It was a beautiful summer’s evening and we were all laughing, high on the good vibes radiating on the back of that trailer, screeching as the tractor bounced over the bumps in the lane. Within five minutes we were at the manor and we were all eager to disembark and get inside the marquee.
‘Doesn’t it look amazing?’ I whispered to Max.
The big white tent dominated the lawn, and already the sound of excited chatter and laughter filled the air. Cool white fairy lights twinkled in the trees and bushes, creating a magical otherworldly effect. Along the red carpet, tea lights flickered in glass lanterns providing a warm welcome.
‘Well, that’s all down to your hard work, Ellie. You organised most of this, didn’t you?’
I supposed I had, but it hadn’t felt like hard work at all. Everything we’d talked about for months, all the meetings at the pub had all been for this one night. Whatever I’d hoped for, the reality of it far exceeded anything I could have imagined. I swept into the marquee on Max’s arm, hugging our secret to my chest with a smile, and wafted around the tent, chatting to all my friends, family and neighbours.
‘Ellie, you’re looking gorgeous?’ Polly came dashing across to greet me, dragging George along with her.
I felt the tiniest pang of guilt that I hadn’t told my best friends, Polly and Josie, my news, but I knew they’d forgive me my reticence. Tomorrow, everyone would know and I simply couldn’t wait.
‘So are you!’
Polly was wearing a black sheath dress that showed off her slim figure, her blonde hair swinging in her trademark bob. But there was something else transforming her appearance tonight. A glow in her cheeks and a twinkle in her eye that told me she was feeling positive and happy again, back to the Polly I knew and loved. She shared a glance with George that showed me they were both as smitten as each other.
‘Do you know,’ said Max, whispering in my ear. ‘I wonder if we should make the grand announcement tonight. I could get up on that stage and pronounce it over the megaphone.’
‘Don’t you dare,’ I said, digging him in the chest.
‘Why not, Ellie? I want the whole word to know you’re having my baby.’
I laughed. ‘I want that too, but I want it to be special. To tell people individually. Besides, tonight is all about the food, the booze and the dancing. Come on.’
Sitting at a long banquet table with all my friends and family, I was swept away on a wave of happiness, content enough just to watch all the goings-on around me.
After an exquisite three-course meal, which I was told was absolutely delicious, but which I hardly touched because I was far too excited to eat, the charity auction got underway, and the level of excitement and noise rose to such a pitch that I thought it might blow the roof of the marquee.
Tim Weston acted as auctioneer and the lots, theatre tickets, weekend breaks, beauty treatments and stadium tours came thick and fast, the amount of money being bid increasing at an alarming rate with each passing lot.
I gasped, amazed by everyone’s generosity.
When the prize donated by George Williamson came up for sale a buzz of excitement swept round the tent. I had thought Max might have bid on this lot for Katy, but there was a two-man bidding war going on over the other side of the tent. In the end, to a wild round of applause, the lot went for several hundred pounds.
Over the other side of the table, I caught Katy’s eye and she shrugged, disappointment flickering over her features for the briefest moment, before her face lit up with a smile again. I suspected nothing was going to get in the way of her enjoyment tonight. Against all the odds, she was sat between her mum, Rose, and Alan, chattering away excitedly, as if there’d never been any bad feeling between them. Earlier, this evening I’d been introduced to them both and found them perfectly charming.
‘It’s so lovely to meet you at last,’ Rose had told me. ‘Katy talks about you all the time. And so does Max, come to that,’ she said, giving a knowing smile. ‘Really though, I have to thank you for everything you’ve done for Katy, for being such a good friend to her. I know it hasn’t been easy for her these last few months.’
‘It’s been a pleasure,’ I said, meaning it. ‘We’ve loved having her around.’
Now, back in the excitement of the tent, the gavel went down on the last lot, a luxury holiday to Dubai, and a huge cheer erupted in the room. The members of the committee looked around at each other, we’d raised far more money for our charities than we could ever have imagined.
There was a lull in the proceedings when tables and chairs were pushed back to the edges of the tent in readiness for the dancing, and Katy came scooting across the floor towards us.
‘The band are just setting up. Squeee! I can’t wait. They’re going to be brilliant.’
She scooted back off again, and we watched, laughing, as she fluttered around the guys in the band, running errands for them.
‘I don’t know what’s got into that girl. She’s been in the best mood today.’
‘Ah, probably just excited about the band, I suspect,’ suppressing a smile as I remembered Katy’s enthusiasm at hearing our news today.
‘Katy, over here?’ Max beckoned her back across the room and she came running again, looking like the teenager she was. ‘I got this for you.’ He handed her an envelope and both Katy and I looked at him in surprise.
‘What is it?’
‘Well, open it and you'll find out.’
Excitedly, she ripped the envelope apart, bits of paper flying in every direction. She gasped pulling out the card inside.
‘The GG Williamson prize? But you didn’t bid, I was watching you.’
‘No, I didn’t bid, but someone who works for me did.’ His eyes danced with mischievous pleasure. 'Well, it wouldn’t have been a surprise otherwise. I hope you like it.’
