‘And you look sensational,’ said Jess. ‘Like a movie star.’
‘Thank you kindly.’ Alice smiled. ‘And you both look beautiful too. Isn’t it wonderful to dress up for a party?’
‘It is,’ agreed Jess, who still felt a tad overdressed, but she had to admit she looked and felt great in her fitted black dress.
Ten minutes later, Maisie and her friend Libby had arrived. Libby’s mum had taken them to a pantomime in town, and they ran in excitedly with flushed cheeks.
‘Thanks for this,’ whispered Libby’s mum. ‘To be honest, I don’t even feel like going out, but the restaurant has been booked for months.’
‘No problem. The girls always love a sleepover,’ Jess assured her.
Both girls squealed when they spotted the wigwam behind the sofa and headed straight for it.
‘Thanks. And happy New Year for later,’ Libby’s mum said.
‘Happy New Year.’
‘We just need to wait for Mark and Declan, then you can have your present,’ said Carol to Alice.
Just then Mark arrived. He was wearing a smart blue shirt and a pair of black jeans that made him look years younger, thought Carol.
‘Present? But I told you not to bother with a present; all of this is more than enough,’ said Alice as she glanced around the room.
They had already presented her with cards that were lined up along a shelf, along with the ones from her family down south.
‘As if we would not buy you a gift,’ Jess said with a laugh.
A few minutes later, Mark heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.
Looking through the window, the friends spotted the sleek Bentley, and out stepped Declan. The car belonged to Ken Watson, who had provided his chauffeur to drop Declan off after the meal.
‘Oh, how marvellous!’ exclaimed Alice. ‘I haven’t ridden in a Bentley for more years than I can remember.’
As Declan headed up the path, the sight of him made Jess’s heart beat wildly. He had never looked more handsome in a gorgeous dark-grey suit over a white shirt. She could hardly wait for the celebrations to begin.
‘Right,’ said Mark, clapping his hands together after everyone had enjoyed a drink and sampled some of the delicious buffet. ‘It’s time for your present, Alice.’
‘A present? Really you shouldn’t have. You all being here is enough.’
‘You really thought we wouldn’t buy you a birthday gift.’ He raised an eyebrow as he presented Alice with her birthday present.
‘What on earth can this be?’ asked Alice as she tore off the sparkly silver wrapping paper. ‘I do love a surprise,’ she said excitedly.
When she opened the box and peered inside, her hand flew to her mouth.
‘Oh, my goodness. Is that what I think it is?’ she asked as she lifted the white metal structure, that looked like a birdcage from its box.
‘An exact replica of the Palm House at Sefton Park,’ Mark informed her. ‘I had it especially made. One of my friends down at the marina is a metal worker. Look inside; the roof comes off,’ he instructed Alice, who was so shocked she could barely speak.
Mark recalled how much Alice had enjoyed their day out together at Sefton Park.
Inside, a selection of tiny plants and rocks were nestled on a bed of soil. It reminded her of a bottle garden or terrarium she had once owned.
‘It’s perfect. Simply beautiful,’ she said. Never in her life had she received such a thoughtful gift.
‘Oh, and there is one more surprise,’ said Mark as he pulled the curtains back from the patio doors.
He slid open the doors to reveal the garden in all its glory.
