‘The view from where we’re having breakfast is just as good,’ said Will, pausing at a high crossroads before indicating down the hill towards the sea. ‘Just a couple of minutes, and I promise breakfast is served!’
Will was tempted to cross his fingers about that, but he needed to hold his nerve—otherwise he risked ruining the surprise.
‘Thank you for driving,’ said Leah quietly, as they headed straight towards the sea. Glimpses of blue flashed between the fringes of flowers and high hedges. ‘I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this.’
‘My pleasure,’ said Will.
And it really was. He could feel Leah’s enjoyment radiating from her… and it was a feeling like no other. If a simple drive around the country lanes could make her this happy, what else was in his power when it came to making her smile?
‘Here we are,’ he said a couple of minutes later as he pulled through a gap in the hedge and parked the car on a slightly sandy, scruffy patch of grass.
‘Here?’ said Leah in surprise. ‘I don’t see a café… unless that’s it over there?’ She wrinkled her nose, nodding across the carpark at a stone-walled hut with a wriggly tin roof.
Will grinned. ‘That’s just a shed.’
‘Oh. Good! You had me worried there for a moment.’
‘No worries today,’ said Will. ‘And that really is a "boss man" order.’
‘Well… okay then,boss man,’ said Leah. ‘But are you sure this is the right place?’
‘Yep,’ said Will. ‘It’s just a short walk from here.’
‘Well… okay, then.’
Leah hopped out of the car, and Will followed more slowly. As he straightened up, he glanced across at the little shed again.
Sure enough, the minute Leah turned her back to have a look around, two heads appeared around the corner of the old stone wall. Will could just about make out Ewan’s grinning face, then he spotted a brief thumbs-up from Matt before they ducked back out of sight again.
Excellent. It looked like the plan was working. Stage one was ready for their arrival… and that in itself was a bit of a miracle!
‘Coming?’ said Leah, turning back to him.
Will’s heart did a funny little flip at the sight of the excited smile that had nudged its way onto her face.
‘Coming!’ he said, more than aware that his brothers were probably watching his every move as he joined Leah and led the way back out onto the lane. No doubt they’d be reporting back to the girls the minute they were out of sight. Will couldn’t really complain, though—not after everything the four of them had done for him since his bombshell realisation the previous evening.
It really was the shortest walk down to the entrance of the sandy cove, and Will was almost disappointed that it didn’t take them longer. The feeling of Leah walking along at his side was just so… right.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me?!’ she gasped as they drew to a halt at the top of the beach.
‘Breakfast is served,’ said Will with a grin.
Honestly, he was trying not to feel too proud of himself right now… but it was turning out to be quite difficult. As grand gestures went, this was a pretty good one.
Of course, he couldn’t take all the credit… or much of it at all, really. The huge gingham tablecloth set out on the sand a little further down the beach had been Rosie’s idea. The two squashy cushions for them to sit on had been Connie’s suggestion, and the picnic basket waiting for them had been carefully put together by food-loving Ewan.
Matt had taken charge of logistics. This magical moment had been planned by his big brother with near-military precision. Will’s only job had been to not stuff things up with Leah and make sure he got her there without any disasters.
So far, so good!
Perhaps he shouldn’t crow too much about his success just yet, though! This was just the beginning… he still had plenty of opportunities to mess things up.
A little wave of panic went through him, but then Rosie’s calm voice echoed in his head.Just stay present. All she wants is you there with her. And I mean THERE with her, not away with the fairies!
Will gave his head a little shake and glanced at Leah.
‘Is that really for us?’ she said, taking a tentative step onto the sand.
