Valentine’s Day, the following year
‘You look gorgeous.’
Finn’s comment made Rose glow inwardly, but also provoked a wry smile. A ‘normal’ night out at the Ferryman was always a casual affair, with people arriving in anything from damp board shorts to salty oilskins. However, this was not a normal night out and such a celebration deserved a special effort.
Her mum had treated her to the dress, which Rose had chosen for formal dinners at Cambridge but had never yet worn. It was deep blue velvet with three-quarter sleeves. It felt fitting to give it a debut here in Cornwall as a fresh spring dawned.
Using the new mirror in the bedroom, she fixed some gold earrings in her ears. They were shaped like tiny scallop shells and had been a gift from Finn at Christmas. Rose opened the drawer under the wardrobe and fished out a purple cashmere scarf from Maddie, ‘to keep out the cold Cornish wind’.
Truth be told, it was very mild out compared to the clear and biting cold of Cambridge. Spring had been around the corner in the city when she’d visited her old university the previous weekend, but it had already taken up residence in Cornwall. Camellias and magnolias were bursting out in the gardens, and some of the flower farmers’ fields were packed with yellow daffodils nodding in the breeze.
Finn held out her new teddy coat – a present to herself – and put it on. She still thought it was a miracle he’d managed to find room for her clothes in the studio. On the other hand, his own hadn’t taken up a lot of space. Most of Rose’s other possessions were packed away and stored in the cottage in Cambridge.
Rose took the helm of the RIB Finn kept under the boathouse and they motored up the creek to the pub, where music was playing and lights glittered in the dark surface of the water. People were out on the terraces, a few in shirt sleeves, laughing and enjoying a drink.
Laughter greeted them the moment they walked into the bar, where a Congratulations banner had been hung from the rafters. A table was already piled high with gifts and within a few moments they were chattering away, while more guests arrived behind them.
It seemed as if everyone from Falford was there, including Bo and her dance club friends and half the cricket club.
‘Joey and Lauren here yet?’ Rose asked Bo, while Finn fetched some drinks.
‘No sign yet, but you know what he’s like, always late. Lauren will make sure he turns up.’
‘I heard they were busy moving into the new flat,’ Rose said. ‘I’m glad she decided to move here.’
Lauren had been promoted and had taken up a post at Treliske Hospital. It was a fair journey every day but they both seemed blissfully happy.
‘Dorinda will miss them, even though they’re only half an hour away,’ Bo said. ‘But they had to find somewhere between Truro and here.’
‘She will, but I think it will be good for them all to have their own space.’
‘Besides, Kev seems to be filling the gap quite well,’ Rose said. Bo’s gaze rested on Dorinda, chatting to Kev by the fire. He rested his hand in the small of her back and Dorinda gave him a peck on the cheek.
‘Yes.’
Rose and Bo had become closer since she’d moved to Falford. They chatted a while longer, but then Bo moved away to talk to a man with impressive rock ’n’ roll style sideburns. Rose recognised him from the cricket match and thought he’d been playing for the Lizards. She didn’t know much about him, but it wasn’t long before he had his arm around her, so they were definitely more than friends. Mmm. Now that was something she looked forward to hearing about over the next few weeks.
A ripple went around the room and Joey and Lauren walked in.
‘Late as usual,’ someone shouted.
‘Blame Lauren,’ Joey said good-naturedly. ‘She was driving.’
‘Blame Joey. He couldn’t find his new shirt in all the moving chaos. He’s such a peacock. Vain.’ Lauren shook her head and they moved away to admire the presents table.
Finn returned to Rose’s side.
‘Talking of which, I wonder where they are?’ Finn checked his watch.
‘I hope nothing’s happened,’ Rose said.
‘I doubt it … as long as they haven’t changed their minds after all this planning,’ Finn said.
‘Shh! I’ve had the nod that they’re on their way!’ the landlord called, holding up his phone. People fiddled with party poppers and nudged each other, some trying not to giggle with excitement. A minute later, a couple walked in.
‘Surprise!’ The poppers exploded and the pub rang to whoops and whistles.
‘What? What’s going on?’ Oriel and Naomi froze halfway into the bar.
Oriel’s jaw almost dropped onto the flagstones.
‘It’s an engagement party for you.’ Rose hugged her. ‘Well done, Naomi!’
‘What do you mean?’ Oriel shot a glance at Naomi, who was grinning fit to burst. ‘You knew about this?’
‘I might have had an inkling. Someone had to get you here safely but I didn’t organise it. Bo and Rose planned it all.’
