‘Very happy. I can hardly speak. Yes, please, I’d love to talk to you about your plans. Name the date and I can show you my portfolio and client testimonials and…’ I paused to draw a breath. ‘Apologies. Very excited here.’
‘We obviously can’t offer you the project until we’ve talked and seen your work,’ Rosie said, ‘but I’m loving your enthusiasm. We both love Willowdale Hall very much and it’s important to us to work with someone who feels the same.’
Oliver nodded his head. ‘Have you ever been inside, Mel?’
‘I wish! No. I’ve never even seen the outside up close.’
‘So you love it even though you’ve never seen it?’ Rosie asked.
‘The closest I came was a boat trip on the lake. I’ve seen some old photographs but what makes me fall in love with a place isn’t just the bricks or stones – it’s the history. I’m fascinated by the Beatrix Potter connection and how the hall was used in both wars. That background is what gives a place a heart and when a building gets restored, I’m all about getting that heart warm and beating again. That probably sounds corny.’
‘I love that,’ Autumn said. ‘It’s not corny at all.’
Arnie gave us a ten-minute warning which had Jonah and Maya jumping up to get another round of drinks in.
‘All my details are on here,’ I said, handing my business card to Oliver. ‘Call or email me when you’re ready to meet and let me know if you’d like anything from me in the meantime. I can send you links to my work and client testimonials if you like.’
They both shook my hand and said they’d be in touch very soon. I said goodbye to the group and returned to our table with Georgia. A short while ago, I’d needed to squash down a squeal of grief but now I needed to keep a lid on a squeal of excitement. What a turnaround.
‘Willowdale Hall!’ I said as we sat down once more. ‘I can’t believe it! Thank you.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘You got me an in. That’s huge.’
She shrugged. ‘I was in The White Willow last week and Rosie and Oliver were at the next table. I overheard them saying they really needed to get their act together and start searching for an architect if they were going to have any hope of refurbishing the hall this year, so I butted in and told them I happened to know the perfect woman for the job who I could introduce them to tonight.’
I put my arm round her waist and rested my head on her shoulder. ‘I thought it was your birthday. How come I’m getting the best gift ever? Or at least the chance of one.’
‘Because you deserve something to light that smile and make your eyes sparkle again,’ she said, her voice cracking.
I changed position, hugging her tightly. Did I deserve that? I wasn’t so sure. Did I need it? A hundred per cent. Even in that brief conversation with Oliver and Rosie just now, I’d felt more alive than I had in a very long time. I wanted to light my sister’s smile and make her eyes sparkle too and I knew how to do it. I had been planning to save my news until we got back to Georgia’s but I couldn’t imagine a better time than right now.
‘I do have another birthday gift for you,’ I said when I released her.
‘You can’t have! You’ve already spoilt me.’
‘I know, but it’s something you’ve wanted for a lot longer than you’ve wanted that handbag.’
‘Colin Firth in his Mr Darcy days?’ she asked.
‘Iamhere,’ Mark said, attempting to look indignant.
‘It won’t be here immediately and it’ll be too big to wrap,’ I added.
She shrugged. ‘You know I’m rubbish at guessing games.’
‘It’s something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to give you but I think I’m ready to now.’
Georgia gasped, her eyes widening. ‘Is it… is it you? Are you coming home?’ The words were hesitant, as though she feared it was an impossibility.
I nodded. ‘I think it’s time.’
I thought she might squeal but she pulled me into another hug and I stroked her back as I felt her tears soaking into my jumper.
‘You’ve made me cry on my birthday,’ she said, rummaging in her new handbag for a packet of tissues moments later. ‘But I’ll let you off. You’ve just given me the best gift ever.’
‘Even better than Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy?’ Mark asked.
