‘Shall we risk a shuffle?’ asked Ben when they’d finished their main course of sea bass.
‘I think we should,’ said Cassie, ‘as we’re never going to have a more romantic moment than this.’
‘Exactly what I was thinking.’
On their feet, Cassie slipped a hand through one of Ben’s and a little self-consciously, they joined the other couples who were gracefully gliding around likeStrictlypros.
‘I hope we’re not disgracing ourselves too much,’ she whispered as they navigated their way around the other couples.
‘We’re doing just fine,’ he murmured, ‘and you look sensational in that dress. Did I say that earlier?’
‘You did. Several times.’
‘Well, I’m saying it again. You’re easily the most beautiful woman here.’
‘And you, my darling, are the sexiest man here. You look even more like James Bond in your dinner jacket. You should wear it more often.’
‘I will, but only if you promise to help me out of it later.’
‘It’s a deal.’
They were both laughing when the music came to an end, and everyone began drifting back to their tables.
Ben surprised her by saying, ‘Let’s go outside for a minute. It’s our last night here and I want to make the most of it.’
She followed him out to the terrace. Her eyes adjusting to the darkness, she held his hand firmly to ensure she didn’t topple over in her impractically high-heeled sandals. He led the way up the sloping path that led around the island. It was the clearest of nights and the velvety black sky was peppered with stars. The moon was a sharp thin crescent and not large enough to provide any tangible light.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, puzzled that Ben seemed intent on walking some distance away from the hotel, which was brilliantly lit up against the night sky. ‘Hey, this isn’t some ruse of yours to tip me off the cliff edge and claim the life insurance, is it?’
He didn’t say anything but then coming to a stop, he looked about him as if taking in the starlit view. She did the same while listening to the rhythmic swishing of the sea below and the rumble of the sea tractor making its way across the causeway, perhaps performing its last duty of the day. Next to her, and letting go of her hand, Ben suddenly bent down as if to tie a shoelace. She waited for him to straighten up, but he didn’t and then from nowhere he’d produced a small box and was holding it towards her.
‘Cassie,’ he said, lifting the lid of the box and revealing a beautiful diamond ring, ‘will you marry me? I know you’ve said in the past that marriage wasn’t important to you, but I find it matters to me. I want to be your husband. I want it more than anything in the world.’ In the silence that followed, he said, ‘Say something, please.’
She stared at the ring. She stared at him.
‘I can’t … I—’
‘Is it a terrible idea to you?’
She shook her head. ‘No! It’s a wonderful idea, but—’
‘But what?’
She dropped down to her knees to be on the same level as him, but not before lifting the front of her dress to save it from being ruined with grass stains. ‘But are you sure? Are you really sure about us? Aboutme?’
‘Oh God yes, I’m absolutely sure!’
‘In that case, yes. Yes, I will marry you!’
Smiling, he removed the ring from the box and with shaking hands slipped it onto her finger.
‘I’ll never forget this moment,’ she said, kissing him. ‘I love you so much, Ben.’
Then with a mischievous grin, remembering how he’d fooled her earlier, she said, ‘Does this mean there’s no surprise birthday cake made by the chef?’
Laughing, he helped her to her feet, held her hand and led her back down the pathway. To her amazement, when they re-entered the dining room, she saw that not only was there a bottle of champagne on their table but a beautiful birthday cake, and as if they’d been in on the surprise, the other diners started clapping and the jazz band struck up with a jaunty rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and everyone sang along.
‘I can’t believe you did all of this for me,’ Cassie said to Ben, tears of happiness filling her eyes, ‘and in secret. Thank you so much.’
