Kitty shrugged. ‘Yes, and I still believe we each have a long way to go to fix the scars from our past.’ She bit her lip. ‘I wonder, though, if sometimes it’s better to embrace happiness, ratherthan trying to live your life to some unspecified schedule. Who’s to say we’ll be less messed up in three months’ time? I’m not sure I can wait that long.’
Nick’s mouth hung open, but no words came out. Was she telling him she loved him?
‘Daddy!’ Emily ran backstage, Carla close behind. ‘You were like a film star,’ Emily said as Nick scooped her up in his arms.
Alice and Luke appeared behind Carla. ‘We were all so proud of you,’ said Alice. ‘Is everyone coming to the pub?’
‘Try stopping us,’ said Jack, picking up his coat.
‘Good.’ Luke beamed. ‘We want you there as … umm … we have an announcement to make.’
‘I hope it’s what I think it is,’ said Sylvie.
‘No spoilers.’ Luke tapped the side of his nose. ‘Not even for you, Gran.’
‘You’ll come to the pub, won’t you?’ Nick asked Kitty. They had unfinished business, and he needed to find out exactly where he stood.
‘You heard the man,’ said Kitty, pointing to Jack. ‘Try stopping me.’
Chapter 62
The pub was packed, with not a free table either inside or on the terrace. When they’d seen how busy it was, Carla had taken Emily to Nick’s house where they were staying the weekend. Much as Kitty wanted to spend time with Emily, she was glad to have Nick to herself. There were things they needed to talk about without an audience.
‘Do you know what Luke’s announcement is?’ Kitty asked him as they joined the scrum of thirsty locals queuing at the bar.
He grinned. ‘I do, but my lips are sealed.’
‘You won’t tell me?’
‘No chance. You’ll have to wait like everyone else.’
Kitty gave him a playful punch on the arm, enjoying the new flirty lightness between them. Things had been difficult for so long, she’d almost forgotten what it was like to enjoy the company of a good-looking man free of any complications.
A tap of metal against glass put an immediate end to the roar of conversation around them. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and people shuffled out of the way as Luke and Alice climbed onto low stools to address the crowd.
‘First off,’ said Alice, ‘I’d like us to raise a glass to everyone who was involved in tonight’s Summer Extravaganza. We can all agree it was an enormous success.’
Shouts of “cheers” and “hear hear” boomed so loudly through the pub that Kitty thought they were powerful enough to bring down the roof.
‘These,’ shouted Alice, producing an enormous bunch of flowers from behind her, ‘are for Margot, to say thank you for all she’s done, not only for the Summer Extravaganza, but for Saffron Bay in general. You’re a star, Margot, and we all appreciate everything you do.’
More cheers filled the air as a tearful Margot walked up to receive her gift.
‘Now,’ said Luke once the noise had died down. ‘We wanted to take this opportunity, when all our friends and family are gathered, to share some news. Two days ago, I asked Alice to become my wife, and I’m delighted to say, she said yes!’
The noise was unlike anything Kitty had experienced. There was whooping, hollering, wolf whistles, tables being thumped by fists, pint glasses pummelled against wood, the air filling with the scent of spilled beer as Saffron Bay celebrated Luke and Alice’s news.
‘We should go and congratulate them,’ Kitty shouted to Nick.
‘Good luck with that,’ said Nick, pointing to the masses scrambling to offer their own congratulations. ‘Come with me.’
Kitty allowed Nick to take her hand and pull her through to the back of the pub. He led her out the door and into the car park. The poor view was more than made up for by the fresh air, away from the noise and sweaty bodies.
‘What you said earlier,’ said Nick, ‘did you mean it?’
‘Which part?’ asked Kitty.
‘The part about Juliet, the part about not wanting to wait any longer.’
