Some people are messy but I’m a planner, I check the list again.

Bunting

Table clothes with gold trim

Best china

Invites to my nearest and dearest

Scones

Fondant fancies

Napkins

Finger sandwiches

Gluten free cake

Gluten free sandwiches

Vegan butter

Jam (three types)

Fruit kebabs, carefully prepared and refrigerated till the last minute

Alcoholic fruit jelly shots

Prosecco nicely chilled

Champagne glasses

I’m sure there is something I’ve forgotten but it is looking marvellous as my friends and family all gather. As they enter my wife and I greet them all with warmth and affection these people are our world, our anchor in stormy days and our soul mates on the good ones.

The hum of happy chatter fills our ears and the warmth of friendship is tangible. But sometimes these things are not enough.

I pour everyone a glass of Prosecco and wish I had put cocktail nibbles on my list, too late now.

‘Dear friends’ I say standing and raising my glass ‘we are here to celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary with those we most love. My darling Debs was my childhood sweetheart, my first love and now we celebrate our anniversary and I cannot thank you enough Debbie for everything we have shared.’

She smiles at me from under her brown fringe her eyes soft and loving as ever. But sometimes these things are not enough.

‘I love you Deborah but it is finished’. There is a gasp around the room and her gentle gaze hardens with a brittle anger I know all too well. ‘I have signed the house over to you and sold my car, tomorrow I am off travelling the globe just me my back pack and credit card’

My friends are shocked I know and I love them so very much. But sometimes these things are really just not enough.