Chapter 49
FORTY-NINE
Seven p.m. and Stan pulled right up to the door of Jago’s farmhouse and moved around to let Rita out of the car.
She opened the door, stepped into the kitchen and froze.
‘SURPRISE!’ The room erupted with Jago, Priya, Zenya, Thom, Sennen, Kelly, Teo and Jude all grinning at her.
Hilda sat in the comfy chair in the corner sipping on a large gin and tonic.
A huge birthday cake sat on the table, candles waiting, and next to it, her favourite egg sandwiches on white bread, salt and vinegar crisps, and a bottle of zero-alcohol sparkling wine on ice.
She blinked. ‘I… I don’t know what to say.’
‘That’s good,’ Kelly said, raising her glass. ‘Because you don’t need to say anything.’
Rita laughed, still trying to take it all in. ‘I thought you’d all forgotten.’
‘We absolutely did not,’ Sennen said, stepping forward. ‘We just decided to do it properly now because today has been such a riot.’
‘And say it in person,’ Priya added.
‘And with snacks,’ Stan said, already halfway through an egg sandwich.
Jago moved towards her, eyes warm. ‘We realised you were possibly going to be knackered, so it’s a small birthday celebration for now. But with a huge heart. Just like yours.’
‘I will have to get back over to yours to make sure they are not wrecking the joint soon,’ Sennen offered.
‘Of course, darling, I can imagine you’re all tired, too, but what a wonderful day.’
‘Ah,’ Jago said lightly, ‘but we’re not finished.’
At that moment, Thomas appeared from the hallway. In his arms was the most beautiful golden Labrador Rita had ever seen. Not a weeny bundle, but solid, with paws already slightly too big for his body.
Rita gasped. ‘Oh… oh my God.’
‘I know,’ Thomas said quickly. ‘Happy birthday, Mum, from me and Sen.’
‘Before you ask, everything’s been done properly. I found him in the rescue centre. Home checks. Vet records. All sorted. He’s four months old, semi-trained, so already technically knows how to sit.’
‘Technically,’ Zenya echoed.
‘OK. He still only sits when he feels like it,’ Thomas admitted.
‘Like father, like son.’ Rita shook her head. ‘I told you what your father did when Buddy died.’
‘Sennen thought it was a good idea, too.’ Thom looked worried. ‘Are you angry?’
‘How can I possibly be?’ Rita smiled. ‘Thank you, both, so much.’
Rita laughed, tears prickling now. The puppy wriggled and promptly went for the button on her cardigan.
‘Oi,’ she said fondly. ‘You are not starting your life here by undressing me.’
‘That’s my job,’ Jago whispered in her ear.
‘Has he got a name?’ Teo asked. Thom shook his head.
Rita looked down at him, thumb brushing the soft dip between his eyes. ‘It’s a no-brainer isn’t it; how about Buttons?’
‘Buttons?’ Kelly said.
‘From Cinderella.’ Rita put her face into the cute puppy’s neck. ‘And because the first thing he did was try to eat them off my cardigan.’
Jago smiled. ‘Perfect.’
Buttons yawned, curled himself into her lap as if he’d always belonged there, and fell asleep instantly.
‘Another boy,’ Zenya said. ‘Honestly, Rita, you’re collecting them.’
‘Two babies and a Labrador,’ Rita said, thinking maybe she should write a film script to go with her Emmerdale episode.
Later, as cake was cut and drinks topped up, Rita passed Thom in the hallway.
‘Care to explain about Imogen? Davie found out she does have a boyfriend, you know.’
Thom grinned. ‘There’s method in my madness, Mother. And that’s all I’m saying.’
Rita sighed. ‘I raised you better than this.’
‘You raised me brilliantly,’ he said, and winked.
‘I actually don’t want to know another single thing.’ Rita shook her head in mock annoyance. ‘But… I’m going to stay here with Jago tonight so can you make sure you get your grandmother home safely and in the warm before any more shenanigans, please.’
