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‘We’ll get together one evening in the week though, right?’ Bex said, taking her turn to hug Daisy. ‘Maybe you can come to my flat? Cocktails with a view? And then you can fill us in on… everything.’

‘Oh, there’s a lot to fill you in on, believe me,’ Daisy said in a hushed voice. Although given the fuss that Theo was giving Johnny, she doubted he was listening to the conversation at all.

‘Well, just give us a ring if you need to talk.’

‘Will do,’ Daisy replied. ‘Why don’t I walk back to the car with you?’

‘Don’t be silly, you’ve been travelling all day. You probably need to sit down.’

‘Thank you. And thank you again for this weekend. And for everything with the proposal.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Claire was clearly about to go in for another hug, when from all the way up the towpath came Amelia’s voice.

‘Did you two not hear what I said about my homework? Come on! Hurry up!’

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The boat was spotless. Claire and Bex both knew what a stickler Theo was for keeping things clean and tidy, and they had obviously tried their hardest to ensure that not a thing was out of place. The cushions were plumped up on the sofa, the coasters straight on the coffee table and even the floor had been mopped, although the minute Johnny raced inside, he left a trail of dust and leaves before flopping down on his bed.

‘I feel you, Johnny,’ Daisy said, taking off her shoes before dropping onto the sofa. ‘That was definitely a weekend I won’t forget.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Theo said, sitting down next to Daisy and shifting her around so that her legs lay across his lap. ‘It wasn’t exactly the weekend I’d planned.’

A pang of guilt struck in Daisy’s chest. She hadn’t meant to sound so negative.

‘I meant the good things,’ Daisy said, leaning across so that she could kiss him. ‘I got to see where you grew up. And visit the Lake District and stay in the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever been in.’

‘It was just the meeting my family, the used engagement ring, the ex-girlfriend, and the massive row that weren’t so positive, right?’

Daisy let out a sad laugh. ‘I think every couple has a row now and then. It’s how you get past it that matters.’

She expected Theo to agree with her comment, but he simply looked at her and shook his head ever so slightly.

‘You know that’s why I love you, right? Because you see the best in everything, in everyone.’

‘I don’t think I saw the best in your family,’ Daisy said honestly, and yet Theo leaned forward and cupped her cheeks in his hands.

‘Big wedding, small wedding – I don’t care. I could marry you in a castle or a barn, and I would still be the happiest man on earth,’ Theo said.

‘You say that like barns are a cheap alternative,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ve done my research, remember? Even a barn costs?—’

‘Be quiet and kiss me,’ Theo said.

A minute or two later, when they broke away, Daisy could feel a familiar tightness in her face from the smile that continued to stretch her cheeks, though as her eyes met Theo’s, she remembered something, and the feeling of bliss faded by a fraction.

‘I guess I should go and check on Mum,’ she said.

‘You don’t have to. She’s a grown woman, and from what you said about growing up, it’s not the first time she’s reacted like this.’

It was true. It felt like every other month of Daisy’s teen years, her mum was going through some dastardly breakup or another. But she had been with Nick a long time. This wasn’t like that.

‘I should go,’ Daisy repeated.

‘Okay, just remember that you’re her child, right?’

Daisy tilted her head to the side. ‘What’s that meant to mean?’