Page 137 of Electric Kiss

She paid no attention to her destination and spent a lot of her time staring at the ground she couldn’t see.

“We’re here. Look up,” Luke said gently giving her waist a squeeze.

Freya lifted her head and looked straight ahead. She could see shadows of people and murmurings. The true extent of what was happening only became apparent to Freya when he used his torch to touch the person nearest to him, and then the person across from him. Two rows of people carried torches, lighting them one by one until her family, her newlywed family, and a few friends came into view. Luke tugged her hand.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered.

“I liked the lantern torches. It reminded me of our treasure hunting and getting into scrapes. Now we get to do it as a married couple. Come, they’re waiting for us.”

“Waiting for what? They’re lined up to the water’s edge,” Freya said, straining to see more than she could by squinting her eyes.

Luke pulled her along as they trudged through the loose sand and then on to firmer, damp sand. Freya then smiled wide as she saw Maggie on her right and Bailey on her left of the two columns of people. As a group they raised their lantern torches to pave the way. Ahead she could see one more person with a lantern torch stuck onto a funnel at the front of a small speed boat.

All the men lined up ahead of Bailey and all the women lined up ahead of Maggie and they all had beaming smiles, still in their wedding finery.

“Oh god, I might cry with happiness,” Freya said through the lump in her throat.

“Come on, let’s walk through,” he said.

Freya and Luke automatically held hands, their other hands stretched out at the waist and as they passed their family and friends. They too stuck their hands out and gave low high fives as they passed. Freya whispered her thank yous to Maggie, Daisy, Heidi, Erica and her mum. Freya glanced to the other side to see her dad wipe away a tear on his cheek.

“Have a wonderful time darling girl,” he said.

“Thanks Dad,” she replied.

Through her happy tears she kissed her mum’s cheek and gave her a cuddle while her mum wrapped one arm around her and raised the lantern high.

“I can’t wait to get your letters, my lovely. Tell me about all the places you visit. I want a postcard from everywhere,” she whispered into her ear.

“I will, Mum.”

Sniffing, she looked at Luke. Who gracefully swept her up bridal style, toed off his shoes and then walked into the water up to his shins and lifted her over the side of the boat. Keith was in the boat waiting for them. When she sat on the bench seat, she held out her hand for Luke to take so he could get in too. Archer came forward and dropped Luke’s shoes into the boat. Freya saw that all the men were barefoot and rolled their trousers up, where the women lifted their dresses and came into the water. Only Heidi let her dress dip into the sea not caring a jot she was getting soaked with the tide coming in.

“I’m going to miss you so much. This will be the longest we’ve ever been apart,” Heidi called out.

Freya burst into tears and waved at the assembled group.

“See you soon,” she called out as Keith started up the boat’s engine and then they were on the move.

The lantern torches shrunk as they moved away. Then she saw them move as her family and friends walked along the beach and then up the pathway. She could still see the tiny dots move as they sped away.

“Are we going on this boat the whole way?” Freya asked.

Luke chuckled and brought her near.

“No, Peaches. We are going on a bigger boat with a crew. Keith’s just dropping us off. All our luggage is on board along with your purse. As soon as we’re on the vessel, we’re setting sail.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. That all right with you?”

“Absolutely.”

Keith manoeuvred the boat so Freya and Luke could get on the yacht and then he gave them a salute and sped away.

The captain welcomed them aboard.

Luke spoke a few words to the captain after he introduced Freya. She could see this wasn’t the first time they had met by their relaxed conversation.

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