One year later.
‘SO, LET me propose a toast, to my wife, Lucy, Business Woman of the Year, mother of my son—and holder of my heart,’ Marcus added in a lower, deeper voice that only Lucy could hear as all around them everyone else raised their glasses and cheered.
‘I would never have had the courage to set up a new business if it hadn’t been for you, Marcus,’ Lucy told him lovingly.
‘Don’t underestimate yourself, Lucy. You are an extremely talented woman. Junior Prêt a Party proves that.’
‘I wonder what Andrew Walker would think if he knew how I’d used his idea,’ Lucy said mischievously. ‘It had never occurred to me before he suggested it to even think of franchising event hire, and yet really it was so obvious. And with a baby of my own, I could see that there was a real need for women to help one another organising children’s parties and christenings, and for passing on not just their expertise but also practical things, like marquees, clothes, party costumes, everything. It just makes so much sense for mothers to gather together and share the cost of everything they need for parties and to plan them together in a group. That way every child within that group gets the party they want and every mother knows she has a team of supporters she can turn to.’
‘And all for a very modest annual payment.’
‘Well, it was a real brainwave of yours to ask Carly and Ricardo to get involved, and Julia and Silas. With the charity funding Ricardo and Silas give us, and the young people from Ricardo’s orphanages who we help to train as nursery and ancillary workers, we’re not just providing parties for children but we’re providing education and work as well.’
‘Like I said you are a very clever woman,’ Marcus repeated.
‘I was certainly clever enough to fall in love with you.’ Lucy agreed.