Chapter Fifteen
Cassie was first up in the morning, and she took Flynn for a quick walk around the meadow.
When she returned, Isla and Rory were preparing a surprise breakfast in bed for Raf.
She fed Flynn as they made French toast with berries and yoghurt, and she nipped out to the garden and picked a rose to go in a vase on the tray.
She doubted he’d ever been given flowers from his own home before, a thought which pleased her.
Isla and Rory insisted that she come upstairs too, and Rory knocked loudly on Raf’s door.
He rearranged the pillows as he sat up and grinned as the teenagers launched merrily into ‘Happy Birthday’.
His gaze met Cassie’s above their heads, and she was glad he reached for a T-shirt to cover the bare chest she had no wish to be distracted by right now.
Flynn had followed them up as well, seeming to realise it was a special occasion, and he ambled over, nosing at Raf’s hand until it was on his head.
‘Thanks, guys, this is a very unexpected and welcome treat.’
‘You’re always doing nice things for us, so we wanted to do one for you.’ Isla settled the tray on his lap then clambered onto the end of the bed, facing him.
‘I love it, it’s much better than nice. And you’ve made me my favourite breakfast.’
Rory held out two gifts. ‘Happy birthday.’ He joined his sister, which left Cassie hovering awkwardly. ‘I know you’re opening presents tonight, but we wanted you to have ours now.’
‘Thank you.’ Raf accepted the gifts. ‘I’m intrigued. One of them sounds noisy.’
‘Mum, sit down.’ Isla patted the bed, and Cassie found a spot near the edge, curling her legs beneath her. ‘Aren’t you going to wish Raf happy birthday too?’
‘Oh, yeah.’ She laughed, as though it had simply slipped her mind. ‘Happy birthday.’
‘Thank you.’ Ordinarily they’d never used to celebrate anything without sharing a hug, a friendly kiss. But she wasn’t about to scramble over the bed and land in his lap in front of the children.
Isla and Rory were impatient for him to finish eating so he could open his gifts.
Cassie had no idea what they’d chosen; they’d dipped into their own savings to buy them.
She took the tray away once he’d emptied the bowl and he opened Isla’s gift first, unable to resist a loud chuckle when he found a pair of brown leather slippers and a pipe Isla pointed out was made of chocolate.
He drew her close for a hug, telling her it was perfect now he had his own home and was badly in need of slippers to keep him comfy in his old age.
Rory’s gift was a Lego set of a classic Land Rover, not dissimilar to the real one on the drive.
‘I hope we can build it together,’ Rory said earnestly.
Raf promised they could, and then it was Cassie’s turn. She handed him a small, gift-wrapped box. He took his time to unwrap it, and when he opened the box and lifted out the leather bracelet inside, she tried to bat away its significance.
‘I know you’ve already got bracelets.’ She pointed to his left wrist, as though he might’ve forgotten there were several wrapped around it. ‘But I saw this, and it felt right…’
He raised the two strands of dark brown leather held together with a silver bead ring to admire it and turned it over to read the words inscribed on the ring.
‘What does it say?’ Rory shuffled up for a closer look.
‘It’s the opening lyrics of our last number one single.
’ Raf found his phone to enlarge the image so Rory could read it, too.
His eyes met Cassie’s over her son’s, and she read the surprised delight in them.
There had been plenty of number-one singles and albums down the years, and she’d chosen this one because although he’d been credited, with Jonny writing the music, she was one of the very few who knew that Raf had written every line.
Most of the recent Blue at Midnight songs were a collaboration, and he preferred to keep it that way as far as the world was concerned.
‘That’s really cool, Mum, I love it.’
‘So do I,’ Raf said softly, and there was nowhere else for Cassie to go when he leant across, not unless she threw herself off the bed. ‘It’s perfect.’
His lips were gentle against her cheek when he kissed it, the rough scratch of his beard brushing her skin. One arm went around her, and her pulse spiked again as he drew her close. She allowed herself a moment to indulge the pleasure her gift had brought him, then eased free.
‘I’ll take your tray down,’ she said casually. ‘Come on, Flynn, let’s give the birthday boy some peace.’
They left for the off-road experience after a light brunch, Cassie driving.
Raf was busy on his phone, replying to the birthday notifications still pouring in.
He’d mentioned that he’d been invited to take part in an interview with a music magazine, reflecting on the end of his career and talking about new plans, but he’d turned it down for now.
Calls also came from Jonny and his half-brother and sister in Australia, as well as his sister Tilly in her Greek B it was such a sweet story of friendship and fun.
Once it was over, the younger ones huddled together with the last of the ice cream tubs, Cassie went to fetch the cake, and Pippa offered to help with replenishing drinks.
In the kitchen she opened the high cupboard where she’d hidden the cake.
There were too many dogs around to leave such a tempting treat within reach, and she heard Pippa behind her.
‘Isn’t it a wonderful evening? Thank you for everything you and Gil have done. Raf seems thrilled and I’m so happy we managed to surprise him.’
‘You definitely did surprise me. And I love every single detail, so thank you.’