Epilogue
‘ A nd that is the end of that!’ Scott held his glass aloft before taking a sip and indicating the counter of his electrical repair shop behind him which was piled high with plates of food and bottles of drink. ‘Please help yourself to food and drink.’
Clapping her hands, Bea stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Scott’s middle, drawing him close to her. ‘I still can’t believe you threw a party to mark the end of mentorship.’
‘You can’t?’ Leaning back, he looked at her and chuckled. ‘it’s been three long months of filling in that humongous workbook, reading about the history of Nettleford and jumping through hoops just to please Gregory, I think I deserved a party for my graduation.’
‘Your graduation!’ throwing back her head, Bea laughed and looked around the shop. All their friends were there, crowded into the shop to celebrate Scott’s graduation. Lindsey, Rob and the children too. ‘I do love you, you know.’
‘I love you too, Bea and there may just be another reason I threw this party tonight.’
‘Another reason? What’s that then?’ Standing on her tiptoes, she pecked him on the lips. These past three months had flown by in a whirlwind, their days filled with shop work, there evenings with dates or nights curled up on the sofa reading and never once had she forgotten how lucky they were to have found each other.
‘Come with me and I’ll show you.’ Stepping away, Scott lowered his glass before taking their coats from the coat hooks by the door and holding the door open for her.
‘We’re leaving the party?’ Stepping outside, she shivered as she shrugged into her coat.
‘Just for a moment.’ Once he’d zipped his own up, he held out his hand for her.
‘Where are we going?’
‘You’ll see.’ He grinned and nodded towards the green.
Turning, her mouth fell open. Two rows of candles lit the pathway through the green and from where they stood outside his shop, she could see the bandstand was lit with fairy lights. ‘What have you done?’
‘Umm…’ looking down, Scott rubbed the back of his neck and held his hand out instead of answering.
Taking his hand, Bea let herself be led across the road and through the pathway of candles, the flames blinking in the slight breeze. As they neared the bandstand, she could now see that a small table was positioned in the centre, a large bouquet of deep red roses standing in a glass vase. ‘What’s going on?’
Pausing, Scott ran his fingers through his hair before swallowing. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘Of course, I will. I’d come with you to the moon, Scott. You know that.’ She laughed, still a little unsure of what was happening.
Nodding, Scott took a deep breath and led the way up the steps of the bandstand before turning to look at her. Lowering himself to one knee, he drew a tiny burgundy box out of his coat pocket and opened it.
Holding her hands against her cheeks, Bea grinned. This was really happening! Scott was about to propose. The small diamond of the ring sparkled beneath the strings of fairy lights hanging from the roof of the bandstand and Scott’s eyes glistened with tears.
‘I love you, Bea. I think I did from the first moment I saw you in the town hall. You’re my other half, my best friend and the love of my life. Will you do the honour of marrying me?’
Kneeling down opposite him, Bea cupped his cheeks and kissed him, before pulling away. ‘Of course I will.’
A round of applause sounded from behind them and Bea looked down, realising their friends had joined them on the green.
‘Three cheers for Bea and Scott!’ Gregory’s monotone voice shouted above the cheering and applause.
‘Hip, hip, hooray for Bea and Scott.’
‘I love you, Scott.’ Standing up, Bea held her left hand out as Scott placed the ring on her finger.
‘I love you too.’ Drawing her to him, Scott wrapped his arms around her.
‘Ooh let’s have a look, Bea!’ Fleur called out as she ran up the steps to the bandstand, Lyndsey with Peony on her hip following close behind.
Holding her hand out, Bea grinned as she looked at her niece, staring wide-eyed at her auntie’s new ring. ‘Oh, I found the keyring from Peony’s nursery bag under my sofa the other day.’
‘You did?’ Lyndsey shook her head. ‘That ring is absolutely gorgeous, Bea.’
‘Thanks.’ Bea grinned as she plunged her right hand into her coat pocket and rummaged between the tissues and packets of chewing gum for the keyring. ‘Oh.’
‘What’s the matter?’ Fleur frowned at her.
‘I’ve just found this.’ Pulling her hand out of her pocket, she held her lucky pen up. ‘I must have had it all along.’
Thank you so much for reading.