Page 92 of Date with Destiny

‘Of course!’ Sonali laughs, as if it’s the silliest question in the world. Which it is of course. Who wouldn’t marry Myfanwy?

‘And we’re not done yet,’ my best friend says suddenly.

‘We’re not?’ Sonali looks at Myfanwy in surprise.

‘Nope!’ Myfe islovingthis. ‘And we better get going because we’re now off to do an escape room—’

‘OH MY GOD!’ Sonali shrieks, because she loooooves escape rooms.

‘And then I’ve booked us in at The Shard for the evening!’ Sonali screams even louder at this because she’s wanted to go up The Shard for literally years. ‘And we’re meeting both our parents there to celebrate together.’ At this, Sonali tries to howl with joy, but it turns into big, gulpy, happy tears instead.

‘That is just so perfect,’ she finally gets out in a whisper.

‘And I didn’t tell you earlier,’ Myfanwy adds tearfully, ‘but you also have tomorrow off work, too, so you can get really, really drunk tonight.’

‘Oh my god,’ Sonali is finished. ‘I love you so much, I can’t wait to marry you.’

They leave, both sobbing and joyful after many more happy hugs, and I head to the bathroom to clean myself up.When I return, Celeste calls to me from the office where she is sitting, staring at the computer screen.

‘I haven’t checked our Facebook page in years,’ she comments, not looking away from the screen. ‘And wow…’ She lets out a low whistle. ‘The reviews for our in-store service are just…’ She looks up at last, staring at me like she’s seeing me for the first time. ‘They’re just off the charts brilliant. There are so many long, rambling, embarrassingly gushy posts about how wonderful our personal service is. And they almost all nameyou. Every one of them. I started wondering after that man – what was his name?’

‘Joey,’ I fill in, something beginning to creep over me.

‘When Joey came in and said all those things. And then Myfanwy said you helped her plan everything for her proposal, too. You have a real talent for helping people find not just the right ring, but the right way to present it.’

‘Well,’ I begin eagerly. ‘That’s why I suggested that engagement concierge idea ages ago. It’s pretty much what I do already, and so many people love it and need it. I think our customers would really enjoy it.’

She looks thoughtful and I jump on the opportunity to push her – to pushmyself.

‘Iknowit could work,’ I say firmly. ‘It already is working! What’s the harm in giving it a try? I could write up a mission statement and some wording for the website. We could do a soft launch to trial it; we don’t even have to publicize it initially. Just give it a chance. Givemea chance, Mum.’

She stares at me for a few seconds. ‘It could work,’ she says at last. ‘But I think it’s too soon after the accessories disaster.’ She sighs. ‘I’m shutting the second store and I’ve ended our arrangement with the reality star. We need to let things settle down for a while, then I’ll maybe talk to my publicist about the engagement concierge concept.’

I give her the smallest of nods. It’s a no. So much for advocating for myself.

Reading my mind, she adds, ‘It’s not a no.’

But of course it is.

At least it’s a nicer no this time.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

I arrive home later that night, floating on air. It makes me so happy, knowing that Myfanwy and Sonali are off at The Shard right now, enjoying a glass of champagne with their families as they celebrate the biggest decision of their lives.

Or possibly they’re still locked in somewhere? I’ve never done an escape room – do they let you out if you don’t find the solution?

‘Ughhhh,’ I hear Toni yell from upstairs and I take the steps two at a time to get to her.

‘What’s up?’ I ask anxiously, poking my head round the bedroom door.

‘You’re home!’ She sounds startled, closing her laptop, where the source of her frustration lies.

‘I heard you groan,’ I explain, adding, ‘Quite loudly and not in a fun way.’

‘I’m just annoyed,’ she says. ‘I thought finding a flat with two incomes would be easy, but I’ve spent days trawling through SpareRoom and there’s just nothing really affordable.’

‘Bummer,’ I say non-committally.

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