens! She has given in to the tears too. The full waterworks!

'Oh, Mum,' I whisper, leaning close, and she rests her head on my shoulder while dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.

Finn's father, sitting across the aisle, catches my eye and smiles. I smile back, hoping he thinks I'm crying tears of pure joy. If only it were that simple.

Moments earlier, Finn's parents had proudly walked their son into the room, one on either side. They followed Callum and me. I was equally proud, but painfully aware that Callum's father – my pigheaded husband Rory – was absent.

I close my eyes now, recalling the dreadful arguments Rory and I have had over the past months – the silences, the storming out of the house...