Thom kissed his mum on the cheek. ‘Of course, I love you, Mumsie.’
Later, when the kitchen had emptied and Stan had ferried the slightly tipsy back to Seahaven Bay Farm, Rita leaned back into Jago’s comfortable sofa.
Buttons curled at her feet in his new basket, soft snores punctuating the quiet music drifting from the speakers.
He’d already settled in as if he’d always belonged, and Meg, Jago’s sheepdog, had adopted him without so much as a fuss.
Outside, the night was perfect. The full moon hung like a silver coin over the bay, its light spilling across the water, turning every gentle wave into a ribbon of sparkling light.
Small boats bobbed lazily, lanterns and fairy lights twinkling like stars scattered across the dark sea.
A warm summer breeze whispered through the huge bay window, carrying the faint scent of salt and jasmine from the garden.
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting it all sink in. Earlier, Michael had asked her if she was happy. She’d nodded then, without hesitation. And she could say it again now, even more clearly: yes, truly, I am.
Rita opened her eyes to see Jago kneeling in front of her, Buttons lifting his head in his basket, as if sensing something important was about to happen. From behind his back, he produced a small red velvet box.
Taking a huge breath, Jago began, ‘Rita, you are… the mother-to-be of our children, the heart of our family, the person who somehow manages to hold everything together when all around is falling apart, whilst still making everyone laugh. I have never met anyone as brave, as stubborn, as clever, or as perfectly imperfect as you. I’ve watched you pour your heart into this life, into me, into the people you love, and of course your wonderful retreat and I can’t imagine my life without you. ’
He looked down at Buttons, who wriggled and let out a little yap, then fell back to sleep.
‘I want you to know that I will always have your back, you will never have to face this world alone, and I will never let a day go by without reminding you how much you are loved. Let’s bring it on, this new little family of ours and create more happy memories together. ’
Rita felt tears prick the corners of her eyes, but she refused to look too serious. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said lightly, ‘You’re laying it on a bit thick for a red velvet box, aren’t you?’
He smiled, unfazed, then opened it, to reveal a delicate diamond and sapphire ring that sparkled as it caught the moonlight.
‘Rita Jory’ – his eyes were brimming – ‘will you marry me?’
Rita blinked, laughter catching in her throat. ‘Yes, yes, a million yeses.’ She quirked one eyebrow. ‘But hang on.’ Jago caught his breath. ‘I’ll marry you… on one condition.’
‘Oh God, here we go.’ Jago showed off his one-dimpled smile.
‘You honour every single weird pregnancy craving that I will no doubt be demanding at odd hours for the next few months.’
‘Deal,’ Jago laughed and kissed her softly on the lips. ‘I bloody love you. I really do.’
Rita pulled away. ‘That’s handy because I feel exactly the same. And at least we know a fantastic wedding venue we can use now.’ She put her hand to her bump. ‘But we won’t be doing that until we’ve met these two.’
Jago laughed. ‘I wanted this proposal to be a lot grander… and I know I promised you a spectacular make-up, and for that I’m sorry.’ Jago kissed her again. ‘But this, well… it felt just right. The right time, you know.’
Rita smiled, looking down at her ring as her hand squeezed his. ‘All it needed was me and you; where or how didn’t matter.’
Jago kissed her forehead. ‘But what does matter now is the part of the deal that we discussed before.’ He pulled her up.
‘Remind me,’ Rita teased.
‘On the fourth of June, we relight the fire, our fire. One cake, forty-seven candles, and enough lurve to set off the smoke alarms.’
‘Oops, in light of things maybe we need to rephrase that.’
‘See, funny as fuck.’ Jago grinned. ‘That’s why I love you. Now come on, let’s relight our fire.’
‘Happy birthday to me!’ Rita giggled, giving Jago’s bum a cheeky squeeze as she trailed him to the bedroom.