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“As am I.” He turned off the ignition, marveling at how instinctive the action was now. Just as Isla had suggested when they’d ridden their horses here so long ago, he’d taken to driving immediately. It didn’t matter if it was on the motorway or on the narrow, winding back roads in the country, the power of a car’s engine both thrilled and fascinated him. “I believe Maidstone would be glad that his land is now available for all to enjoy.” He got out and walked around the vehicle to open Isla’s door. “Do you think we’ve arrived early enough to claim our bench?”

“I hope so.” She took his hand.

His heart instantly responded, filling the spots that always felt a little empty when they returned to this place. He thought of Martha often and still missed being with Sam and Will.

“They continued to love you even after you left, you know,” she said.

Simon gave Isla a startled look. He shouldn’t be surprised. She always seemed to sense what was on his mind without him saying a word. They both hoped that Maidstone had found the Wendy costume Mrs. McQuivey had left behind in the undercroft. If so, he and Martha would have known exactly what had happened and would have understood. It would have been hard for them to explain it to their sons though.

“I hope the boys remembered me into their adulthood,” he said.

“They did.”

They started down the path that led to the lookout.

“How can you be so sure?”

She smiled. “You always remember the people you allow into your heart. And the twins had a special place in theirs for you.”

“And that presumably explains why I shall never forget them,” he said.

“Exactly.” She squeezed his hand gently. “But the best part is, adding someone new does not diminish the fond memories of those already there.”

He nodded, recognizing the truth of her words. Amid all the challenges and changes he’d experienced over the last two years, Isla had been his constant support. His anchor and his light. She always would be, but over the intervening months, he’d also added her parents, siblings, and nephews to those who were important to him.

“There it is.” He pointed to a familiar spot up ahead. The old fallen oak was long gone, but where it had once been, a wooden bench now stood.

“And it’s empty,” Isla said.

They sat down together. In the valley below, the once tiny hamlet of Little Twinning was a mass of twinkling lights. A string of vehicle lights moved swiftly along the roads that now crisscrossed the formally rural area.

“I see the bonfire,” Isla said, pointing to a flickering fire in a field just beyond the outskirts of the town. Like milling ants, the distant people moved around the flames, their shadowy forms barely visible through the smoke rising from the enormous pyre. “I imagine they’ll start the fireworks soon.”

Simon put his arm around Isla and pulled her close. Tonight, all around the country, there would be bonfires like this burning. People would drink hot apple cider or hot chocolate and eat donuts and toffee apples. Fireworks would fly heavenward to celebrate the saving of the English government and the capture of Guy Fawkes. It was a night of celebration, but for him and Isla, it was also a night of poignant reflection. In this special spot, the anniversary of that unparalleled event held deep meaning.

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November. Gunpowder, treason, and plot,” Isla chanted softly.

“I think it is safe to say that neither you nor I shall ever forget,” Simon said.

“No.” She paused. “Have you ever wondered what we should tell our children? What you’d want them to know about what happened in 1605?”

“I’ve thought about it a little,” he admitted. “Have you?”

“Yes. Especially in the last few weeks.”

“Because this date was drawing near?”

“Partly.” She turned so that her eyes were on his. “But mostly because this time next year, we’ll be sharing the bench with someone else.”

He stared at her, replaying her words in his mind. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “Isla? You know how I struggle with modern English. I don’t want to misinterpret or misunderstand what you—”

The look in her eyes softened. “We’re having a baby, Simon.”

His heart was pounding so hard, he could barely think. “You are sure?”

She laughed quietly. “I am sure. He or she will be here early next summer.”

They were having a baby! He drew Isla into his arms, the wonder and joy of this moment threatening to overwhelm him. “Perhaps we shall have twins.”