Page 94 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘Fresh start.’

Shortly after we’d taken our seats, a string quartet began playing and I frowned for a moment as I realised it wasn’t a classical piece but couldn’t quite place it.

‘“Halo”,’ Poppy whispered. As soon as she said that, I could hear the lyrics to the Beyoncé track in my head.

The first to walk down the aisle were the mothers of the brides – Natasha for Fizz and long-term family friend Rosemary in Phoebe’s case, accompanied by her guide dog. Beside me, Imogen excitedly pointed out the flowers decorating the dog’s harness. Next were the best men – Barney for Fizz with Phoebe having her friend and colleague Leo. They were followed by bridesmaids Amber, Samantha, Darcie and Zara, all dressed in shades of purple. Finally came Samantha’s two little ones – Thomas and Lyra – holding soft toy bride hedgehogs.

Fizz and Phoebe looked absolutely stunning as they walked down the aisles at the same time, smiling across at each other. They were both wearing traditional-style wedding dresses but Fizz’s had touches of her favourite colour pink and Phoebe’s included some lilac. Phoebe was holding onto Josh’s arm and Fizz onto her dad’s, and they met at the front of the middle section of guests where Leo and Barney were waiting to take them on to the wedding gazebo.

‘Friends, family, a very warm welcome to you on this most special of occasions,’ announced the celebrant. ‘I’m delighted today to join together in marriage these two beautiful women, Felicity Jade Kinsella and Phoebe Annabelle Corbyn…’

I glanced at Poppy and she smiled back at me, entwining her fingers in mine. At some point next year, this would be us. At Barney and Amber’s wedding, Poppy had asked me,Does it have to be a choice – friendship or passion?No, it didn’t. It was possible to have both. This incredible woman sitting next to me was my best friend and so much more. Our short time together so far had been extraordinary and I couldn’t wait to see what was next for us. Although I might have sent a few ideas into the universe. It had served me pretty well so far.

41

POPPY

As Joel smiled at me and squeezed my hand, I knew he was thinking exactly the same as I was – it would be us soon. I’d have expected the idea of getting engaged to a man who’d been a stranger to me only a few months ago would have scared me but it felt so right, as though those stars were always meant to align and bring us together.

Since I’d met Joel, I’d done so many things that had scared me, but every single one had turned out to bring so much joy. I’d therefore decided it was time to stop being afraid and throw myself into life. When Joel had asked me if I wanted to ride a quad bike at Bumblebee Barn, I’d strapped that helmet on and driven my bike through the mud at top speed, squealing and laughing at the same time. I’d bounced on the trampoline at Snowy’s gym club. I’d asked Joel if he’d like to sell his place and buy Whisperwood Farmhouse with me. And tonight at the disco in Wildflower Byre, I was going to dance like nobody was watching. I’d admired how Joel had danced at Amber and Barney’s wedding with absolute abandon and twirled with his daughter without a care in the world and had thought I couldnever be like that. Well, I could be and I was. Joel and Imogen had helped me to see that.

The ceremony was beautiful and, as the bridesmaids followed the happy couple up the aisle afterwards, I found my eyes drawn to Samantha and Amber in particular. Their dresses had full skirts but I could just make out Samantha’s small pregnancy bump. She’d announced a few weeks ago that she and Josh were expecting their third baby, due in early November. Amber wasn’t showing yet but she wasn’t far behind Samantha – something which only the family and closest friends of the newlyweds knew. Baby Kinsella was due the first week in December and would be the first baby on both sides of the family.

Many of the guests had risen to follow the bridal party down to Wildflower Byre for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast.

Snowy passed with his grandfather, Eddie, and his twelve-year-old son, Harrison. A talented trampolinist, Harrison had taken Imogen under his wing at his dad’s gymnastics club. He smiled and waved at Imogen.

‘Can I go with Harrison?’ she asked Joel.

‘That’s fine. See you down there in a bit.’

‘Can we hang back until everyone’s gone?’ Joel said when Imogen left. ‘I want to give you something.’

When my eyes widened, he laughed. ‘Not that sort of something. I wouldn’t be so crass as to propose at someone else’s wedding, but it is related.’

Once everyone had gone, he led me onto the wedding gazebo and reached into the pocket inside his suit, producing a small jewellery pouch.

‘When we met, I was scared I’d talked myself into the friend zone with you. You challenged me as to why it had to be friendship or passion and showed me how it’s possible to haveboth and be happier than I could ever have imagined. So this is for you.’

He handed me the pouch and I removed the contents, laughing. It was a friendship bracelet with intertwined silver hearts in the middle.

‘Friendship and passion,’ I said, putting my wrist out so he could fasten it in place. ‘I love it.’

‘And I love you. I’ll make it official one day soon and this’ll be us sayingI donext year.’

‘I was thinking why wait when you know you’ve found what you’ve always been looking for? What if, when you do propose, the plan is to marry this year?’

‘This year?’ His smile widened. ‘I’m liking the sound of that. Better make sure that proposal is really soon.’

He drew me into a slow and tender kiss then led me down the track in the direction of the music and laughter.

‘So, Poppy Wells, have you done anything lately that’s scared you?’ he asked.

‘Just the one thing.’

‘What’s that?’

I looked around me. There was nobody in sight so I opened my clutch bag. ‘I’ve got something for you too. Close your eyes for a moment.’

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