Chapter 69
SIXTY-NINE
The Party
Alice’s garden looked stunningly beautiful. Mark had hung the lights along the fence and set up the patio heaters.
He had found something online that turned the water in the fountain different colours, and gold banners had been attached to the fence, bearing words of congratulations that shimmered beneath the lights.
Along with Alice’s selection of garden fairies and ornaments, the whole space would look magical when darkness fell.
Once more, Maisie’s friend had been invited for a sleepover, after Jess’s friend had mentioned she could not find a babysitter for New Year’s Eve. The two little girls would keep each other occupied, so Alice was more than happy for her to attend.
Carol had offered to take them to Jess’s flat before midnight, but Jess had been one step ahead and bought a wigwam and two sleeping bags for them to settle in.
She would not expect Alice to look after the girls overnight at her advanced years but wondered vaguely whether Declan might help her get the girls back to her flat.
Jess felt the butterflies in her stomach when she thought of Declan being at the party.
‘I think that’s a wrap,’ said Carol as she glanced at the impressive buffet that had arrived twenty minutes ago that she had laid out on the table.
The white iced cake at the centre of the table looked impressive too and had been adorned with some edible gold glitter. The room was festooned with balloons, and two banners were displayed on opposite walls, one bearing the words ‘Happy Birthday’, the other ‘Happy New Year’.
Alice had been banished to her bedroom to change, and when she emerged wearing a beautiful silver dress and her favourite red lipstick, she gasped.
‘It all looks wonderful,’ she said. ‘How have you managed to do all this so quickly?’
‘Well, the balloons were already inflated and in bin bags,’ revealed Carol. ‘The rest took two minutes.’
The buffet had been uncovered whilst Alice had changed, and she took in the platters of delicious-looking food.
‘And you look sensational,’ said Jess. ‘Like a movie star.’
‘Thank you kindly.’ Alice smiled. ‘And you both look beautiful too. Isn’t it wonderful to dress up for a party?’
‘It is,’ agreed Jess, who still felt a tad overdressed, but she had to admit she looked and felt great in her fitted black dress.
Ten minutes later, Maisie and her friend Libby had arrived. Libby’s mum had taken them to a pantomime in town, and they ran in excitedly with flushed cheeks.
‘Thanks for this,’ whispered Libby’s mum. ‘To be honest, I don’t even feel like going out, but the restaurant has been booked for months.’
‘No problem. The girls always love a sleepover,’ Jess assured her.
Both girls squealed when they spotted the wigwam behind the sofa and headed straight for it.
‘Thanks. And happy New Year for later,’ Libby’s mum said.
‘Happy New Year.’
‘We just need to wait for Mark and Declan, then you can have your present,’ said Carol to Alice.
Just then Mark arrived. He was wearing a smart blue shirt and a pair of black jeans that made him look years younger, thought Carol.
‘Present? But I told you not to bother with a present; all of this is more than enough,’ said Alice as she glanced around the room.
They had already presented her with cards that were lined up along a shelf, along with the ones from her family down south.
‘As if we would not buy you a gift,’ Jess said with a laugh.
A few minutes later, Mark heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.
Looking through the window, the friends spotted the sleek Bentley, and out stepped Declan. The car belonged to Ken Watson, who had provided his chauffeur to drop Declan off after the meal.
‘Oh, how marvellous!’ exclaimed Alice. ‘I haven’t ridden in a Bentley for more years than I can remember.’
As Declan headed up the path, the sight of him made Jess’s heart beat wildly. He had never looked more handsome in a gorgeous dark-grey suit over a white shirt. She could hardly wait for the celebrations to begin.
‘Right,’ said Mark, clapping his hands together after everyone had enjoyed a drink and sampled some of the delicious buffet. ‘It’s time for your present, Alice.’
‘A present? Really you shouldn’t have. You all being here is enough.’
‘You really thought we wouldn’t buy you a birthday gift.’ He raised an eyebrow as he presented Alice with her birthday present.
‘What on earth can this be?’ asked Alice as she tore off the sparkly silver wrapping paper. ‘I do love a surprise,’ she said excitedly.
When she opened the box and peered inside, her hand flew to her mouth.
‘Oh, my goodness. Is that what I think it is?’ she asked as she lifted the white metal structure, that looked like a birdcage from its box.
‘An exact replica of the Palm House at Sefton Park,’ Mark informed her. ‘I had it especially made. One of my friends down at the marina is a metal worker. Look inside; the roof comes off,’ he instructed Alice, who was so shocked she could barely speak.
Mark recalled how much Alice had enjoyed their day out together at Sefton Park.
Inside, a selection of tiny plants and rocks were nestled on a bed of soil. It reminded her of a bottle garden or terrarium she had once owned.
‘It’s perfect. Simply beautiful,’ she said. Never in her life had she received such a thoughtful gift.
‘Oh, and there is one more surprise,’ said Mark as he pulled the curtains back from the patio doors.
He slid open the doors to reveal the garden in all its glory.
‘I’m not sure my heart can take any more of this,’ said Alice as she stood open-mouthed, taking in the scene outside.
Libby and Maisie raced outside and ran to the colour-changing fountain surrounded by the fairies.
Jess sorted some music and the drinks flowed as everyone gathered outside.
A little after ten, Alice was certain she would not make it until midnight as she was already feeling a little tired. Maybe she would settle in her favourite wicker garden chair with a blanket near the patio heaters. It seemed her friends had thought of everything.