One Hundred Names (Special Edition)

the country with fifty years ago. Kitty put their ages at around eighty, like George’s grandfather, Seamus, and guessed their fourth member had not been as lucky as they to make it to this stage of his life. As soon as they had everybody’s attention, they began weaving their way around the circular tables, eyes bright, big smiles on their faces, entertaining and endearing, voices no doubt more tired than they used to be and missing two crucial harmonies to their song, shoulders hunched and hands arthritic, but they eventually reached the head table where people expected them to address the bride and groom. Instead they went to Seamus, the man standing with his hand on his heart, the affection clearly on his face, his eyes filled with tears. He joined in for the last few lines of the song and as soon as they’d finished, the two men broke into singing ‘Happy Birthday to You’.
    When the applause had ended everybody’s eyes remained fixed on Seamus, waiting for an explanation, waiting for something more. Seamus was locked in an embrace with the two men, and all were emotional, heads together, showing a bond between them which would make even the kindest of people envious.
    Seamus finally looked up to the crowd. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, bride and groom,’ he addressed his granddaughter, who was wiping a tear from her eye, ‘I know we’re finished with the speeches but I couldn’t let this moment go by without saying a few words, if I may.’
    The bride and groom enthusiastically encouraged him to speak.
    ‘I haven’t seen these men for fifty years,’ he said, grabbing them again, and they stood together, side by side, arm in arm. ‘We used to be in a group named Sweet Harmony. We toured the country up and down, left and right, didn’t we, boys?’
    The two men, far from boys, nodded and reminisced.
    ‘These are the two Bobbys: this is Bobby Owens and this is Robert Malone. Sadly we’re missing dear Frankie.’ He looked to the other two for confirmation and they nodded sadly. Seamus took a moment at that, mourning the loss of a man he hadn’t seen for fifty years, because the friendship now seemed as new and fresh as it had been then. Even more so, because it brought with it the excitement and sentimentality of reunion, of reminiscing, of all things positive and everything dark forgotten and under the bridge. ‘There’s only one man who could have done this,’ he said suddenly, wagging his finger in the air. ‘Only one man who takes care of me like this and that’s my grandson George. Am I right, George?’ he looked to the head table and George looked at Eva. Eva nodded hastily.
    ‘Get up here beside me, George,’ Seamus called, emotion in his voice again.
    George, embarrassed by both the attention and presumably by the fact he had very little to do with the choice of gift, slowly stood up to polite applause.
    ‘Get over here,’ Seamus called again.
    ‘As long as you don’t make me sing,’ George said, and everyone laughed. He was beautiful – even better turned out than in his office suits – he was charming and dapper, and had old Hollywood star good looks.
    ‘This man is an angel,’ Seamus said, his voice breaking again. ‘I love all my grandchildren, you know that,’ he looked out to the crowd, ‘but this man is my angel. We don’t see him enough, and he works too hard, but I love him and we appreciate everything he does for us.’ He grabbed him then into a tight hug and there was a collective appreciative sound from the crowd.
    ‘Happy birthday, Gramps,’ George said.
    ‘Thank you, son, thank you,’ Seamus said, battling with his tears again.
    Kitty even spotted Nigel, appearing moved among a table of old people and children at the back of the room. Before Kitty had time to pick Eva’s brains, the bride and groom, who had been making their rounds of the tables, finally made their way to theirs.
    ‘Eva, thank you so much for our gift,’ George’s sister, Gemma, said with a catch in her voice. ‘It is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given us.’
    Eva seemed embarrassed. ‘I’m so glad you like it, but really, it’s not from me. It’s George’s gift to you.’
    ‘Oh, you can’t fool us. I love George with all my heart but I know he didn’t have the brains to pull that one off himself.’
    ‘Honestly, Eva, if you’re ever in North Carolina, please come and visit us. You are always welcome in our home. It was the kindest, most thoughtful gift we’ve