by Lynsey James
This time, there were no doubts in my mind, no voices in my head telling me it couldn’t possibly work out. I reached up and pulled him in for a kiss. The audience whooped and cheered.
‘I should’ve done that earlier today,’ I said. ‘I love you, Ethan; I might not have been ready to love anyone when we met, but I am now. You mean so much to me, and I’m sorry if I made like I was just using you to distract myself from what happened to Jamie. I love you because you’re the kindest, funniest and sweetest man I’ve ever met, not because I need someone to take Jamie’s place. And I’m sorry for telling you to go to LA. I just wanted to try and do the right thing for you – that’s all – and I thought that was to tell you to go to the audition.’
Ethan smiled and shook his head. ‘You absolute nutter.’
‘Nutter?’ I replied. ‘You’re the one who walked into a revolving door!’
And with that, I kissed him again.
Epilogue
‘I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new Mr and Mrs Hartley!’ I raised my champagne glass to the newly married couple and the surrounding guests followed suit.
‘I think Lucy deserves a special mention for pulling together such a beautiful wedding in such a short space of time and without the groom suspecting a thing! I guess it’s true what they say: men notice nothing!’ I laughed. The room repeated the gesture and glasses were raised once more. Jake shook his head and cast yet another admiring glance at his new wife. He’d been utterly speechless when he’d found out she’d planned their intimate Christmas Eve ceremony right under his nose.
‘When she asked me to make a speech – right at the very last minute as well – I first thought I’d waffle on about love and marriage, then I realised I don’t know very much about either of those things. So instead, I decided to talk about time. I know a little something about that. It’s precious, I know that for a fact, and I also know that Jake and Lucy will make the most of every minute they’re lucky enough to get together. I know they’ll make beautiful memories and that while their life together won’t be perfect, it’ll be special because they have each other. And that’s what counts at the end of the day, isn’t it? That you spend your 1440 minutes each day with the person who matters most. To Jake and Lucy!’
The guests joined me in a toast and I sat down, wiping the thin film of sweat off my brow with a napkin.
‘That was the single scariest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life!’
Ethan put an arm round my shoulders. ‘You did great; it was a lovely speech. Although I still think you should’ve gone with my idea of comparing Jake and Lucy to Bert and Ernie off Sesame Street.’
I hit his arm playfully. ‘I don’t think that would’ve had quite the same ring to it, do you?’
Lucy made her way over to us and slung her arms round our shoulders. ‘Thank you so much for coming, guys! And, Alice, that was an amazing speech! I was filling up. First dance is in a minute; you’ll join us won’t you?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ I replied with a smile.
Ethan’s phone buzzed and he fished it out of his pocket with a sigh. What was on the screen made him smile.
‘Good news?’ I asked.
‘Very. My UK agent’s just landed me auditions for parts in a couple of big-budget drama series! She’s going to send me through the details in a bit.’
I reached up and pecked him on the cheek. ‘Check you out, Mr In Demand!’
‘I’m not the only one, remember? Didn’t your agent call you yesterday about some auditions she’d set up for you?’
I blushed and hid my face. ‘Maybe…’
In actual fact, she hadn’t stopped ringing me recently. After doing a couple of shows of the panto, I’d taken the plunge and called her to tell her I was ready to give acting another go. She’d warned me that because I’d been out of the game so long, it might take a while to pick something up, but there had been quite a few offers already. I still felt nervous about the prospect of performing again, but I planned to dip my toe in and see what happened.
‘When I come to see you in one of your shows, they’ll refer to me as Alice Woods’ mystery man or something,’ he joked. ‘Maybe I should get your autograph in case you forget me on the road to stardom.’
I grinned and shook my head. ‘Nah, I’ve accepted I’m stuck with you now!’
Just then, the DJ’s voice announced that it was time for the first dance. Jake and Lucy took to the floor as a slow version of Big Yellow Taxi – the song she’d belted out at her nana’s funeral – played over the speakers.