For the second time that day I saw Katy squeal with delight. ‘I love it! I so wanted this, but I didn’t want to ask. Thank you so much!’ she cried, jumping onto Max’s lap and hugging him tight. ‘I must go and tell George, he’ll be so pleased I got to win. You’re the best brother ever, do you know that?’
With Katy dashing off again, Max sat back in his chair and nodded, a satisfied smile on his face.
‘Well, it won’t last, but it’s nice to know I’ve done something right in that girl’s eyes for once.’
‘Aw, it’s great to see her looking so happy,’ I said, taking hold of his hand. ‘You know, despite her prickliness at times, she just adores you and all she wants is to please you.’
‘Yeah, it’s funny, but I’m kind of getting used to her being about the place. It wouldn't be the same without her now. I wonder though how she’ll react when she finds out about the baby.’
‘Do you know,’ I said, smiling, ‘I’ve an inkling she’ll be overjoyed at the news.’
Max narrowed his eyes, casting me a questioning glance, but I just laughed his suspicion away.
‘Anyway, I couldn’t get something for Katy, and not you.’
I looked down at the shiny gold envelope that Max now placed on the table in front of me and I felt my skin prickle in anticipation. Could this day really get any better? I pulled out the card, tears forming in my eyes.
‘The luxury holiday to Dubai? You bought that for me?’
‘Yes, well you keep saying how much you’d love to go and visit your mum and dad, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I know left to your own devices you might never get round to it, and I thought if you’re going to go, then you really ought to go soon.’ He glanced down putting a protective hand around my bump.
‘Oh Max!’
He smiled. ‘Come on, let’s go outside and get some fresh air,’ he said, taking my hand in his. ‘It's a beautiful night out there.’ Before we left, we stood for a moment, just watching, as people gravitated towards the dance floor at the call of the music. It lifted my heart to see Mum and Dad swaying in each other’s arms, so full of joy, and Polly and George getting up close and pers
onal. Eric had been literally left holding baby Stella, while Ethan swept Josie around the floor as though he’d been taking lessons, her face a picture of delight. The return of her dad had definitely given her the boost she'd needed. The other returning wanderer, Johnny, was sitting this one out and instead was sharing tales at the table with Dan and Silke. At Katy’s behest, Rose and Alan were even up dancing too. Sasha had decided, perfectly understandably, not to come along tonight, but I was looking forward to filling her in on all the details when I next got to see her. All my friends and family under the same roof on this glorious summer's night, what more could I ask for?
Outside we walked hand in hand along the lit pathway that wound its way down through the gardens, the muted music from the tent serenading us. We both turned to look at the magnificent house highlighted against the night sky and I felt a huge swirl of happiness at being here tonight amongst the people I loved, and most importantly being by the side of the man I loved. I leant into his embrace, feeling his strong arm around my shoulder, certain I was the luckiest woman alive.
‘You know you’ll have to come and move in at the manor with me now.’
‘How come?’ I said, playfully.
‘Well, this is a perfect place to bring up our family, Ellie, don’t you think?'
I let out a soft sigh, feeling a pang of regret for The Dog and Duck, but knowing deep down that Braithwaite Manor was not only where I wanted to raise a baby but where I wanted to live, with the man I loved.
‘Just imagine it, Ellie, our children running across the lawns. I can picture them now.’
‘Children?’ I asked, looking up at him.
‘Four, I reckon.’
‘Four?’ I said, almost choking at the idea, but my mind was already entertaining that thought very nicely.
‘Well three then,’ he said chuckling. ‘We should definitely get married.’
Now it was my turn to laugh.
‘Married? That's not even a proper proposal.’
‘Fair point,' said Max, wrapping his arms tighter around me, looking up to the sky in search of answers. ‘Maybe we should get engaged first then, how about that?’
‘Hmmm, we'll see.’
Up above, the stars could be seen shining brightly over us, a guiding light to our brand new future together.
All I knew was that I felt ready now. Ready to let go. I knew with an unwavering certainty that this was everything I wanted; Max, a home together and our baby.
Everything else was entirely negotiable.
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Acknowledgements
Firstly, a huge thanks must go to the fantastic team at Aria. It’s such a pleasure to work with you all and your support and encouragement is truly appreciated. In particular, special thanks to Caroline Ridding, to Sarah Ritherdon for her patience, understanding and amazing editorial advice - I really wouldn’t have made it here without you - and to Yasemin Turan and Nia Beynon for always being so efficiently helpful in answering my sometimes daft questions. To Jade Craddock for her insightful comments and for the liberal sprinkling of magic dust again.
As always, a big thanks has to go to my lovely family, for being with me every step of the way in the making of this book. Normal service will be resumed soon.
Finally, a special thank you to you, my readers, for picking up this book. It always gives me such a thrill to know that people are reading my work, and hopefully enjoying it too, and your continued support of my writing fills me with gratitude.
Thank you.
Jill xxx
About Jill Steeples
JILL STEEPLES lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, baking cakes, eating them and drinking wine.
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Addictive Fiction
First published in the UK in 2017 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd
Copyright © Jill Steeples, 2017
The moral right of Jill Steeples to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (E) 9781786691798
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