He opens his mouth to speak, and I know that he is about to object. About to point out all the complications, all the drawbacks, all the potential problems.
“No, Zack, don’t do that. I already know the issues. But a wise woman – okay, Ella – just made me really think about all of this, and I’ve decided she’s right. None of us can predict the future. None of us know how much time we get to spend with each other. I don’t know, and neither do you. All I do know is that I want to be with you. I feel alive when I’m with you, and I’m not ready to turn my back on that. So, as we’re old and don’t play games anymore, how would you feel about coming back to Starshine Cove with me when I leave?”
“It would be complicated,” he says, gazing past my shoulder and seeming to think about it.
“Pah to complicated.”
“It would be an adjustment for both of us, after all this time alone.”
“Pah to adjustment.”
“It would be a surprise for the girls.”
“Pah to the girls, they’re old enough to understand.”
“It would be… wonderful.”
“Pah to— Oh. Okay. Wonderful. I like that. Wonderful doesn’t deserve a pah.”
We look at each other across the table, and we both smile like teenagers. He holds out his hands, and I take them in mine. I hold him tight, and vow that I won’t let him go.
“That was a big decision,” he says. “And neither of us seems to be regretting it yet.”
“No. I’m glad. And I know there will be stuff to sort out, but we’ll manage it. Together. We’ll figure it out as we go.”
“Together,” he replies, that big dumb grin going nowhere fast. “That sounds good.”
He nods decisively, and suddenly stands up. He keeps hold of my hands, and does that thing where he whooshes me up and catches me in his arms.
He turns around and walks into the hallway, leading me by the hand.
“Where are we going now?” I ask, looking at the stairs and hoping we’re going where I think we’re going.
“To bed. I’m sick of ‘to be continued’, aren’t you?”
NINETEEN
Six months later
It is just about autumn in Starshine Cove, but the weather is magnificent. The sky has been blue all day, the air fresh and crisp and clean. Night is falling much earlier now, and the fairy lights that are strung along the buildings around the green kick into life and make the place look like a birthday cake. It’s one of my favourite times of year, when the leaves turn golden and the woods become a wonderland of whirling leaves.
It always starts to feel a little Christmassy round about now, I think, and Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year too. In fact, they all are – there’s something to love in all the seasons, especially here in my gorgeous little corner of the world.
Tonight, though, the fairy lights have some competition. Tonight, the entire place is lit up. There are roving floodlights roaming over the cottages and the inn, projectors are casting bright coloured sparkles over the treetops, and a red carpet has been laid out from the inn all the way to the community centre. Archie and Jake have rigged up a ‘photo op’ area, and the village teenagers are currently pouting away in front of it, taking selfies.
Cally has been working overtime doing hair and make-up, and everyone looks fantastic. Cally herself is wearing her traditional wrap dress, Archie is in a vintage seventies tux from George’s extensive wardrobe, and Lucy and Josh look like an actual Hollywood power couple. Everyone is here, from baby Kitty all the way through to villagers who are on the verge of getting their telegram from the King.
I’ve gone for a red dress that is way more revealing than normal, and my curls are in an elaborate up-do. I feel a bit over-done, but if you can’t gussy up for a film premiere, when can you? Besides, my two handsome escorts for the evening are looking so good in their penguin suits that I’m glad I made the effort.
Everyone has been taking it in turns to do their strut down the red carpet, and it’s almost our go. George offers me his arm to link on one side, and Zack on the other.
“I’m a very happy old man tonight,” says George, leaning down to speak to me. “Seeing Archie with his Cally, and now you with Zack… well, I couldn’t be more pleased, my love. You deserve it.”
I pat his hand, and give him a big smile. I’ve not given up hope on George finding love again, even though he insists he’s well and truly ‘past it’.
I turn to Zack, and raise my eyebrows.
“Are you ready, Mr Director?” I say, squeezing his arm.