‘It could only be that song,’ I said to Ethan. ‘When she first came back to Luna Bay, she accidentally sang it at her gran’s funeral instead of saying her eulogy!’
He tried hard to fight the giggles building up inside him and pulled me in for a kiss instead.
‘I bloody love you, you know that don’t you?’
‘You’re OK as well I suppose.’ I stuck my tongue out at him.
Other couples began to filter onto the dance floor, so I took Ethan’s hand and we made our way there. I wrapped my arms round his neck and he pulled me in close to him. As we stared into each other’s eyes, I couldn’t resist a smile. He really was utterly beautiful.
He leaned in and whispered ‘look at that’ in my ear. I turned to where his head had nudged to and saw Christabel and Frank slow-dancing together.
‘No way!’ I tried to keep my voice low so as not to disturb the romantic moment. ‘I saw those two flirting like hell after the panto’s opening night!’
‘Looks like love’s in the air eh?’ Ethan stared around the room. ‘If we ever do this one day, can I please tell the revolving door story? Or the one about the Haribo?’
I rolled my eyes and grinned ‘If you must!’
‘We’ll probably have loads more stories to tell by then anyway.’
As we danced, I looked around the room and thought about how many stories were gathered here today. There was Lucy, who was living proof that bursting into song at random intervals was nearly always a good thing. Then there was Emily, who’d proved everyone wrong and found a whole new life in Luna Bay that she hadn’t even dreamt was possible. And finally there was me. I liked to think my story showed people that grief didn’t have to define you. That you could miss someone and still keep them as a part of you while having a life of your own. I’d always miss Jamie and would never forget him, but at the same time I had a whole future to look forward to with Ethan that made me excited to wake up every morning.
In this sleepy village by the sea, dreams seemed to come true. People came here to find what they were missing in their lives and somehow, as if by magic, they found it. Even if they didn’t always know what they were looking for.
I definitely had.
Looking for more from Luna Bay?
Turn the page for the first chapter from The Sunflower Breakfast Club…
Chapter 1
It’s coming together. I can feel it.
There was something in his voice, a little nuance that told me I was moments away from success. Excitement began to build within me and I felt a million tiny butterflies release themselves into my tummy. This is it, I thought. This is the big moment. The one I’ve been waiting for.
‘I promise you, Mr Woodward; you won’t regret becoming part of Walter Marshall Hotels. We’re a trusted, reputable brand and, under our name, you can expect to see a significant increase in both visitor numbers and yearly profits. You’ve seen the numbers for yourself; you know it makes sense.’
As Mr Woodward repeated his numerous concerns about becoming part of a ‘faceless corporate machine’, I shifted my chair from side to side and drank the remains of my green smoothie. My face burst into a smile as the combination of kale, spinach, water and avocado hit my taste buds. There was no better way to start the day, in my opinion. I’d never been able to stomach a full breakfast; I preferred something quick to kick-start my busy mornings.
After listening to my prospective client’s worries and gripes, I knew exactly what to say to ease his mind. I’d dealt with a million owners like him; it was almost second nature to me.
‘Don’t think of it as becoming part of a faceless corporate machine,’ I said in soothing tones. ‘Think of it as joining a big, happy family who are ready to welcome you with open arms. You’re worried about your guest house losing its charm and I understand that, but I can assure you that won’t happen. While we do like to make some improvements to our establishments, we’ll do everything in partnership with you. Mulberry House will still have its charm and character because that’s the way you have made it. All you’ll be getting from us is the chance to be part of our established, reputable brand. If you join us, you’ll be able to really put Mulberry House on the map. What do you say, Mr Woodward? Are you ready to take the chance?’
There was a little pause and, for a moment, I worried I’d overdone it. By the end, I did sound like an eighties aerobics instructor. I swallowed hard and chewed my thumbnail. Please, please let this happen…
‘OK, Emily, you’ve got yourself a deal! Send me over the contracts and I’ll sign them.’
