Morgan was at the footof the stairs as they were about to descend them. ‘I was just coming to let you know what’s happening. Ned’s ringing around the community letting everyone know the situation. They’re all going to be on the lookout for him.’
Pippa and Oliver swiftly descended the stairs and stood in front of Morgan.
Pippa nodded and exhaled a deep breath of relief. ‘It’s good to know the community is still ready to rally their support in times of crisis.’ Oliver nodded in agreement. She looked up into his eyes, hers steely with determination. ‘Ready?’
Oliver nodded. ‘Yes. Let’s go find your father.’
***
They naturally stayedtogether and gravitated towards the streets near the beach. Pippa didn’t know how worried to feel. There was no denying her father had dementia. His small lapses in memory were the proof she’d seen since she’d been back home, but apart from that, he appeared to be fully compos mentis. He was out looking for Ginger, so maybe they were all being overly cautious. Pippa really hoped she was right.
The silence was lengthening between them, and although not opportune, Pippa thought this was the perfect time to talk to Oliver.
‘Ollie?’ He turned to look at her profile. She knew that would get his attention. ‘I don’t want you to put your family home on the market.’
He stopped walking and turned to look at her with a frown. ‘Are you saying you want me to accept Ava as my sleeping partner, because it’s too late for that now? After your reaction yesterday, I’ve already told her I’ve decided to go it alone. Right about now, she’ll be landing back in LA airport.’
Pippa knew she’d been right guessing it was Ava. She turned to look at him and shook her head. ‘No. What I’m trying to tell you is...I’dlike to be your partner.’ His face lit up. ‘I mean your sleeping partner. I’ve done a quick calculation and worked out if I sell my apartment in Ireland, and then if needs must, get a small loan if I fall short, I’ll be able to match what Ava would have contributed.’
Pippa was shocked when Oliver turned his back on her. Had his rejection of the offer been so immediate? Pippa’s stomach dropped into her feet when he shook his head, confirming her intuition.
‘No.’ She felt as if she’d been stabbed in the chest. ‘No,’ he repeated. He spun around to face her, his eyes staring intensely at her. Her heart pounded in her chest. He looked wild with anger at her suggestion. ‘No...I don’t want you as my sleeping partner, Pippa...I want you as my...partner in life. I want you to be my wife.’ He took a step towards her. The wild look Pippa had mistaken for anger was love.
‘W-what?’
He cupped her face in his hands. ‘You were the one who got away Pippa.’ Pippa gasped. Oliver got down on one knee and Pippa choked back a sob. This was the reoccurring dream she’d had her whole life. Oliver searched the sand around him until he spotted a length of twine. He grabbed it and pulled something out of his pocket. It was his penknife. He flicked it open.
‘What are you going to do with that?’
Oliver looked up with a grin and a gleam in his eye. ‘Once a Seagull Bay kid, always a Seagull Bay kid.’ He cut the string, tied it into a small hoop and pocked the knife. He held up the string hoop and grabbed Pippa’s hand, searching her eyes as he spoke. ‘Pippa Pickles.’ Pippa let out a half sob, half chuckle. ‘Will you give me the honour of accepting my marriage proposal? Will you be my wife?’
The tears that had swiftly gathered on her lower lashes as Pippa had watched Oliver fashion a string engagement ring, now ran freely down her cheeks.
‘Yes. Yes, of course I will Oliver Onions. Then if we’re lucky enough to have children one day, they’ll be our little pickled onions.’
Oliver laughed and slid the string onto Pippa’s finger. He jumped to his feet and took her in his arms. Pippa stared up into his brown eyes, drowning in the dark pools. He lowered his mouth to hers and his soft lips kissed her again for the first time in years. Pippa’s heart swelled. It was as if she were fifteen again.
Her phone began to ring and she reluctantly pulled away. She fished it out of her pocket and stared down at the screen. Her aunt’s named flashed on the screen. Pippa’s heart palpitated in her chest. She hoped it was good news. She answered and put the call on loudspeaker for Oliver to hear.
‘Pippa...He’s been found.’
Pippa let out the breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding in. ‘Oh thank goodness. Where?’
‘Ned remembered a place they used to hang out when they were kids. He was there, sitting down, looking out at the sea. When Ned asked him if he’d been out looking for Ginger, Ned said he looked shocked and said, ‘Ginger is missing?’ Bless him, he’d forgotten he’d gone out searching for him... Anyway, he’s home safe now.’
Oliver’s face showed the relief Pippa was feeling. ‘Okay Aunt, we’re coming back now.’
***
Back in the pub, Brett, Ned and Morgan were sitting at the bar. Oliver and Pippa walked in holding hands. As soon as Morgan noticed their entwined fingers, she smiled.
Pippa went straight over to her father and wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘She scared me, dad. Please don’t do anything like that again.’ She pulled away and looked into his pale blue eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Pip. Apparently, I let Ginger out and then went looking for him. I say apparently because I can’t remember... Pippa, there’s something I need to tell you, but I don’t want you to get upset because it’s under control and being slowed down by medication.’ Pippa bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. ‘I have dementia.’
Tears fell again for the second time within minutes. Pippa tried her best to keep her voice even, but her brimming feelings got the better of her and she had to swallow past the large lump in her throat to speak. When she did, her voice cracked with emotion. ‘I’m going to be here for you, dad. I’m going nowhere.’
His face lit up. ‘You’re not going back to Ireland?’
