‘To Kara and Billy!’ they all toasted.
A shocked and delighted Pat Dillon downed her glass in one.
Kara then tapped on her glass of fizzy water. ‘So many toasts are required today. Mine is to Star and Jack, and I wish them every happiness together, bringing their new baby into the world.’
‘To Star and Jack!’
Star turned to Jack. ‘Can you cope with all this lot, do you think?’
He kissed her hand. ‘With you by my side I can cope with anything.’
Joe took a huge glug of his champagne and stood up. ‘I want to say something too.’
Flo raised her eyebrows. ‘Kerry Anne, you are the best daughter a father could ever have wished for. Living nearby and working on the estuary for many years, this family has water running through its veins, so blood would not have been thicker, whichever way. Our love has grown from a mutual understanding and respect and, like your grandparents before me, it will never falter. In fact, what has come to light has made me feel even luckier. Our bond is stronger than the tides, without it even being a natural one. And how wonderful to bring Star and Skye into the family unit too, with Star being your sister ’n’ all, now.’
‘Thank you,’ Kara whispered.
Pearl downed her flute of champagne in one before surprising everyone there by saying, ‘So, Billy Dillon, are you going to make an honest woman of our lovely Kara before this baby comes then?’
Kara spoke up. ‘We don’t want to outshine your wedding, now do we?’
Estelle spoke up. ‘Weddings, babies, it’s all happening, isn’t it? You give me hope, Joe: it’s never too late, is it?’
‘No, it isn’t, Estelle, and may I say how fine you are looking. Your hair is great like that.’
Estelle found herself blushing.
Darren cleared his throat. ‘As we are all having a say, I’d like my turn, please.’ He addressed Charlie. ‘Dad, thank you for coming. I can’t say I haven’t been hurt by your actions, because I have. But knowing you as I do, I’m aware it took a lot for you to come in and face everyone like this and for that I’m really pleased and proud of you. I have, however, decided to move away from Hartmouth.’
Kara grasped Billy’s hand.
‘I’m not going far though – only to Devon. A picturesque little place called Cockleberry Bay.’ There was a sigh of relief from the Dillon family. He went on awkwardly, ‘I’ll be going to live there with my new boyfriend,’ adding, ‘Phew, it sounds weird but so bloody liberating saying those words.’
‘Anyone we know?’ Star asked nosily.
‘You all do, actually. Let’s just say I call him my Tasty Pasty!’
A tutting Auntie Flo got up to refill her glass with tap water.
‘Well, I propose a toast to my twin brother,’ Billy said. ‘Proud of you, mate. To Darrenandhis tasty pasty!’ The words echoed around the kitchen and Joe replenished everyone’s glasses.
Star really wanted to say something too. ‘I didn’t know you’d proposed already, Joe,’ she said. ‘Did you like the ring, Pearl? Joe had a big input in its design. He wanted to use your namesake stone, diamonds and white gold. And the little shell flower was down to me.’
‘What, this one?’ Flo, noticing a sparkle around the back of the kitchen tap, lifted the beautiful piece of jewellery in the air.
Pearl and Joe were now falling about in hysterics, the big lady’s infectious laugh setting everyone else off without having a clue what was going on.
Once he had managed to contain himself, Joe wiped his eyes and explained, ‘We thought Bob the Dog had eaten the ring. Well done, Flo.’ A unified toast of ‘Well done, Flo!’ went around the room as Pearl popped open another bottle of champagne.
Joe tapped his glass again and made eye contact with everyone around the room.
‘To Star and Moons, to babies, boyfriends and weddings. To old friends and new beginnings. Happy Christmas, everyone!’
A resounding, ‘Happy Christmas!’ filled Bee Cottage.
‘Woof, woof,’ said Bob the Dog.