‘Excellent!’ I had to stop myself from dropping the phone and doing a happy dance. ‘Welcome to Walter Marshall Hotels, Mr Woodward.’
We said our goodbyes and I hung up. A feeling of elation hit me like a thunderbolt and I threw my hands up in the air in celebration. I hadn’t just closed another deal, you see; I’d closed the deal. This was the one that would change everything, or so I hoped.
‘Someone looks happy!’ My best friend, Frankie, perched herself on my desk. ‘What’s the occasion?’
‘Just clinched the Mulberry House deal!’ I reached up and high-fived her. ‘Three months it’s taken me to persuade the owner to join and he’s just agreed! I’m sending him over the contracts now.’
‘Nice one!’ Frankie grinned and reached into her bag. ‘This calls for a celebration. How about we go to breakfast at that little café down the road? I could do with a fry-up!’
I shook my head and got out of my seat. My best friend was one of those impossibly skinny people who ate what she liked and never exercised. I’d found myself picking away at a Caesar salad while she wolfed down a cheeseburger and chips, wondering how the hell she managed it, on many occasions.
‘Nah, no thanks; I don’t really like breakfast. We can go for lunch later if you like?’
She shook her head and plonked herself down in my now vacant chair. ‘How can you not like breakfast? It’s the best meal of the day!’
‘Breakfast is just a load of stodgy food that slows you down of a morning. Give me a green smoothie any day.’
The thought of a plate piled high with greasy fried food popped into my mind and I wanted to gag. It was the food equivalent of my worst nightmare. I’d rather do the eating trial from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here than force down a fry-up.
‘You absolute freak. Remind me again why we’re best friends?’ Frankie stuck her tongue out at me.
‘Because I have way too many incriminating photos of you after one cocktail too many,’ I shot back. ‘Anyway, I’ve barely got time to think this week, let alone have breakfast. I’ve got clients to wine and dine, after all. I’m taking one to that Jack Vettriano exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and going to one of those open-air concerts on Glasgow Green with another.’
‘You’re such a bloody culture vulture, aren’t you? Give me a night in The Garage and a greasy kebab any day of the week. Cities were made for people like you,’ Frankie replied with a smile.
‘What can I say, I’m a city slicker! Anyway, I’d better go and tell Paul that Mulberry House is in the bag. Hopefully now the promotion will be too.’
Frankie gave me a thumbs-up. ‘Good luck!’
As I strode towards my boss’s office, I couldn’t help but feel excited. This was the start of something amazing. The next phase of my life was about to begin and I couldn’t wait.
*
Or not.
As I shared my amazing news, Paul sat back in his chair and winced like he was in a lot of pain. There was a lot of sucking in through his teeth, head tilts and grimaces.
‘The thing is, Emily…’ He paused and stared around the room, trying to decide what the next words out of his mouth would be. ‘Tara’s kind of beaten you to the punch.’
My blood instantly began to boil and I wondered if steam was about to come out of my ears like in a cartoon. This was supposed to be the best moment of my life and my biggest rival had gone and pulled the rug from underneath me. Tara bloody Murray.
‘She’s what? But you said if I could get Mulberry House in the bag, the promotion was mine! What happened?’ I was all too aware how shrill my voice had gone, but I didn’t care. I was too busy trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill out at any moment.
Paul shrugged and I was seriously tempted to punch him in the face. ‘She came in about five minutes before you did, and told me she’d landed the Ashbury Hotel. It’s a massive coup for us and I’ve decided to give her the promotion.’
No, no, no! This couldn’t be happening. I wracked my brains, searching for a way to keep my dream of being Emily Reed, Executive of Business Development, alive and kicking. There had to be a way, there just had to be…
‘Come on, Paul,’ I pleaded, ‘you know how hard I’ve worked for this! I’ve closed way more deals than Tara; just look at my figures! I just got Mr bloody Woodward, our most difficult owner yet, to become part of our chain. That’s got to mean something, hasn’t it?’
