Chapter 20
Bunty woke to the gentle chug of the narrowboat engine. She found it soothing. Back home upon waking her first sight was the view of the bay through the large bedroom window. Often she’d leave the blind open, not wanting to shut out the stunning, panoramic scene before her. Out of habit, she turned to the miniature window beside her now, pushed back the small curtain and sighed contently. Outside was that winter wonderland. The frost covering the canal side shone like glitter under a bright morning sun. All was quiet, apart from the throb of the engines as boats glided along the waterways.
‘Good morning, Bunty.’ Perry entered the cabin with a plate of bacon sandwiches and a mug of tea.
‘Oh, lovely, thanks, Perry,’ she replied, sitting up in bed and taking the plate. He placed the mug on the cabinet next to her. ‘And happy birthday. It’s me who should be doing this for you.’
He leaned over and kissed her full on the lips.
Bunty’s heart skipped, as it often did when he kissed her, but more so today, because today was the day. It wouldn’t be long before she gave him his card and gifts. Once more a feeling of trepidation hit her.
‘You all right, sweetheart?’ Perry frowned, seeing a flicker of emotion pass over her face. Bunty quickly shook herself.
‘Yes, of course,’ she replied with a tight smile.
‘Good, because after breakfast I’ve planned a full-packed day,’ he chuckled, rubbing his hands.
Yes, thought Bunty – and that’s not all. Her birthday card lay propped up on the dining table, along with the wrapped presents. She swallowed with anticipation. Exactly how was he going to react?
‘You sure you’re OK?’ Perry asked again.
‘Yes, fine.’ She forced another smile.
‘No regrets spending a holiday on the boat?’ he persisted warily.
‘Not at all!’ she replied with gusto.
‘Good,’ he paused, then added, ‘and you enjoyed the concert last night?’
‘Oh yes, it was amazing.’ Bunty reflected on the singing in the cathedral, the soft light of the sun casting shadows on ancient stone walls and the sweet choral voices echoing throughout the church was purely magical.
Perry beamed a smile at her. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it.’
‘Yes, and I’m sure we’ll both enjoy your birthday too,’ answered Bunty. By then they would (hopefully) be engaged, she thought happily.
‘Come on then, eat up,’ he chivvied her along. ‘It’s a day to enjoy.’
‘It certainly is,’ she grinned craftily.
It wasn’t long after breakfast when Perry looked eagerly towards the dining table laden with his birthday presents and card.
‘May I?’ he asked, eyes twinkling.
‘Of course!’ laughed Bunty. ‘Card first,’ she insisted.
He slid it out of the envelope and smiled at the scene of a sailing boat on a pure blue ocean. Then he opened it. Bunty held her breath. Perry’s eyes scanned over the writing inside, ‘Perry, will you marry me?’ There was a pause.
‘Say something, Perry,’ Bunty said in a quiet voice. He looked into her eyes.
‘Bunty, open this.’ He took a small, wrapped box from inside his waistcoat pocket and handed it to her. Bunty’s heart was hammering as she fumbled to unwrap it. It was a ring box. She lifted the lid and gasped, suddenly spun back in time. It was the same ring, from all those years ago.
A memory kick-started, playing like an old film in her mind… a picnic on a little fishing boat, sipping champagne, sitting together on the deck, gently bobbing up and down, listening to the waves as they lapped against the boat sides. Perry had suddenly presented a ring, a stunning Aquamarine diamond which glittered in the last of the sun’s rays. Bunty gasped at its beauty.
‘Marry me, Bunty,’ Perry had insisted, praying the ring he’d produced would persuade her into accepting…
Staring at it now, lit this time by the sun streaming through the boat’s windows, her eyes filled with tears. ‘It’s my ring,’ she whimpered.
‘It is. Now are you going to do us both a favour and put the thing on this time?’ he cajoled.
‘Yes,’ she half laughed whilst a tear ran down her cheek. Perry took out the ring and placed it firmly onto her finger.
‘Now then,’ he smiled. ‘It’s finally where it belongs.’
Bunty’s arms flew around his neck. Holding him tight, she never wanted to let go.
‘Bon appetit!’ cheered Madeleine, raising her glass of wine.
‘Bon appetit!’ chorused Felix and Emma in unison.
‘This looks fabulous,’ Emma gushed, mouth watering at the mountain of food Madeleine had prepared for them.
‘Mum always cooks a great roast dinner,’ said Felix.
Madeleine nodded with a smile, glad to be of help. She was sticking to her promise to Emma, instead of letting her do all the cooking. Laughable, really, when she was in fact the housekeeper. But her mother’s intuition had clocked Emma as the lady of this house in every aspect. She knew her son and it was blatantly obvious where his feelings lay. That was mainly the reason why she’d now decided to return to France, to give the two of them space. Madeleine was no fool; she would rather get out of the way and let nature take its course. Soon the filming crew would be back, so time was precious. As a farewell meal she had pulled out all the stops and made a real effort in the kitchen.
After a splendid dinner with all the trimmings followed with cheesecake, then cheese and crackers, they all retired into the drawing room for coffee. Instead of watching TV, Madeleine insisted on playing charades.
‘Really?’ laughed Emma, surprised at her request.
‘Absolutely, it’s fun!’ she exclaimed.
Felix went first and had them all in stitches, as he tried (after several glasses of wine) to act out Grease, by imitating John Travolta combing back his quiff and pulling up his jacket collar. Eventually Madeleine got it, but only because he’d done the same before.
‘He does it every time,’ she groaned, rolling her eyes.
‘I’ve got one!’ Emma blurted out, getting into the spirit. Then she too, somewhat tipsily, tried to act like Polly by going over to the bow window, looking out to sea and then, turning dramatically with a gasp, she placed the back of her hand on her forehead.
Felix smiled lazily, instantly getting it. She was mimicking Lady Scarlett but he kept silent, enjoying her performance. He glanced at his mum and suspected she was doing the same.
Emma looked from one to the other in exasperation, then tried again, this time she went to the glass drinks cabinet and pretended to pour herself a drink. She raised her cocktail glass with a theatrical stage wink. Still, nothing from either of them. Oh, for goodness’ sake, she thought. Then she broke the rules and spoke.
‘By Jove, I’ve solved the case,’ she chirped in the best Lady Scarlett accent ever.
Felix burst into hysterics, while Madeleine leant over in giggles.
‘You knew!’ Emma exclaimed as indignantly as she could, whilst trying not to laugh too. Her phone bleeped in her pocket, diverting her attention. It was a text from her dad.
Big news, Emma , was the caption under the photograph of Bunty’s hand wearing her engagement ring.
‘OMG!’ trilled Emma. ‘Dad and Bunty are getting hitched!’