Epilogue
Six months later
‘I didn’t want to tell you before all the details were confirmed, but I’ve been working on a secret project.’ Leo handed me a press release as The Heathrow Express hurtled through a tunnel.
Amplify CEO set to launch PR Cubs and Kittens.
‘You’re not in PR News, again? Honestly, I don’t know how they’d survive without all the free content you feed them. Cubs and Kittens? Sounds like a strip club.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, that’s exactly it – I’m opening a strip club, and I thought I’d wait until we were on the way to the airport to tell you.’
I laughed. ‘What is it, then? You’ll have to read it out; the copy is tiny and the words are jumbling together.’
Leo cleared his throat and shuffled the paper like a BBC newsreader. ‘Today marks the historic occasion of London’s coolest and most successful PR agency – Amplify –’
‘Some big claims there…’ I interrupted.
‘It’s my press release, I can claim what I like,’ he said, going back to it.
‘…Amplify launching its new intern programme, Cubs and Kittens. They are inviting applications from those aged sixteen to twenty-five, and particularly welcome school leavers and graduates from underrepresented backgrounds.’
I felt a lump in my throat as Leo continued in his clipped English accent.
‘Leo Kendrick, CEO, said, “This is a subject close to my heart. I was one of the lucky few to get an internship when I left university, but these opportunities are incredibly rare these days. We’ll be taking three interns on each year and giving them the experience they need to get an entry-level role in the PR industry.”’
I took the press release back and scanned it. ‘You are amazing, Leo. Do you know that? What a brilliant thing to do.’
‘Well, I figured there’s no point me being CEO if I’m not going to make a difference. It’s up to us to help the next generation.’
‘True enough. All of us, not just you. Why cubs and kittens?’
‘Isn’t it obvious? I’ve named it after us. From cubs and kittens, lions and cats grow.’ He growled in my ear, and I shivered as he kissed my neck, purring in reply.
I was stunned into silence as the train started to slow down; the internship was a nod to our time together at Engelman and I felt proud to be associated with it in some small way.
‘Can Northstar get involved as well?’ I asked, suddenly having a flash of inspiration. ‘I’m sure Heidi would take three interns on if we spoke to her about it. We could make it a cross-industry initiative. A legacy for all the CEOs and leaders out there.’
Leo’s eyes lit up. ‘Love that idea. Sure, why not. The more the merrier, right? Send her a copy of this press release and if she’s up for it we can do a joint call to arms for other agency leaders to get on board.’
The idea of giving a younger version of myself a step up gave me goosebumps.
That Leo and I could be the reason someone somewhere had a slightly easier time of it than we’d had.
The next generation out there, trying to get on the bottom rung of a slippery career ladder with no ‘connections’ to help them.
We could be their connections – it didn’t have to be the same story on repeat for all of time.
Leo leapt off the train, grabbed both our cases and started running towards the check-in desks.
We were only going to Barcelona, so why we were travelling from terminal five was anyone’s guess.
I ran after him, realising I had the passports in my bag; he wouldn’t get very far without those.
I rounded the corner and scanned the crowd for his cowboy hat, only to spot him sat on a chair with his legs crossed, suddenly very relaxed.
‘What is going on?’ I said, out of breath and clutching both passports.
‘I’ve got a surprise for you,’ he said, with a smile. ‘Come and sit down next to me and close your eyes.’
He’d lost me. ‘I can’t have a surprise today – it’s your birthday. It’s my job to do all the spoiling and the presents.’
‘It’s for both of us – you’ll see.’
‘OK, but our flight goes in an hour, and we don’t even know the gate number yet. Can we do the surprise once we’re through departures?’
Leo shook his head. ‘Nope. It’s happening right here, right now.’ He patted the seat next to him and I did as I was told, unzipping my coat and shoving my gloves in my pockets.
‘Do I really need to close my eyes? You’re not going to run off, are you? Because my make-up is in that suitcase and if you disappear with it, I’ll be devastated.’
Leo gave me a look, so I closed my eyes and sat quietly, while he shuffled about.
‘Keep them closed, no peeking,’ he instructed, and I felt his headphones cover my ears. ‘OK, you can open them now.’ He handed me his phone where Brooke’s face filled the screen.
