Robby had a strange look on his face; his hands were behind his back, and he didn’t smile. ‘No, I mean yes.’
Nina narrowed her eyes. ‘Whose birthday is it? She said it was a community surprise, but that must have been a red herring.’
‘What?’
‘This must have been decorated for a surprise birthday or anniversary or something.’ Nina looked around, stepping nearer to the windows. ‘It really is incredible. They should rent this out for occasions if you ask me. It would be a good way to get in some extra cash for the building fund. Do you reckon? They’re always harping on about how it needs funding.’
Robby took a step towards her. ‘It’s not anyone’s birthday.’
‘Ahh, right. What is it then? An anniversary or something special?’
‘It is something special, yes, or should I say it’s forsomeonespecial. You are special, Neens.’
Nina side-eyed. ‘Thanks. You’re being weird. What’s going on? What's all this for?’
Robby took a deep breath. ‘Nina, from the moment you arrived in Lovely Bay, I loved you.’ He paused, reaching into his pocket.
‘What in the world?’ Nina's hand flew to her mouth. She gasped as the realisation of what Robby was doing dawned on her.
‘You're my best friend. I can't imagine my life without you in it.’ He held out a small, open box. A ring sparkled under the lights. ‘Will you marry me, Neens?’
Nina stared at the ring for what felt like a decade. She shook her head over and over again. She couldn’t believe it. She’d been well and truly surprised. So much so, in fact, that she couldn’t quite compute it all. Married? Did she actually want to get married? She wasn’t sure. She was well and truly on the spot.Tears welled up in her eyes. For a second, she was totally and utterly overwhelmed and rendered speechless. Suddenly, all she could see was Andrew. She put her hand out to the window ledge to steady herself. She placed her left hand on her chest, sucked air in through pursed lips and closed her eyes.
‘Neens?’
Again, at first, she didn’t say anything. Then she heard her voice come out in a whisper. ‘Yes.’
With that, a cheer erupted from her left. She turned to see Nancy and a few others who had sneaked up the staircase to witness the proposal. Nina, still in a daze, looked down to see Nancy leading a small group into the lighthouse room as Robby hugged and kissed her fiercely.
‘Congratulations!’ Nancy squealed. ‘I amsohappy for you.’
‘Thank you. I, umm, I can’t quite believe it.’ Nina laughed.
‘We got you good, didn't we? You had no idea! None at all!’ Nancy exclaimed, hugging her tightly. ‘I have been a nervous wreck!’
Nina felt so emotional she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. She could barely speak. ‘You certainly did. I had no idea. None! I thought it was a bit much for someone’s birthday. Has everyone been in on it?’ She turned to Robby as she spoke, addressing him too.
Robby looked a lot of things but mostly relieved. ‘I wanted it to be a surprise. A moment you'd never forget.’
‘Mission accomplished,’ Nina managed to say. She was struggling to believe what had just happened was real.
Clive raised a glass. ‘Congratulations! To Robby and Nina.’
‘Cheers to that!’ Colin added. ‘Congrats!’
Birdie hugged Nina. ‘I nearly had a heart attack getting all this ready. Thank goodness it’s over! So happy for you. Congratulations.’
Nina laughed. ‘I did wonder what was going on.’ She was totally overwhelmed and found herself repeatedly glancing at Robby.
Birdie continued. ‘We wanted to make sure it was perfect. We couldn't be happier for you both and especially for our Robby.’
‘Thank you.’
‘How does it feel to be getting married?’
Nina’s smile was radiant. ‘It feels perfect. Like everything has finally fallen back into place.’
14
