‘Yes!’ I scream at the top of my voice, just as a couple walk past and glance over, probably wondering what is going on in the darkness. Marco slides a ring on my finger then, and I could literally burst with happiness.
‘We’re engaged,’ I call over, wiggling my left hand, and they warmly congratulate us before walking on.
The ring is stunning. It’s a vintage-looking gold band with a large emerald at the centre.
‘Marco, it’s beautiful, But I already have a ring back home,’ I remind him.
‘But this one is special,’ he insists. ‘It belonged to mynonna. Remember when we rowed and you asked me why I bought you a ring if I didn’t want to get married?’
‘Of course I remember. It was the worst day of my life when I realised we were going to part,’ I tell him honestly.
‘Well, perhaps you were right. Maybe I did buy a ring because I thought it was the expected thing to do after three years together. But this time it’s different. I mean this, with all my heart. My mother insisted I give this to you. She has always loved you.’
‘And I loved her too, and your father, I still do.’ I almost choke back tears. ‘I loved being part of a family. But, most of all, I never stopped loving you.’
Marco takes me in his arms and kisses me then, and later when we stand looking at the lake, arms wrapped around each other with the reflection of the emerging moon casting white ripples across it, I literally feel as though I am standing on top of the world.
A shaft of sunlight streams into the bedroom, as Marco pushes open the curtains.
‘Coffee in bed once more, you are spoiling me.’ Marco places coffee and a Danish pastry onto the bedside table.
‘You are worth it.’ He walks and over and kisses me lightly on the lips.
‘Well, if this is a sign of how it’s going to be when we are married, I like it.’ I stretch my arms over my head and yawn.
‘Don’t get too used to it.’ He winks and I tell him there is still time to change my mind and he attempts to steal my pastry.
‘Hey, don’t you dare, I’m ravenous.’ I slap his hand away.
‘I’m not surprised after last night,’ he says, and despite our history, I find myself almost blushing.
Marco had informed Judith that I would be staying out overnight and she’d wished him the best of luck, when he told her about his proposal plans. I seem to have made nights away a bit of a habit, but I don’t regret this stay at all.
I take a sip of the rich, dark coffee before stretching out my hand and admiring my new engagement ring from Marco. I feel so honoured to be wearing his grandmother’s ring, especially with the blessing of his parents, and feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
THIRTY-SIX
The day of the wedding has finally arrived and we were all up early getting the chores done around the rescue, before the ceremony this afternoon at three o’clock.
‘Hi, guys, the big day is here! How are you feeling, Judith?’ asks Monica from the holiday home, who has swept in with her hairdressing and make-up bag.
‘Stupidly nervous,’ admits Judith, as she fiddles with a bracelet on her wrist. ‘And where on earth has Lars disappeared to now?’ She shakes her head in frustration. ‘And Doll seems to have wandered off somewhere too, as if there isn’t enough to be done around here,’ she says, mildly frustrated.
‘Don’t worry, everything is under control here,’ I say brightly. ‘And perhaps she is over the road giving Tania a hand. I did see them chatting earlier,’ I tell her, which is partly true, as we chatted for a moment over the fence earlier when walking the dogs.
‘Oh right, maybe,’ she says, sounding a tiny bit unconvinced.
I assume Lars is having a last-minute practice of the waltz somewhere, although he is cutting things a bit fine and could probably have done with having his final dance rehearsal yesterday.
‘What you need is a glass of this,’ says Monica, waving a bottle of champagne. ‘Girls, where are the glasses?’ she asks me and Hannah.
‘Oh, go on then, but just a small one.’ Judith smiles.
She pops the cork of the bottle, just as Doll and Tania enter the kitchen, and shares it out, handing us each a glass that we clink together.
‘Here’s to you and Lars, Judith. I’m sure I speak on behalf of us all when I say I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy future,’ says Tania.
‘Thank you, darling, and congratulations on your news, Beth.’ She smiles and nods to me.