Flynn’s gaze was fixed on Hattie hugging her parents, with her husband and kids standing around with hugegrins on their faces. ‘Well, she does have the compensation of inheriting a bloody great big castle …’
‘True. I still wouldn’t want the responsibility, though,’ said Lara.
Hattie and her family had moved to Ravendale Lodge a few months previously. She had set up her sculpture studio in a folly in the grounds and was learning the ropes from Henry and Fiona. Her husband had left his job as a marketing manager and was going to work alongside her, running the castle and estate.
They seemed more than happy – grateful, even – for the advice and support of Lara, Flynn, Jazz, and the rest of the team. Hattie had even confided that the children adored living in the castle and were enjoying learning to kayak and sail on the rivers and lakes.
Lara went back to the cottage for a rest. It had been a tiring run-up to the second Spectacular and putting her feet up while Flynn and his team did their thing was very appealing. He came back at half-past nine, looking tired but as rakishly handsome as ever.
‘Right,’ he said, kissing her but not sitting down. ‘I think a little glass of something fizzy is called for. Shall I fetch it from the fridge?’
Lara hesitated, the butterflies in her stomach taking flight again as they had several times that evening and over the past few days. ‘Um. I think it will have to wait a while.’
‘Are you not in the mood to celebrate, then?’ asked a puzzled-looking Flynn.
‘Oh, I definitely am in the mood to celebrate, just not with champagne or any form of alcohol. In fact, the booze is going to have to be put on ice for quite some time.’
He stared and then his jaw fell a little. ‘Are you … are you trying to tell me something or am I way wide of the mark?’
‘I am trying to tell you something.’
‘You mean … you mean—’
‘That it’s time we also found our own place to live away from the castle. A one-bedroom cottage is never going to be big enough.’
He let out a whoop. ‘Oh, Lara. Are you sure? Are you all right? How long have you known?’ He raked his hands through his hair. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I mean, how far along are you?’
She burst out laughing, so full of relief at his obvious happiness that she could have taken off. ‘I’m pregnant, not ill, and I’m ten weeks-ish, according to the doctor. I didn’t want to say until I was sure and I also wanted to wait a little while.’
He swept her into his arms and kissed her, murmuring ‘Lara, Lara, Lara’ over and over, as if he couldn’t think of a single other thing to say.
‘So, you’re pleased? To be a dad – again?’ she asked.
‘Pleased? I’m bloody ecstatic and I’m going to wrap you in cotton wool until the baby is born. Oh my God, I can’t believe it. A half-sister or brother for Molly. The baby will be Esme’s uncle or auntie. Now thatisweird.’
Lara laughed. ‘One more thing to get used to but, after so many, I think we’ll take it in our stride.’
Imogen had taken a job as manager of a holiday-lodge village up the coast so she could spend more time with Molly, Esme and Brenda. They’d extended Brenda’s house, with Flynn doing the electrical work.
Molly was back at college, had passed two A levels, and was going to start her degree at the nearest university.
The chalice had been left as it was, with the agreement of Belle, Fiona, Henry and Hattie, because, as Fiona had pointed out, ‘That flaw is part of its story now. Nothing stays the same. Nothing is ever perfect.’
Sitting with Flynn’s arm around her, with a crackling fire warming her toes and the new life growing inside her, Lara was certain that her story was turning out to be as perfect as she could ever wish for.
