The enduring bond between two close friends, the narrator and Harriet, remains etched in memories of their childhood escapades. Both shared a strong connection, doing everything together from a young age. Harriet's dream of marriage was far more pronounced than the narrator's. At the age of 21, Harriet had always envisioned the perfect wedding. Together, they would often sneak into their parents' bedroom, dressing up in silk nighties and scarves before heading to the garden to pick flowers.
As little girls, their summer holidays were spent dreaming about weddings. They would pore over Harriet’s collection of magazine cutouts featuring wedding dresses, cakes, and bouquets. Immersed in these daydreams, they conceived a joint idea to get married at the coast—a plan that seemed to originate simultaneously from both of them. Their beach wedding was typical of the playful and imaginative adventures they embarked upon together.
The narrator describes their relationship as being like one organism, sharing thoughts and ideas seamlessly. This profound connection was evident in their synchronized dreams and plans. The beach wedding, though a seemingly silly childhood act, became a cherished memory for the narrator, who returns to the beach each year to remember Harriet.
Growing up, their lives were intertwined as they marched through life hand in hand. They were inseparable, in love with the world and each other. The playful wedding on the beach would unknowingly become the closest Harriet would come to experiencing a real wedding. The future, however, held uncertainties beyond their control.