As we all look up, a tiny aircraft comes into view over Comet Cove, and chugs its way towards us.
Nell calls out. ‘It’s pulling a banner! That’s brilliant! Let’s see what it says.’
David’s reading it out as the aeroplane flies across the bay in front of us, with the banner furling behind it. ‘HIGH TIDES HOTEL SUPPORTS ST AIDAN SEA POOL!’
Nell’s chortling. ‘I hope the TV crews get that!’
Kit’s shading his eyes as he watches. ‘Don’t worry, the camera guys have been primed.’ He looks down at me. ‘You don’t think it’s too much?’
As I shake my head, I realise I’ve actually got goosebumps. ‘No, it’s amazing.’
As the plane flies out to Oyster Point we all wave, then it circles back inland, and when it comes across the bay for a second time we’ve all got our phones out to film it. When it disappears again, we all stare at the sky and wait for the next circuit. This time it takes a bit longer to come, but as it finally arrives Kit’s hand tightens on mine. And then as the plane comes across the bay, Nell murmurs, ‘They’ve changed the sign.’
The crowd around us gasps as I read the words:
WILL YOU MARRY ME, FLOSSIE FLAPJACK-FACE?
It takes a while for me to take it in, and by the time I do there are tears running down my face.
I turn to find Kit’s down on one knee on the cobbles, looking up at me, his grey eyes soft against his dark lashes, and Shadow’s beside him, giving his cheek a lick. ‘So what do you think – would you like to marry me, Floss? I don’t want to rush you, but I love you so much, I don’t want to waste a day.’
I’m biting back the sobs, as I look around the sea of faces around us. Mum, David… Sophie is there, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, Milla is jumping and down on the spot.
Then a lone voice nearby calls out, ‘Say yes, Flossie Flapjack-face!’ And the crowd around us takes up the cry too. Soon the whole of the harbourside is chanting, ‘Say yes, Flossie Flapjack-face! Say yes, Flossie Flapjack-face!’
Kit is shaking his head as he looks up at me. ‘Sorry, I didn’t plan for there to be this much pressure.’
Nell lets out a huge whoop. ‘It’s St Aidan, Kit, everyone likes to help!’
The crowd are clapping and stamping now, so I murmur to Kit, ‘Yes please. I’d love to marry you.’ Then I shout it louder to the people around. ‘Yes please! Of course I want to marry him! I can’t think of anything better!’
And as the plane disappears, there’s a general roar, and Kit hands me a ring.
‘This is for today, until you decide on a proper one.’
As he slides the ring onto my finger, I can see the words engraved around the outside.
Will you marry me, Floss? xx
Milla’s screaming. ‘Omigosh, a dedicated proposal ring!Grazia’s never mentioned them!’
And then the plane comes round again, and this time it’s towing a new sign, saying:
FLOSSIE SAIDYES!
The roar of the crowd ripples right around the bay as the plane passes.
Kit’s standing up, threading his arms around me, pulling me into a kiss. And by the time we break apart, the plane is passing another time, and it’s back to towing the High Tides banner.
David’s rubbing his hands. ‘Well, that went well! Congratulations, Floss and Kit, and a great moment for the hotel too!’
Rye’s holding up his phone. ‘It’s all captured on here!’
And then everyone rushes forward to hug us.
Nell’s punching the air. ‘The singles club have had proposals before, but this will go down in history as the most romantic one ever.’
Clemmie’s smiling at Kit. ‘I love how you knew what Floss was going to say, Kit.’
