Chapter Twenty-Seven
Faye
As she stepped off the wobbly boat onto the soft sand of the island, Faye was exhausted. Not from the journey itself, but from the constant yo-yoing in her mind from what am I doing to I need this.
Everything had ended so abruptly; she needed the closure. But now she was here, the sun and the sea greeting her like an old friend, reality hit her. Closing the book here would make it final.
You need this, she reminded herself, dragging her small suitcase through the sand and onto the canvas walkway.
She stepped under the arch of blue and yellow flowers welcoming her back to the island and breathed in the fresh, salty air.
It was cooler than the last time she was here, but the October sunshine covered the island in a golden glow.
The space hummed with activity. Dozens of people dressed to the nines, with fascinators dotted around like a lost flock of tropical birds, one gust away from disappearing into the North Atlantic.
Guests gathered around the buggies, acting as a makeshift taxi rank to transport them further inland.
Faye scanned the colourful scene, looking for a phenomenal pantsuit, her pulse keeping a sturdy rhythm. She couldn’t explain it, but she sensed that Diana was near.
She landed on a pair of kind dark eyes.
“You’re here!” The force knocked the air out of her as Carla scooped her into a big hug. “Dog’s Bollocks! I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she mumbled into her shoulder, the world passing her in a spinning blur as Carla twirled her round.
Carla put her back on land and studied her appreciatively, letting out a low whistle. “Someone did not come to play, eh?”
Faye struck a little pose, fanning the blush pink dress so that the slit running up her thigh showed even more skin.
Her dads and Quin had spent hours shopping with her until they’d found the perfect dress—one that screamed: “Diana, eat your heart out.” The combination of the deep V-neckline and cinched ruched waist, and the smooth, soft fabric flowing over her skin, absolutely nailed the brief.
Carla nudged her. “Come on. You can ride VIP with me.”
Riding VIP with Carla meant sitting at the front, wedged between a suitcase and a box of bottles, while other guests packed into the back.
She chatted away as they navigated the island, a bombardment of memories flying at Faye: seeing Diana in the bar, throwing up in the flowers, running after Tiago, kissing Diana in the ruins.
That moment in the courtyard when everything shattered.
As they climbed the hill towards her cabin, a ghostly feeling passed over her.
The presence of Faye who’d arrived here last time.
How unsure she was. How afraid—how hungover.
So much good had happened here that had changed her for the better.
She was more confident and accepting of herself, and she knew what she wanted.
She wouldn’t let what happened with Diana taint or take away from that.
Ultimately, finding her enigma was what she’d come here for in the first place.
She breathed in deep, letting the air touch every space in her lungs. When she exhaled, she picked her head up higher. I’m a fucking elephant. Strong and resilient. She touched the totem resting against her chest, letting the feeling sink further into her skin.
Faye left her suitcase at her new cabin, then Carla dropped her off at the courtyard with the others, with the promise of seeing her later at the wedding.
Flowers cascaded down the pergola in blues, pinks, and yellows, and she touched one as she passed, the silky petals soft between her fingers.
A dozen round tables had been set up in the courtyard, their clean white tablecloths adorned with petals, with blue napkins folded into turkeys and dolphins—Riley and Ella’s spirit familiars.
“Would you like a drink?”
The voice made her turn, and she burst into a big grin. “Romeo! How are you doing?”
He grinned back, wobbling his tray and almost spilling the flutes of sparkling liquid down his neat, beige vest. “I finally got the goats to master the hoop trick. Now I just need to add the fire.”
The image of Sandy Springs doused with flames entered Faye’s mind. “That’s brilliant… Just be careful, Romeo.”
He nodded, angling the tray towards her, his brown hair flopping over his eyes. “Would you like one? They’re non-alcoholic.”
She declined. Drinks with bubbles still didn’t do her any favours—whether they were alcoholic or not.
The last thing she wanted today was a bag-astrophe.
Romeo made the rounds of the other guests, and Faye went for a wander.
She chatted with some familiar faces from her time on the island.
