Epilogue
‘Are we all here?’ Having purchased the tickets from the stallholder, Jonathan slid his hand back into Gemma’s.
‘Yes, I think so.’ Standing on her tiptoes, Gemma looked around the large group of people gathered around them in front of the striped circus tent on Nettleford-on-the-Wold’s green.
Yep, Annie, Tania, Lydia, Bertie, and every other staff member from Woodland Primary were here.
As were Hannah and Josh, Sophie and Florrie and Lucy, who had decided to join them on this particular staff celebration.
Jonathan had insisted on inviting them after Josh fixed the hall roof for free; Sophie and Florrie had joined in to finish the audit, and Lucy had encouraged her guide group to move their base from the community hall in Nettleford to Woodland Primary.
‘Great,’ Jonathan raised his voice. ‘Could I just have everyone’s attention, please? Just for a moment before we go in and enjoy the performance?’
The excited chattering from their group hushed, and everyone gave him their attention.
‘I just want to say a huge thank you to every single one of you. Together we’ve saved the school and preserved everyone’s jobs, and I can’t thank you enough.’
‘Mr Higgs?’ Little Florrie tugged on the sleeve of Jonathan’s coat. ‘Mummy says that without you asking for help, one of my teachers would have to leave. She always says it's best to ask for help.’
Looking down at her, Jonathan grinned. ‘You, Florrie, and your mum are absolutely right. Asking for help is always the best thing to do in a tricky situation, and I’m so very glad I did.’ He turned back to the group. ‘And I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming forward and helping.’
‘Three cheers for Mr Higgs.’ Adam slapped his hand on Jonathan’s back and shook his hand as enthusiastic shouts of ‘cheers for Mr Higgs’ rose above the laughter and chatter as other circus-goers filtered into the large circus tent.
As the group disbanded and disappeared into the circus tent, Gemma turned to Jonathan and laid both her palms against his cheeks.
‘Three cheers to you, Jonathan. You really have saved the day.’ Leaning forward, she kissed him on the lips.
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of meetings, highs and lows as they all worked together to fill the deficit.
Just as they’d thought all was lost, and they’d be twenty thousand short, Bertie decided to step back from his role as deputy head and go part-time.
He’d insisted it had been something on his mind for some time, and he was eager to begin to slow the pace as he readied for retirement.
Yes, they’d need to find someone to fill his role, but that was a worry for another day.
For the time being, the deficit was plugged, and nothing would stop them from celebrating.
‘No, none of this would have been possible if you hadn’t encouraged me to ask for help.’ Jonathan wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her back.
‘Well, I’m glad to be of assistance.’ She laughed as she turned, ready to join their colleagues inside. The crowd had dispersed now, and they were the only ones still outside. ‘It’ll be starting soon; we should go and find our seats.’
‘Wait. Just for one moment, please. I’ve got something I need to say to you.’ Jonathan stood still.
‘Oh?’ Frowning, Gemma walked back to him and took his hands in hers again. ‘Please don’t tell me the academy has asked you to move on? Please don’t tell me you’re moving out of the village?’
‘No chance,’ he chuckled before tucking a strand of her loose hair behind her ear and meeting her gaze. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
‘Then what?’ She bit down on her lower lip. Yes, the last few weeks had been rough, busy, filled with work and worry, but they’d also been filled with special times together. Since he’d professed how he felt about her in front of Lydia, they’d only grown closer, and she’d never felt happier.
Jonathan ran the palm of his hand across his face before resting his hands on her hips. ‘I love you, Gemma Murray. I love you more than I’ve loved anyone else in my entire life.’
Gemma opened her mouth before closing it again, her words stuck in her throat. He loved her?
As if reading her mind, he repeated himself. ‘I love you. I’ve loved every moment of the time we’ve spent together over the last few weeks, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.’
He did! He loved her! Throwing herself towards him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. ‘I love you too, Jonathan Higgs. I really do.’
As he enveloped her in his arms, Jonathan kissed her neck and whispered, ‘I love you’ again.
Here, in Jonathan’s arms, with the sunshine warming her skin and the laughter and cheers from inside the circus tent wafting outside and surrounding them, Gemma knew she’d never been happier. This was it. True love. Her and Jonathan, always and forever.
The End