I looked into my boss’s deep-brown eyes and could tell he was wavering. He pursed his lips and rested his chin on steepled fingers.
‘I like you, Emily, you know I do. You’d be a great business development executive; there’s no doubt about it. And you’re right: Tara’s numbers aren’t nearly as impressive as yours…’
He trailed off, leaving me in suspense for a very long minute. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my brow as I waited for his verdict. My heartbeat thundered in my ears and I dug my nails into my palms. My whole life was hanging on the next few seconds and I could barely handle the suspense.
‘Leave it with me,’ he said eventually. ‘I’ll have a think about it and call you both into the office later.’
I let out the breath I’d been holding in and struggled not to let a stream of expletives follow it. Instead, I plastered a fake smile on my face, thanked Paul for his time and left. Although it may not have turned out exactly as I wanted, it wasn’t over yet. The dream was still alive.
*
My plans for lunch with Frankie were ruined by a text from my mother. She wanted to meet for what she called ‘an inspirational pep talk’ and wouldn’t take no for answer. Apparently she also had something important to tell me. There was nothing inspirational or peppy about these meetings. In reality, it was an hour of her telling me all the ways I was going wrong in life while we ate expensive food.
Today’s venue of choice was Café Rose, a lovely little place just off Sauchiehall Street. I loved living in Glasgow; it was so pretty and vibrant and the people were bloody amazing. I’d been lucky enough to call it home for the past twenty-five years and I didn’t plan on budging any time soon.
I walked in and my mother was instantly recognisable. She was as glamorous as always, clad in a fitted navy Mac and black skinny jeans. Round her neck was a gorgeous printed scarf with little owls on it and her hair was effortlessly styled into a shiny bob. As soon as she saw me, she got up and greeted me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Whatever she had to tell me wouldn’t be good, I suspected.
‘Lovely to see you, hen!’ She enveloped me in a hug and squeezed me so tightly I could hardly breathe.
‘You too,’ I replied when she let me go. ‘Have you ordered yet?’
She shook her head and we sat down, each picking up a menu to study. I saw her peeking over hers to look at me, but her eyes d
arted away when I looked back.
‘Have you done something with your hair?’ she asked.
I narrowed my eyes. ‘Nope, why?’
She looked at me for a second, tilted her head and squinted. ‘Hmm, maybe you should then.’
Blimey, she’s started early. Usually, we’d at least ordered our drinks before she started finding fault with me.
‘Anyway, let’s talk about that promotion you’re up for,’ she continued. ‘This is the big one, Emily; land this one and you’ll be one of the directors by the time you’re thirty. Have they said anything to you about it?’
I shook my head, deciding to hold off mentioning the fact that Tara was also in the frame. Reaching my goals and meeting people’s expectations was what I ‘did’. Any hint that I might not be successful just wouldn’t wash with my mum. I always had my eyes on a prize of some kind: a job, a flat, a car. Achieving had been drilled into me for as long as I could remember; second place wasn’t an option.
‘Not yet. Paul said I’d hear back today, though.’
‘Excellent! You’ll get it, darling. I’ve got every faith in you. You’re one of life’s high-flyers. You really should stop wearing those awful jackets with the shoulder pads, though. They make you look so… sharp and shoulder pads died a death in the eighties. What about a nice flowery dress or a pair of jeans instead?’
I sighed and gritted my teeth. ‘Or I could just turn up to work wearing my Cookie Monster onesie and unicorn slippers?’
‘I’m just saying there’s no need to look so corporate, that’s all.’ She picked up my hand to inspect my nails. ‘Oh, Emily, when was the last time you got a manicure? These are terrible!’
My blood began to boil and I could feel my already thin patience beginning to fray even more. Although I knew my mum meant well, the constant stream of advice could be a little hard to stomach. I did my best to take it in the spirit it was intended and tried to attract the attention of a passing waiter. The only thing that would make this situation better was eating then leaving as quickly as possible. However, he passed me by without a second glance.