Oriel let out a shriek. ‘I hope you won’t be keeping secrets from me when we’re married.’
Naomi kissed her. ‘What secrets could I possibly have?’
‘I had no idea! I thought we were coming for a romantic meal out. I must admit I thought the Ferryman looked packed but it is Valentine’s night.’
Someone handed the happy couple glasses of fizz. Oriel was buzzing with excitement. She held up her left hand and a blue opal ring sparkled on her finger. ‘You like?’
‘Oh my God. I love it! When did you get that?’
Naomi laughed and showed her own finger. ‘I got one too. We went to Falmouth to choose them last week.’
‘We decided to wear them for the first time tonight.’ Oriel glanced around her. ‘Is Auntie Lynne here?’
‘I think she’s in the kitchen,’ Rose said. ‘She’s been supervising the catering for the landlord.’
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ Lynne tapped her on the shoulder and hugged her, before hugging Naomi too. ‘Who do you think made the cake?’
‘What cake?’ Oriel’s eyes widened.
Right on cue, to the sound of ‘Happy’ by Pharrell, Kev emerged from the bar with a large iced cake. It was covered in blue royal icing and on top had a woman’s arm emerging from a lake in the middle with a knight in armour at the edge.
‘It’s my sword!’ Oriel cried in delight.
‘With Naomi as the knight,’ Lynne said. ‘Most unusual engagement cake I’ve ever made but Rose said you’d love it.’
Oriel’s eyes filled with tears. ‘It’s fantastic.’
‘Thanks, Auntie Lynne,’ Naomi said.
Lynne beamed. ‘I quite like gaining an extra niece,’ she said. ‘And I’m so proud of you, Oriel, for working so hard to make Cornish Magick a success.’
‘We’re fully booked with tours for the spring already!’ Oriel said. ‘And I’ve been invited to do a folklore spot on Radio Cornwall!’
‘Oh, you’ll be famous next,’ said Lynne, hugging her tighter.
Rose had a lump in her throat. She was proud of Oriel too, for facing up to her fears, getting the tours going and never giving up. Even without the sword discovery, she suspected Oriel would have succeeded, but that had added the extra bit of magic to take it to a new level.
The music was turned up and the chatter grew in volume, as champagne corks popped.
As the party continued, Dorinda found Rose for a chat.
‘It’s a happy night, isn’t it? Who’d have thought it after that dark day at the boatyard?’
‘I know …’
‘It’s an ill wind,’ she said, sliding a glance at Kev who was chatting to Joey and Lauren. ‘Kev’s been a rock to me, since the fire. He was a good friend before but after that day, we’ve grown into something much more.’
‘I’m really happy for you.’
‘I’m glad to welcome you to the family. You were brave going in for Finn. I’ll never forget that.’
Rose was so touched; she could barely speak so she just smiled and accepted a hug from Dorinda, something she wouldn’t have believed possible many months ago.
‘You’re good for Finn. You’ve brought him back to life.’
‘And he’s done the same for me. You all have,’ Rose said, aware that Dorinda had no idea of the full import of her words.
Finn joined them. ‘Are you talking about me? I hope not.’
Rose and Dorinda exchanged a glance and they both burst out laughing.
It was past midnight and bitterly cold when they tied up at the studio jetty and finally shut the door on the world. Yet it seemed too momentous a night to go to bed, and Rose had one more thing to get off her chest. She took Finn onto the balcony and they gazed at the stars twinkling in the Cornish sky and the lights shimmering in the estuary. Rose thought of her gran, and thanked her silently for bringing her to Falford to find the man who’d given her a second chance at life – and the one she wanted to spend the rest of it with.
‘I have something to tell you. It’ll come as a surprise. A shock. You could say it’s magical. Remember I told you that I might not be able to have any children?’
Finn slid his arm around her. ‘And I said I don’t mind. I’ll support you; whatever life throws at us.’
‘I love you for that.’ Rose filled up. ‘But, Finn, I saw my consultant in Cambridge. Things have changed in the past few months. She says I might be able to get pregnant after all with some help.’
His eyes lit up in delight. ‘That’s wonderful news, but does it mean we’ll have to be careful from now on? Until you’re ready? I know I am, but it has to be a joint decision.’
‘The thing is …’ Rose said, bracing herself, but feeling as if she was about to take off with happiness. ‘It’s my experience that you shouldn’t wait until you’re ready, if you really want something badly enough. You should go after it with all your heart because the perfect time may never come.’
Finn kissed her. ‘In that case,’ he said, leading her back into the warmth. ‘I don’t think we should waste another minute.’
THE END