Page 6

‘Theo?’ Daisy said, as he appeared on the bow. Wordlessly, he stepped onto the towpath. As normally happened when they had been separated for any length of time, Johnny rushed over to greet him, but Daisy stayed exactly where she was. Her eyes locked on Theo. Although at that moment, he didn’t look like her Theo. A deep frown creased his forehead and his hands were clenched at his sides, as if he was trying to stop them from trembling.

‘Theo…’

‘I wasn’t sure…’

They started speaking simultaneously, then cut off at the exact same time, too. Daisy felt her cheeks flush with colour.

‘Is it too much?’ Theo said, speaking again before Daisy had a chance to think. ‘It seemed like a good idea, but then I started and couldn’t stop and it’s too much, isn’t it? It’s too much.’

‘It’s not too much,’ Daisy said, glancing over at the boat and the thousands of lights that were twinkling. ‘Okay, maybe you could have gone a little less crazy with the lights. I can’t imagine what my electricity bill is going to be after this.’

Theo looked devastated.

‘I knew it. It was a ridiculous idea.’

Daisy hastened towards him. ‘No, I’m joking. I was joking. It’s perfect. It’s absolutely perfect. I… I don’t need this, I didn’t need this.’

Daisy had never thought about what it would be like when Theo proposed. She had assumed that they might make that type of commitment at some point in the future, but they had been so content as they were, it hadn’t crossed her mind that much. But of course, she should have known that if the day ever arrived, he would go out on a limb to make sure everything was as incredible as possible. If, of course, this was a proposal, she reasoned to herself. He still hadn’t actually said the words yet. Maybe she had got the wrong end of the stick.

Just as she had the thought, Theo reached out, took her hands and lowered himself onto one knee.

‘Daisy May, you have turned my world upside down.’ A smile flitted across his lips, and Daisy felt her heart swell in anticipation. It was going to happen. It was actually going to happen. Theo was going to propose to her. She bit down on her lip and waited for him to ask the question.

‘You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. You are talented, funny, kind, generous, so damn hard-working. Every morning I wake up, and I don’t understand how I got so lucky to be with you.’

Sniffing back the lump in her throat, Daisy felt a trickle down her cheek and wiped it away. She wasn’t sure when she had started crying, but she was.

‘Daisy, there is nothing I want more than to wake up every morning of my life with you.’

7

Daisy was staring at Theo, or rather, she was staring at the ring he was holding in his hand. It was absolutely perfect. A large central diamond haloed by a ring of small sapphires and rubies, and highlighted by a sparkling gold band. By the looks of things, it was an antique. A one-off. Totally unique. Just like the pair of them and their relationship.

‘Not that I’m worried or anything, but you are making me a little nervous,’ Theo said, still looking up at her. ‘A reply would be good at some point. It’s surprisingly painful, kneeling like this too.’

‘Oh, yes, of course, yes,’ Daisy said, brushing her hands against her cheeks, surprised to find they were still wet with tears. ‘Of course, it’s a yes.’

With a smile broader than she would have ever thought possible, Theo stood up and slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit and even more impressive close up, with the way the rubies and sapphires tapered and the intricate filigree of the band. Daisy was still trying to take in all the details when a small chorus of cheers erupted behind her.

‘Woohoo!’

Daisy didn’t give herself time to think. Instead, she turned and raced towards her friends as they ran towards her and the group collided with such force into a hug, she almost toppled over. But it was worth it, just to see their insane grins up close.

‘Wow,’ Claire said. ‘You had us worried for a minute there.’

‘What are you on about? I wasn’t worried for one second,’ Bex said. ‘Now, where is the Champagne? It’s time to crack it open.’

‘Hold on a second, I want to get a proper look at that ring first,’ Claire said, pulling Daisy’s hand towards her. ‘Oh my God, that is stunning. Wow.’

‘It is, isn’t it?’ Daisy said, lifting her hand up and turning her wrist slightly so that the light hit all the gemstones. Theo approached the group and wrapped his arms around her waist.

‘Happy?’ he asked.

‘Very,’ Daisy replied.

It was as she stood there, with her eyes locked on Theo’s, that she realised she hadn’t kissed him since accepting his proposal. She had been too overwhelmed with the ring and the girls. It was a mistake she quickly rectified. With her left hand pressed up against his cheek, she planted her lips against his. It was the most perfect kiss. Her first kiss as an engaged woman. And it could have gone on forever, had it not been for the voice that spoke behind her.

‘Girls, I wasn’t expecting to see you today? Is something going on?’