CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

2nd September

I don’t know if you ever saw a wedding at Whitehaven, Laura, but it was a beautiful thing. I wanted to have it at Christmas, but it turned out we just couldn’t wait. In the end we were married in the church in Lower Hadwell and then the whole wedding party made its way in little boats across the river and up the hill to have the reception at Whitehaven.

There was a marquee on the top lawn and fairy lights in the trees and magic in the air. I set a place for you, because I thought you would have enjoyed the party. Ben told me you liked a good tune and a dance.

I did what you wanted: I filled Whitehaven with children—and children who really need it. You should see how they change while they’re here, how they look when they leave. And I’m hoping to fill it with more of my own too.

I know you didn’t have your first choice happy ending here, but from what Ben tells me about you, I don’t think you’d begrudge mine. He said you always had soft spot for him and nagged him mercilessly to find a nice girl and get married again. I’m not sure I’m who you’d have picked, but I promise you this, Laura: I love him so, so much, and I will take the very best care of him. I don’t know who to thank for bringing him to me—you or Whitehaven—but I’m very grateful. When he looks at me, I know I’m not an empty shell, and I know that I have plenty to give him too.

Oh … One last thing: I’m putting your diary back where you left it in the fireplace, and I’m adding this one too. I’ve only kept it about six months, but it’s full, and there’s a lot of living and a lot of thinking in it. Maybe they’ll both stay there undiscovered until they rot, but maybe they won’t. One day, someone who needs them might find them. I hope so. Because then Whitehaven’s magic will start again.

Thank you, Laura, and goodbye. I hope you are as peaceful and happy where you are as I am at this moment.

Lots of love,

Louise Oliver