‘It’s mostly been down to Rhys, and anyway, it’s no different to what you’ve blinking well created over the past three years either: your own successful agency and a baby.’
‘Both of our lives have changed beyond all recognition,’ Mirabel said wistfully. ‘Can we take a walk?’
‘Of course.’
They left the clearing, the adult conversation muted against Enzo’s continuing giggles and the screeches of Barnaby’s daughter playing hide-and-seek with Polly’s children. Archie barked and spun round in circles, then chased after them. The path meandered beneath the trees and the only sounds besides the distant ones of their friends was the sigh of the wind through the leaves and the bubbling water as they neared the stream.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere quite so peaceful or beautiful,’ Mirabel said as they continued walking.
‘You live on Sardinia,’ Lola said pointedly.
‘It’s a different kind of beauty. Maybe it’s because both you and Rhys are so happy, it’s fed into everything here.’
‘This place is Rhys’s dream,’ Lola said softly. ‘His happiness makes me beyond happy.’
‘What about you, though?’ Mirabel glanced at her. ‘Are you not torn between here and London?’
‘It’s the best of both. Here there’s peace and freedom and the sea on the doorstep – something I’ve always craved – but I can go back to London when I need to, the same way I can escape back here.’
‘Is ityourdream, though?’
‘It’s our dream, Mirabel. That’s what makes this all so special. I honestly didn’t know what I wanted and then I met Rhys and everything slotted into place. I wasn’t looking for love; it found me.’ Lola clasped Mirabel’s arm as they strolled down to the stream. The cool clear water rushed over the rocky riverbed, and flickers of sunshine and shade danced across the surface. ‘Of course, if you’d told me four years ago that I’d be living in Wales in the middle of a wood with dodgy Wi-Fi and no coffee shop in walking distance, I’d have laughed in your face, but four years ago I was downright terrified, felt incredibly alone despite being surrounded by friends and was still reeling from a destructive relationship that had undone me completely. Everything I thought was important wasn’t. I don’t care if I can’t easily pop out for a latte or a cocktail with friends, get my nails done or go clothes shopping. I’ve discovered so much more, not least of all happiness.’
‘Oh Lola, I’m literally going to cry all weekend.’ Mirabel hugged her tight, then wiped her eyes. ‘My hormones are shot to pieces anyway – ever since I got pregnant with Enzo, I’ve been an emotional wreck and it’s not gone away. Maybe it never will. Motherhood’s made me happy yet permanently weepy!’
‘At least you have an excuse,’ Lola said as her own eyes began to well. ‘Come on, let’s go and join everyone. I’m overdue a cuddle with my godson.’
* * *
Once the sun had set, Lola brought blankets out to combat the chill in the air. Everyone gathered around the firepit at the centre of the clearing and the cool night was banished by firelight and laughter, beer and burgers, chatter and friendship.
Lola loved how all of their friends were with them, both hers and Rhys’s, because they’d become a friendship group that had only grown stronger with the challenges of life. After Sardinia, they’d made a pact to get together at least once a year and so far they’d managed it despite everyone living in different parts of the country and Fabs and Mirabel in Sardinia. But to have everyone together at the Hideaway, to be able to show off what she and Rhys had created, was extra special, particularly now.
The fluttering in Lola’s chest intensified as Rhys stood up and raised his glass. Archie whined and shifted close to Lola, nudging her hand with his damp nose so she would stroke him. Rhys glanced towards them as he waited for the conversations around the firepit to stop.
‘I can’t begin to tell you how good it is to have you all here, to share this place with you, somewhere that has made Lola and me incredibly happy.’ The firelight flickered across his face and Lola noticed his cheeks had flushed, and it wasn’t just from standing up in front of everyone, but because of what he was about to say. He glanced at her again and raised his glass higher. ‘And we have a bit of an announcement to make.’
‘Uh-oh, here we go!’ Freddie said. Zoe slapped his arm, but everyone laughed.
A hush descended and all of their friends looked expectantly between her and Rhys.
‘So, Lola and I are engaged,’ he said with a huge grin.
‘About bloody time too!’ Deni called, instigating another trickle of laughter from the group.
‘I knew it!’ Gareth turned to Sarah. ‘Didn’t I say they’d announce their engagement this weekend?’
‘Yeah, yeah, the king of predictions strikes again.’ Sarah rolled her eyes at Gareth, then turned to Lola and Rhys. ‘This has been a long time coming, you two. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we’d have been more surprised if youhadn’tannounced you were engaged.’ Sarah raised her glass. ‘I’m delighted for you, as I’m sure we all are.’
‘Hear, hear!’ echoed around the group.
‘The best news.’ Tears tracked down Mirabel’s cheeks, even though Lola had phoned her the day after Rhys had proposed in this very clearing a week before.
‘When’s the big day?’ Barnaby asked. ‘Or are we getting ahead of ourselves?’
‘Oh, we’ve not thought that far ahead yet,’ Lola said as she scratched Archie beneath his ears. ‘We’ve been rather busy getting this place up and running.’
‘Sardinia is a wonderful destination for a wedding.’ Mirabel flashed them a gleeful smile.
‘It certainly is,’ Rhys agreed. He sat down next to Lola and took her free hand. ‘But here is pretty special too.’
Yes, Sardinia was a stunning place to get married and of course it was a possibility, but as suggestions of where they should or shouldn’t get married were offered, it was Fabs who made the most sense; a low-key wedding with a big party afterwards would suit them both, and where better to host it than the Hideaway, a place they’d created through love, hard work and passion. It was where they lived and had grown together, where their fledgling relationship had developed into something so much more, it was their livelihood and their future, somewhere that held possibility and promise.
The Hideaway was home, yet Sardinia would always be special because it was where they’d opened up their hearts and souls to each other, where they’d met and made their love pact on that moon-bathed jetty and had fallen in love for real.
* * *