Louis and Charles were in the process of adopting a baby, and Faye couldn’t be happier for them.
Her eyes kept wandering, though, searching for that woman who could turn her legs to jelly and her heart to mush.
When Senhor Arenoso appeared, clapping his hands together and asking everyone to follow him down to the beach, Faye’s heart sank.
Maybe Diana wasn’t coming.
She’d known it was a possibility. One that she’d have to be content with. But she’d had a feeling…
She picked up her gaze, scanning the rush of colourful guests again. Maybe the connection they’d shared had been weakened by their time apart, distorted by the electromagnetic waves, and it was all wishful thinking.
She couldn’t deny the disappointment. There was so much she wanted to say to Diana that would go unsaid, but she’d promised herself she’d be present for Ella and Riley’s wedding. So she had to put a pin in that for now.
I’m a fucking elephant.
She joined the throng as they descended the walkway, dresses catching the wind like billowing ribbons, some holding their hats for dear life. The sea, as reliable as ever, beckoned them closer with rolling waves, the gentle crashing soothing Faye’s internal storm.
On the sand, bamboo runners led the way to the aisle, which was prettily decorated on either side with shells and colourful stones.
Blue chiffon drapes fluttered loosely in the breeze, matching the chairs paired with white gypsophila.
At the head of the aisle, a beautiful wedding arch stood, wrapped in white and blue flowers.
Senhor Arenoso, wearing a magnificent blue kaftan lined with gold, exchanged hugs and kind words with everyone as he guided them to their seats. Faye removed her shoes by the wooden sign offering guests that option, letting her toes sink into the warm sand.
“Faye,” Senhor greeted her, kind eyes assessing. “Lovely to see you. I trust the elephant is guiding you well?”
“As well as she can.”
He let out a low chuckle before steering her towards a white wicker chair. “Have a little faith,” he said with a wink, and turned to greet the next in line.
Faye smiled at her neighbours and let out a breath. Just relax and enjoy yourself. Her leg bounced, the material sliding off her thigh.
More guests filled the aisles, polite chatter humming around her as the waves broke gently on the shore and birds cawed overhead. She hoped Pinkie was doing well. Riley had told her the tracker showed her successfully reunited with her flock, so she took pride in that.
She let her gaze drift, admiring a raft of shearwaters bobbing along the frothy surface of the water. Then a figure emerged from behind the rocks.
Her heart squeezed. She forgot how to breathe.
Diana was approaching, black heels in hand, the breeze gently tousling that gorgeous blonde hair, like a shampoo advert.
A sophisticated mid-length dress flowed around her calves, its long sheer sleeves and deep V-neckline revealing acres of perfect pale skin.
As she drew closer, Faye’s pulse firm and thick in her throat, the delicate, textured pattern on her dress grew visible; the deep burgundy colour was that of an exquisite red wine Faye wanted to drown herself in.
Diana carried herself just as Faye expected. Like that of a goddess, an angel, a queen. Her breath hitched as Diana scanned the seated guests. Was she looking for her?
She waited, heart fighting to beat out of her ribcage. The chatter of the guests around her faded into a pitchy ringing that only heightened her focus on the woman standing by the wedding arch.
Then Diana’s gaze found Faye, and the world tilted on its axis. Everything she’d worked so hard to contain slipped away from her and towards the woman who held her heart. Like gravity itself were shifting.
She blinked, the pull behind her sternum deepening, the distance between them unbearable.
But it was Diana’s face… Her composed expression, her deep chocolate eyes tracing Faye’s frame like they were committing it to memory.
Then the twitch of her mouth. The corner curving into that smile that struck like an arrow through her heart, pinning her to her chair.
Then the scene snapped like a shutter. Senhor Arenoso hurried to greet Diana, blocking her from view as he ushered her into her seat. She’d made it just in time; the wedding was about to start.
Faye exhaled shakily as the band began. The light acoustic notes of the cavaquinho drew the guests into silence.
