‘Daddy’s burning something!’ yelled Arlo excitedly. ‘Is it a Viking party?’
‘Not intentionally, no,’ said Sophie, exchanging worried looks with Anna.
The children ran ahead and the adults followed up the pathway with Sophie scanning the house for any signs of flames. Further up the path she could see Dave waving although he didn’t seem distressed, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any need to be alarmed.
Dave was leaning over the old wheelbarrow. When they got closer they could see he was using it as a barbecue.
‘That is the coolest barbecue ever,’ said Hudson, reaching out to shake Dave’s hand.
‘Thanks, mate,’ said Dave, puffing up with pride. ‘I saw Mary Berry do it on the telly.’
‘Can we wheel it round the garden while it’s on fire?’ asked Arlo, jumping up and down.
‘No, sorry, son. It needs to stay put. I’ve got drinks for you and Petal on the wall.’ He indicated two plastic mugs of squash nearby. Anna was impressed: Dave really had changed.
The garden was neat and tidy and swathed in tiny lights, giving it a very festive feel.
‘I like your fairy lights,’ said Hudson, and Dave and Sophie sniggered.
‘I’ll explain later,’ said Anna, shaking her head at her juvenile friends.
‘Here you go. You can man the flames for a bit.’ Dave handed the barbecue tongs to Hudson, tapped Sophie’s arm and guided her up the garden a little way away from the others.
‘I wanted to give you this.’ He held out a small black velvet box. ‘It’s not your Christmas present. It’s just … Here.’ He passed her the box and shoved his hands deep in to his coat pockets.
Sophie was surprised but a thread of excitement spun inside her as she opened the box a fraction and peeped inside. Nestled in the velvet box were two rings. Her engagement ring and her wedding ring, although they looked quite different to the last time she’d seen them. No longer cut in two by the hospital they now sparkled as if under jewellery shop lights.
‘You got them fixed,’ she said, tears springing to her eyes. It was such a thoughtful thing to have done and she’d not even noticed they were missing. Dave took them from the box and slipped them onto Sophie’s finger.
‘They fit too.’
‘I got them resized at the same time.’
‘Because I’m not the skinny person you married?’ she said mock reproachfully.
‘Because you’ve changed. We both have.’
She was very happy. She tore her eyes briefly away from the sight of her rings glinting on her finger and looked at her husband. Her stupid, ordinary, brilliant, thoughtful husband. ‘I love you, Dave,’ she said, pulling him into a kiss.
Anna found she was staring at Sophie and Dave. It was a lovely thing to witness – they’d been through a lot.
‘They’re a great couple,’ said Hudson, butting into her thoughts.
‘They certainly are,’ said Anna, leaning back into Hudson’s arms.
‘If we’re swapping gifts, I got you this,’ he said, pulling a small wrapped package from his pocket.
Anna opened it carefully. ‘Strawberry and black pepper jam. I love it.’
‘I saw it and thought of you,’ he said. ‘But then I’m thinking of you most of the time.’
‘Anna?’ Arlo’s voice came from near the house. They all turned to look. Arlo was pointing at Maurice. ‘Is he allowed to play with those?’ asked Arlo, pointing at the cat who was proudly marching off with a pair of Dave’s Batman pants.
And despite the chaos, despite the fact her cat was thieving again, she kissed Hudson. Because right at that moment she had everything she could possibly need.
Acknowledgements
It takes so many people to get a book over the finish line so massive thank yous to my fabulous editors Katie Loughnane and Rachel Faulkner-Wilcocks for doing an amazing job of knocking this one into shape along with all the fabulously talented folk at Team Avon. Thanks too to my wonderful agent Kate Nash for always being on hand to nudge me in the right direction.
Huge thanks to my technical experts and life experience sources: Dr David Boulton for wonderful medical ideas and guidance – any errors are entirely my own. Anna Jennings of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust for answering all my wildflower questions. Cherie Niles for some top corporate phrases. The free runners of Birmingham City Centre for parkour information. Cheryl Bourne for, well, you and I know which bit and that’s how it shall remain ;-)
I’d like to raise a gin to the ladies of the RNA party train: Erin Green, Phillipa Ashley, Christie Barlow, Liz Hanbury and Nell Dixon for continued support, laughs and full glasses.
Thanks also to Kearan Ramful for his ongoing support.
Special thanks to the custodians of Moseley Park for letting me spend a blissful day there with my family, which provided a lot of inspiration for Wildflower Park.
A special mention to all the people I have ever worked in an office with – you are most definitely not in this book; however, you have kept me going for the last thirty years and provided much inspiration – thank you.
And probably the biggest thank you goes to the terrific bloggers, reviewers and wonderful readers that spent their hard-earned cash and precious time on my book – you guys rock! And if you have a minute, a review really does make all the difference and means such a lot – thank you.
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As the sun begins to set on Sunset Cottage, an unlikely friendship begins to blossom…
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About the Author
Bella Osborne has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full-length novel.
In 2016, her debut novel, It Started at Sunset Cottage, was shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan Hessayon New Writers Award.
Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves this into her stories. Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays.
She lives in the Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter who, thankfully, both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).
Also by Bella Osborne:
It Started at Sunset Cottage
A Family Holiday
Escape to Willow Cottage
Coming Home to Ottercombe Bay
About the Publisher
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A Walk in Wildflower Park Page 34