Page 128 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
There’s Bill and his wife, Hetty, and some of the other builders that have worked on the stables, including Ed and his girlfriend. I recognise some of the locals from the pub, including Rachel and Molly, followed by many other people from the village who have come to wish us well today. So that when the time comes for the official opening and cutting of the ribbon, which Tiffany and Joey hold up between them across the entrance, we’ve quite a crowd squashed into the little area in front of the stables.
‘Good afternoon,’ I say, standing up on a small box that Joey has put in front of a microphone. ‘And thank you all for coming to Chesterford Castle on this beautiful afternoon.’
I look out into the crowd, and recognise not only the faces of all the local residents that I know, but also the faces of my new family, all looking up at me with affection in their eyes, willing me to do well.
‘When I came to Chesterford I really didn’t know what to expect. I mean, you can’t do an evening class in how to run a castle, can you?’
There are a few polite titters.
‘But nothing prepared me for what I would find when I eventually did arrive. Not only this remarkable castle, which has stood so resolutely and so magnificently on the Northumbrian coast for centuries, but a community of people that love and adore it too. Stepping into someone else’s shoes is never easy, but when it’s a woman stepping into a man’s shoes, it’s often doubly difficult.’
A few of the women in the crowd nod their agreement.
‘But none of you made it that way for me,’ I continue. ‘You all accepted me, and helped me, and together we have hopefully not only created something in the new stables that will bring more pleasure to our many visitors, but we have begun together a new era for Chesterford, one that will bring much prosperity to the castle and to you all in the local community.’
Some spontaneous applause breaks out, so I wait.
‘But before I cut this ceremonial ribbon, I must thank a few special people without whom I really couldn’t have done this. First, to the two people you see holding the ribbon next to me.’ I gesture towards Tiffany and Joey. ‘Tiffany, my right-hand woman, you’ve been an absolute rock throughout all of this. I simply couldn’t have got through it without you. And Joey – you are a rock too. You’re strong and brave and wise. Never forget that.’
Tiffany and Joey both look highly embarrassed but thrilled at my words.
‘Arthur and Dorothy, you’ve been totally amazing, welcoming us and helping us to understand the ways of the castle. You’ve not only become good friends to me, but you’ve become surrogate grandparents to my son, too. Charlie and I can’t thank you enough.’
Charlie, holding Chester in his arms, grins up at Arthur and Dorothy, who he’s standing next to. Arthur gives me a small salute, and Dorothy fumbles for a tissue to dab at her tear-filled eyes.
‘My good friend Benji, like me, is new to Chesterford,’ I say, looking across at Benji. ‘But without him I definitely wouldn’t be standing here right now. Thank you, Benji, for helping me to see I was good enough to do this.’ Benji blows me a kiss.
‘And finally Tom.’ I look at Tom, who is standing in the crowd looking proudly back at me. ‘What can I say? Thank you for being not only Charlie’s knight in shining armour, but mine too. I didn’t think this princess needed rescuing, but perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps I did need a handsome prince to sweep me off my feet?’
Tom winks at me, and I gaze back at him for a moment.Thank you, I silently mouth.
‘Now,’ I say, looking into the crowd once more, ‘without further ado, let’s finally get this place open!’ I take some shiny new scissors from Joey and I hold them over the ribbon. ‘I now declare The Stables gift shop and tea room officiallyopen!’
There’s rapturous applause as I snip at the white ribbon, and I breathe a sigh of relief as people begin to pour into the stables to get their free refreshments and browse the goods in the gift shop.
‘Here,’ Benji says, thrusting a glass of bubbly into my hand. ‘You look like you need it.’
‘If you knew how long I’ve been practising that speech,’ I tell him.
‘It was superb!’ Benji says, clinking glasses with me. ‘Here’s to many more like it in the future!’
I screw up my face.
‘If you’ve finally accepted that you’re the rightful lady of the manor then you’d better get used to it. That’s what they do, don’t they – open things and make speeches?’
‘Benji, stop teasing me,’ I tell him, gulping down some prosecco. ‘Just be happy I’m doing what you all want at last.’
Benji grins. ‘I am! We all are, you know that.’
‘You were great,’ Tom says, coming over to us and putting his arm around me. ‘I’m very proud of you.’ He kisses my cheek.
‘Thank you.’ I snuggle into his embrace a little. I always feel safe when Tom’s arm is around me, and after making that speech I need all the reassurance I can get.
‘Mum!’ Charlie says, running through the crowd with Chester on a lead, tugging Dorothy behind him. ‘You were fab! I loved your speech. It was a bit like the one my headmaster gave the other day in assembly, only better, and fewer people fell asleep.’
‘The ultimate compliment!’ I hug Charlie, and look at Dorothy. ‘I hope he’s not giving you too much trouble, Dorothy, dragging you around?’
‘Not at all,’ Dorothy says, looking adoringly at Charlie. ‘He’s a poppet, as is Chester.’
