Epilogue
One Year Later
Christmas music was playing in the Jolly Pirate pub, cheering the customers drinking at the tinsel-adorned bar and those feasting on a turkey dinner in the restaurant area.
Sophie and Matt pulled a Christmas cracker, and Sophie encouraged him to read the joke out to everyone at the long dinner table.
Matt cleared his throat. ‘Okay, can I have your attention? It’s Christmas cracker joke time.’
Sophie shushed everyone.
Matt unfolded the small piece of paper. ‘I’m pregnant.’ He frowned, reading it again, then turned to Sophie. ‘What?’
Sophie nodded. ‘Surprise.’
Everyone cheered as Matt wrapped her up in his arms.
Lottie and Samuel fussed over their four-year-old daughter who they’d adopted that year, placing a paper hat on her red curls and one on her doll sitting on the table.
Will and Ginny had their son in a highchair between them, feeding him mashed roast potatoes with vegetables, which he kept spitting out.
‘This table just keeps growing each year,’ said Ginny, wiping Robert’s mouth.
Spencer had his own son on his knee. ‘Yep, and louder.’ He shushed Archie’s squealing, then tickled him to make him giggle.
Beth leaned over to pass their son a toy duck to keep him occupied. ‘One day, our lot might take over the whole pub, Robson.’
Robson laughed, placing his arm around Demi’s chair. ‘I’ll have to close for the day and charge you lot double.’
Everyone booed him, then laughed, and Demi kissed his cheek.
Jed stood, raising a glass of lemonade. ‘Here’s to our Christmas table. May it always grow and grow and know nothing but love, friendship, and sea shanties.’
Luna cheered. ‘Can’t let that die out.’
‘We won’t,’ said Sophie, holding Matt’s hand on her stomach.
Lizzie clapped. ‘Aww, what a year we’ve had again. We should toast to all our achievements.’
‘The success of the Happy to Help Hub,’ said Spencer, raising Archie’s sippy cup.
‘Extra funding for the food bank,’ said Samuel.
Lottie nudged him. ‘And our beautiful daughter.’
Samuel nodded. ‘To our Sarah.’
‘And to sobriety,’ said Demi, adding a small cheer.
Matt smiled her way. ‘And support.’
‘The kindness of strangers, who helped us newbies when we arrived here,’ said Beth.
Ginny and Will held hands across the highchair, and Robert was happy to smear their fingers with food.
‘To the whole of Port Berry,’ said Will, smiling at Ginny.
More Christmas crackers were pulled and drinks poured as the lively chatter continued around the table.
Alice noticed Benny texting Ellie. She left him to it, turning to hold Jamie’s hand instead. ‘Just think, this time last year we were renewing our vows.’
‘It’s flown by, hasn’t it?’
‘Yep, and look what we’ve achieved. You and your new website design business.’
Jamie lifted a hand. ‘Oh, yeah, and let’s not forget the Seaview winning best B&B in Cornwall last summer. Give it up for the incredible Alice Stark.’
Everyone cheered, and Alice blushed, lowering his arm. ‘Stop that. We celebrated enough back then.’
Jamie cuddled her. ‘And we’ll never stop celebrating, Angel. Look around us. Look what we have.’
Alice took in her friends and family one by one. ‘It’s pretty special.’
‘Not everyone is fortunate enough to be part of a wonderful circle like ours.’ He placed his palm on her large baby bump. ‘And I’m so glad our kid will know the power of friendship.’
‘Jed always says Port Berry is magical.’
Overhearing, Jed nodded. ‘That’s right. And I’ll never stop telling folk. If you want to clear away the cobwebs, find a place to call home, know what love, support, and kindness feels like, then come along to Cornwall and visit us in Port Berry.’
THE END