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‘I swear on Holly and Faye’s lives. And baby Hope’s. This is not a trick. I’m not saying it’ll be perfect, though. My uncle’splace is dated, to put it nicely. Your best bet is probably using the garden and ignoring the house altogether. And you’ll need to sort out the catering and that kind of thing.’

‘We can do that.’ Jamie was immediate with her response. ‘We can get it all. We just need a venue and a person, and if we’ve got that… if we’ve got that…’

She couldn’t finish her sentence. Holly could only imagine how she felt. Around the room, both Caroline and Ben had both remained silent, though tears glazed both their eyes. Finally, Fin reached out and took Jamie’s hands, and it was like all the rest of them had just disappeared. Was that how Evan looked at her? Holly wondered briefly, only to know immediately what the answer was. He did. He looked at her like she was the only thing in the entire world that mattered.

‘Looks like this is going ahead,’ Fin said quietly. ‘It’s happening. The wedding is happening.’

The shriek that erupted around the kitchen was enough to make Hope jump in Holly’s lap. But while Caroline and Holly danced on the spot, Fin remained where he was, squeezing Jamie so tightly it was as if he wanted her to crack her ribs. Then, without warning, he let go and turned around and stretched out his hand, straight towards Giles.

‘We don’t have words for this, dude. This is insane. Crazily insane.’

Giles nodded. ‘I’ll be honest, it’s just nice to be seen as the good guy for once.’

Holly’s heart was so full, she couldn’t believe it hadn’t burst yet. Still, the tears that had lodged in her throat were forcing their way up when Evan placed a hand on her waist.

‘This looks like a perfect happy ending,’ he whispered into her ear.

‘It does, doesn’t it?’

Then, as if the moment couldn’t have got any better, Jamie turned around and wrapped her arms around Giles.

Holly’s jaw dropped. As long as she had known Jamie, her friend couldn’t stand to even be in the same room as the man, and yet there she was, hugging him. Of course, it was exceptional circumstances, and in no way did she expect it to become a regular feature of their relationship, but the fact it had happened at all was a near miracle.

When Jamie finally let go, she turned around and faced the rest of the room, her cheeks shining.

‘Who’s up for some champagne?’

65

Given all the painkillers she was on, Holly declined a glass of champagne. But it didn’t matter in the slightest. She got all the joy and entertainment she could want watching her friends there together. In the midst of all the excitement, Caroline had rung Michael, who had brought the children round, but they weren’t the only additions. As it was Holly’s night with Hope, Georgia had turned up just after six, expecting Ben to be home alone as normal. When he hadn’t been, she had rung his mobile.

‘I’m so sorry. I’m just next door. I’ll be there in one second!’ He lifted his champagne glass to his lips as if he was hastily going to down it, but before he could take a sip, Holly accosted him.

‘What are you doing? Invite her in.’

Ben’s forehead crinkled with a frown. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course I’m sure. Jamie won’t mind. And Georgia’s going to come to the wedding, isn’t she?’

Ben nodded, before leaning forwards and pecking her on the cheek.

‘Thank you.’

Somehow, Georgia being there made the entire thing complete. The way both Ben and Hope’s face lit up when she came into the room was all the proof Holly needed that she was part of the group. Or would be with time.

The glasses clinked, while Jamie and Fin fielded one frantic call after another, and Holly watched on, her heart the fullest she could ever remember it being. These people were her chosen family, and she loved all of them with all her heart. Never once had she dreamed they would all be together like this. Happy. Ben and Evan. Jamie and Giles. There was nothing more that she could have wished for in the world.

And for Hope, despite all the excitement – and with the bonus of Caroline’s children to fuss over her – it didn’t take long before she started getting tired. Not wanting to disturb the festivities – but definitely not ready to head home either – Holly moved her into the living room, where she sat on the sofa. Immediately, Hope nestled into her shoulder. Hope cuddles really were the best cuddles in the world, even when Holly only had one functioning arm.

Sometimes, when Holly held her daughter, she found it impossible to believe where the time had gone. She was so big, and she wasn’t going to stop growing. At some point, she would be too big to curl up on her chest, or worse still, might not even want to.

‘We’ll always cuddle, won’t we, Hopey?’ she asked, though she had only just finished speaking when the living room door creaked open.

‘I’m not disturbing anything, am I?’

Giles stood in the doorway, holding a full glass of champagne.

‘Of course not. Come in.’