Heads turned as the staff made their way down the aisle first, fronted by Carla and Romeo arm-in-arm.
They joined Senhor Arenoso at the front, faces full of grins as Riley walked down next, dressed in a tailored beige-and-baby-blue suit.
She greeted everyone as she passed, offering smiles and waves, until she reached the altar, where Senhor Arenoso pulled her into a big hug.
The two bridesmaids were next. A forest green sculpted dress for one, blonde hair pinned up messily, while the other’s was pink and loud and full of feathers, with an enormous fascinator resembling a satellite dish balanced on her head.
The acoustics swelled, the viola braguesa joining the cavaquinho, the paired strings weaving a flowing accompaniment as everyone got to their feet for the bride’s arrival.
As she descended the last step, helped along by a man Faye assumed was her dad, Ella burst into joyful laughter. “Who thought it was a good idea to attempt all those steps in these heels?”
She stepped onto the bamboo, sunlight catching every movement of the delicate tulle and lace flowing around her curves. Her train trailed softly behind her with every step, catching sand under the silk like glitter, her grin growing with every second.
Riley held her hands to her chest, eyes threatening to spill as her bride drew closer.
Faye couldn’t help but steal a glance at Diana, who was watching the ceremony with glossy eyes.
As though on instinct, her gaze flicked to Faye’s.
Faye’s heart fluttered as she returned her attention to the brides.
Senhor Arenoso stood with Riley under the arch, his own features swelling with pride as Ella’s dad kissed her cheek and gave her arm to Riley.
“Good luck!” he teased with a wink. “She’s your problem now.”
Ella swatted at him as he took his seat at the front, but Riley caught her hand, planting a kiss on her fingers. “Happily.” Dimples popped in her cheeks. “You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you.” Ella squeezed her hand. She pivoted to the guests, as though she’d just remembered they were there. “And so do all of you. All of this… It’s so wonderful. Thank you so much for making the journey here. It means the world to both of us.”
Senhor Arenoso brought his palms together.
“Welcome, friends, family, to life’s most precious and sacred event, the joining of two souls.
There’s something incredibly special about these connections.
When a bond between partners recognises the light and shadow in their inner worlds, it transcends simple physicality and becomes a deep, powerful energy that feeds back into the world itself.
“True love is sacred. It’s love that shifts our understanding of ourselves and the universe.
When we recognise that, when we’re brave enough to nurture and challenge it…
it’s the most potent and compelling force that exists.
” He glanced between the two of them with tears in his eyes, but his voice didn’t waver.
“It spills into the people around us. It feeds back into the earth. It restores balance and faith that true love, in its purest, most profound state, survives, blossoms, and endures.” He placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
“So let’s unite them further, the turkey and the dolphin, brought together in life’s imperfectly perfect harmony. ”
That brought a cheer from the guests and a loud wolf-whistle from the green-dress bridesmaid.
Faye blubbed through the vows and the exchanging of rings. Riley’s words had most people dabbing their eyes, but tears streamed down Ella’s face as she relived their journey of how they got here.
Ella’s vows took a more comedic route, starting with how Riley had rescued her from a bramble bush in the middle of a rainstorm.
Then, at Senhor Arenoso’s declaration of marriage, the two brides kissed, and everyone burst into a loud roar of applause. Riley dipped Ella, throwing her head back in laughter until she kissed her again. A flash from the photographer immortalised the moment forever.
Just then, a passing seagull dropped a load from the sky. Riley spun her wife out of the way just in time, the white monstrosity landing in the sand instead of on Ella’s head. That drew an even bigger cheer.
Riley held up Ella’s hand like a treasured prize. “My wife, everyone!”
The guests each took a handful of petals and cast them over the newlyweds as they walked back up the aisle hand in hand, back up to the courtyard, where music was already echoing.
Faye lingered at the back, caught in her emotions, her feet planted in the soft sand.
Then a presence settled beside her, one she could sense from a hundred miles away. Her stomach flip-flopped as she turned to Diana.
“Can I talk with you, please?” Diana asked.