‘Hey there, love birds!!!’ she squealed, and I blinked in disbelief.
‘Brooke! How are you? Where are you? What’s going on?’
Leo pressed pause. ‘It’s pre-recorded,’ he whispered.
‘Oh.’
Her bleached blonde bouffant was piled high on her head and her lips shimmered pink with gloss.
‘Greg and I wanted to say a huge happy birthday to you, Leo, and that we’re so damn happy to hear you guys found love on the Esmeralda.
Another unimaginable moment, brought to you by Excalibur, hey?
That line really does just work for every occasion, don’t it? ’
‘It sure does,’ I said, nestling into Leo’s chest as he watched on in delight.
‘Leo has probably spilt the beans by now, but just in case he hasn’t – Kat, we’ve got a surprise for you both.’
I looked up at Leo who was grinning from ear to ear.
‘I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you’ve missed your flight to Barcelona.’ Brooke pulled a faux-sad face. ‘Because there isn’t one!’ she squealed in delight. ‘Instead, Greg and I are sending the pair of you on an all-expenses-paid trip to Barbados to sample the Princess Aaliyah.’
I nearly dropped the phone in astonishment.
‘Pretty cool, hey?’ Leo said. ‘She figured they owed us a holiday after the bunk-bed trauma. To compensate us for any back trouble – mine will never be the same.’
‘Greg has said I can put it down as mystery shopping,’ Brooke continued with a wink.
‘You both deserve a rest after everything we put you through on the Esmeralda. Those rooms, that crazy schedule, and all the running around Dahlia made you do.’ She giggled.
‘Although it was a lot of fun to watch y’all play along. ’
‘That woman is seriously twisted.’
‘I wanted you to meet another one of our cruise ships in person – and Aaliyah is just the ticket. Absolutely gorgeous. If you thought Esmeralda was beautiful, Aaliyah is going to blow your freakin’ minds.
Don’t have too much fun without me – can’t wait to see the photos!
’ Brooke gave a frantic wave and the video froze.
‘Is this a wind-up?’ I said, completely confused.
‘Nope. It’s real.’
‘So we’re not going to Spain?’
Leo chuckled. ‘Gotcha,’ he said, nudging into me. ‘I wanted it to be a surprise.’
‘Barbados!’ I said, dreamily. Leo was always organising little surprises, but this was huge.
‘I’ve never been to the Caribbean before – and the Aaliyah looks amazing, but why would they give us a free holiday? What’s the catch?’
‘There isn’t one, and I’ve been promised it won’t feel like an Excalibur holiday. I don’t want you thinking about work the whole time. The Caribbean ships are quite different apparently – with fewer people and much bigger, plusher bedrooms.’
‘Bigger and plusher than those staff cabins? Surely not?’ I said, kissing him in delight. ‘And I know all about the Aaliyah, silly, I do their PR, remember?’
‘Apparently they’re testing out a new model for honeymooners.’ Even the word gave me palpitations as I tried to remember what I’d packed. ‘It includes a couples massage, water-skiing, quad bikes so we can get around the island and a meal for two on the beach.’
‘The snorkelling is supposed to be incredible out there, as well,’ I said, my mind racing. ‘This is so cool. How long until we fly? Can we watch some of the match?’
I snuggled into Leo’s big arm for extra warmth. The Liverpool game was about to start, and we were wearing our football shirts in solidarity for the boys.
‘Oh yes, one other detail Brooke forgot to mention,’ Leo said, pulling two tickets out of his pocket. ‘We’re flying business class!’
‘No??!’
‘Yes.’ He smiled, as my mouth dropped. ‘So, we can watch the match in the lounge with a bottle of champagne.’
I threw myself at him and screamed. ‘How is this happening? Thank you so much!’
‘You’re worth it. There is one more thing I’ve been wanting to talk to you about before we go through, though,’ Leo said, his expression suddenly serious.
My stomach clenched. ‘What’s that?’
‘Do you know what today is?’ he asked, unfurling his arm.
Oh no. A test. ‘Other than your birthday,’ I said, knowing that couldn’t be the answer.
‘Yesss, other than that.’
I pretended to think for a moment before shaking my head. ‘No idea,’ I said, honestly. I was rubbish at remembering dates and anniversaries and what happened when.
‘It’s exactly six months since you introduced me to Chez Margot and we finally got together.’
‘Is it?’ Had it really been six months? ‘Is that something we should celebrate?’
‘Yes. It’s our half-anniversary, and I wanted to mark the occasion with a question.’
Another question. This was starting to sound like a Cosmopolitan quiz. How well do you know your other half?
‘OK… go on…?’
‘I love you, Kat,’ he said, taking my hands and turning me towards him.
‘I love you too,’ I said, my heart skipping a beat. I really did love him, and I’d say yes to whatever question he wanted to ask.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘Because I can’t stop thinking about you and “us” and the future – our future – and I just really want us to be official.’
I looked at him, bewildered. ‘I thought we already were?’
‘More official than that. To take the next step.’ The emotion in his eyes was more than I could bear, and it was all I could do to stop myself from wrapping my arms around him.
‘I want to at least put the idea out there because I know it’s what I want, but no pressure at all if you’re not there yet. ’
‘If I’m not where, exactly?’ I wasn’t entirely sure where this was going.
‘If you’re not one hundred per cent all in, I get it. It’s just that I am and I’m impatient and if you are too then I’m ready for us to get going with the rest of our lives.’
My stomach clenched again, but for a different reason this time. I knew exactly what he meant now, because I felt the same way. Dating back and forth these past six months had felt like a weird waiting game. The preamble to us getting started.
‘I’m excited too, you know,’ I said, softly. ‘And I am all in, Leo. Two hundred per cent. I want to do life with you.’
He kissed my hands, eyes shining. ‘Really? Well, then I can ask you my question.’ He stopped and took a breath, staring at me intently.
‘Kat. How would you feel about moving in with me?’ I nearly broke.
He looked so vulnerable, scanning my face in earnest for an answer.
Wearing his heart on his sleeve for all to see.
‘Oh, wow,’ I said, taken aback. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘Say: yes, Leo, that sounds amazing, I’d love to move in with you.’
‘Right.’
‘Only if you want to, of course.’
‘Of course,’ I repeated, feeling totally overwhelmed. ‘That does sound amazing. And very grown up and slightly terrifying. I’ve never lived with a man before. What if I hate it?’
He beeped my nose and grinned. ‘Then you can move back out again, and we’ll go back to life as it is now. Don’t worry, I won’t hold you against your will, but the question you should be asking is what if you love it?’
That was another way of thinking about it… what if it just worked out?
Leo pulled a shiny key out of his pocket, attached to a crumbly hunk of stone. ‘Recognise this?’
Again, he’d lost me. I shook my head, while the washing machine in my stomach went on fast spin.
He chuckled. ‘No reason you should. It’s a piece of volcanic rock from the Azores. I picked it up when we walked up Monte Brasil and brought it back.’
‘Oh, wow, that’s very cool.’
‘I had it treated and made into keyrings.’ He pulled another piece from his pocket and put the two halves together. ‘My key has a lion etched onto it and yours has a kitten.’
I took a closer look and could see the tiny images. ‘That is so cute and thoughtful!’ I said, planting a kiss on his cheek. ‘And very us.’
‘Uniquely us.’
Living with Leo was the scariest, most wonderful thing I could ever imagine.
But was it too soon? I was only thirty-five after all and far too young for that level of commitment.
Except of course I wasn’t – not even slightly.
Would it work or would we argue all the time and eventually grow to hate each other?
Maybe we’d laugh all the time and become obsessed with each other?
There was only one way to find out. My heart was shouting yes, but my head was in panic mode, loitering in maybe-one-day territory.
But I knew what I wanted to do and I wasn’t going to let irrational fear get the better of me.
It was time to be brave and venture into the unknown.
‘Let’s,’ I said, simply, taking the key and feeling a pulse of energy from the volcanic rock.
‘Really?’ he whispered, barely breathing. ‘Do you mean it? Do you really want to?’
‘Yes! I really do.’ I threw my arms around him and held on tight. ‘In fact, I can’t think of anything I want more right now. Happy birthday, handsome.’
If you loved this book, you’re going to love ESCAPE TO THE SWISS CHALET, the hilarious second-chance rom-com from Carrie Walker, available now!